Purple Cornflower

Despite her better judgment, Serenity clung to Killian's hand and followed him down the halls back to the stables. He ushered her into the stall where his stallion, Stonewall stood. The beautiful beast was brushed and resting. Killian pulled his saddle off the wall and threw it on his back, causing Stonewall's eyes to open with annoyance. He opened a saddle bag and pulled out some clothes, which he held out to Serenity.

She looked at him puzzled as she took the clothes. "You can't ride in that dress."

Serenity pursed her lips as she pushed the clothing back towards Killian.

"I'll fly," she replied. Killian shrugged and took the clothes back from her. He shoved them in his saddle bag before mount Stonewall.

Serenity stepped out of the stall and let Killian steer his horse out of it. He galloped off without a word causing Serenity to run after him. She transformed easily into her dove from and tore off after Killian with harsh flaps of her wings. She didn't know where Killian was leading her, but she had an idea.

As she had the night before, she followed Killian through the open air of the nest. She flew over him, staying close enough to land on his shoulder if need be. He didn't seemed bothered by her flying so close. His red burning eyes glanced up at her continuously to make sure she was still following him through the city. Killian led her through a different part of the city then she had traveled before; a back way out of the Nest into the dense forest beyond the walls.

Serenity felt guilty for leaving without saying anything to Mason. She was sure he would be angry with her when she returned, but she would worry about his anger then. In that moment, she was consumed with curiosity about Killian and the phoenix. A dozen questions burned in her mind and she was eager to have them answered.

Killian was a skilled rider. He had no problem maneuvering Stonewall between the dense oak trees of the tranquil forest. Serenity felt he was showing off as he pulled ahead of her to weave in and out of the brush elegantly. She did not waver. She followed him flawlessly on light wings. The oak trees began to thin and dark evergreens began to decorate the forest. This is where Killian came, past the former home of Serenity's ancestors, deep into the forest where the nexus of magic was.

Killian pulled Stonewall to a stop in a clearing beneath tall evergreens. The ground was covered in long thin pine needles preventing grass from sprouting. The lowest branches of the evergreens were at least fifteen feet in the air. Serenity swooped in front of Killian and transformed easily into her demi form. Her wings fluttered for a moment, spreading wide around her, making her appear as an ethereal angel in the forest. The contrast of her silver white wings, pale skin and shimmer hair against the dark brown forest floor and heavy green trees caused Killian to catch his breath. He dismounted Stonewall as Serenity turned to him, completing her transformation into her human form and placing her feet gently on the pine needle covered forest floor.

Killian looked down at Serenity's feet with surprise. Small white and blue flowers were sprouting out from beneath the needles. Serenity followed Killian's gaze and looked down with as much surprise as him. She had never caused flowers to bloom without focusing her magic. As she stood there, the flowers continued to bloom effortlessly. Serenity looked up at Killian as her mouth opened to speak, but no words came out. The patch of cornflowers began to stretch around her. Killian stopped a few feet from her as the patch reached his feet.

"I told you this place was a nexus of magic," he said to Serenity's shocked expression.

"What about your magic?" she asked.

Killian raised his hand from his side. Serenity watched with wide eyes as flames erupted across the cornflowers that she had easily grown. The flowers withered to the heat of the fire. Quickly, the beautiful green verge turned to charred, dried gray ash. Serenity frowned as the flowers died beneath Killian's flame. She looked at him with sad eyes as the flames reached her feet. The heat tickled her flesh while dancing at her ankles. Killian lowered his hand and the flames diminished. Serenity was unharmed, unlike the beautiful cornflowers that had grown in the clearing.

"You can control it?"

Killian nodded. He stepped forward and began to brush away the ash of the burnt cornflowers with his feet. Serenity studied him with curious eyes because he appeared to be looking for something. Killian knelt down and motioned for her to approach him. She moved to him silently. He took her hand and pulled her down to kneel next to him. Carefully, he brushed the ash away from the forest floor. Serenity smiled slightly when she saw what he was revealing---a beautiful purple cornflower greeted her eyes. It began to stretch out from under the ash, growing taller with each second.

"Did the fire hurt your feet?" he asked as he plucked the purple cornflower bud from its stem.

"No," Serenity whispered softly.

