The Incandescent | Book 7 | The Fairy arc

Chapter 25 ~ The Flashlight and the Radiance

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~ Planet Mijoria ~

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Mara and Crimson walked on a hidden staircase that led to a secret passageway to the underground cavern where Trésora was buried in a coffin. It was dark, but Crimson's flames provided light. His body was aflame; however, his own flames didn't hurt him. Crimson kept his flames at minimum heat, mindful of Mara.

Mara turned to smile at Crimson. "Wow, talk about convenient! I think I just found myself a portable flashlight."

Crimson's eyes shone, but he didn't smile back. Mara continued to walk forward, hoping to see a smile on his face before the completion of the assignment. Crimson walked behind Mara, lighting the way as they walked together.

The only sound was the clack clack of Mara's heeled boots and the soft swish of Crimson's cloak. The walls echoed with each careful step on the stone stairs.

"Just to clarify, your name is Crimson Leeiyor, but your father's name is Iro Fenice. How come you have a different last name? Iredescent culture dictates that last names come from the father, not the mother, and when an Iredescent couple marries, the woman takes the husband's last name."

Mara found it ironic that she met his son on a different planet. Crimson was one of the only three Phoenixes in existence, which meant Raistin Fenice was his grandfather.

"Leeiyor is my mother's maiden name. I took her former last name because my mother is a mortal, and I do not wish to have the last name of an immortal father."

"Because you reject your Phoenix side." That explains why he doesn't turn into his bird form, why he only appears in his Iredescent form.

"Yes," Crimson confirmed. His tone indicated he wished to speak no further of the matter.

"I met your father and grandfather," Mara told him, aware of his curt tone and wanting to alleviate the difficulty. "I have to say, I am glad I met you, my flashlight."

Happiness enveloped Mara when she finally saw a smile appear on Crimson's face. It was the shadow of a smile, but still a smile.

"If I am your flashlight, then you are my radiance," said Crimson, his melodic voice like music to Mara.

Crimson and Mara looked at each other for a long moment, aware of the close proximity, aware of the excited euphoric feeling in their hearts. Mara felt the impulse to kiss him, but she didn't. Though Crimson was attracted to Mara, she knew he harbored feelings for Trésora.

Stifling her disappointment, Mara resumed walking towards the cavern.

At last, the footsteps stopped at the doorway. Mara noticed the cavern was made of glistening marble, limestone, shale, feldspar, and graphite. Crimson kept a safe distance as he continued to be Mara's flashlight.

Slits of light from above the cavern revealed a pure white diamond coffin, with a ruby in the shape of a jeweled heart. The coffin was placed away from sunlight, near the greyish white rock walls. There were iron bolts and garlic deposited around the coffin, to further hinder any escape attempt.

Mara heard Crimson take a deep breath, his footsteps halting before he slowly went over to the coffin. Mara stood near Crimson, as close as possible without touching his flames. Mara watched as Crimson removed the garlic, burning through the iron bolts with his hands. Crimson lifted the lid and moved it to the side, revealing Trésora.

Mara gasped, startled to see Trésora in person. Crimson's eyes studied every movement, but there was none.

Trésora was lying still as if asleep. Her eyes were closed, her arms crossed across her chest in the shape of an X. Silver chains bound her wrists at the center of the X shape, overlying the dainty crystal white bracelets she usually wore. Her extremely long, blood red hair pooled around her bare shoulders and down her slim body.