20. Arabella

Chapter 20

Arabella

D espite the fact, I was stuck with Rhys all damn day thanks to Councilwoman Talia. It wasn't as terrible a day as I had expected. He ran me ragged, especially during combat training. I can't even count on my fingers and toes how many times I wished death upon him, but I also understand why he was chosen to teach me. In the first combat class I had with him he kicked my ass with moves I had never seen. During this one-on-one session, he was able to teach me a few of those moves. Of course, he had to take the time to show off and kick my ass before he would teach me anything. I'm pretty sure he just wanted to be an ass about the whole ordeal, and since we had no one watching us he could. I half expected him to just blow off the orders we were given and leave me to figure it out on my own but he didn't. He's still an asshole don't get me wrong, but at least he's an asshole who still did what was expected.

When we moved on to psychic magic in the afternoon, I just about walked away. He just enforced even further how much of an asshole he is when he brought up having Lucifer's power. I read the journal, I know exactly what power he is talking about and I hate the fact that he knows. It shouldn't surprise me that he does, but I don't like it. When I'm around him like that I feel exposed and vulnerable. Out of everyone I know, he is the last person I would trust with a secret like that. A secret that could very well get me killed. Even Warrick doesn't know about it yet, though I have a feeling he may have suspicions considering he did train me for a majority of my life. There's no way he wouldn't have seen the power at least once.

We spent three hours working on my power of prophecy after I tried to leave our session. Three hours of mental torture. However, Rhys did keep his word. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was starting to gain some control over my prophecy powers. They were still easier to come by while sleeping but when awake I could call upon small prophecies. That was something I had never been able to do. They were always random. I knew I never wanted to be as powerful as some of the seers within our race but just knowing I could call upon small ones was a fact that was good enough for me.

The whole day has now left me confused. I was convinced that Rhys hated me, that he wanted to get rid of me and force me to leave. Never once had he done or said something nice to me. I was already feeling confused when he didn't immediately kick me out last night when Phoenix brought me here and told him I was staying. He didn't try to fight it as much as expected. This morning he cooked me breakfast and I'm still trying to convince myself he only did it because he needed to eat as well, though I noticed he had barely touched the food while he told me what to do. Then combat he kicked my ass but taught me new moves to make me a better fighter, then helped me gain control over my power of prophecy, yeah it doesn't make sense. This is the fallen angel who embodies every sense of the title. So why did it seem like he was being nice by the end of the day and actually slightly enjoying his time with me?

"How was your day?" Phoenix questions, startling me as he enters his room.

"I'm so sorry," I answer, standing up from the spot I had claimed in the center of his floor. When I got back from training I had enough brain power to get myself into the shower and then come find clothes. I hadn't gotten any further, instead letting my thoughts get control of me. Looking down I realize, I haven't even found clothes. I am standing in front of him with only a towel wrapped around my body. "Oh my god!" I gasp. "Shit. I'm so so sorry. Let me just..." I trail off grabbing the first pair of clothes I see which just so happens to be the clothes he gave me last night to sleep in and rush into his closet.

"You don't need to keep apologizing," Phoenix chuckles from the other side of the door. I quickly toss the towel on the ground and change clothes before walking back into the room. "Sorry, for interrupting your thoughts and whatever was going on," he states.

"It's okay. I actually hadn't realized how long I was sitting there for. It must have been a while since my hair had time to pretty much dry. As for your question about my day, it was better than I had expected." It really was too, it isn't a lie.

Phoenix gives me a questioning look but nods as he moves to sit on the edge his bed.

"So, Rhys wasn't a complete asshole? I know he can be tough but he does mean well, or at least he usually does. He is one of the smartest people I know." I can hear the pride in his voice as he talks about his brother. I wish I could say the same or believe him but I can't completely. Phoenix grew up with him and is a fallen himself. That divide between the races is so engrained in us that I'm not sure if some people can see past it completely.

I just give him a pointed look and roll my eyes. Rhys not being an asshole? Yeah, okay. "You really think he didn't give me attitude?"

"Attitude and being an ass are two different things," he laughs. It's a full bully laugh as he watches me. "But really?" he pushes once he settles down. "Was he an asshole to you. If he was I'll go deal with it now myself."

As much as I would like to see Phoenix tell his brother off, I shake my head no. "Rhys was hard but fair. I did actually learn something from him after he got off his high horse."

"Oh, Good," he sighs. "I didn't really want to try to kick my brother's ass but I would have for you."

