All Chapters of Rise of the Phoenix: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

I’m not sure how my mate feels about me telling the others what she is and normally, I’d go to Ancalagon with something like this. Unfortunately, he’s been hovering over Eliane now that she’s pregnant and it’s not really a good time to talk to him. So, he’s not an option. I love my father and I know he’ll want to know what Emmi is, but he’s human, or mostly human now that he’s mated to Kaylani. What I need to ensure that my mate survives is the elemental dragons. All of them.When we get back, I land and shift quickly, grabbing my clothes where I left them and saying hello to the other dragons before taking Emmi’s hand and leading her to the medical center where my father is most likely in his office.Before we get inside, I hear them, my father and step-mother. It’s not the first time that I’ve come across them having sex, but it is the first time that I’ve been aggravated because I really need to talk to someone.I turn and look at my mate, still seeing the red rim in her eyes. “Fire

I feel like I’m really starting to recognize when it’s Emmi the human versus Emmi the Phoenix that is forward. Besides the red that rims her blue eyes, and the higher pitch of her voice, there is also confidence. Phoenix is extremely confident in who she is and what she can do. Emmi isn’t there yet, but I wonder if that will change once she and Phoenix connect.I know that the elemental dragons were interested in getting more information about the coming war, but my goal was to make sure that Emmi stayed forward. If these two are going to connect, she has to stop going into her trance-like states. She has to stop pulling so far back that she doesn’t remember what is said around her. So, I tried to help ground her and keep her forward. While it seemed like she struggled to do it, she maintained some level of consciousness. And when I asked Phoenix to step back, kissing her to let her know that I was proud of her and appreciate her stepping back, Emmi came forward almost immediately.“El

The moment the words came out of my mouth, I knew it was the wrong thing to say. Phoenix already told me that Emmi is afraid of her fire, and yet, I was so mesmerized once again by seeing my body engulfed in flames that it came out of my mouth before my brain could stop me.As soon as she opened her eyes, they went wide as saucers, the scent of her fear spiked all around me, and she began screaming as if she really was burning alive.“Emmi! Emmi!” I say, shaking her, trying to help her focus. When that doesn’t work, I do what comes naturally. I kiss her again. She doesn’t respond right away, flailing as if she’s trying to get away from me, but I hold her steady, using my dragon’s deep, resonating rumble to help her focus.I hold her face with the hand that was previously holding her hand and when she begins responding, I deepen the kiss. I can tell the difference between their kisses. Phoenix’s kiss is more confident, more experienced. Emmi’s is tentative, unsure, but still willing. So

I lead Emmi to the hospital where I’m sure my father and Kaylani are. My father has been running tests on Dion and Sena since the attack. I’m sure they struggle with that. Unlike the rest of us who had others to comfort us, no one wanted anything to do with them, not trusting them after they attacked us with The Mean Ones.Emmi’s idea of letting Phoenix tell us if they’re lying is genius. Phoenix does seem to have an understanding of things that the rest of us do not. I don’t know if it’s because she’s a phoenix and is, therefore, more attuned to the world, or if it’s because she’s lived so many lives, but she does feel and know things that the rest of us don’t.Once we’re inside, I follow my nose to where my father and Kaylani are talking to Dion and Sena. They both have earth dragon and elf, like me. So, both of them have access to the earth element. They’re both teenagers which, I’m sure, is why Kaylani wanted to help them. Well, that and we know how The Mean Ones did hurt others. B

I quietly follow her while people nod at Tana and give me side glances.“Hmm, I think I understand why my daughter was getting aggravated. I’m getting annoyed at this group too. I’ll have Cedric talk to them," she says.When we get to the room, it’s like a huge closet with boys clothing on one side and girls clothing on the other.“Not all packs are wealthy enough to supply enough clothes for their wolves. When they come to school, we want them to feel like they’re equals. So, we collect clothing and periodically the packs will donate clothing,” she says, turning to look at me, her eyes going up and down my body.“We don’t have a lot of small sizes that aren’t in children’s clothing, but let’s see what we have. Do you have a preference? Dresses, pants, jeans, shorts?”I shake my head, no.“Whatever you have is fine,” I tell her.“Your eyes are a softer shade of blue than Cedric’s, but I think that this dress would go good with your hair and eyes. Why don’t you try this one on,” she say