Sleeping Phoenix

Chapter 4: Longest Day Ever

Chapter 4

Mila didn’t know how to feel now that she had nothing to distract her. For the unforeseeable future she had no purpose to guide her. She was in a strange place, in a strange time, and nothing made sense. Sitting alone on the huge, empty, bed in her assigned room with nothing to do was the most foreign concept she had to come to terms with. Out of everything that she had been presented with, having nothing to do but think, was the most soul crushing. Alone, meant she had time to think about everyone she had lost. Quiet, allowed her thoughts to become louder in her head. The lone tear rolling down the plains of her cheek was just another reminder that she felt truly, and utterly, solitary. More than just lonely, but entirely on her own. 

Chills swept down her spine at the thoughts of flying forth alone. Who was she without her flock? For as long as she could remember, her everyday had been regimented and planned. Her days filled with her sisters and purpose. They had been living in seclusion but they were not going to allow that to weaken their minds, bodies, or spirits. The Phoenix was born to fight and champion the weak. Even if they were reduced to hiding away for their own protection, they knew that one day they would have to fight again. 

Everyday she had been up before the morning sun. She saw to her chores; which mainly consisted of weaponry maintenance, design, and forging. Her daily training was next. That meant weapons training with the very same weapons she had created, as well as hand to hand combat. When she got alone time, she treasured it, because living with a large group of women came with its fair share of problems.

She had loved them all, and they had loved her, but even in a castle you couldn’t escape everyone. That was why she had dedicated her free time to building her cabin in the woods. She wanted to have a place of her own to run to when she needed to be alone. It seemed as if life had come full circle, however. Before the attack, she would’ve burned down the castle just to have an excuse to get out. Now, she would give anything to go back and not take time spent with her sisters for granted. Even burn down her private sanctuary that she worked so hard on. 

As she felt another tear fall she knew the edge of oblivion awaited. All she had to do was allow her grief to pull her down into the emotionless void. Free of the fear that was slowly creeping up. Free of the heartache that felt like an anvil sitting in her chest. 

No good ever came from allowing loneliness and sadness to creep in, but creep in it does all the same. It’s easy to brush aside life’s troubles when you have something to distract you, but what is to be done when life stops throwing obstacles in your way? 

Why did the world have to pick that very moment to go quiet? Was she not allowed to grieve the easiest way possible? She supposed that was why destiny was in charge of everyones stories, because she knew she was meant to learn from it. The point of the lesson, however, was just out of reach for her to grasp. Too many times she found herself asking why. Why her? What made her anymore special than her sisters? Why weren’t they allowed to be here with her? Just, why? 

No good came from asking unanswerable questions either. 

Muddles the mind.

As more useless tears cascaded down her face she swiped them away angrily. They served her no purpose other than to irritate her. She knew she was stronger than this, but she couldn’t find the will to stop or move. 

Mila couldn’t even believe she had allowed herself to sit and dwell on her melancholy. People live and die everyday, she couldn’t change that; but she could change her outlook. “How I see it, I can sit up here, alone, crying like a child or I can do something about it,” she spoke out loud to herself ignoring the tears that still spilled from her eyes. “There are many reasons to still be thankful and happy,” she whispered into the quiet room. “Right?” 

She started with the new garments that was given to her. They weren’t considered decent by the standards of her time; but, apparently women now could wear breeches whenever they chose. Sarah had called them yoga’s pants. Mila wasn’t sure who Yoga was but she was thankful towards her for allowing her the use of the clothing. The shirt she was wearing was too big on her, but comfortable. It also had a very familiar scent. She couldn’t figure out where she knew that scent, but it was divine. In fact, practically everything in the room had the same amazing smell. The smoky and woodsy aroma brought her comfort at a time that comfort seemed to vanish. She wanted to roll around in it and absorb it as her own.

More tears continued to fall as she sat, curled up, on the bed trying so hard to put the fractured pieces of her emotions back together. The setting sun shone through the open window of the room glinting off the many weapons hanging on the wall. In that moment she knew what she needed. She wanted to stop her constantly streaming thoughts for a little while longer and the best way to do that had always been sparring. No one was available to make it interesting, but she could at least toss a few of the weapons around. 

She wiped the tears away once more and picked herself up off of the bed. As she made her way over to the wall she noticed a door that she hadn’t seen when she first came into the room. She ignored the door at first, too taken with the incredible weaponry to care much over the new door. It was an odd sort of thing to decorate a room with swords and daggers, or at least to most people. 

