The Demon King's Bride

Brotherly Advice

Phoenyx

In a very short amount of time, things had changed. When Xanathal had left her in the small lounge, she had assumed that the ceremony would take place almost immediately after. Yet, she was allowed to remain in the room, sequestered back and away from the mass of people outside waiting on their nuptuals.

She hoped that he would heed her request and send the visiting dignitaries and traveller's on their way. More than that, she wanted space away from her father and the rest of his pack. The sound of the door opening had Phoenyx turning away from the window, only to find Micheal standing there, looking at her.

Biting her lip, she slowly turned to face her brother. Ice blue eyes peered back at her, the edges of his irises beginning to shift to crimson. Black hair hung in shaggy waves to his shoulders and his chiseled features were locked in a grimace. Quietly, he made his way towards her, and Phoenyx stilled, the flowing folds of the pale violet gown swirling around her. She watched idly as Micheal lifted one hand and a single finger moved to trace one of the bruises on her arm.

"This is for the best, Sister." He whispered softly, shifting to keep an eye on the door.

"I know, Micheal." Giving her brother a weak smile she shrugged, "It is possibly the only way I will survive."

"I wish things were different. I tried to get him to leave you be." Micheal frowned, "Not that it helped."

Phoenyx nodded, her eyes aching as she felt tears well up. One hand lifted to lay on her brother's arm, "And you? Have you found your mate?"

"No." He frowned and shook his head, "Honestly, it would not surprise me to learn Adrian found her and killed her to keep me in line."

"Why would he do that? Both he and father need you for their plans to work." She whispered back softly.

"Which is exactly the point. I hate the choices they make, the plans they have in the works. I do not think Jaicen even knows what Victor is planning. Our father is corrupted, from the inside out. He will lead our kind to their doom." Micheal frowned.

"You mean your kind, I'm not really one of you, remember?" Phoenyx scoffed.

"I know the truth, little sister." Micheal moved to gently tug one of the curls framing her face, "I know you have abilities..."

Phoenyx lifted a hand and placed it over Micheal's mouth, shaking her head. "Don't."

"I won't, it is your secret to give. Just know I will keep it until my dying breath." Micheal said softly.

"There will come a day you will have to make the choice to step away from them, Micheal. Or you will loose yourself." Phoenyx whispered softly.

"I will lose myself even when I choose to do so. Adrian and I share power between us. If either of us separates from the other, we will live a half life." Micheal frowned, "There may not be a choice soon. You know what our progenitor is planning to use your marriage for."

"I do, which was why I made a request of my husband to be." Phoenyx said softly.

"Is that why we are being told that we are to return home and only leave you servants behind to aide you?" Micheal smirked.

"Servants? What servants? I was the servant." She frowned.

"I'm very aware, but father is agitated he is being asked to leave, instead of stay here and keep his eyes on the prize. Should I assume that is your doing?" Micheal smirked.

"Yes...I asked that he send everyone away after the ceremony. I needed... time." Phoenyx drew in a breath and then bent her head forward, "I think...he may be my mate. I do not feel.... right."

"It's possible, little sister." Micheal frowned, "Considering what we did learn of our mother, your mate could be from any of the kingdoms. More than that, we also don't know how you will find them. You have some of our traits, but they aren't exactly the same. This is a mystery you will have to figure out for yourself."

"I know." Shaking her head, she sighed, "I just need more time, to figure all of it out."

"Time is a commodity you don't really have." Micheal exhaled, "Just promise me, you will get word to me if you need anything. I will do my best to keep you appraised of our father's actions, but you know how it can be with Adrian constantly around."

"Thank you, Micheal. For everything." Phoenyx moved to wrap her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly, "I will miss you."

"As I will miss you." Micheal's arms tightened around her for a moment, "Now, for the last advice I can give you to try and make sure you survive." He drew in a breath, "You must gain favor here among the Demons. Dark Celestials...whatever you wish to call them. Make sure you uphold their traditions and rituals as best you can to show you acknowledge them. Starting with your ceremony today. They use a human like ritual, where a father gives away his daughter to the one she marries."

Phoenyx shuddered, "I do not want Victor anywhere near me. Having him take part would allow him access to speak with others and get information."

"I know, which is why I would suggest you ask the Elder of their people instead. If our father asks, you can say you did so to please your new husband and his people. Then say , you thought you were doing as he asked, by making sure he only took part in the shifter part of the ceremony." Micheal smirked.

"Alright." Phoenyx nodded, "I will ask."

"Good girl." Slowly, Micheal drew in a breath, "Now for the last part, ask the King to mark you as our kind would do."

"What?"

"Have him mark you, Phoenyx." Micheal cupped her face, forcing her to look at him, "I know you can't mark him back, but if you can bear his mark, it will make our father pause. Anything he has planned, has to wait until the next solstice, since the mark would not be able to be rejected or removed til then."

"Micheal - "

"I mean it, little sister. The King's mark will cut our father off, from trying to link you all the time. Since it is months from the solstice, you have time to try and thwart our father's plans since rejections can only take root during that time." Micheal fell silent, hearing people growing closer to the door. "I cannot stay any longer. I love you, little sister."

"I love you, too. Be safe."

"I will." Micheal sighed and quietly moved to the door, "And in case no one has said it, you look beautiful." Without another word, he opened the door and was gone, leaving Phoenyx alone once more.