Alec was rendered speechless when he realized that Elysia had picked up a new pet – or rather, a new familiar – the Ash Phoenix that had led him on a merry chase all a few years ago.
He was relatively certain that it was the same Ash Phoenix.
It made him wonder if the Ash Phoenix knew that some day it would bond with Elysia and was thus nearby when she first broke out together with Haphira.
It wouldn't surprise him. They said that animals and creatures, not to mention magical beasts, had a higher connection with 'fate' and were able to sense the person they have a connection to in the future.
As he had a staring contest with the Ash Phoenix, who stared back at him with unblinking eyes, Elysia was cooing over the little girl that looked almost like a miniature version of herself with Alec's eyes.