Book 3: The Love of Fire & Rain

Chapter 2: The Phoenix messenger

Midnight in Rome, Italy two days and two nights later...

On the top of the garden paridice of Mount Olympus near the Grecian Roman temple of her sister's home Atlanta was busy talking to her sister Lunaria beneath the light of the glowing full moon and was smiling a love-struck smile as she sat beside her sister on the lowest branch of the giant Olive tree near Lunaria's bedroom. She happily retold her sister everything about her encounter with the mystery man in Spain.

"Oh Luna you should have seen the way he danced with me! I have never danced with anyone quite like him before. Oh he knew every step by heart it was sooo wonderful..."

Atlanta spoke like a love-struck teenager talking to her friends about some cute boy. Lunaria was trying to contain her excitement but failed to contain a squeal of glee, Atlanta turned to see her sister was smiling a sliver-lipped smile at her. Lunaria's silver eyes were shining brightly in glee like the full moon as her silver lips curved into a smile.

"What are you smiling at Luna?"

"Isn't it obvious sis, you're in love!" Lunaria's long flowing black hair waved around her body as her long sliver nightdress blew in the breeze. Atlanta blushed and said.

"No, I'm not...you-you really think so?"

"Sis you're so happy you're practically glowing. You're smiling nonstop and you won't stop talking about that mystery man of yours."

Atlanta smiled, "I guess I am, but what should I do?"

"Go find him..."

Atlanta's smile turned into a frown. "How can I find him when I don't even know his name?"

Lunaria saw the pain in her sister's eyes and said with a kindhearted smile. "You'll find him Lani. I know you will if anyone deserves someone to love it's you." She hugged her sister and smiled.

Atlanta spoke with a sincere smile towards her sister. "Oh sis thank you and I know that you will find someone to love too...and thank you."

The next morning Atlanta awoke in her palace bedroom on her island kingdom of Atlantis. Yawning she stood up and walked over to her vanity and started brushing her long beautiful hair with a whalebone brush and placed a beautiful seashell comb into her turquoise hair. She looked into her mirror and stared in shock blinking over what she saw starring back at her. She saw a flaming bird was perched on her balcony with a Fire lily in its beak and a note in its talons.

She stood up and walked over to the beautiful bird stroking its feathers as she spoke, "A Phoenix...Well hello my friend what are you doing here?"

The phoenix gently gave her the flower in its beak and the moment she held the Fire Lily in her hands, she knew it was from him her mystery man from Spain. Her heart skipped a beat as she read the letter.

Dear Atlanta,

I sent Phonx to give this letter to you; be warned he bites...

Phonx nipped her hand a little, "Oww..." she laughed and continued to read.

If he nipped you that means he likes you...the reason I sent him is to invite you to meet me, I hope you'll accept. You see we never did get to finish our dance. Meet me in Pompeii next to Mount Vesuvius, bring the mask, oh, and this time dich the lackey...

Atlanta laughed as she held the letter to her heart, turned to Phonx, and said. "Give this to him..." She took out her seashell comb and gave it to Phonx who flew all the way back to Pompeii in less than an hour! Phonx landed on the man's shoulder with the comb in his beak before dropping it in the man's hand. The mystery man held the comb in his hands and smiled as he stroked his bird's feathers.

"Good Phonx, here you deserve this."

He threw Phonx a Fire Salamander a rare deliciously; Phonx caught it in his beak and ate it in one gulp his flaming tail grew in size as he flew through the air screeching a beautiful love song.