When Phoenix rode up to the ruins he was amazed at how beautiful they were the stone walls held a mystical feel with ivy climbing up the sides and sunlight streaming down through the treetops. Dismounting he walked inside to find the inner walls covered in what looked like a dream diary. From flight and fancy to dark foreboding nightmares and creatures of morbid delight. Years of dreams depicted in artistry as he had never before seen. Moving through the inner realm he studied every detail, Zeta’s sexual fantasies were vivid and uninhibited he could only imagine what she would display if given the chance. Zeta sat up in the tree overlooking her dream diary watching Phoenix as he slowly made his way through the inner ruins. The provocative smile on his face filled her with desire and curiosity as to what he was thinking. Reaching one of her more tantalizing dreams Phoenix reached out and touched the painted stone wall as if trying to feel the emotion. Apollo and Artemis walked up and welcomed him as if old friends making Zeta smile since they normally would have growled at him in a warning. “Hey, boys where’s your momma?” Zeta remained silent unsure what to say just yet, Phoenix kneeled and petted both dogs then went back to studying Zeta’s artwork, hearing the limb creek above him Phoenix looked up and smiled at her looking so tiny perched up in the tree her long black hair falling around her shoulders. “Hello, beautiful!” Zeta smiled as she climbed down both Apollo and Artemis joined her at the bottom. “Phoenix, I’m glad you were able to make it.” Phoenix raised his brow “Do you not join your family for breakfast?” Zeta shrugged “No I do not, they’re lucky if I join them for dinner, in fact, I only do that when my father requests it.” Phoenix walked toward her wearing a sexy smile “Happy birthday.” Zeta found herself holding her breath as Phoenix continued to approach her stopping only when he was directly in front of her. Leaning down he kissed her softly then paused and kissed her again making her melt into the moss-covered pebbles beneath her. “I left you last night wishing I hadn’t I could hardly sleep last night with you on my mind.” Zeta's blood began to boil as she stepped closer “It’s nice to know it wasn’t just me having trouble sleeping last night, I nearly paid you a visit but I didn’t want to be too presumptuous.” Phoenix reached out and spanned his large hands around Zeta’s tiny waist and lifted her onto the ledge of the stone wall and pushed her hair back over her shoulder. “If I had to guess, I’d say this is where you keep a record of your dreams.” Zeta reached out and tucked Phoenix’s hair back behind his ear, “What better way to record them?” Phoenix smiled “You’re very talented I could look at them all day, each one has so much detail their stories are so easy to see and imagine. Your fantasies are vivid and seductive I only wish I could be part of them and able to experience the emotions and the passion that you portray.” Zeta nodded “I know you are a map maker but do you also consider yourself an artist?” Phoenix shook his head “I’m a painter also maybe one day I’ll show you some of my artwork. I don’t normally journal my dreams but I tend to paint rather dark things that seem to scare most but I doubt you’ll have any problems in that area.” Zeta smiled “I just finished a battle scene a week or so ago, its theme was blood and honor more blood than honor, of course.” Phoenix lifted Zeta from the ledge and sat her down “Your father mentioned that you had started painting pretty much any surface available.” Zeta nodded “Yeah, why did you want a tour of my other artwork?” Phoenix shrugged “Well I have all day; the only other place I have to be is your birthday celebration, later on, tonight. I can’t think of any place I’d rather be than with you so yeah I’d like a tour of your other artwork.” Zeta stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him “Well then let’s start in the wine cellar, while we're down there we can grab a bottle before we head up to the attic.” Phoenix gripped her waist holding her close against himself. “I’ll tell you what love you kiss me one more time and I’ll let you go long enough to show me that art.” Zeta gave a seductive laugh “That sounds like you like my kisses.” Phoenix smiled “I won’t deny that honey I can’t seem to stop thinking about the taste of your lips.” Zeta reached out and ran her hands through his hair pulling him down toward her as she leaned up to kiss him. Melting into him as he deepened the kiss his low growl making her weak in the knees as her tongue grazed against his causing him to pull away. “Damn woman I want you something terrible.” Zeta giggled as she pulled away taking his hand as she turned to walk away. “Come on we have lots to look at and little time to do it in, I have art all over this estate and I have to be back at my cottage by five-thirty.” Phoenix looked at her with a raised eyebrow “Why five-thirty?” Zeta laughed “Because that’s when Tamara will show up to help me get ready for my birthday celebration. She will help me get dressed and do my hair since I’m not all that skilled