"I appreciate that," I smile and take a seat beside him. "So, what's our plans for the night?"

"You want to stay here?" he asks surprised.

"I didn't think I had a choice. I mean you did have my bags waiting for me in the living room and Councilwoman Talia knew to find me here. Plus, well, Rhys sure wasn't about to let me leave. Did you put him up to that?" I bump my shoulder into Phoenix jokingly. I know full well that he wouldn't trust his brother to watch me. The small interactions that we had before in classes and between them were hiding them from Rhys.

"I would never ask my brother to babysit you, though I'm sure glad he did. I want you to stay here, Arabella. If you're here then I know you are safe and well it seems Councilwoman Talia agrees. I promise that Isis and Harper got moved to another room and our safe as well," he quickly adds before I can try to bring them up.

"Am I allowed to come and go as I please?" Not like I would let either guy stop me but I would appreciate not feeling like I'm trapped. I already lived my life in lockdown once, coming here was a new start for me and even if someone is targeting me, I'm not going to let it stop me and force me to hide away.

"You aren't trapped here, Arabella. Just maybe let my brother and I escort you around for a little bit?" He asks lightly turning his body slightly toward me. "I don't want you to think you can't do anything alone, I'm just worried about you. We still don't know who targeted you and I'm worried they will again. I know it seems like overkill but watching you fall apart in front of your dorm room… that was one of the hardest things I've seen and it broke something in me watching you. I just want to make sure you're safe. I would never want you to feel trapped or like you can't live your life. I would just like the chance to watch over you and make sure you are safe while doing it."

"But I'm no one, Phoenix. At least no one to you," my voice drops close to a whisper. Ever since the other day when we had breakfast in the garden, I've been confused about Phoenix. He has been extremely nice to me and sometimes when I catch him looking at me it isn't in just a friendly way. I've also noticed the more time I spend around him the more my feelings for him have grown, which leaves me confused. I don't like this feeling. If he is just concerned as a friend then I can understand but I'm not sure that's his reasoning, and I don't know what scares me more. My feelings for him or him only being my friend.

Phoenix clears his throat and looks like he's slightly panicking. "Umm... well that's not exactly true."

"What isn't true? That I'm no one to you? It is. We just met last week and already you've done more for me than most people I know but that doesn't mean that I mean something to you." I know it sounds like I'm trying to rationalize this in a way that gives me an out and maybe that is true. I'm not used to people being nice to me. Especially not at the level that he has been, and maybe it's my way to deflect and protect myself from how I'm feeling.

"Arabella," he starts, reaching out to grasp my hands before pulling back away. "I... well... I'm not sure how to say this."

"Just say it, Phoenix. You're sort of starting to freak me out." I look at him confused and terrified of whatever he is going to say. So far he hasn't really had an issue talking to me about anything. Considering how hard this is for him, I'm worried it's going to be something that I'm not going to like or be comfortable with. With that thought, I inch away from him on the bed to put some distance between us knowing that if I need to bolt I can and he can't try to stop me.

"I care about you," he blurts out then shakes his head sighing. "That came out wrong. It's more than just caring about you. I think you may be my mate. I know it's unheard of to have mates between different species, but are angels and fallen angels really a different species? We are technically the same so I'm sure there has to be something that we are all aware is possible. There's no way to prove for sure that I'm your mate unless we call upon the Divine's magic to tell us but I think we are. I can feel what you are feeling which is a new development that started today so I know how much my brother really pissed you off even though you didn't admit it."

All I can do is stare at him, my jaw drops open as I try to comprehend what he's saying. Not for a second did I think he would say any of that, or well not most of it. I was starting to suspect he had some feelings for me but a mate? That is not something I would have even jumped to. I mean is it even possible? Sure he's right, angels and fallen angels are the same race essentially so I don't see that being an issue. As for what he is saying about being able to feel my emotions, is that something mates can do? We never really were told what does and doesn't happen between mates.

"Arabella?" he questions softly as I continue to just stare at him. I have absolutely no idea what to even say to him. How do I answer? I knew already I was destined to have multiple mates, I mean the mating ceremony showed me that I was a potential mate for both Maverick and Warrick. I didn't see any other connecting lines but that doesn't mean it isn't a potential at all. The ceremony only shows connections to those who are attending the ceremony. Maybe that's why so many angels are having trouble finding mates. If everyone were to attend I think there would be a better chance.

"I... Ummm...," I clear my throat, words not coming to me at all.