"Will you permit me?" Killian asked as he motioned to the flower in his hand.

"Yes," Serenity nodded with a small smile. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach every time he asked her permission to show her affection.

Killian gently leaned forward, invading Serenity's personal space, and tucked the cornflower bud into the lining of her dress over her right breast. His fingers traced along the edge of her bodice, teasing her smooth flesh and causing goosebumps to rise all over her body.

"But I will be sad, by tomorrow it will have wilted."

Killian smirked. "Then tomorrow, I will raise a new one from the ashes for you."

His words were charming. Serenity tilted her head back revealing her neck to him as she looked up at the evergreen trees. Their thick branches blocked the sun from reaching the forest floor.

Killian's hand ran up her neck. She brought her head back down as he ran his fingers along her jaw. His thumb stroke her cheek. Serenity stared into his eyes as they burned red.

"Why have you been trying to reach me?" She asked in a low whisper as she thought of what he had said to her in her dream. The visions of flames danced in her memory and she could not help seeing the similarities between her dreams from the night before and that moment.

Flames burst to life around Serenity and Killian. She felt their heat against her body but did not turn her gaze away from his. He held her face tenderly, keeping his flaming red-orange eyes on her midnight stare. The flames danced around them, causing them no harm as they knelt in the ashes of the burnt cornflowers.

"To save you," he whispered. He leaned forward, bringing his lips closer to hers and waited as if tempting her to come closer and kiss him before he kissed her. Serenity smiled as she tilted her chin up, welcoming him to take her breath away. He leaned forward further, pressing his lips against hers in a masterful kiss. Serenity released a sigh and pressed her body to his. She could feel every inch of his hard chest and abs against her frame. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and he held her tightly. They continued to kiss, sharing hot erotic passion for each other with their mouths.

There was a hunger in Killian's kisses that was foreign to Serenity. His kisses were eager, long and aggressive. Serenity had never been kissed in such a manner. The heat from the fire around her spiked arousal through her entire body.

Serenity took a breath as Killian pulled out of their hungry kiss.

"From the Crowned Prince?" She questioned unclear as to whom she needed saving from.

"And yourself," he said as he brushed her silver curls behind her ears. Serenity frowned at this comment. How much did he know about her inner thoughts and fears?

He held her hand up, pressing his palm against hers and then intertwined their fingers.

"As a dove you sense peace and love," he said softly. The flames around them began to diminish. Serenity stared up at his eyes as they faded back to the sharp dark green shade. "As a phoenix, I sense destruction and the end of life. I try to foster rebirth, though I am not always successful."

He brought Serenity's fingers to his lips and kissed each one delicately. She stared at him with longing as her senses flared with desire.

"You sense destruction in me?"

"You seem to leave a significant amount of destruction in your wake. And that weighs heavily on your heart."

Serenity frowned and nodded. She felt this too.

"How will you foster my rebirth? Especially if you are meant to kill me?"

"That was my father's plan," Killian shook his head. "I think I am beginning to show you your path to rebirth now."

He smiled as he brought her hand to his face. She cupped his cheek before sliding her hand behind his neck and pressing her body against his again. He engulfed her in his massive frame, holding her tightly while kissing her powerfully again. Serenity couldn't help but moan against his mouth.

He pulled out of their kiss slowly again. "We should return to the Nest."

Serenity frowned. She hadn't asked any of her questions about his magic or even her own. He had shown her that his fire did not harm her, but it burned her with a desire to know more. Killian seemed to sense her disappointment.

"Your guard will worry and my brother will seek you out when he returns from his work in the fields. We must go back so no one suspects that we've been here together."

"What are you afraid of?"

"Many things," he whispered in reply as he stroked her hair. Serenity raised her eyebrows.

"You're afraid of your own feelings—"

"—desires," he corrected. Serenity smirked. Like any man, he wouldn't admit that he was developing feelings or an interest in her. He was going to keep his interest to one of a physical nature.

"You spark an emotional response in me that is foreign. No one has been able to put out my fire or break my telepathy as you have."

"You're afraid of me?"

He shook his head with that crooked smile. "No, not afraid. Intrigued."

Serenity beamed. "I'm intrigued as well."

