Page 157 of Tiger's Dream
“There is no need to speak of it further,” she said. “Come. It is time to find a phoenix.”
We spun out of the fire realm and rematerialized atop a great mountain. There was a cave not too far up. “Does he live in there?” I asked.
“I believe so,” she answered.
I placed a hand on her back as we climbed to make sure she didn’t fall, but she moved away from me. Her raven hair whipped in the wind and she growled in frustration as it got in her eyes. When we made it to the lip of the cave, I offered to help her up but she ignored me again. I knew what I said was harsh, but even if I could go back, I’d still say the same thing. If she was going to get married to the first guy who came along, I didn’t want to be anywhere near. Just the idea of it made me want to crush something.
Ana was out of my league. I knew it. I’d always known it. But my dream had meant something. That kiss had meant something. Hadn’t it? I guess it was forgettable to her, but I would certainly remember it. Till the day I died, I’d remember that kiss.
We stepped into the darkness of the cave and Ana created a fireball in her hand to light it. “Hello?” she called out.
I heard a distant tapping. “Over there,” I whispered, and we entered a yawning cavern on the right.
Lights of all colors danced on the sides of the cave, and as we turned the corner, we gasped as we saw thousands and thousands of phoenix eggs, each one gleaming with its own luster. We had to pick our way carefully across the floor so we wouldn’t accidentally step on any.
“Come closer,” a voice called. “I’ve been wondering when you would come.” We looked up and from a nest set high in the cave, a large phoenix peered down on us. “Well,” the bird said. “The two of you are slightly less impressive-looking than I’d hoped you be, but then again, aren’t we all?”
Lifting his great blue wings, he flapped them a few times and landed gently before us.
“Great phoenix,” Ana began. “We are—”
“I know who you are, Goddess,” he said. “We’ve had our eye on you for a while.”
“Have you?” she asked with a smile.
“Indeed. My name is Eventide. And before you ask, yes, I’ll go with you to the fire realm. Someone’s going to have to keep an eye on that place.”
“Thank you. May I ask a different question then?”
“You may,” he said to Ana.
“How did you know we were coming?”
The phoenix laughed. “I am also called the Knowledge of the Ages, the Watcher of Mankind, and the Fire Found in All Hearts. If I didn’t know of the goddess Durga or her tiger Damon, those titles wouldn’t mean much, now would they?”
“I suppose they would not.”
“Ah,” the bird said with a flap. “I suppose I can relax the rules of formality around the two of you.” He leaned closer as if whispering and said, “Fanindra told me.” I frowned and was about to ask another question when Eventide interrupted, “And speaking of hearts, I’d like to offer a blessing on your marriage.”
Ana sputtered, “I…I have not yet taken a mate.”
“Oh?” The bird blinked a knowing eye. “Your heart says differently.”
Scowling, I said, “We have many things to do, Eventide. Perhaps you can offer your blessing at a later time.”
“Perhaps,” he said. “Perhaps.” He shifted, ruffling his feathers, and then touched his beak to Fanindra. “Hello there,” he said.
The snake came to life and raised her head, opening her hood.
“Ah, yes,” the bird said as if speaking to the snake. “Heisa bit thick-headed. He’s got a good heart though. How clever of you to utilize the truth stone.”
Ana, who had been carefully listening to Fanindra’s exchange with the phoenix, straightened. Her trim eyebrows shot up. “Is Fanindra related to you then, great bird?” she asked.
“In a way,” he chuckled. “In a way.”
“You do not mean to tell us, do you?” she asked.
“There are things yet for you two to discover,” Eventide said cryptically. “I wouldn’t want to deprive you of the surprises that await.” He clicked his beak and added, “We will go now.”
