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The third wishing to migrate to Faerie was more animated. Their excitement showed clearly in the way they each stood and cast surreptitious glances towards the border that wavered just on the edge of their horizon like glittering beacon that called them towards the excess of the Faerie court. Most would burn out with time and seek to return home, but for now their enjoyment would be a worthwhile change of pace for those trapped too long in the basin of Ash.

“Enjoy your stay with our fae cousins. If you tire of courtly life and wish to come home, you each know the way.”

The small crowd briskly set off for the border of Faerie and the acceptance of the fae’s hospitality.

The third wishing to brave life among humans stood silently together with linked hands for courage. Cilia grinned at their trepidation. She recognized each face as belonging to a devoted friend. She appreciated their courageous attempt to forge a new life and reaffirm their allegiance to their
Neir
and
Neiro
. Life among humans had been rewarding, but the company of their own kind would enrich it even further.

Fiach kissed her temple. “Are you ready?”

He wrapped his arms tightly around hers, and the other Phoenix shuffled closer.

Their joined power was strong enough to send the small group safely to the human plane and to their mountainous home.

One matter remained unresolved. The thin threads of demon magic still bound Celia and Fiach to Jarlath’s prison. In his eagerness to obtain them, the demon had overlooked their birthright, one they hadn’t known they possessed. He had caged the
Neir
and
Neiro
Phoenix, and there was a high price to pay for such disrespect.

Jarlath?
Fiach asked. Barely subdued anger simmered below the surface. His gaze lowered to her wrists. The gold burns were long since healed, but the outline seemed etched in his memory. He was eager for retribution.

Yes.
Her thoughts went to the small gathering of Phoenix that they had sent to their home without escort.
How long will this take?

He pantomimed checking his bare wrist for a watch.
We’ll be home in time for
dinner.

Good.

Cilia stepped under the protective shield of his wings until her cheek rested on his chest. She closed her eyes and allowed him to flash them to the catacombs and back to where their journey of discovery had began.

His feathers tickled over her skin as his wings withdrew and nestled between the blades of his shoulders. Cilia peered around the same cavernous cell where they had been held. The bed was overturned, and the table and chairs were smashed into kindling against the black rock wall.

Evidently, Jarlath had not been pleased to realize that his pets had escaped him. She had assumed he would realize they had to return and walk clear of the bars before they were free to materialize anywhere else, but the heavy door was propped open. The way to freedom lay clear.

What do you think happened?
She asked.

I think someone beat us here.
He pointed to black paw prints tracked with the tar of demon blood. The ground beyond the cell was brushed clean except for the few feline paw marks.

Their eyes met, and the name fell from their lips simultaneously. “Kathel.”

“Aye.” A deep purr reverberated down the long tunnel leading out of the catacombs.

“A wee
Noce
gift for you from the Lady and myself.”

“I thought she said fae magic couldn’t counteract the enspellment on the bars.”

Kathel’s large black body came into sight. The cat’s nine black tails thumped in tandem on the dirt floor; the sharpened silver tips tinkled together. “I see no fae magic here.” His purring laughter bubbled from his chest. “I might have seen a certain cat force demon guards to open a cell door to release dear friends of his.”

“And what happened to the guards?”

Kathel licked his lips. “I’m certain there was only the one, and he left after unlocking the bars.”

“And, Jarlath?”

“The name seems familiar. It could be that he was slightly eaten and sent to the Hall of Lords as a message that the Phoenix had risen and a warning that any attempt to harm them was more trouble than any demon wanted.”

“That’s a lot of information to get from a half eaten corpse.”

The black cat shrugged. “It’s open to interpretation, of course.”

Cilia stroked his thick black fur; the silky strands tickled her fingers. “When we bargained with you to help rescue Stella and Max, you knew all along that you couldn’t hurt me didn’t you?”

Kathel hummed. “I did.” His large teeth glinted in a fierce grin. “But you didn’t and neither did the lad. The price was satisfied; that’s all that matters.”

