Midnight Cove

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Into the Woods

"Phoenix?" I inquired gently. All I got was a grunt in response. I rolled my eyes, and continued anyway.

"Phoenix, I was thinking about what you said. You might be right. Maybe I should see a faery doctor about the nightmares."

Phoenix's face perked up instantly. He rose a single skeptical eyebrow gauging my sincerity.  "I'm serious! I told Adele and she agreed with you, too."

"Well, good." I could see his satisfied smile threatening to appear. "It's about time. I'll send word for the doctor and hopefully she will be here within the week." He spoke with an authoritative tone as if it was all a settled matter.

"A week! Why can't I go see the doctor after lunch?" Fear gripped me. I didn't realize I was going to have to wait through so many nights before I could get any sort of handle on the situation.

"Bonnie, faery doctors are solitary faeries. Maybe more so than almost any others, they don't usually live anywhere near civilization. Not to mention they are immensely powerful with their magick. The only one I trust enough for you to see isn't residing in the Underground at the moment. She has gone to live in the mortal realm and it will take some time to locate her. There is no need to fret. I will send my quickest messenger and she will be here soon." He reached across the table, resting his warm hand on top of mine. His golden skin shone in the bright moonlight contrasting against my own. His warmth and strength radiated through me.

I nodded, trying to be comforted by the idea that it was the quickest way to rid myself of the dreadful dreams. The thought of spending a possible seven more nights without a good rest severely unnerved me. Oh, God! The wedding.

We finished out the rest of our meal mostly in silence. It was the quietest meal we ever had together. Phoenix rose from the table and kissed me goodbye. I knew where he was going. There had been repairs being made at the Portical that he had to attend to.

"I think I shall take a walk and get some fresh air. Getting out of the palace walls might do me some good." I said aloud before he walked out the door.

He halfway turned, pausing in his gait, "I think that is a good idea, but don't stray too far. I think there will be a change in weather coming." I blew a kiss to him that he pretended to catch and he smiled his charming dimpled smile before turning to leave.

"I love you!" I called loudly hoping he would hear me before reaching the outer door of the suite.

"I love you," he called back over his shoulder and then I heard the door click closed.

I blew out a gust of air and slouched down in my seat. I felt like pouting. I didn't like the alone time. It was so opposite the person I was above ground. I used to relish afternoons to myself, but now anytime duty would call Phoenix away I would often find myself sulking.

I decided I didn't want to start that so I rose from my seat and headed for the door. In my haste to leave my bad mood behind I had forgotten to grab shoes and a jacket in case the weather took a turn for the worse like Phoenix had warned.

It was rare for the night air here to be anything less than temperate, but the moment I got outside the palace walls I realized it was indeed cooler than usual. I didn't have anywhere in particular to go. I hadn't really ventured outside the Dark Palace much in over the year that I had spent there. The one exception was the Portical.

I would occasionally visit the quaint shops that lined the boardwalk above the canal. Phoenix had even taken me on a gondola ride on one of our dates. It had been a magical night like most nights we spent together. Thinking in this manner made me decide to walk down to the Portical to see him at work. I hoped it would be a pleasant surprise and that it wouldn't be a hinderance to his work, as long as I stayed out of the way. That way we could have the long walk home together.