The Phoenix King :Alexandria

Edmund

Today was the first day I would spend my time with one of the young men Paul is trying to set me up with. Venus and Samantha came in with a beautiful peach off the shoulder long sleeve gown. I got dressed as quickly as I could and headed to the grand hall to meet Edmund. He was the second oldest of the three. He was handsome but was very reserved. I didn't know if he was shy or just as uncomfortable to be doing this as I was. He had medium-length dark brown hair that he combed back but one strand made its way to the front of his face and touched his cheek. He had a short beard and dark brown eyes with a blue ring hidden in them. If you didn't stare deep into his eyes you would miss it. When I realized he was looking at me I looked away.

"Hello," he said with a low husky voice.

"Hi," I said as cheery as I could sound with the events taking place.

"I knew your mother was from Alia so I wanted to take you there and show you around," he said.

"Oh, thank you," I said a bit confused.

"I hope you don't mind," he said quickly. "I don't mean to make it uncomfortable. I should have known better it may be too soon for you."

"No, it's okay I was taken back but it's fine," I told him. "I haven't been there since I was a child. It would be nice to return after all this time."

"Great," he said as he took my hand and led me to his ship. I was nervous but he seemed nice and what could be the harm in going back to my mother's birthplace. As soon as we approached the city, I could feel the heat from where I sat. I could feel my fire spirit and phoenix spirit roar inside me. The closer you were to the source of your spirit the more intense it felt inside you. I let out flames through my fingers. It felt nice but I quickly extinguished them before I lost control. Edmund got up from his seat and asked for my hand so he could help me up. His touch was soft but firm. I was regretting telling Venus and Samantha to stay at the palace. I only had five guards with me but none would comfort me in a moment like this. Edmond had twelve guards with him so at least I knew I was safe. I hated the fact that even though I was the phoenix king I still felt like I need others around me to feel safe and protect me. He led me off of the ship and the heat was immensely hard to bare. I was not used to it.  Edmund's expression changed a bit. He seemed more relaxed and happy. He led me to his desert fortress. It was way up high on a mountain of sand. We were carried all the way there on a luxurious bed. It was a bit awkward and too much if you ask me. I was a king, and a princess and I have never been carried anywhere other when I was an infant or child. When we reached the main hall I was let down and Edmund grabbed my hand and helped me up. He walked me towards the back of the room and opened these grand doors that led to the most beautiful garden I have ever seen.

"It's so beautiful," I said.

"I used to think it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," he said. "Until I saw you." I smiled and walked ahead to see the many flowers in the room. He walked up behind me and I felt this nervous feeling.

"How many flowers are in here," I asked him.

"Hundreds," he replied. "I love the desert and feel at peace in the heat but this garden reminds me of the other wonders in the galaxy."  I stopped walking and I felt his hand brush my bare shoulder. He was holding a single blue orchid in his other hand. He placed it in my hands.

"It's beautiful," I told him.

"I want for us to be friends," he said. "I know what Paul wants for us or any of the other gentlemen that he invited the other night but I want to know you. It is not easy for me either."

"Thank you, I don't mind getting to know you and I could use a friend," I said. He took my hand and led me to a few pillows that were gathered around the center of the garden. It was covered with this sheer orange curtain. We stepped in and his guards closed the sheer curtains.

"So are you a fire spirit?" I asked him. He gave me a gentle smile and said

"No."

"Oh, then what kind of spirit holder are you?" I questioned. He hesitated to answer but then finally spoke.

"I don't have a spirit," he said. I was shocked and confused for a moment. I didn't want to say the wrong thing so I stayed quiet until he spoke again.

"I was the only one in my family to not have a spirit in over 300 years," he told me.

"I'm sorry, I know it's hard when it's expected of you," I told him. "I personally don't care." He didn't say much and I assumed I said the wrong thing.

"So, what do you like to do when you are not being a king," he asked me.

"I love to read, and travel," I told him. "I traveled with my mother and father to so many different planets."

"That sounds amazing," he said. "I haven't been able to travel much."

"We could go somewhere we both haven't been next time we see each other," I told him. He smiled and took my hand.

"This has been a very difficult time for you Alexandria but I will not pressure you or ask you to choose me," he said. "I think you should be allowed to be the phoenix king. It was your father's choice and we all should respect it. Callisto is proud and honored to have you as the new king."  We continued talking for a while and then had something to eat before he took me to the shadow valley to see the moons on full display. My mother loved this more than anything else. She loved looking up at the moon and the stars.

"I didn't think it could get any prettier," I told Edmund.

"It is wonderful here," he told me.

He took me back to his ship and took me back to my palace. I was happy and amazed at how much of a good time I had. As he walked me to the entrance he took my hand once more and kissed it.

"Thank you for spending the day with me Alexandria," he said so smoothly.

"It was my pleasure," I said back as I leaned in to kiss his cheek. I walked inside and headed to my chambers. I was ready to rest for a few. I knew I would have to travel to the planet Nix to spend the day with Aero. I guess spending time with him can't hurt. It went so well with Edmund, I might be pleasantly surprised by the next suitor.