According to Serena, “Ladies of good standing do not keep their weapons out on display. They keep them securely hidden so that enemies think them weak.” Mila never really succeeded at being a proper lady, because her room had been nothing but a bed and weapons of all kinds littering every surface and occupying all of her wall space. Most of them had been designed and crafted with her own two hands. 

Mila recalled a time she had asked Serena why their enemies should think them weak. Her summation lead her to believe that they should intimidate their opposition. Brute strength seemed to always win out. 

She would never forget her mentors reply, “Which brings you more fear: a bull charging towards you head on or a snake slithering down the back of your frock as you walk unsuspectingly through the woods? Strength may gain you power, but your cunning sustains it. If they think you are weak they won’t be suspecting it when you creep up behind them and slit their throats.” 

After examining the swords more, she chose a short sword with an intricately carved hilt with aquamarine flowing through the forged steel. She brought the sword up and out testing it’s balance and weight. Finding it adequate, she did a brief walkthrough of some of her training techniques. Lunging step forward with her left, side swipe up to the right, spin out, parry. She felt her muscles loosen up and her mind shut off as the familiar movements took over. 

Eventually, curiosity got the better of her. She just had to open the new door. Mila was fully prepared to be disappointed by what was behind the door, because she knew the likelihood of the door hiding anything interesting was slim. The house just seemed too normal now that she had seen some of it and had first hand experience being inside it. That thought had her prepared to find something boring, like a closet or dressing room. 

She was not prepared, however, to find another room of equal size to the bedroom with even more weapons to choose from; plus, what looked to be fighting apparatuses. Mila was both in shock and awe of this training room. Did every room offer this? If so, she might not hate staying with Gareth for a little while. 

As if, it would have been a complete burden to stay before this new discovery? Even she could admit to herself that being around him wouldn’t be any hardship. Besides being the handsomest man she had ever encountered, he was quite possibly the most charming as well.  The sentimental thought baffled her, because the majority of the time they had been acquainted he had been mostly high-handed and demanding. Even she could admit, though, that he was only trying help; which was very endearing now that she wasn’t quite so annoyed.           

She made her way farther into the room. She found herself touching everything and felt her spirits start to lift. There was comfort in acting on your baser instincts. There was something to be said for allowing yourself to turn off your thoughts, and just react. It gave her the freedom she had been looking for. 

Tying the loose end of the shirt into a knot at her waist she went over to the wall of weaponry and picked up a beautifully carved bow. It fit in her hand perfectly. Almost as if it had been made for her. Picking up an arrow out of a barrel sitting beneath where the bow had been mounted she was just thinking about shooting when she heard quiet movement behind her. Without a second thought she nocked, turned, and took aim. At the last second she adjusted her aim to land a scant inch beside the assailants temple.

“WHAT THE f**k,” one of the twins she met earlier screamed when the arrow planted itself into the door beside his head. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“Depends,” Mila asked nocking another arrow and aiming right between his eyes, “are you trying to kill me?”   

“f**k, no! I don’t have a death wish. I’m already in deep s**t thanks to my brother. Killing you would only get me ripped apart, limb from limb, by the Alpha,” he explained. “Imagine the goriest death possible and that would be my fate.”

“Why does he care so much,” she asked still holding him hostage with her bow.

“Well, uh . . .,” he started, “That’s not really for me to answer. That would be a conversation to have with him.” He was very obviously uncomfortable with the conversation and was looking for a diplomatic answer. What Mila didn’t understand was, why? 

“Very well, I will.” Lowering the bow she asked, “Which twin are you?” 

“I’m Daric. I was the dumb ass who knocked you out with the tranquilizer back at the hole we found you in.” Daric shrugged innocently like it was a funny little story with an interesting plot. “I came up here to apologize.” 

Mila was touched by the wolf’s sentiment, but wasn’t sure why he was sorry. 

“What are you apologizing for?”

“For drugging you,” he admitted the reason like it was a hard truth to admit. His pinched features showed he had remorse, but again she was left wondering why. She was beginning to feel sorry for him, because he looked so crestfallen standing in front of her admitting to his alleged guilt.

“Why are you apologizing for that? You were defending your brother. I was taught from a very young age to defend to the death my sisters and everything we hold dear. I do not fault you for doing what needed to be done. If I were in your position, I wouldn’t have hesitated to kill you,” she admitted with utter seriousness. 

