Phoenix rising

B-Itch

*****Night King*****

There's a time for games and a time for mourning. These words rung true in his heart as he stood in the small chapel Kayla transformed into her family's shrine. Candles and incense filled the room with a white sage aroma. He could feel the Moon Goddess's presence here. This room has been blessed and cleansed almost obsessively. Otherwise the Goddess's presence wouldn't be felt.

He took a seat at the small bench on the wall and looked at Seether's picture. Stripped of his power the man aged like a human would. He didn't look like he regretted his decision, on the contrary, Wrath failed to remember the man smiling so brightly, so carefree for all the centuries they've known each other.

Anger and disappointment at himself took over him. If he hadn't went to slumber, this wouldn't had happened. He would've made sure Seether and his family would've had everything they needed. However, if he learnt something in his life it was that the past couldn't be undone. Only the future could be improved.

Driving a hand through his hair he left his elbows on his knees and kept on looking at the pictures. He had to hand it to Seether, his human woman was beautiful enough to have any man renounce their lives. She had a light about her, an elegance which reminded him of his Victoria. Wrong as it may be, Seether made the right choice. Awful ending, though he could see the man lived a beautiful decade with his human family. They all looked so happy together!

However, what shocked him the most was their family's picture together... Seeing Kayla between her two elder brothers with a face splitting smile, her violet eyes shining brightly, filled with happiness and a luster of life which couldn't be denied! He could see her father all but adored that little minx between them painted like a clown. The way Seether looked at his young daughter was nothing short of a proud father. 

He could say the same about her brothers, though older and clearly not Seether's, they both seemed to adore Kayla. There was a certain protectiveness they had in their posture and a playfulness in their grins as though they would've done anything for their baby sister. Their mother, she looked at her family with such tranquility it just gave you a sense of peace by looking at her.

To think there was ever a time in which Kayla smiled like that was... What horrors had the she witnessed to become this ruthless leader she was today? And ruthless she was, make no mistake about it. The few hours he's spent in her presence, he's seen that those which hated her, like the Greyback Pack, feared her more. None of them dared to speak against her and when their Beta made the mistake to raise his voice she all but set the man ablaze for all to witness. Were it not for that child Kiril, he doubted the Beta would be drawing breath today. Though he was in their hospital wing regenerating after Blackfire did the pup a favor and took over. Kayla's temper was nothing to play with.

She was no villain, despite her foul temper and that violence boiling in her, Kayla was a just leader. One which approved of the offers Patricia made to the Greyback pack and thanked Blackfire for cleaning the mess. She even agreed to Wrath's intervention, though she had yet to voice an opinion over it. Well, she had to pay him any heed. As soon as she showed him this place, she just vanished. He couldn't complain, though... He needed his time with Seether.

Seemed, that time was over. Wrath looked over his shoulder surprised to see Kayla enter. She wore a dress with low cut at the back showing off her rather gigantic Phoenix Mark. The Warlocks in her bloodline born with the mark had the Phoenix's spirit at their beckoning call. It's size determined just how much of the Phoenix coursed in their veins. Her father was considered the Phoenix's reincarnation. His Mark was twice as small as hers... How could a Halfblood dawn such a large Mark?! It should be physically impossible for her to bare that Mark altogether, yet there she was displaying it like it was the most natural thing in the world!

She knelt in front of the shrine and whispered an old prayer to the Moon Goddess. He could feel the Goddess energy respond to her prayer as the energy vibrated just above his skin. Wrath could barely believe it! The Goddess truly favored her in ways he didn't knew possible. She refused to offer him any of her attention no matter how many times he sought audience with the Goddess since he had awakened. The only response he got from her was through an emissary, right before he boarded the flight. He shall not receive any audience from their Goddess until he would do his race justice. The Moon Goddess was mad at him, but then, he couldn't care less. She should try living without a Mate after you've bonded, then speak! To think now he was presented with another Mate, didn't do much about his outrage.

Despite his outrage at the Goddess, his eyes followed Kayla's every movement. He saw her picking up the sword from the shrine in her lap, with her head lowered. She wasn't about to do what he thought she would, was she?! No... she was doing just that! Way to make things easier for his Hunger, Kayla! Good job, you clueless girl!

She cut her palm and left the blood trickle down to the burning incense, sinding the vapors as a sacrifice to the Goddess, so she would watch over her departed loved ones. It was one of the oldest Warrior's practice. One he hadn't seen done in ages! This was an ancient practice! A much forbidden one!