She rested her face in his midnight fur and hugged him tightly. “You’re a good friend.”

“You and the boy are the only ones I’ve ever had, so I’m in no place to judge.”

“We’ve decided to stay among the humans until we can find our purpose again. Our cabin is at the base of a small mountain range … out in the middle of nowhere … lots of wild game with no large predators to hunt it…?”

Kathel roared in merriment. “I would love to see the Lady’s face if I told her I had forsaken her to become your resident house cat.”

Celia’s face fell. He rubbed his muzzle along her neck.

“You are kind to offer, but the Lady holds my leash. If I were free to choose, I would gladly spend my days sunning in the yard and curling before your fire at night.”

“I understand, but I had to offer.”

“And I will never forget that you did.” His large eyes crinkled at the corners. “I think it’s quite possible that, as royalty yourself, you could request me as your ambassador to Faerie. Any negotiations between our people might take place in a small cabin in the mountains. Such things often take days at the time to reach a satisfactory resolution.”

Fiach chuckled at their wordplay. “So how soon should we expect a visiting dignitary?”

Kathel’s tails thumped. “I have to get back to the Lady’s side. People will wonder at her involvement in this most unfortunate accident in the catacombs, and I must be there to protest my innocence.”

Cilia snorted. “Of course. Thank you for the gift Kathel, and I hope to see you soon.”

He turned his attention to Fiach. “Take care of the lass, boy.”

“I will old one. She will never want for anything.”

Kathel nodded and stalked down the long tunnel leading from the underground prison. He hummed along and picked up his pace until he vanished from sight.

Cilia took Fiach’s palm in hers. “I’m ready to go home.”

“As am I.” His large wings enfolded them both, and in a blast of illumination, they found themselves on the porch of their cabin. The anxious Phoenix, which they had sent ahead, swarmed them, seeking assurance.

“I think we’re going to need a bigger house,” she said.

He looked at the dozen or so couples and their offspring. Then he thought of Kathel’s impending visits. “I think you’re right.”

Fiach watched Cilia stop and correct one of the Phoenix that had chosen to follow them home. She wanted their mannerisms perfected before they were introduced to the human world. They had purchased a large estate deep in the woods where forest fires were common occurrences and where the sight of a beautifully winged man or an unusually large panther might be overlooked.

Max had spent the weekend helping with the human study lessons. He had answered all the questions asked of him and demonstrated why a dog was truly man’s best friend.

Many of the Phoenix children were now eager to adopt their own puppies since the animals here were much more friendly than the wild fae pets they’d had at home.

Cilia caught him staring. She gave a final squeeze to the arm of her student then walked until their toes touched and her scent enveloped him: cinnamon and burnt matchsticks; she smelled like heaven.

What are you thinking?
She asked.

I’m thinking with all this company I haven’t gotten as much attention as some of
your students have. My human interaction skills need work, too.

I think you might be right. You did barter two in a demonic trade. I think you might
need a tutor.
She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
To save face, I think I should give you
your lessons privately.

Fiach grinned slowly, his lips pulling up high enough to show the white tips of his fangs, which had dropped at the first scent of her. Cilia stared at the sharpened points, and her eyes flashed black.

Where should these lessons take place?
He asked.

I have it on good authority that we have a very spacious supply closet downstairs.

Does it lock?
The sharp claws of hunger shredded his reasoning.

Does it matter?
She countered.

I was only thinking of the delicate sensibilities of your students.
He pulled her forward and pressed her softness against him. His tongue laved over her pulse then sucked the skin over his teeth.

Chuckles erupted from the make shift classroom. There were no sidelong glances here. No curiosity over what was to come. All the males took their mate’s vein to survive, and the females relished in the act of nourishing their partners.

I think my students can handle a little independent study.

Cilia had drug Fiach a few steps towards the door, when it swung wide and admitted a young woman, whom she remembered had chosen to inhabit Lielos. The dark swirls that had tainted her aura were gone. In their place was a cool, serene mask of indifference.