He chuckled like she had been jesting with him, but her intense eye contact and tight features said otherwise. “Oh,” he began with a choked expression, “You’re not kidding. Well, thank you for your understanding. I didn’t want us to be awkward around each other.” 

“You’re welcome.” It felt good to see his spirits lift. She felt a kinship with him that she didn’t understand. Nothing romantic, but more brotherly. He was handsome, to be sure, but in a charmingly boyish way. She was sure many women thought him pleasing to the eye and probably chased him and his brother around trying to catch their fancy, but when she thought of romance and fancying someone she found herself thinking about Gareth and that kiss in the lake.  

“Getting some training in,” he inquired. 

She shook out of her reverie and replied, “I was thinking about it. Would you like to join me?” If she was being honest with herself, she didn’t really want to be alone; and, he looked like he felt guilty enough to let her beat him into submission. Not that she would, too hard. 

“I don’t know if that would be a good idea. Gareth might not like it and you’ve proven that you can easily kick my ass,” Daric laughed. 

She was so surprised to find herself smiling and chuckling along with him. It felt so out of character to smile and laugh after going through everything up to that point, but it felt good. She wanted the feeling to continue a little longer. “If you won’t train with me, how about playing a game?” 

She could practically see his wolf sit up and take notice behind his eyes. Wolves were notoriously tricksy beings when the feeling struck. They almost couldn’t help their need to be playful. It was almost as instinctual to them as hunting or eating. As if she had dangled a tugging rope in front of his face his attention was hooked. Head tilted, eyes focused and sparking with excitement he asked, “What game?”

~*~

How did I get myself into this? Daric had that running through his mind as he got a look at the table full of weapons that could be launched, shot, or thrown from a distance. He got into position on the mats where Mila indicated. He knew why he was doing it, of course. The feelings of guilt was strong in this one. He could have killed her today and that didn’t sit well with him. It didn’t help that she got him with the “game” aspect. However, he wasn’t too sure what she was describing was a game at all.

“How do we play this game again,” he asked nervously. 

The evil tilt of her lips did absolutely nothing to settle his nerves. “It’s quite simple, the game is called Don’t Miss. One of us will stand there, hold up the apples you so graciously procured for us, call out a weapon, count down from five, and the other player will attempt to hit the target before the time runs out.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t sound simple. That sounds like a good way to get my ass shot or stabbed,” he chuckled even more edge.

“You worry for naught. I’ve played this game hundreds of times before, and you’ll be happy to know that I was the undefeated winner. Anyone who challenged me was never successful at winning against me.”  

“What part of that is supposed to make me feel better? Either I get injured or lose. That doesn’t sound fun.” He didn’t miss the eye roll from the new Luna.       

“You’ll get your chance to reciprocate while I hold the targets. After I hit five apples or miss it’ll be your turn. Whoever has the most hits after four rounds wins.” Her smile was too smug and confident. He must have lost his mind because he found himself wanting to wipe that smile off her face.

“You’re on, but I want cinematic evidence of my win,” he declared. He knew she was confused as soon as her head tilted and her brow furrowed. “I’m going to use my phone,” he pulled it out of his pocket to show her, “to record the game and make a video.” 

“I’m acquainted with the phone, but what is a video?”

“It’s like a painting with movement and sound,” he felt pretty proud of himself for his explanation because she seemed less confused and more curious.

“May I see a video?” 

He nodded as he brought his photos up to look for a video on his phone. Daric thought the clip of his brother eating concrete, from a hilarious fall off his skateboard, was an absolutely perfect example to show her. It was a twofer for him because he also got to see his brother bleed a little more, realizing in that moment his problems with Darius weren’t even a little bit settled.   

After hitting play he turned the screen of his phone in her direction. She watched in silence and wonder at the show she was getting and even laughed when Darius hit the ground hard. “I have to say, that was quite an experience,” she giggled. “So you wish to make a video like that during our game?” 

“Yeah, because no one will believe me when I tell them that I beat you at your own game,” he smiled arrogantly while setting his phone up on a shelf on the wall making sure he hit record. 

“I believe you meant to say IF you win,” she countered.    

“Sure,” he smiled some more, “If.” 

“Just get into position,” she replied with a smile, shaking her head, and another eye roll for good measure. 

Daric got back into position still nervous as hell but he refused to puss out. Especially after he gave that grand show of peacocking around like he’d win. He was a good shot with some weapons but not amazing. He’d be damn if he let it show though. 