"You do realize sacrificial magic and offerings have been banned in the kingdom for thousands of years." Wrath spoke when she got up, long after she had finished her praying. She placed the sword back in its place and now he recognized the damned thing! It was Seether's sword, the one he had blessed for his Demon Hunting! It was one of the most dangerous magical artifacts in existence! That and several other dark objects spread across the planet. He wondered if she'll ignore him yet again, looked like she was about to do just that.

"Good thing we're not a part of your kingdom, then." Kayla answered, her cold violet eyes pinning him down like one would a bug. Her words shouldn't had stung as they did, but they had their effect. "Have you finished paying your respects or are you here to enjoy the peace and quiet?" and now she caught him red handed. Wasn't he the big bad King?!

"We need to talk, Kayla." he said raising his eyes to her feeling the bond's tug stronger than before. He noticed her closing her fists as though she struggled against the bond as much as he did. "So, you know about the bond between us." he finished. Judging by the way she bit down and the glare she offered him, he was sure she wasn't such an oblivious girl after all.

"There's one thing I can tell you about it, King. I'll rather die than see it form." she was clearly angered. By the feel of it, the Goddess didn't much approve of her resistance to the bond. She never would. She truly enjoyed her Mate bonds and if he cared to earn her favor once more, he outta honor the gift he's been given as any Mate worth his salt should.

"Mind explaining why you'd dishonor our Goddess in such a manner?" he asked and she winced as though she felt guilty over that alone. She looked away, almost as if she was about to leave, but then she bit her lower lip, her body tensing as she closed her eyes for a second, but then she opened them and pinned him down again.

"I will not be subjected to any man, even if he is the Moon Goddess's son. I don't care who you are, King or no King, I won't be subdued! I will not shut up and let my man speak, nor would I allow anyone to dictate how I wish to live, nor would I be used like some bloodwhore for some royal's entertainment.

"Bond or no bond, King, if you wish to marry, take a noble woman. They're dying to serve your every whim, but you shall not find such inclinations in me." she spoke in that over confident manner of hers and for a second there he wondered if she even realized the difference of power between them.

When he got up too sudden, she stepped back flinching, as if preparing to be attacked and yes, for a brief second there was fear in her eyes, concern over her safety. He took a more meek attitude. Last thing he needed was to scare his Mate away.

"I will never treat my Mate with such blatant disrespect, Kayla. This female undermining you've grown to see in the society, is no rule of mine. That's the Council's doing." he tried to explain it to her as best he could. Truth was, long before he chose to go slumber he had made great efforts for his noblemen to stop treating their women like slaves. They used the time and the politics of the era as an excuse back then. He wondered what excuses they'll make now.

"And you expect me to just believe that?" she asked highly doubting his words as Wrath approached her still. She flinched when he touched her cheek lightly, just itching to touch her more...

"Hardly. You wouldn't be Seether's daughter if you won't have me prove my words." he answered with a smile as he took a better look at her. She closed her eyes for a second there, enjoying his touch, indulging this little delight as much as he did.

She may appear as a very hard woman, but the truth was, that young Kayla was hidden somewhere deep inside and she was filled with fear, doubts and insecurities. Her exterior was merely a protective shell, to keep that innocence safely away from the cruelty of the world around her.

"Yes, well... you have a kingdom to put together and I have a Coven to rule." she opened her eyes turning as she walked away from him, but he caught her hand before she had the chance to go any further. Truth be told his hand moved before he registered the movement.

"We shall see each other soon, Kayla. Until then, try not to get yourself harmed." he saw her eyebrow shoot up and annoyance settling in those bewitching violent eyes of hers. He'll take annoyance over that cold indifference she showered him with so far.

"Or what, you'll annoy me to death?" she asked a mocking grin appearing on her lips. He frowned not knowing where that came from... "Tris did mention earlier your Council hardly told you anything about your kingdom's state. Truth is, the Covens mostly separated from each other after my father's power was stripped from him. They run each other independently and they attack each other like morons, fighting over the throne you've left empty for centuries.

"Our race, King, has been destroying itself for decades and the Small Council's ridiculous ideals are the ones to blame for. Tris's uncle may be your only hope to sway the Council in your favor. They have no god, King, all they want is power, influence and riches.

"And they hate us for it. Why? Because as we are now, we can easily conquer and subdue them. However, instead of making their mistakes, we're just letting them come to us, tail tucked between their legs. After all, this war with the Demons, as much as they want to ignore it, affects them, more than it would ever touch us. We are taking the battle to the Demons, they're just sitting ducks." she spoke taking her hand back in the end.

