Dance of the Phoenix - Ch3

I moaned softly as I came to. The surface beneath me was so soft and comfortable. It must be morning, I thought as I yawned and stretched. When I opened my eyes, blinking away the last vestiges of sleep, I sat bolt upright. This was not my room. This wasn’t even my house nor any house I knew! In a panic, I jumped out of the bed and nearly went crashing to the floor as a flood of dizziness overwhelmed me. It was then I noticed what I was wearing and my jaw dropped. Covering my body was a skimpy, satin nightgown of the palest blue – almost the same colour as my eyes – trimmed with intricate patterns of lace and ribbons. My cheeks flushed as I caught sight of myself in a full-length mirror. This nightgown stopped well above my knees and certainly did not leave much to the imagination. My hair fell in loose waves to my waist and was surprisingly untangled. All the events of earlier came pouring back and I almost fell again. I darted to the window and threw back the heavy, blue velvet drapes. It was dark. The full moon glinted brightly as if it were winking at me. No doubt it knew everything that had transpired and it didn’t seem likely that it was going share any of its secrets. Frowning at the silent moon, I let the drapes fall closed again and noticed the room flickering with light. It was coming from several candles placed about the room; on the chest of draws, the dressing table and bedside tables. One or more of them must have been scented because the faint smell of lavender filled the air. It was heavenly. Where am I? Logic told me I needed to find an exit and leave as soon as possible, but my head pounded in protest whenever I took a step. My heart on the other hand, blossomed and soared higher than it had in a long time. If only I could understand why. Nausea roiled in my stomach and I came to the conclusion that the most sensible thing to do would be to get back in that glorious, four-poster bed, get some rest and leave in the morning.

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When I woke again, I found a tray laden with delicious breakfast foods had been placed on the room’s small table. A crystal goblet glistened with condensation from the chilled orange juice it contained, and an exquisite teapot filled with tea sat next to a matching cup and saucer. There was also a note, carefully folded and propped beside the goblet. The word ‘Leira’ was written upon it in an elegant script. Was this supposed to be for me? A brief flicker of recognition flared its flames, kindled for a moment by the name, then quickly receded. Hesitantly, I picked it up the note and opened it.

“My dearest Leira,” it began in that graceful, flowing hand.

“I apologise from the bottom of my heart for my behaviour yesterday. I acted rashly and I beg your forgiveness. I never meant to startle or frighten you in any way. The possibility that you would not remember me did not even enter my mind and it breaks my heart that you do not. I can only ask that you please give me a chance to help you remember, but I leave it to you. You need only say my name and I will come.

With love,

Kaido”

I was dumbfounded. So, his name was Kaido. I frowned. I knew that name. At least, I thought I did. It was a name from long, long ago. I read and re-read the note over and over, yet the meaning remained unclear. Apparently, I knew this man and he knew me. From what I could decipher, we had been quite close. With love. My heart gave a pleasant thud as I read those words. Was he trying to tell me we had been together? Yes, my wild heart screamed, yes! Unbelievable as this whole situation was, being here made me feel complete in a way I had never felt. That wound torn into my soul was almost closed now. How could that be? For all I knew, this man could be some creep who preys on young, innocent women and tries to convince them they had been lovers just to get his kicks. You know that isn’t true, my heart chided. It was right. I did know. I knew I could trust this man with my life and that he would never seek to hurt me in any way. Then there was this overwhelming attraction I felt towards him. I sat down at the table and idly nibbled on a croissant as I pondered my options. There was really no question about it. I had to talk to him. I had to hear his side of the story. Again, there was that brief flicker of recognition in the back of my mind. I felt like I was standing on the precipice of a vast gully and if I took just one more step, I would find myself freefalling into long lost, yet neoteric, territory where there were sure to be answers. I picked up the note again. “Just say my name and I will come…”

Wondering what exactly that meant, I opened my mouth to speak his name when I remembered my state of undress. Deep down, I wanted him to see me like this. I wanted to see the glow that had been in his eyes when he kissed me yesterday. I wanted him. There was no denying it. I must be losing my mind. I spied a robe hanging from a hook placed in the back of the bedroom door. It was a matching pale blue, of course. This man was nothing short of opulent. Maybe this is a castle and he’s a King. I giggled at the thought, an utterly embarrassingly girlish giggle. Shaking my head at my own fatuity, I tied the robe firmly around my waste. Then I sat down, held the note and softly murmured, “Kaido.”

I gasped as a powerful sensation gripped my body. My eyes widened and I shuddered as this sensation seized my heart, my soul, my entire being. Tears streamed down my cheeks from the intensity of the emotion. There was only one emotion like it. Love. I had thought myself in love with Ethan but compared to this, I may as well have loathed the guy. A soft knock came at the door and I hastily tried to gain some semblance of composure.

“Leira?” His warm, deep voice melted over me. “Did you call for me?”

My voice came out in a breathless rasp. “Yes, come in.”

My stomach was a mass of butterflies as the door inched open and that handsome head peeked around. Seeing me, he smiled a brilliant smile and stepped fully into the room. I couldn’t help but admire him, my eyes feasting as if they had been starved all their lives. What was it Angie had said about checking out the local scenery? A fit of nervous giggles threatened to take hold and I took a large gulp of orange juice to swallow them down. He wore tight black jeans and a loose-fitting white shirt on which he had left several buttons undone, revealing the smooth skin of his chest. His fiery hair was knotted together at the back. I liked it better loose, I decided. Still, he was a stunning, beautiful picture of male perfection. Stop it, Eirwin. Control.