“Whenever you’re ready, call one of the weapons,” Mila said going to stand behind the table she set up about ten yards away. “And don’t forget to count down.” 

He knew he was screwed the moment he called the bow, and she nailed the apple in his hand  dead in the center by the time he counted down to three. He looked behind him to see the apple skewered on the arrow jutting out from the wall. “That ‘if’ is looking pretty damn plausible,” Daric mumbled to himself. But that smirk in place on her face told him that she heard him. 

“Shall we continue,” she asked in a tone that sounded far too delighted for his tastes.  

There wasn’t any backing down now. Picking up another apple he held it up and called, “Knife.” He watched her as if in slow motion as she, without looking down, grabbed a knife by the hilt tossed it up to flip it over, caught it by the blade, and sent it hurdling through the air. End over end. No hesitation. Was there any surprise she didn’t miss? Nope, none at all. 

Was he surprised when she hit the last three apples as well? Not a gods damned bit. He knew he was really screwed, but he had to admit it was fun. Even if he was going to lose all of his dignity.  

~*~

“I believe that is 15 to 10. Only one more round to go,” Mila smiled. “Would you like to start us off on this round? Or should I just go ahead and declare myself the winner?” She couldn’t hold back her chuckle even if she wanted to. That was the most normal she had felt all day.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you,” Daric said, “For me to just forfeit when I’m on a roll? I don’t think so. I’ll start this round so go grab an apple.”

He shooed her away as if she were a flea that was bothering him. His competitiveness was quite entertaining. Was it nice of her to pick at the grouchy wolf? No, it was not. Did she do it anyway? Of course. “Just remember you can’t miss a single one if you even hope to tie with my score, and that’s only if I miss every single one on my turn.”

“I can do math! Thank you, very much. Just call the weapon,” he chuckled. He was so focused and determined that she couldn’t bring herself to end the game so quickly; which made her choice an easy one. She called for the spear and as she suspected he didn’t miss. He had really good instincts, but he lacked the initiative to push himself to be better. She had been like that once upon a time. Thinking that eventually she’d be great, instead of working towards being great. This must’ve been how her sisters felt whenever they attempted to teach her something new that she wasn’t particularly skilled at. 

“Not too bad. If you lift your elbow a little higher your aim will be much more accurate,” she advised as she demonstrated what she was talking about with the spear. 

“Are you giving me advice on how to beat you,” he jokingly asked. 

“Well, I figured you were going to lose anyways so I might as well teach you something,” she replied looking at her nails feigning haughtiness. 

“In that case, teach away,” he laughed with a formal bow. 

“As you wish,” Mila assented theatrically as she displayed the next apple. “Now this time you’re going to use the bow.” 

When Daric groaned as if in pain she dropped the act and laughed, “It won’t be that bad. Draw.” He nocked the arrow, drew the string back, and took aim. “Your form isn’t too bad, but you’re entirely too tense. Relax.”

“Easy enough, I can do that.”

She watched him let loose some of his tension in his chest and arms. “Good, now get your elbow up so that it is the same height as your shoulder,” she instructed as he made adjustments. “Look beyond the arrow to find your line of sight. Set your gaze down the arrow to aim. When you let the arrow fly take a deep breath, pull your shoulders back on the inhale, and release the arrow on the exhale.” 

The arrow shot through the air hitting below center towards the bottom of the apple. The arrow tip caught her hand on the way through. Blood welled on her palm where the apple had been. She let out a hiss, more from surprise than from pain. 

“Oh damn it! I hit you,” Daric said running over to check her hand. 

“It is but a scratch. Besides, it’s a part of the game. One time I took an ax to the thigh,” she admitted. He looked at her in confusion and worry. “Don’t ask,” she laughed off. “Shall we try again?” 

“I guess, but maybe we should stop before I end up amputating your whole arm,” he joked.

“Nonsense, that was the best shot you made the entire time you’ve been playing. We shall continue.”

“If you’re sure,” he mumbled as he walked back across the room. “At least clean your hand and put a bandage on it,” he tossed over his shoulder. 

He got back into position behind the table and waited for her next call. “Alright, this time you’re going to use the spear. I’ll be right back.” As she went to exit the room, she was so wrapped up in her explanation to Daric on how to properly hold a spear she didn’t she the person blocking the doorway until she ran right into him with an, “Oomph.” 