"And you're telling me this because?" he asked and now she turned to face him, placing her hand on his cheek. Her touch made his entire body relax, just like that! Damn this Mate bond!

"My father once told me stories of a just and fair king. One who led his people with honor and pride, while his queen loved their people so fiercely, she sacrificed her life and that of the King's joy to keep their people safe from any harm." she spoke as he opened his eyes watching her as startled as he felt over that story of hers "I sincerely hope that king is you. The people are suffering, dying, killing each other like rabid dogs over scraps for something which would never belong to them. 

"Prove yourself a King we can trust, a King we would follow and battle for and we might just join you. If my Coven unites with you, no Coven would dare to so much as think the wrong thing. They will follow, fearing the mongrel's influence and the King's power.

"United, we might stand a chance against the Demons. Separated... well... Good luck, King." she said with a hard look, but then something softened in her eyes as her gaze traveled to his lips.

There was something in the intensity of her gaze which set his every fiber ablaze! With a quick move, his hand was on the small of bare back drawing her closer to him until their bodies were aligned perfectly. She gasped at the sudden movement and he nearly shuddered at the proximity! A rather feminine giggle escaped her lips... She was playing with fire and he doubted she was aware of it. He took one last look in her beautiful eyes, burning the image to his brain. The next days would be literal hell for him!

"See you soon, Kayla." He kissed the top of her head, lingering enough to fill his lungs with her maddening scent and left before he claimed his Mate before Seether's shrine. He would never disrespect his old friend in such a nasty manner, but he knew it wouldn't take much more time before this longing would render his existence impossible. He was sure this was the Goddess f*****g around with him and if Kayla's words were right... he could understand why.

*****Kayla*****

Wrath just left me there, moving so quickly I couldn't see him, not even as a blazing trace, as was the vamp high speed. For a second there I though we were going to kiss... Well, he did kiss me, just where I expected and what the hell was with that creepy giggle escaping me?!

I don't think shaking your head would have the bond expire, the Phoenix just loved bugging me.

Right! Not thinking about it would! Hunting would! Turned out that two nights straight of hunting Demons and ignoring the issue didn't made it go away and what was worse, was the Greyback situation! Ever since the Alpha woke up and decided they would stay in the compound, training, offering his warriors to our cause, like so many other leaders before him only made this gigantic place more crowded!

I know, I should be happy about it, but this f*****g Alpha got on my last nerve! I swear! I wasn't in the nightclub getting f****d up for nothing! The asshole had the audacity to manhandle me! ME! Of all the goddamned people out there! The hell did he imagine ?! That I'll just bow down and take it up my ass or something?! f**k off!

"Still angry about Greyback?" Tris asked standing at my table in the VIP area, watching me snort the f**k knows how many line I've snorted just to calm down this inferno begging to explode! I just gave her a look, letting her know that yes, I was not over that goddamned asshole!

"Love, he's..." Tris had that please try to understand his background tone again.

"b***h!" I snapped infuriated to the bone "I don't give a s**t how old he is or how much of a werewolf he is or just how werewolves view witches or how they think warlocks and witches are the same s**t! I don't give a single rat's ass about that! I ain't in his house, eating his food, f*****g on his bed and taking a s**t in the middle of the house because I somehow feel entitled to it! HE IS!" ended up raging like an i***t at the wrong person. Poor Tris was just trying to help out.

"Yes..." Tris knew better than to fire me up more when I was like this. One widely known fact, do not antagonize the warlock! You had to be daft at the very least to try that one! We weren't known for our understanding! "However, Kayla, aren't you the one preaching us not to strike our own kin?" she asked "Help them, instead of just leaving them for the Demons?"

"Don't tempt me." I glared at her scratching my skin like crazy. Just what the bloody hell was wrong with me?! Itching, burning up! Man, I could barely stand in my own skin!

"You seem on edge lately..." Tris eyed me like a bloody hawk making it all that more uncomfortable. "More than you are usually...What's wrong, Kay? It has to be more than just that asshole Greyback."

It was a lot more than that, but I wasn't about to discuss it with anyone! That bond was my own damned problem! But, crap, I just wanted to strangle someone! Twitching like a f*****g drug addict! Not that I wasn't one... What? Cocaine did wonders for my temper and so did weed. Wouldn't recommend it to a soul, but it was better than just killing whatever came in my way just because I felt like it! Told you, warlock tempers are nothing to f**k around with. This is what I meant by it. We lived for the battle!

