Midnight Cove

Chapter Nineteen: Music and Moonlight

Sleep evaded me the first night in that magical kingdom. I laid there, brutally awake, as I spent the night alone in Phoenix's extravagant bed chambers. Lying in that enormous bed dressed with silken sheets, the same iridescent creamy color as the wallpaper that lined the sitting room walls, I couldn't help but think about the countless number of women he probably brought there.

I glanced around and noted the obsidian rock face walls with their smooth, glassy appearance. This seemed to be the same as in other parts of the palace, but in this private closed off bedroom they took on a sexier feel. It reminded me of the feeling of danger I felt the first time I met Phoenix. It was sexy, dangerous, lustful.

The dark walls seemed to encroach upon the large bed that I lay on, the look and feel of a safe beacon of light in the midst of a dark night. It was intimidating to say the least and yet it was so welcoming. I couldn't help but sink into the plush feathery pillows with a reluctant gratefulness. They were so delicate on my skin and smelled deeply of lilies. I thought of Phoenix and the way his hands had griped me on the balcony, his soft lips as they had whispered gently against my ear, how he smelled with a sweet mixture of musk and lilies. I thought about him in this bed alone ....or, perhaps not?

How many women? How many? My mind ran circles. A hundred? A thousand? How old is he? A hundred thousand? How many lovers can a man have when he's attractive, royal, and immortal? I tried to convince myself that it didn't matter, but I couldn't ignore the knot I felt in the pit of my stomach. How different I could feel about Phoenix in such a short time.

Joy often finds me when I am not seeking it.  As convoluted as that sounds, it really isn't.  I am always searching for happiness and yet it seems only to materialize when I shift my focus. My focus was now on Phoenix and all the glory and the magick that the Underworld held. Tired, but unable to sleep and agitated with my thoughts ping ponging between Phoenix and Cove, and the unknown Faerie females that might hold their hearts, I decided to get up. I'd had enough.

I donned the pink satin robe that matched my nightgown. One of the servants had left it for me along with a soft fuzzy towel and a pair of slippers. I disregarded the towel and the rest of the pile of delicate garments that lied on the bench at the foot of the bed and made my way across the wide expanse of the room.

With the idea of fresh air on the balcony in mind, I turned the bedroom door knob, and that was when I heard the soft tinkling of piano keys. Someone was playing a delicate melancholy tune and I paused in the doorway to listen. At first, the melody was very sad, almost depressing but the longer I stood there and listened the more I realized that the undertone of the song was uplifting and I was unable to stop my footsteps as I floated towards the titillating sound.

The song ended, but I still wanted to hear more. To my relief the music started up again, the notes beginning to soar through the air. This song, still melancholy like the last, but it felt more like a longing.

Leaving my bedroom quarters behind, I walked quietly down the spiral staircase following the sound. I crossed the foyer to the sitting room with the large french doors that opened onto the balcony. There wasn't anyone there so I kept going, heading underneath another archway and into the adjacent room.

It appeared as though I had walked into a study or a library, I couldn't tell which. Another room without the black obsidian that began to almost feel commonplace. The wood panelled walls were encased with books. On one wall was an immense fireplace made completely of river rocks.  Each side of the hearth was framed by massive windows that easily reached to a height of twenty feet.

I looked around, but I couldn't see where the music was coming from. I almost gave up. I could still hear the melody, but I could not ascertain from where it was coming. I ran my finger across the red fabric of a high back chair and headed for the farthest wall of books. In the corner of the room, well hidden from sight, was a black door left ajar. I could hear the music growing louder as I approached. It was coming from the other side of that door.