Phoenix Rising (15 page)

Artemis asked the question in their king-size bed at the most expensive hotel in Corozal. They were on the top floor, and the balcony doors were open to the warm night. They’d retreated there after deciding the bedroom at the beach house was too demolished to stay in.

Talis lay with his head on Artemis’s chest, one hand loosely folded around Artemis's sleepy penis. “It means someone can shoot you and you won’t die. They can stick a knife in your heart, and you’ll merely laugh in their face.”

“I think if someone were to do either of those things, laughing would be the last thing on my mind.” Artemis wrapped a thick golden strand of Talis’s hair around one finger.

“You will never age,” Talis said, lazily licking around one nipple.
“Then I’m glad this happened while I was still young and good-looking,” Artemis teased. Lifting one leg, he looked at the expanse of unbroken skin. “The scratches you gave me as Phoenix healed, but I couldn’t tell you when that happened.” They listened to the ocean washing up on the sand for a while, and then he asked, “So you’re fully human now?”
“I am, and without powers of any sort.”
“Except for immortality,” Artemis reminded him. “There are people who would do anything for such a gift, but I’m not sure how I feel about the idea of living forever. What if I get bored? What if we tire of each other? What if—”
“Shush. You are my soul mate. I will never tire of you.” Talis sealed his words with a lingering kiss.
When they’d checked in earlier, Talis had asked the desk clerk if Ammon was staying there and, once that was confirmed, asked for him to be called downstairs. They waited for him in the small lobby. Even though it was past midnight, Ammon appeared within minutes, neatly dressed, his black hair combed straight back and tidily in place.
“Why aren’t you surprised to see me?” Talis asked with a smile.
“I live with a phoenix,” the PA answered smoothly. “Nothing surprises me.”
Artemis laughed and leaned against Talis’s left shoulder. “Phoenix no more.”
That
got a reaction. Ammon’s dark eyes widened, surprise showing in their dark chocolate depths. “It seems you have things to tell me.”
Talis and Artemis sat on a love seat while Ammon perched on the edge of an adjacent chair, and they proceeded to relate the events of the evening, casually interrupting each other in the way of long-married couples. Talis held Artemis’s hand throughout.
“And so there is a new phoenix,” Talis finished. “A much more powerful phoenix than I ever believed could exist. This one will change the world, if I judge its purpose correctly.”
Ammon had listened with interest, not speaking until they finished. “What will you do now?”
The question was addressed to Talis but generously included Artemis, who smiled wryly and let Talis answer.
“We will live, Ammon. Live and love each other and watch the world spin on its axis, and if this phoenix should have need of us, we will do our best to help.” His eyes flicked briefly to Artemis, who nodded in response. “And now, Ammon, we are off to a shower and much-needed sleep, but I wanted to ask you… will you stay on with me or leave?”
Ammon smoothed white linen pants over his knees. “My duty is to the phoenix, and as you are no longer he… well….” He sketched a shrug and stood. “It has been a pleasure serving you, Talis, but I have a new master and must see to his needs.”
They watched him walk regally away, looked at each other, and laughed together before going up to their room.
In their king-size bed, Artemis taunted Talis’s open mouth with a teasing tongue. “That wild electricity between us is gone, but I still feel a crazy excitement being near you.”
“We will never lose that. We are soul mates.” Talis pressed full length against Artemis. “How tired are you?”
Artemis did a quick mental check of his physical state. “Surprisingly, not that tired.” He laughed into Talis’s silky hair. Talis still smelled of that enticing scent peculiar only to him; losing the half of him that had been the phoenix had not changed that.
“No surprise at all,” the blond man said lightly before wrapping his arms around Artemis. “Tomorrow we will consider our options, but tonight we make love until we are exhausted.”
They did not discuss what their love had set loose in the world. All would be known soon enough.

writing featured horses, cows, and pirates in tree houses. An occasional cowboy or astronaut sometimes showed up by accident. Then he hit puberty and everything changed. His focus shifted to love, romance, and sex, and it’s pretty much remained there ever since. He currently lives in St. Paul, MN, has an okay job doing relatively unimportant things, and writes every chance he gets. His stories now reflect the drama and adventure of people exploring themselves and others. He apologizes in advance if the occasional cowboy or astronaut show up.
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