Killian looked up at the sky with curious eyes. Serenity followed his gaze as he peered around the clearing. He heard something. He stood up quickly and pulled Serenity to her feet by her hand. He continued to hold her hand as he stared back at the path they had taken into the clearing.

"What is it?"

"Someone is coming," he whispered. He whistled low and Stonewall moved to his master, Serenity hadn't noticed before, but a sword was strapped to the side of Stonewall's saddle. Killian pulled it from the sheath easily.

Serenity was only half surprised when a massive grey wolf appeared in the low brush before the clearing. The wolf growled aggressively at the couple. Serenity rolled her eyes as the wolf's theatrics. She reached forward, placing her hand on Killian's arm, encouraging him to lower his sword.

"Mason," she spoke his name softly.

Her guard transformed immediately into his human form. His rage was clear all over his body. He looked stern, harsh and glared sharply at Serenity.

"I said I'd kill you myself—"

"Mason," Serenity interrupted. "We both know that was a hallow threat. You would never betray Cevin by killing me."

Mason stepped close to Serenity, taking her upper arm and pulling her away from Killian. Her fingers slipped out of Killian's hand.

"That may be, but it is not wise to be running around the forest with a phoenix in a foreign territory."

Serenity rolled her eyes. "Your brother will have my head if anything happens to you."

"I would not allow harm to come to her, Wolf," Killian said as he returned his sword to his saddle. Mason turned his dark grey aggressive eyes to Killian. He did not like that Killian had called him wolf.

"Forgive me, milord, but you are one of the things that makes me uneasy—your phoenix could easily harm her."

Killian smirked at Mason but made no retort. Serenity stepped forward between the men. "That's enough," she said to Mason with her own sharp expression. "Were you able to get word to Cevin?"

She hoped the change of conversation may ease the tension rising in the forest. Mason glanced at Killian before looking back at Serenity. He shook his head with disappointment.

"Who is Cevin?" Killian asked.

"My brother," Serenity whispered. "I hoped to update him about the Crowned Prince's marriage proposal."

Killian looked at Serenity with surprise.

"What's wrong?"

"He told the council he had not asked you to be his mate," Killian said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "He's either up to something, or he did not want them to know you refused him."

"I think it is time for us to leave the Nest," Mason said quickly. "The longer we stay, the more enraged the Crowned Prince will become that you are not going to be his mate."

"What would be the benefit to lie to the council?" Serenity asked looking at Killian. She knew Mason was right, but part of her did not want to leave just yet.

"I'm not sure," Killian responded. Serenity didn't believe him. She had been caught between royal brothers and their politics before. She was sure that Killian knew exactly what his half brother was up to. Killian looked at her with deep green eyes. "We should return to the Nest."

"Will you fly?" Mason asked Serenity. Killian mounted Stonewall and held out his hand to Serenity.

"Let's all stay together," he said.

Serenity glanced at Mason who bowed his head. Serenity took Killian's hand and he helped her up onto the horse. She frowned slightly as she sat on Stonewall's back. She did not enjoy riding side saddle. She took a breath to relax her body and leaned into Killian, who wrapped his arms around her to hold the reins. Mason transformed into his wolf form and darted off into the brush. Killian directed Stonewall forward to follow.

"I wanted to ask you about your magic," Serenity said over her shoulder. "What happened last night?"

"I entered your mind. I just wanted to see how you would receive my magic, if you could handle it. Phoenixes are gifted with telekinesis. People don't usually know when I enter their mind."

"That seems like a big risk to take."

"Hardly," Killian said as they rode after Mason.. "I know your history—probably better than you do—I will admit, I was a little surprised how well you handled it. No one has ever stopped me from penetrating their mind before."

"What do you know of my history?"

"I know your family line was well established in the Concord clan of Doves. They were the longest living clan and the last to fall to my ancestors."

Serenity frowned deeply. She always felt that everyone seemed to know more about Dove history then she did. She held her chin up so that Killian wouldn't sense her disappointment.

"You are powerful, Serenity. Not many birds could force me from their head."

"What do you know of how strong my magic is? Or what I can do with it?"

"I'm sure with proper training you can do more than grow flowers." It was a harsh blow. Serenity bit her bottom lip.

"Can you train me?"

"That will be hard to do if you leave the Nest."

