Diabolus: The Lost Phoenix

Chapter Nineteen

AVERY BELLAND

I take every step, though the sand burns under them. My steps are slow, careful, like Iwas trying to make sure the ground is still under them first. If I was making sure it's real.

That I'm really at the beach.

I am finally here, standing on a itchy sheet of beach sand. It is moist. It is cushiony. Most of all, it is hot. I let the sand ooze over my feet, feeling every grain of it, savoring the moment. Earning this comfort is why I am here. Though I still can't believe that's real.

I lock my eyes on the water, wishing that this view would never disappear from my sight. The sea, perfectly calm, looking like a peaceful lake, and its soft murmurs are scarcely audible. The waves seem to be asleep. A line of darker blue marks the curve of the horizon, where the water meets the blue skies. And all those years, I was repeating my memories of the sea over and over again. I don't think I'll ever have enough of it.

I take a step into the water, letting it steal my breath. The waves feel warm and cool, like tea that's been forgotten and returned to. My fingers wiggle in the water, in these lips of the ocean as she sings. In this place I wish I could remain forever, letting the sand that runs like hot lava through my fingers and onto the dry beach.

"You want to take a walk?"

I glance at Brent, who happens to be the reason why I'm at the beach. I couldn't ask him to take me there, I just couldn't. He had done enough for me. He looked for me. He found me. He risked his life for me. Hell, he didn't even have life without me. I thought I was living in misery, but to live for thirteen years, searching... I just can't believe Brent is so patient and devoted to me.

"Yes... I would love to."

I clutched at his soft, long fingers, as Brent lets the warmth and softness of his own hands let me know he's never going to leave me again, that I was alright and that all of my nightmares are over. I'm safe. I'm free.

Though I don't feel that way.

I know this is not the end, we won't suddenly become a big and happy family, that no trouble is chasing. It is, and it's still waking me up at night. Because I know Caden will come back to me. It's just a matter of time. I'm free just because he wants me to be, just because it's a part of the plan. It means he doesn't need me, for now, it means he doesn't have the script yet. But as soon as he'll have the answer, he'll come back for me.

There's no way out of this, but I have to live with hope that we are able to win this war, and even if we'll find the Phoenix... we will be able to destroy it.

"You know, I was never a fan of the beach. Not until I met you. Not until the day I first drove you there."

We walk down the sand, hand and hand, enjoying the day and each other's warmth. Like we used to do when we were teenagers and life seemed to be so easy, so beautiful, with no trouble to come along. When we had so many plans for our future, when we thought we'll be happy as long as we're together. But destiny had other plans, other challenges for us to face; and ended up being a misery for a whole decade.

"I remember how much I've tried to push you away. But that just couldn't happen, right?"

Brent laughs, his deep chuckle lifting the spirit of the atmosphere, though being with him is already a pure joy. I watch his face, it's soft even when it comes to rest, as if he lacks the inner bitterness at any moment. He knows who he is and he's comfortable with himself, he never tries to be someone else and that's the thing I admire about him. He's the only man in I've ever known that would always choose the bitter truth, no matter how much it will affect him. He's true, real, that's who Brent Mathis actually is.