Arthur's flame core was calm and his breath was relaxed as well. The flow of time seemed to become irrelevant as the scent of cinnamon zapped the air with its anaesthetic qualities.
Here, at Claw's cottage, Arthur didn't have to worry about being a phoenix prince. He had Seraph and Mr. Claw, two beings that he'd come to cherish faster than he'd ever come to like any stranger in his life.
The last time he'd left the peaceful cottage, he'd expected quite the disaster back at the Phoenix Castle. And as he had left, he hadn't expected to return.
And yet here he was.
"Sooo, the king doesn't want to kill you?" Claw asked after hearing Arthur's narration of his awakening.
David choked on his tea while Arthur laughed heartily, "No, surprisingly not."
"Huh… That's unexpected. Though I guess we should be grateful seeing as that wouldn't be good for little Seraph," the bird perked up at the mention of his name, then darted to the old feline shifter.