All Chapters of Rise of the Phoenix: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The night already fell when Luke found enough strength to get up on his feet, take Sarah in his arms and carry her downstairs to the bedroom. She was asleep, exhausted from the rush of emotions that their sweet love-making caused. Because what they did earlier could never be characterized as sex or anything as low. No! It was a supreme feeling of belonging mixed with the ultimate explosion of the passion and desire built up in them from the moment they met.They took each other up to the sky, higher than they ever imagined possible, to see the stars and outer space and the whole new universe they never suspected existed. Their souls danced with this magical music their bodies were creating, danced and danced until they could no more…Just when Luke gently laid Sarah on the bed, finding her sleeping thingy that looked more like an oversized male tee-shirt and helping her put it on while she was only semi-conscious, a thought ran through his

Although Sarah was quite sure Luke was just unconscious from exhaustion, she got down on the floor and gently checked the pulse on his neck. It was there, a little faint, but there and she signed in relief. Even though she was perfectly aware of what Luke was, she couldn’t help but be worried for him.Hoping he will regain his consciousness and strength as soon as he rests enough, Sarah grabbed him under his arms and, without much effort, managed to get him off the floor. She was never weak, but she felt a lot stronger now. Perhaps her change has already started…“Dad, would you mind?” she requested casually, pointing to Luke’s legs. She acted like it was every day she pops into the living room out from nowhere with an unconscious, half-naked man.Still not understanding what was happening, Richard obliged and grabbed the unknown man for the legs, lifting him up and following his daughter’s lead.

“Pass me the maple syrup,” Sarah nudged Luke, and he stretched his hand on to get the bottle she asked for.The morning after Sarah and Luke arrived, the entire family was gathered in the spacious dining room around the breakfast table. The atmosphere was cheerful, and there was no trace of gloominess from last night. They talked and ate the most delicious food Luke has ever tried, and now he completely understood why Sarah frowned at his diet habits.However, Luke had a hard time relaxing. This was the first time in the last hundred years or so that he had company during the morning meal, real company and not some business partners he was trying to get to agree on his terms… he couldn’t even remember when was the last time he had a proper meal with his own parents… come to think of it, he couldn’t clearly remember those that brought him to life, it was too long ago he even saw them last time. When was that?

Sarah ran as fast as she could, her heart beating like crazy, trying to break away from her chest. For the second time in less than 10 days, she was in the same situation… running from an unknown danger scared shitless.‘This has to stop!’ she thought as she neared the mansion.“Dad!” she yelled from the top of her lungs. “Dad!”Before Sarah reached the mansion properly, Richard was outside, his body tense and ready to react at the first sign of danger. Adaline followed, worried as she heard her daughter yelling.“By the stream… Luke…” Richard needed no more; he was already running towards the spot Sarah vaguely described, knowing his wife will stay there as a last line of defense if needed.Sarah was breathing heavily, more scared than tired from running.“Your eyes,” she heard Adaline mutter, and that snapped her out of her jumbled-up th

“Do I even have to say out loud how you broke my heart?” Sarah asked; her gaze did not waver from his eyes that were back to their usual green color.“No, you don’t have to. I can feel it.” Luke whispered, aware of the hurt he caused her. He deeply regretted jumping to conclusions like that, but it was stronger than him...Sarah watched him closely, and it was like she knew what he was thinking about. It’s like she could feel it, and she knew what it meant; the connection between them was strong to the point where they couldn’t be separated. The fact that she had no saying in it was… not pleasant. Sure, she was the one that insisted on them getting to know each other and giving themselves a chance to explore all the possibilities that this predestined to be together forever thing promised them. Yes, she was the one that said the L word first, which she didn’t mind because she said what she fe