"You don't need to say anything," he reaches forward before realizing that I'm out of reach. "Shit," he runs his hand through his hair causing it to stand up. "I shouldn't have said anything yet. I'm sorry." He rises to stand and begins walking to the door. "I'll leave you alone."

Endless thoughts run through my mind of what I should and shouldn't do as I watch him walk away from me. Fear has me paralyzed. I'm still scared from what Maverick did to me and Warrick and I haven't even had a conversation after he admit that I'm his mate and I forgave him somewhat for being an ass and not standing up for us. I understood but it doesn't mean he is completely forgiven yet.

Am I ready to take that risk again with Phoenix? It's a really big one to be taking if I do, but what happens if I don't will it still be there?

"Phoenix," I call out, watching him come to a stop at the sound of my voice.

"Don't call me back, Arabella if you can't accept what I said. I can't face it right now." The vulnerability in his voice has me moving before I can think about it. Getting off the bed, I walk toward him, placing my hand on his bicep softly.

"Don't go," I whisper, terrified if I'm making the right decision. Am I greedy for finding out what's between Phoenix and me just because he's my first friend here? Or is he really my mate? We won't know but I know if I let him walk out that door we really will never know.

"Arabella," his voice breaks. "You better be positive."

"I'm positive." I pull him to turn around and face me. "I want to explore this. I feel something for you. Stay and let's see how this goes. I can't promise we're mates but I do care about you and maybe we can build this but there's something you need to know first."

"I know you have or had a mate, it's how you got here," Phoenix chuckles trying to lighten the mood.

"Yes and no," I take a step back. "Maverick wasn't the only person I was matched with during my mating ceremony he just happened to be the strongest connection and Maverick spoke up, my other mate did not and advised me not to say anything."

"What do you mean?" he asks carefully. "You had more than one match? Why would your second mate hide that? I would never hide you away. Ever."

"I appreciate that but my life in Aeris wasn't easy. My father is..." I pause trying to come up with the right word. "Complicated. Things between us are strained and he expects perfection. If it came out that I had more than one mate, especially who my second mate is, my father would have flipped out. He was protecting me, even if it meant being sent here."

I probably should have talked to Warrick first before telling someone else this story. He gave me permission to tell Harper and Isis but that was it. However, I believe that Phoenix can be trusted. I want to trust him and I'm not giving him the name of my second mate. Just telling him I have another one out there.

"I can tell there's a lot to unpack with this so all I'm going to say is that when you are ready to talk about it we can. Until then I'll take whatever you will give me. I would like to go through the fallen angel ceremony to see if we are mates but only when you are ready to take that leap. Until then we will go at your pace and just explore this connection." Phoenix steps forward and runs his hand down the side of my face softly. "Your pace. Always."

"Thank you," I whisper trying to hold back the tears. He really has no idea how much it means to me that he is going to let us go at my pace. We at least have some truths out in the open between us. Not all but that will come.

"I have one more question for you and then we can get some sleep or dinner whichever you want." Phoenix pauses waiting for me to react one way or another. I just stand in front of him waiting, frozen to see what way this is going to go. I hope he doesn't ask me who my other mate is. I don't want to reveal that just yet. "Who put the bruise on your face? It's almost gone but I want to know whose ass I'm kicking for hurting you."

Gasping, I stumble back away from him. That was the last question I was expecting him to ask me. Honestly, I had completely forgotten about the bruise. Not once had Rhys brought it up and I've been avoiding looking in a mirror not wanting to see the reminder of what my father did for me.

"That's complicated but I can say that the person who gave it to me can't reach me here. Not anymore." I'm pleading Phoenix with my eyes to drop the topic. He can't go against my father. He would never win, and I won't let him try.

"This is one of those when you're comfortable to tell me things isn't it?" he asks carefully. Watching me for any reaction that I'll give him.

"Yeah, we need to wait on that one please."

"Okay, end of the conversation then on that. Ready for bed? Or do you want food?" he asks changing the topic completely.

"Bed, definitely bed," I laugh. Before I can take a step, Phoenix picks me up and carries me to the bed, placing me carefully on one side before he walks to the other.

"Get some sleep, Beautiful. I'll be here for anything you need and I promise to stay on my side of the bed." Phoenix crawls under the covers and does exactly what he says, staying on his side of the bed as he clicks off the lamp beside him. "Good night and sweet dreams."

"Night and sweet dreams, Phoenix," I mumble softly, cuddling down into the pillows and blankets. I didn't think sleep would claim me as fast as it did but within minutes I was out cold.