The Phoenix King's Forgotten Daughter

Chapter 4

I wake up a long time after, unsure of where I am. I thought back to what happened and realized I'm naked. I look around and see Owen in the corner on a chair muttering to himself. He sees me then rushes to my side. He's worried and pale.

“are you ok you scared me I didn't know what to do. I'm sorry. I-” he talks fast and won't let me say anything. So I kissed him. I stroke his cheek and smile up at him.

“I'm fine. Better than fine. I'm elated. overjoyed even.” He sighs then kisses me again. “Are you ok, Owen?”

“I am now.” He crawls into bed next to me, holds me tightly against his chest. Snuggling into my marking spot taking a deep breath.” You had me so worried. I didn't know what happened. You just passed out on me after I marked you. I thought I killed you.”

“I'm sorry I worried you. I'm not sure what happened.” I wrap my arms around him when we hear a pounding on the door. “Whose that?”

“OWEN! My boy, open this door.” Owens Pa hollars.

“Oh I forgot I called him. Get dressed, I'll talk to him real quick.” He grabs his pants and puts them on quickly. I grab his shirt he was wearing earlier and put that on. Then grab my panties, notice how wet they are, then grab Owens boxers instead. I walk out into the living room where I hear hushed voices. They stop when I approach.

“Mama, what are you doing here?” I ask and walk over to Owen whose arms are open for me. She's pale, just as pale as Owen was when I first woke up.

“Osborn called me, told me Owen called him, in a panic. Said he marked you and you passed out after you started glowing. Or something like that. So I had to come.” She sat back on the couch and Owen squeezed me, his head resting on my head.

“I was glowing?” I could feel Owen swallow and nod.

“Yes,” he rasped out. “I didn't know what was happening then you passed out after that so I was very scared for you. That's why I called them.” He picked me up. And held me to him as he sat down in a chair like I wasn't close enough to him, but I didn't mind that so much.

“You didn't tell her?” Osborn, Owens Pa, said to my ma. “I thought you was gonna tell her when she turned 20 that's why I told Owen to wait a few months.” he seemed agitated.

“Tell me what?” I said looking at my ma, then at Osborn. Who just looked at Owen and me with a sad painful expression.

“Tell you what you are. Who you are.” My mama finally said. “I didn't think… I was unsure how to.” She swallowed. “Your pa. Your pa was a Phoenix. Is a Phoenix. I- He told me you would be too. Said you'd shift on your 20th but then you didn't. I didn't think you'd have a Phoenix in ya. So I didn't see the need to tell you.” She hid her face in her hands.

“A Phoenix?” I whispered. Owen held me tighter. “Did you know, Owen?”

“No, pa asked me to wait. I figured it was to see if you felt the bond, was all. So I did, I didn't think…” he looked me in my eyes and there was concern there. He didn't think I'd pass the f**k out after he marked me. He snorted. “I heard that.”

“Heard what?” I blushed, looking at him and his all knowing smile.

Your thought about me not knowing you'd pass the f**k out. Owens' voice was inside my head.

Why the f**k are you in my head. How?????

“It's the mate bond. They can mindlink each other.” Osborn told my mother. She must have asked a question about us both spacing out.

“Is me being a Phoenix the reason why I can sense shifters animals? Why I feel so fiery? Why I burn?” I whispered the last part to myself more than to the room but I knew Owen heard me. He squeezed my legs again unable to let go of me because of the bond we now share.

“Yes.” My mother whispered.

“I understand why you wouldn't say anything mama it's just you should have. You should have told me a long time ago.” I said sternly to my mama.

“I know. And I'm sorry. I just- chickened out I suppose. I failed you.” Tears welled up in her eyes. I got up off Owen who was reluctant to have me go from him.

“No mama, you didn't fail me. You just made a simple mistake that happened. You taught me that.” I smiled at her then gave her a hug. “Were you and pa mates?”

She nodded her head. “Yes, yes he was but he wasn't able to claim me. His family has a strong hatred towards humans. And with you being half human he was worried what they may do.”

“Did he reject you?” Owen asked.

“No. We still hold a bond but It's grown weaker since we've been apart. He said he would come back to me one day and I stupidly believed him.” She spoke in a hushed tone. One filled with shame and sorrow. I squeezed her hand 3 times. An old meaning behind it just between the two of us. One that means ‘I love you.’ she smiled softly at me.

“We should go, Osborn. Now that we know they are ok. We’ll talk some more in the morning Sweetie. The two of you can stop by for breakfast. In the meantime, enjoy time with your mate.” My mother got up from the couch, kissed my forehead and left the cabin.

“Right, you two are mated now.” Osborn clapped Owen on the back. Owen winced. “What the hell is that boy?” Osborn turned Owen around and looked at a mark on his back. I walked around the couch to look at it too. It was a burn mark. In the shape of a hand. In the same spot I was gripping him, just between the shoulder blades while he marked me. I held my hand up to it. “Looks like you got him good, Zoe” Osborn said, connecting the dots before I could.

“What do you mean?” I asked , perplexed.

“A Phoenix can't bite sweetheart. They burn.” Was all he needed to say. Owen turned around and looked at me. Smiling.

“I didn't think I'd get marked too. What with you being human and all. I didn't even realize that I was marked. I was so worried about you and…” Owens addams apple bobbed.

“Well I'll head out your mother's waiting on me. Owen, don't forget to stop by before her heat happens. You'll need the extra supplies.” Osborn left us then.

“My heat?” I arched an eyebrow at Owen. He nodded and laughed.