Midnight Cove

Chapter Twenty: Dark Palace

When Phoenix finally tired of playing he got up from the piano bench and closed the cover over the keys. He walked to the door holding it open for me, waiting. I rose from my spot on the bench and walked back into the room of books. I was a little sad to leave but I could tell that the piano room was Phoenix's private space and my time visiting there was now over.

As we crossed the expansive room toward the archway that would lead us back into the sitting room I asked, "What room is this?"

"This is my private study," Phoenix said.

"Wow," I said swiveling my head around to take another look at the many books that lined the walls. "I thought it was like the castle library or something." I was thoroughly impressed. This many books meant that Phoenix was obviously well read and very smart. It was definitely a turn on. I hated dumb jock type of guys. Intelligent men were so sexy.

Phoenix just smiled answering, "No, the Dark Palace does have a library, but this isn't it. It would dwarf mine easily. I don't really go there anyhow, unless I'm researching something highly elusive or uncommon." He then chuckled a deep sexy laugh and I had to smile at the sound.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"I was just thinking about how many human scholars would give their right arm to just look at some of the books resting on those shelves. You know, we even have some of the scrolls from the fall of Alexandria. We tried to save as many as possible. I'm sure there are some hidden in other places as well."

Phoenix looked a little sad as he recalled the burning of that ancient pagan library. I couldn't guess at how old he was, I didn't even want to know. The fact that he could remember that far was honestly, a little frightening.

"The Dark Palace?" I wanted to change the topic back to the present and avoid anymore reminiscing of a millennia long since forgotten.

"Yes," he said, "that is what we call this place. I find it most befitting, don't you?" He looked over at me raising his eyebrows, curious to see if I approved.

"Yes," I agreed. "It does have a ring to it." I smiled up into his charming boyish face. He smiled back, his dimples cutting deep into his bronze skin.

I slipped my hand into his then interlacing our fingers. Phoenix stopped walking. We were again in sitting room, on our left stood the large glass french doors leading to the balcony.

"I'm sorry." I said embarrassed by my boldness.

I probably looked like some sort of harlot to him; kissing him in the cave and flirting on the balcony earlier, and now just grabbing his hand without warning. All of this in one day after finding out that his brother, whom I had professed my undying love to, was cheating on me. I was starting to feel fickle, when nothing could be farther from the truth. I had always guarded my heart as though it was my most precious possession.

"No, don't revert, Coral," Phoenix's voice was soft and pleading. He held tight to my fingers and wouldn't let them escape. "This feels good. You know it does."

Though his tone was still delicate it took on an urgency that could only be desire. He wanted me, I could see it then, but I wasn't ready for that. I wanted to take it slowly, I wasn't just going to let my heart get trampled again by these gorgeous fairytale men.

"You're right," I said, "it does." I gave his hand a squeeze and he relaxed. Then I quickly pulled my hand out his. "But I'm not going to make it that easy. I'll be honest Phoenix, I am in danger of having feelings for you. I don't want to, I keep trying to fight it, but you're making it hard for me to resist. I promise you though, I am going to try. After what you told me about Cove, after everything you've shown me, proving the web of lies he spun, I am not ready for feelings. I am not ready for any of this." I lightly shook my head, still disbelieving the crazy situations I kept putting myself in.