164: Ada's POV

164: Ada's POV
Phoenix’s question made me pause. I cocked my head to the side, raising my eyebrows. “If I answer, will you answer the same?” He gave a curt nod and crossed to the table, taking a seat. I sighed, “It sounds cliché, but my dream is a happily ever after.”

“What is happily ever after to you?” he pushed.

“Peace, for starters,” I sat across from him, crossing my legs and leaning back in the chair. “Kids, I think. At least three,” I winked at him, and he grinned. I sucked in a breath. “The thing is, I imagined life with you and Nik and Darius a lot of times. And I would say it formed into a dream,” Phoenix reached forward and grasped my hand, “But that dream was never the four of us and our kids living in a castle and ruling over people. I always pictured something a lot simpler.”

Phoenix nodded slowly, “Are you worried that what Heath and his brothers have said has given you some sense of false hope?”

“More worried that it isn’t false,” I sniffled, squeezing his hand, “The dream for me is a more quaint life. Something like a farmhouse with animals and plenty of sunshine and laughter and little feet on hardwood floors,” my eyes met Phoenix’s and I pursed my lips, “I’m afraid that my dream doesn’t match up with any of yours.”

He sighed, “It’s not the same. But it’s closer than you think for me.”

“Yeah?” My smile was soft, tearful.

Footsteps pounded overhead, and we both glanced up at the ceiling above us. Phoenix tapped the tips of his fingers against the wood table. “I never pictured being King when I thought about where I would be.” His emerald eyes wrinkled at the sides when he smiled, staring at the wall behind me. “In fact, I pictured running an animal rescue for all types of animals. I always wanted a quieter life, away from real responsibility.” His smile fell. “I think Darius may have been the only one who ever claimed he wanted the crown.”

A small laugh escaped from me. “I’m not surprised by that at all. Though I don’t think he’d ever admit it to me.”

“I think marrying Elizabeth Jane to secure the crown was enough proof,” Phoenix’s nose scrunched up, lips pursing.

With a small nod of agreement, I leaned back in my chair. Phoenix was a more gentle man than anyone gave him credit for. Nik had warned me not to ever think of him as docile, that he could be cruel when necessary, but couldn’t we all? I honestly admired the fact that he was able to hold onto this part of himself— the part that wanted to live somewhere and do nothing more than take care of the animals he loved being around. The simple fact that he was able to set aside that desire and be responsible said a lot about who he was as well.

He was someone who would put the needs of the many ahead of his own wants.

“How are you dealing with what Heath told you about your fat—” I cut myself short, wincing and sending him a pointed look.

“The more I sit with it, the more it makes sense,” he crossed his arms over his chest, rubbing a hand on his jaw— which had a nice layer of fiery stubble on it. “We were all so unlike him growing up, and none of us really looked like our mothers either.” Another shuffle of feet overhead made him pause. Once it quieted, he sighed, “I just have a hard time wrapping my head around how dedicated he would have to be to the lie to give us the journal like that and lead us to really believe the prophecy was about us...”

“Maybe he lived the lie long enough to have forgotten the truth himself.”

“Or maybe he was just plain fucking crazy,” Phoenix offered.

Silence. We both exchanged a sideways look and busted out laughing. I nodded, “That’s a very real possibility.”

When we’d both calmed down, the following silence was comfortable. I wasn’t sure how long we just sat there in each other’s company, but I found myself relaxing a bit more with each minute. Phoenix seemed a bit lost in thought, staring vacantly into space and shifting in his seat now and then. He’d gone completely still— no shaking legs, no tapping fingers, no chewing on his lip. I’d honestly never seen him this calm and focused.

Out of nowhere, his voice cracked as he spoke, “How are you dealing with the fact that Blade and Dagger claim they’re your mates?”

My hand went up to my throat, tracing along the new markings I knew were there but had yet to see for myself. Phoenix’s eyes followed my hand. The bright emerald in his eyes dulled. I’d almost forgotten they were there, and he’d done a fantastic job of pretending they didn’t exist as well. But they were there. Just like Blade and Dagger were there—all the time.

“For what it’s worth,” he grinned, “If I don’t think about why they’re there, the markings are really hot.”

My smile was quick. I reached out and shoved him slightly. “Oh, shut up.” We both laughed lightly as he rubbed where I’d shoved him. “I haven’t thought about it much, and I guess that’s how I’m choosing to deal with it,” my eyes fixated on a dark spot on the table. “I don’t know enough about the part of me that’s Fae to know whether what they’re saying is true. And I’m not attracted to them like that, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Give it time, and you might be,” Phoenix shrugged, resting his elbow on the table and his chin on his hand, “They’re attractive males and do seem dedicated and loyal.” When I simply stared at him, Phoenix grinned, “I will fuck you with my brothers, Ada, and be happy doing nothing more for the rest of my life. But if you think I haven’t dabbled and can’t appreciate decent men when I see them, you’d be wrong.”

I arched an eyebrow, bringing a hand to my chest. “You continue to surprise me, Phoenix.” He rolled his eyes, but his smile only grew. I swallowed, reaching for his hand again. “I want you to know that I still feel like Nik and Darius are alive. Like somehow, someway, we are all going to find each other again.”

“I do, too.”

My voice was soft. “I don’t think losing my wolf means I wouldn’t know if something happened to any of you. We’re connected,” I placed my free hand over his heart, “I believe this separation was just the twist of fate you and I needed to have a moment to grow closer.”

“That’s very ‘glass half full’ of you, Ada,” he covered my hand that rested on his chest. “I hope more than anything that you’re right about it all.”