"Ah, here you are!" Blackfire walked inside taking a second to see me scratch and itch like an obsessed freak. "Kayla... are you..." he begun all suspicious.

"I'm fine, damn it! Just say what you were about to say before I turn this damned joint in a pile of ashes!" I snapped at him angrily. Man, I was going f*****g insane here!

He shared a look with Tris, but didn't say much... 

"Well, in that case, I'll just... leave this for some other time." he said putting the paper he had in hand at the back as he was about to turn.

"What the f**k is that?" I asked annoyed as hell, scratching so hard I wondered my skin was still attached.

"Doesn't matter... you're in no shape to attend." he answered and would've touched the door to get out, but I just waved my hand and hat it close in his face. The man turned and gave me that serious look of his. The same look which would make many cower. At this point, it only pissed me off more. Thank the Goddess, he had more sense than to continue refusing my demands "The King invited you, and the high ranking members of our coven to the Small Council's compound. He wants a private audience with you, and the other Coven Leaders before the ball he would throw in our honor. Well, not our Coven's honor, but all nightdwellers."

Well, would you look at that?! That f*****g i***t is finally making a move in the right direction!

"And when would that meeting be?" I asked having no intention whatsoever to attend the ball.

"Tonight." Blackfire announced "In about 6 hours from now..." he checked his wristwatch.

"And he thinks I'll just come in 6 hours?!" I asked getting so bloody angry I could barely contain it!

"No, the invitation was sent two nights ago, but you were not in the compound and when you returned Luna Mery came to wake me up to deliver the message to you. Which I just did." was it me or was he treating me like a petulant child?! "And before you act up on your temper, Kayla, you should remember I did warn you that Wrath would make a move like this reclaiming his power fast. It's not in his nature to dally around."

"For someone that went MIA for three centuries leaving his kingdom falling to ruin, you wouldn't say that!" I mocked him and his faith in this King. Just the mere mention of his name made it all f*****g worse! CRAP! I would never be able to to endure this to the very end, would I?!

"Kayla, I told you he's not like that Small Council..." Blackfire argued his best case, but then I was already up on my legs annoyed as f**k still, but then... the weight of the Coven laid on my shoulders. I couldn't just abandon the only family I had left. "And where are you leaving now?" he asked sounding exasperated. Not that I couldn't understand him. Raising a Phoenix was no easy task.

"To get a suitable dress and make myself presentable before the mighty Court." I made a mockery out that statement, though I really meant what I just said... Couldn't help it. I just itched for a fight. "Meet you all in front in 5 hours!" I barked an order like a retched tyrant and pushed out the door, making sure I pushed Blackfire's shoulder while at it. Man didn't deserve it, but then... Warlock, people... 

 *****

"What the hell got into her?" Blackfire asked as soon as she was out of earshot. She managed to get on his last nerve. More than usual! 

"Well..." Tris sighed getting up as well looking at the bartender, signaling him to clean up Kayla's mess on the table "I don't know much, she's not one to voice her issues, but... I think it has something to do with the King. Whenever someone mentions him she's twitching more." 

Blackfire frowned looking at the woman for a while... He had heard of second chance mates... but is this why the King rose from his slumber? The Moon Goddess did love her Mate bonds... But, Kayla? Not that she won't make a great Queen, but she was no subservient creature. Tyrant, yes, servant... never. Then again, Wrath never restrained Victoria's freedom in any form or manner. On the contrary, he had seen him get quite twisted when he watched a male mistreat their female counterparts, reminding them one way or the other that their deity was a Goddess, not a God...

He could be wrong, but it wasn't the first time he had seen how Mates react when they reject the bond or ignore it's urgency. Their Goddess had a way of making their lives impossible. However, this was a dangerous game they were playing. Kayla's power was nothing to play with and neither was Wrath's. Last thing they needed was NY turned to ashes.

"Think there's something there?" Tris stopped his train of thoughts and the man shrugged.

"Can't say for sure, my dear, but I will look into it. Thank you for letting me know." he said and the woman nodded.

"Of course." Tris smiled like a mother would "When it comes to Kayla, the only one she's inclined to listen to is you."

"Come now, Tris, she pays attention to you." he breathed out amused.

"Paying attention and actually listening are two different things, Blacky. Don't contradict me, you know I'm right." she said reaching him as the man hugged her.

"My dear, you are always right." he grinned bringing her closer. They may not be Mates, but then not all were fortunate enough to find their pair. Didn't mean they couldn't love each other just as much. Simply meant they didn't had to suffer that bond. He treated his favorite lady with a long and lazy kiss, just as she enjoyed it!