"Are you proposing I stay here to be courted by your brother and trained by you?"

Killian held the reins tightly with his right hand while he wrapped his left hand around Serenity's waist. "Your wolf is right, the longer you stay the more danger you are in."

Serenity shook her head with confusion. Did he want her to stay or not?

"I warned you to leave last night," Killian continued as if he knew what she was thinking. "I still stand by that. This place is not safe for you. Fallon has no intention of letting you leave."

"I figured that," Serenity whispered.

The Nest was coming into view. Silence fell between the birds as they approached the Falcon's fortress. Mason was standing in his human form waiting for the other two just beyond the gate to enter the Nest. When Stonewall reached him, Killian paused to let Serenity slip off the saddle. Mason took her arm to escort her back to the suite.

"I will send word to Carna for you," Killian said before they parted ways. Serenity looked up at him with surprised eyes.

"You'd do that for me?"

Killian nodded. "Just to let your brother know you're safe."

"Thank you," Serenity said quickly. "For today."

Killian smiled at her and bowed his head before steering his horse away. Mason stared down at Serenity with a serious expression on his face.

"You know I do not mean to interfere in your personal affairs," he said carefully.

"Then please don't," Serenity retorted suddenly feeling like she was speaking to her brother, not Mason who she considered her best friend.

"You have to be careful with a phoenix, Serenity," he said ignoring her statement and ushering her to the stairwell nearest them.. "They are powerful beings. The reason they rise from ashes is because they self destruct so often. The phoenix is a magical being inside of Killian. A human or shapeshifter cannot contain a phoenix's magic forever. The phoenix is so strong it brings the body it possess back to life over and over again to continue to survive in this realm."

Serenity frowned deeply. "Where did you learn all of this?"

Mason hesitated. "My father."

Serenity nodded as she pulled her arm from Mason's grasp."I'm drawn to him, Mason. I haven't felt such emotions since Theron died."

Mason frowned and seemed surprised by Serenity's comment. "That is good," he said soundly. "To feel those emotions again is good…but Killian…"

His voice faded as they approached the door to their suite.

"It doesn't matter," Serenity said seriously to address Mason's concerns. "What matters is getting home safely. I think we can trust him to help us."

"Time will tell," he said as he ushered her into the room. He closed the chamber door tightly behind him. "I don't think it will be easy to leave here. We will need to be prepared for anything."

Serenity bit her bottom lip as she took a seat on the couch in the suite. She did not realize how physically tired she was until she sat down. She rubbed her temples as Mason sat down next to her.

"Do you think King Tzvi knew that the Crowned Prince would ask me to be his mate?"

"I think that your marriage may have been part of the trade agreement," Mason said very carefully. Serenity turned to look at him in surprise. How could that even be possible. The King couldn't sell her off—she was a free citizen of Carna, of the Pantherian territory.

Serenity opened her mouth to speak, but her words were drowned out by a sharp banging on the chamber door. Mason gave her a sad smile.

"What facts do you have to support that theory?"

"We're here, the Crowned Prince sent the trade agreement to Carna last night, but he told his council that he had not asked you to be his mate yet. The trade agreement is still a draft. It will be finalized when both men meet and sign it together. I think he made a counter offer with the agreement to ensure that you become his mate. If you had willingly accepted, he would not have needed to use the trade agreement to get you."

Serenity mulled over his thoughts as she chewed her lip. "But it's all a theory?"

Mason nodded as the knock erupted on the door again. Mason stood up, his hand on his sword defensively, as he approached and opened the door.

"Your Majesty," he said stepping back and bowing his head to Crown Prince Fallon as he entered the suite.

Serenity stood up from the couch and folded her arms in front of her as Fallon crossed the room to her in a few long strides.

"Serenity," he said with a smile. He had changed his clothes since she had last seen him earlier in the morning. She hoped he would notice the ash all over her dress from her trip to the evergreen forest.

"How was your morning in the fields?" Serenity asked.

"Fine," Fallon shrugged. "I have some meetings with the council now, but I wanted to see you before I went to them."

"That is kind of you," she said easily. She was sure that he was trying to make her feel as if he were making time for her.

"Killian said he spoke with you this morning."

"I had hoped that he would be able to shed some light on my magic," Serenity responded honestly.