A warm tingle cascaded through her body from where the man was holding her up. She was confused, sure, but more than that she was dazzled. The rush of heat that licked at her skin had the hair raising on her arms and a flush steal through her system. It happened so fast she felt like a deer standing stunned before the predator that lurked and lured their prey in, but it wasn’t fear that captivated her senses and stole her wits. It was excitement. Excitement for what? She didn’t know. Power poured off of the man in waves that was just as intoxicating as his touch. 

When she looked up, however, the excitement died and in its place was fear. Gareth may have been standing in front of her, but instead of the kind and infuriatingly stubborn man from before, there was Alpha. She could see and feel his wolf radiating through him. The man was angry, but the wolf was enraged. She didn’t resist when he lifted her still bleeding hand to look at it. In the back of her mind she registered movement behind her and realized Daric had lowered to the ground in submission to his Alpha. 

In a deep gravelly voice Gareth struggled to get out, “Hurt you?” His eyes were molten heat that reflected back the intense emotions flowing through him.  

It took a moment for his words to penetrate her mind as she responded, “Yes,” before thinking better of her words.  

His unholy roar shook the house as he set her aside and advanced toward Daric. Somehow she knew he was a hairsbreadth away from turning and even closer to killing Daric. She also knew that she had to stop him before he did something irrevocable for absolutely no reason. 

She ran towards him, “Gareth stop! It was accident,” but he didn’t seem to hear her. She tried tugging on his arm, but he merely shook her off. “Gareth, listen to me! He didn’t attack me! I misspoke before. Listen!” 

She could see the bloodlust setting in and his demand for retribution. Unnecessary as it may be. Without a second thought she picked a fighting stick and swiped Gareth’s feet out from under him. 

“Run Daric,” she yelled. “I’ll hold him off.” Daric got off of the floor, but didn’t move past that. “What the hell are you waiting for? Go!”

“Not while he’s in the middle of a bloodlust, he could hurt you,” he defended right before getting backhanded across the room by Gareth. Daric crashed into a wall full of weapons that sent them all tumbling to the ground. He struggled to get back up on his feet. 

Gareth moved to advance on him again, “Gareth.” She got in front of him and grabbed his face to make him look at her. “Stop this right now. I am fine. I have no need for your defense.” He merely brushed her off once again, more aggressively this time causing her to trip and land on her rear. Gareth grabbed Daric by the throat, dangling him inches from the ground. 

Mila watched as Daric fought valiantly to stay conscious in the Alpha’s grasp, but was quickly losing the fight. Instinctively, Mila rose from the ground and did the only thing she could think of to get his attention off of Daric and on to her. Despite his anger, she never worried for her life. Thoughts to digest at a later time. 

Without a second thought she threw herself into Gareth’s arms. Or rather arm, considering one still had Daric’s throat in a vise grip. Her arms and legs wound around the man and held on for dear life. His left came up to grab her rear to hold her in place. When that wasn’t enough to convince him to let Daric go she did the only other thing she could think of.

Moving her hands from his neck to his hair she forced his face around and pressed her lips to his. Unsure at first, she planted gentle kisses on his lips until she found herself craving more of his taste. As if her tongue and mouth had a mind of their own she found herself kissing him deeper. Nipping at his lower lip with her teeth only to soothe it with a loving lick of her tongue. She wasn’t sure when Gareth let Daric go or even when he took over the kiss, but in the end she didn’t think it mattered. Both of his hands were gripping her butt in a tight squeeze driving her closer to his body. He wasn’t just kissing her, he was claiming her. His mouth devoured her, possessed her, and she chased the high of his possession. 

A part of her seemed to call out for this man in a way it never has before for another. Lust was primal, an urge to be satisfied, but this was more. With a moan she sank further into him trying to get as close as possible. His scent wrapped around her like a fog of s****l desire and lit her up from the inside out. His tongue searched for the haven of her mouth and she couldn’t even begin to deny him entry. 

The first brush of his tongue on hers and her eyes seemed to roll back into her head. She had never tasted anything as decadent as Gareth. As she writhed in his arms seeking more of his mouth, that he seemed to be denying her enough of, all she could think was, mine. 

Mine

One little word, but such a huge impact. She knew what she refused to acknowledge earlier, and that scared her, because her soul was calling out for him while her mind demanded that she run. Caught on the precipice of lust and being chased by fear. Mila didn't know which direction to turn. Chase after pleasure or give in to fear? 

Gareth turned, pushed her back against the wall, and all thought fled. His touch flooded her thoughts and washed away anything else on her mind.