“Please, have a seat. Would you like some tea?” I asked steadily, warily.

“I would love some. Thank you.” Kaido took the seat opposite me and I busied myself with pouring the tea into cups. Our hands touched as I passed him his tea and an electric shock traveled up my arm. I jumped and if he had not already been holding the cup, I would have spilt the liquid all over the table.

“Thank you,” he said again and smiled that disarming smile.

I looked down at my own cup and cleared my throat. “So, ah, I have some questions.”

His golden eyes sparkled. “I would be disappointed if you did not. Ask me anything. I vow to be nothing but honest with you.”

So formal, I thought. Out loud I said, “Ok,” and paused a moment, deciding where I should begin. “So, ah, you know me?”

“I know you very well, intimately well in fact. I know you better than anyone else ever has.” The words were like sweet honey and I wanted to feed on every drop. I must not have been doing a good job at hiding my arousal because his expression changed from one of merriment and formality to one of delicious temptation. I crossed my legs to stop them hurling me across the table and wrapping around him. Kaido blinked and sighed, shaking his head as if he were annoyed with himself.

“I am sorry, Leira. You do not know how hard it is for me to control myself around you. It has been far too long since we… No. I will not push you. Please, continue.”

I couldn’t let him see I understood exactly what he meant. It would put me at a disadvantage and could prove dangerous, leading to events that once started, were difficult to stop. “You call me ‘Leira.’ Why?”

“Leira is the name by which I know you.”

“So, you don’t know me as Eirwin?”

“Eirwin,” his tongue caressed the name, tasting it. “Eirwin means white as snow.” He shook his head in amusement. “Well, it certainly suits you, but no, I have never heard you called that name. I still prefer Leira.” The way he said the name Leira with such longing, like it was the most reverent name in the universe, gave me goosebumps.

“What does Leira mean?”

“Snow.” It sounded like it meant something significant to him though I could not fathom what. Even so, it was a lovely name. I did not miss the fact that it had a similar meaning to Eirwin.

“When… Ah, that is, how long ago did you know me? You said it had been some time?”

“I have been searching for you for twenty-seven years, yet it feels so much longer since I last saw your face.”

“Twenty-seven years?” I repeated. That was my current age. Could it be a coincidence? “But I am only twenty-seven years old.”

He smiled tenderly at me. “Actually, you are much older than that.” My expression must have been comical as he chuckled softly. “Do not fear. You look wonderful for a lady of five hundred. Well, five hundred and twenty-seven.”

I chocked on the tea I had been about to swallow and was submitted to a violent coughing fit. Kaido jumped from his chair to pat me on the back. “Breathe, Leira. Breathe, my love.”

Gradually, the coughing subsided and I sucked in great gulps of air. “This is a joke, right?” I managed to stammer between wheezes. “Am I on a television show? One of those ones where poor, unsuspecting people get pranked?”

“I promised to be nothing but honest. Everything I speak is the truth.”

My breathing returned to normal but the rest of me still shook. I should just get up and leave right now. This man is obviously crazy! No matter how many times I tried to tell myself this, I could not bring myself to leave because, astonishingly, I believed him. I shook my head. I am definitely crazy! Maybe the answer to my next question would explain it all. I straightened and met his gaze with determination. He was still crouched beside me.

“Who are you?” I demanded.

Kaido tilted his head, a bird-like action, and studied me. “Perhaps it would be best if I simply showed you. This will probably come as a shock, but I would have to show you at some point anyway.” He stood and moved a few paces away. For a moment, he appeared unsure of himself, anxious even. It did not suit him. “Keep an open mind,” he begged, wincing.

Then something extraordinary happened, something that should have been impossible. Right before my eyes, Kaido began to transform. A blazing inferno engulfed his body and when it died down, a beautiful bird of vivid oranges and shimmering golds stood in his place. A few feathers of a rich, deep red decorated its tail. As though struck by lightning, I remembered the feather I had discovered all those months ago in the forest.

“You…” I breathed. “You were there!”

The majestic creature blinked, seemingly confused.

“I was where?”

The voice was Kaido’s, only it wasn’t spoken aloud. Instead, I heard it in my head. I almost laughed. Obviously. Since when can birds talk?!

This was too much. As I stared at the bird, my body began to tremble of its own accord and a blinding light burst from my skin. I screamed. “What’s happening to me?!” I tried to fight it, tried to stop the rolling change from sweeping over me. It didn’t hurt. It felt natural; even as I saw feathers appear on my arms and legs. But I wasn’t ready for this. And so, I ran. I fled from the room as my body continued to flicker between this half-bird, half-human form.

“Leira! Please, wait! You need to know!”

I ignored the passionate plea that resounded in my head and ran as if my life depended on it. I had no idea where I was going, however with luck, I found the exit and dashed out the door. Calling it a castle had not been far off, but I did not take the time to stop and have a proper look. My inner senses told me which direction to go and I didn’t stop until I reached my quiet, peaceful little house.

Continue reading chapter four here:

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