Fallon nodded his head with a beaming smile. "See, I knew you were a curious creature." Serenity gave him a weak smile. Fallon's eyes wondered over Serenity's appearance. His golden stare stopped on her breast, where he gently reached forward and pulled the purple cornflower from her bodice. He looked at it with raised eyebrows. Serenity frowned deeply, but said nothing . "Perhaps you'd like to see my library? I'll have Mona come retrieve you. Perhaps we can share dinner there, just the two of us."

"I would like that," Serenity responded with a bow of her head.

Fallon smiled and kissed her cheek quickly. He dropped the cornflower from his hand after crushing it slightly. It fluttered uselessly to the floor. Serenity didn't dare look at it. She did not want Fallon to think that his actions sparked an emotional response from her. "It's settled then. I'll make the arrangements and see you later this evening."

"Thank you, your Majesty."

He looked her over. "You seem tense?"

"I'm tired still," she responded. "I'm going to take a bath to try and relax."

Crowned Prince Fallon nodded his head and bowed to her before leaving the suite as quickly as he had entered. Mason looked at Serenity with raised eyebrows. Serenity sighed heavily as she collapsed onto the couch. She wasn't sure how long she could keep up the appearance of pleasing the Crowned Prince. She hadn't done it in so long that she was out of practice.

"Should we plan to leave this evening?"

"No," Serenity whispered. "Killian is sending word to Cevin tonight…if he is able to convey that Fallon has asked for me to marry him Cevin will come here."

Mason nodded his head after a moment. "He'll play that you're his charge and need permission to marry."

Serenity nodded. Even though it wasn't true, that is exactly what Cevin would do. He knew that it may fall on deaf ears, but it was certainly worth a shot to ensure Serenity's survival.

"That may work, unless our King gives me away freely. How can we leave without starting an all out war?"

"I'm afraid that is unavoidable," Mason said with a shake of his head as he sat down. "Perhaps if we don't return to Carna…"

Serenity looked at Mason confused. "I have to go back. People rely on me there! I have a life there!"

Mason frowned deeply as he rubbed his hands through his hair. "He'll come after you. I think Killian is right, denying Fallon is a death sentence—"

"Becoming his mate is a death sentence," Serenity said crossly. She jumped up in anger and began to pace in the sitting room. Perhaps this is exactly why Lord Carter had asked her to marry him again before she left. She shook her head. Being his mate would not offer her any more protection. He would have come with her to the Nest and Prince Fallon would have killed him too. He would have just become another casualty in the long list of deaths that followed Serenity around.

"We'll wait for Cevin," she whispered.

Mason nodded as he stood up. "As you wish."

"I'm going to take a bath."

Mason bowed his head as she left the sitting room. She stripped her navy blue dress off and disappeared into the bathroom. She filled the bath with hot water and lavender bubble bath. She sat on the side of the tub watching the water fill and the bubbles lather. She bit her bottom lip. Theron had discovered she was pregnant with his child in the bath tub; they had made feverish love that night in the Den. He was furious with her about the child because he was scared that they wouldn't be safe.

Serenity crossed her arms over her naked chest as she frowned. Not much had changed since then. She still wasn't safe. She hadn't been safe her entire life…why did she expect that to change now?

She sighed heavily as she sunk into the warm water. She dipped her naked body under the rich lather and breathed in the relaxing lavender scent. Resting her head back, she closed her eyes and tried to relax. The next few hours were going to be difficult. She was going to have to play nice to the Crowned Prince; she was going to have to lead him to believe that he was growing on her. That she was actually considering being his mate. Tears welled in her eyes but she wiped them away quickly.

At some point a long time ago she had promised herself that she wouldn't be this person anymore. Just before Theron had died this type of thing was what she was working on. Her ability to have agency over herself and her own sexuality was a foreign concept. She spent the last years with Theron learning that. She had mastered it while staying in Carna. Lord Carter had given her plenty of practice. Now the Crowned Prince was testing her and she had to bend to his will as she used to. She had to make him think she wanted him and liked him as a means of survival.

Serenity sat up in the tub and stared at herself in the mirror across the bathroom. She sighed heavily while staring at herself. She could do this…at least she thought she could…she didn't have a choice if she wanted to make it home alive.