The woman’s shoulder length black hair marked her as Phoenix. Purple feathers contrasted against the stark tresses. Her eyes were dark and wide; her stare was intense but disinterested. A man and woman followed her inside. Their coloring was so similar that it left no doubt about her parentage. The father approached stoically with an arm around his mate, whose sunken eyes and red nose showed signs of deep and recent mourning.

The pair shuffled their daughter through the doorway. She kept behind them as they dipped their heads in greeting.

“Welcome,” Cilia smiled hesitantly. “Is there something we can help you with?”

“Our daughter,” the woman began. She dissolved into sobs and clung to her husband’s side. His large palms smoothed down her arms and tucked her close.

“We heard about the Sidhe boy. We have reason to believe the Phoenix involved is our daughter, Sine.”

Fiach swung his gaze to the young woman. She dissected her surroundings with clinical detachment. When she felt his eyes on her, she glanced up and appraised him, then dismissed his presence and went back to her slow perusal of the room. There was definitely something lacking there. Some spark of life had snuffed out.

It’s her isn’t it?
Cilia asked.

It would appear so. She’s hollowed out, just like Cayden.

Aloud she asked, “What can we do to help you?”

“You severed their bond. Is there no way to repair it?” the father asked.

Fiach rested a hand on the other man’s shoulder. “You know the only ones who can repair the bond are the ones who entered it in the first place.”

“You would have us expose Sine to the boy further?” the mother squeaked. “He gave her up to save his life. A true Phoenix would have died rather than endure the half life he has cursed them to.”

Cilia cut in. “It was at the request of the boy’s mother that I broke their bond.

Cayden was unconscious. If he had been aware, I’m certain he never would have willingly allowed it.” She softened her tone. “Your daughter rejected him. If we hadn’t severed their tie, he would have died. They had already bonded, and you know yourself that only happens once in a Phoenix’s existence.”

The woman pressed her face back into her husband’s side as silent cries wracked her body.

“At least with them both living, there is a small chance they can be rekindled. Take Sine to the Lady and explain who she is. Cayden’s mother is a companion of hers. The Lady will do anything in her power to help them come to a happy resolution, but only time will tell.”

The weary parents murmured their thanks and gathered their daughter to leave. She followed them quietly, allowing them to guide her by the elbow as she stared ahead without focus. What little bit of awareness she had evidenced blanked as they led her away.

*

The trio’s departure held everyone’s rapt attention. With the exception of Fiach and Cilia’s separation, no other mated Phoenix pair had ever survived long after their connection was severed.

“I hope their ending can be a happy one,” Cilia said.

“Without knowing the reason Sine rejected Cayden, there’s nothing we can do.

Neither is in a position to shed light on the subject now. All we can do is trust that love will find a way.”

A gentle tug on his pants leg drew Fiach’s attention to the floor. The length of fabric was twisted around the chubby hand of a small child. A sprinkle of dark hairs gathered with a ribbon and curled down one round cheek. One hand balled in his trouser leg and hauled the toddling body upright. Her plump face was pinkened, and her chin shone as her thumb popped free of her mouth. He looked around, but the other pairs were back at their studies and not paying any particular attention to the tiny person hanging from his leg.

Cilia scooped the child into her arms and settled the baby girl on her hip. “Where is your mother little one?” she cooed.

In response, a moist hand wrapped around a dark blue quill and tugged. A giggle bubbled over her little cupid’s-bow lips. Cilia freed the feather and tossed the child lightly in the air. Peals of laughter chimed as the child anticipated each gentle throw.

A young woman skidded through the doorway left open by the retreat of Sine’s parents and clutched her chest. “Thank goodness! Ailis got away from me.” She realized her
Neir
held the child aloft and dropped into a courtesy. “I’m so sorry, my lady, I didn’t mean to disturb you.” She dropped again. “Or you my lord.”

“It’s no trouble at all, Apirka. Your little one is delightful,” Cilia replied.