Tomorrow's Gone (#Wattys2015)

Chapter 17: Enlightening Encounter

I was in Astronoma once more, entrapped in yet another dream with Phoenix. This time, however, there was a luminous stream beside me. It glowed blue as if lit from below by a neon blue light. I looked around. The radiant foliage surrounding me dripped the same glowing blue liquid. Was this what rain looked like in Astronoma? It was as if hidden sea plankton were hidden between the substance. Other than the light shed by the liquid, the only other lighting provided was from the glowing blue moon above, partially obscured by the glowing foliage.

I looked around, expecting to find Phoenix's magma-colored eyes gazing back at me intently, but he was nowhere in sight. I did a full three-sixty turn, but did not see him anywhere. I shrugged and plopped down on the cushiony, velvet soil. I leaned back against the trunk of a tree. The humming of the stream beside me was soothing. My eyes drifted shut and I relaxed, slumping against the tree.

After a few moments, I opened my eyes, and there he was. Phoenix's inquisitive orange eyes gazed into mine. He had a secret smile as he leaned against a tree, his arms crossed over his chest. This time, he wore a black, buttoned-up turtle neck and grey jeans. They were earth-like garments. He had cropped his black hair. It was well-groomed, not too long.

"Hi," I greeted him, standing to my feet as I bashfully met his eyes. I still remembered what had happened the last time I'd seen him. He'd hugged me as I'd cried.

Phoenix pushed off the tree, sauntering towards me slowly. "How are you?" he asked cautiously.

I bit my lip. "Not so good... a lot has happened," I confessed.

Phoenix frowned. "Please explain," he urged.

"Well... Cosmo's betrothed wants me dead," I explained.

Phoenix's face hardened with anger. "What has she done to you? Has she threatened you?" he asked stonily.

I pursed my lips. "She just doesn't like that Cosmo and I spend time with each other. She found us together and isn't very happy about that."

Phoenix clenched his jaw. "Why do you associate yourself with him? He's evil, he's our enemy," he bit out through gritted teeth, repulsed.

I shrugged sheepishly. He was right. Even if he was intent on helping us, I could never know his true intentions... but there was something about him that made me trust him wholeheartedly. "He just wants to help... because his father is also dangerous..." I trailed off.

Phoenix's brow creased into an angry frown. "I'm telling you they're evil, Zoe. Has he done anything specific to harm you all?" he prompted.

I clasped my hands together self-consciously. "Well... he sort of overstepped his boundaries with me the other day. I don't feel safe around him," I murmured.

Phoenix froze. His hands clenched into fists. He was livid. "That imbecile. What did he do to you? Are you harmed?" his eyes scanned over me.

I rubbed the side of my arm, shuddering as I remembered Augustus. "I'm okay, don't worry."

Phoenix's face softened, the anger fleeing as rapidly as it had come. He stepped forward cautiously, as if he would scare me off. He was now a foot away. I averted my eyes. He suddenly cupped my chin, making me look into his eyes.

"We will be there by tomorrow, we are approximating the Onyx ship. Do not fear. I will make them regret they ever took you," he swore sternly.

I gulped. Phoenix was obviously a force to be reckoned with. But then he would harm Cosmo. I didn't want that. "Cosmo wouldn't deserve it. He's helped us so much... he genuinely wants to help," I insisted.