Midnight Cove

Chapter Twenty-Two: Death Do Us Part

Phoenix enclosed us in his ebony wings. I inhaled his earthy scent, I could just barely make out the faint smell of lilies. I squeezed my eyes shut trying not think of what I was choosing to leave behind as I tightened my grip around him. I could feel the soft tingling sensation that would occur with our transporting from one realm to the next. I opened my eyes and we were standing on the beach, Phoenix's arms wrapped gently around my shoulders.

I saw early morning beachcombers smiling and stealing looks in our direction. Phoenix's angel wings weren't visible, we looked like a beautiful young couple enjoying a romantic embrace. I blushed, knowing that the thoughts of the onlookers was at least somewhat well founded. Our attraction to each other was obvious.

I thought it odd that Phoenix had taken me back to the beach instead of taking me home like he had said. I looked up quizzically into his face and he said, "I felt it was best that I didn't take you to your home. My brother is there waiting. I can sense him not far from here. Besides," he smiled slightly at me, but it was not without effort. "You never did tell me where you lived."

I smiled back. He was right again. I hadn't told him, I don't know why I would expect him to take me somewhere when he didn't know where that somewhere was. I guess I was starting to put too much faith in faery magick. There had to be some limitations, right?

"I figured you wanted to talk to him alone, but if you want me, I will go with you."  Phoenix seemed concerned, but he was right again, this was something I had to do alone.

"No," I shook my head. "I'll be fine. I'll think about you later." I half smiled. The idea that I could call him without a phone was an interesting concept. I liked that.

"Okay." He smiled back, kissed the top of my forehead and headed off in the opposite direction from the staircase that would lead me back up the cliffs to the street above.

I stood there, lingering for a few minutes longer, watching Phoenix's sexy form gracefully saunter away. He was so casual and yet, so refined. Not at all stuffy, or stiff. It was amazing I hadn't guessed he was royalty from the beginning. I took one last deep breath to steady myself in preparation of the storm that was coming and then turned and headed for home. I had no idea how big that storm was going to be. I could never had prepared myself for what was to come.

When I reached the house I saw Terry's usual SUV parked out front next to the curb. It was odd, it must have been close to eight in the morning. He was never home this late, usually he was up at dawn heading out to surf. He liked being "first in line" at the break to catch his waves. I thought about going to check on him and make sure he wasn't sick, but then I remembered that I had my own sick feeling I had to come to terms with first. Cove was waiting for me.

I slipped through the side gate and walked up the stairs to my apartment, a heavy dread loomed over me. I could feel my hands start to shake as I turned the knob and opened the door. As soon as I stepped in, there he was standing in my living room, waiting for me. My breath caught in my throat. He was still so gorgeous. His beautiful brown locks fell loosely against his forehead. His golden brown eyes looked almost amber in the morning light. I could already feel the tears threatening to break free. I had to fight to hold them back. My heart ached at the sight of him and I feared my chest was going to cave in on itself.

"Coral," Cove stepped closer. "I was so worried about you." He sounded so upset. I had to force myself not to run into his arms. I made myself remember 'this was a married man, an adulterer.' The thought helped. I felt a flood of emotions run through me, mainly anger. I was suddenly raving mad. Cove was listening to my heart, he paused and heaved a sigh.

"I'm sorry. I did what I had to do. I didn't want you to find out like..."  He was apologizing. I cut him off mid sentence.

"You didn't want me to find out!" I yelled at him. I was so angry I couldn't contain it any longer. "No, of course you wouldn't want me to find out. You just figured you could drag me along, completely oblivious to the fact that you were using me."