in that department, and it’s nearly impossible to get all buttoned up alone plus with her there with me it almost guarantees I’ll show up to dinner on time.” Phoenix walked over and helped Zeta up onto Hermes grabbing a quick kiss before swinging up onto Zeus’s back. “Well then let’s get going.” As they rode toward the main house Apollo and Artemis ran at Zeta and Hermes side. When they reached the stables, Theo was out front bathing a mare. “Well hello, I never imagined I find you two together.” Zeta laughed “Well I guess your imagination is faulty now isn’t it.” Phoenix jumped down to help Zeta from Hermes' saddle taking his time to hold her as he helped her to the ground. Once down Phoenix held out his hand and Zeta took it smiling at Theo as they passed by him and headed toward the house. Zeta couldn’t help but feel comfortable as they walked together, “So being here I guess you had to miss the Michael’s garden party, I hope it wasn’t too much of an inconvenience.” Phoenix laughed as he opened up the door for her “Trust me that is the last place I want to be.” Zeta smiled “Oh really and why is that exactly?” Phoenix shrugged “There is nothing worse than knowing everyone thinks you’re an eccentric Warlock, so different they avoid you at all cost yet flock to you because of your name and money willing to marry you yet scared of you at the same time.” Zeta laughed “Trust me I know exactly how you feel, I’m so strange they call me a witch and accuse me of dressing like a mourning widow. Funny I’m too independent, too dark, and too eccentric yet my dowry is so high the men are all willing to look past it. In the end, they figure they can tame me and change me to fit their wants and needs. Too bad for them I’m not all that easily tamed.” Passing the Hall, they were stopped by their fathers calling out to them when they joined them it was almost comical how excited they seemed to see them together. Augusto was elated “Well, well you two look as if you’ve been getting along.” Webster laughed “Holding hands are you?” Phoenix shook his head “Yes Father we are holding hands does that make you happy?” Webster laughed “More than you can imagine son.” Augusto laughed “So where are you two headed?” Zeta smiled “I’m showing Phoenix the rest of my artwork before I have to go get ready for dinner.” Augusto smiled “If I was you I’d start in the wine cellar I have always favored that piece.” Zeta nodded “That’s where we are headed right now.” Augusto chuckled “Well then I hope you two enjoy yourselves and we will see you both at dinner.” Zeta and Phoenix turned and walked out headed toward the cellar. After a few hours of showing Phoenix her artwork Zeta let him walk her back to her cottage leaving their horses back at the stables. When they reached her door Zeta turned and smiled up at him. “I hope you enjoyed yourself.” Phoenix grinned “Yes of course I did, your artwork is stunning and I couldn’t imagine anything as satisfying as spending an entire day with you.” Leaning down he smiled as he lifted her to his eye level and kissed her passionately her sweet seductive whimpers making him never want to let go. “I hate to let you go but I must, I’ll see you at dinner honey.” Zeta smiled big as she leaned up and kissed him one last time before he turned and walked away. When Zeta turned and walked inside Tamara was already waiting “My God in heaven Zeta I never imagined I’d see you in love.” Zeta laughed “Oh stop.” Tamara laughed “He sure is good-looking.” Zeta smiled “That’s for sure and he’s artistic and different just like me, I have to admit my father picked a man that is my match this time.” Tamara smiled as she walked into Zeta's bedroom. “I think this calls for the red dress your father bought you last year while on his travels, it’s sexy and you look simply stunning in it.” Zeta had to admit she was excited and couldn’t wait to see him again. After returning to his room Phoenix washed up and put on his favorite black suit eager to see Zeta and give her the birthday gift he had made her. When seven o’clock rolled around, he headed to the dining hall to find it bustling with activity, Zeta’s brothers and their wives were all talking and laughing amongst themselves. Taking his seat he was a bit unhappy to find Zeta had not yet arrived, Webster sat at Augusto right and poured himself a glass of wine. “So Augie where’s the birthday girl?” Augusto sighed “She’ll be here.” Just then the doors opened and Zeta walked in sending her dogs away she approached the table looking stunning in a dark red dress that fit her beautifully emphasizing her tiny waist and full breasts. Her long black hair was shiny falling down her back adorned with tiny red flowers throughout. Augusto smiled proudly as the men all stood up waiting for her to take her seat. Taking her seat the men followed Augusto handed her a glass of wine “You look beautiful.” Phoenix turned to face her and smiled “Stunning, to say the least.” Zeta couldn’t help but stare into his eyes as she smiled up at him. “Sorry, I’m late.” Breaking her gaze she looked around at her family to find them all watching her and Phoenix with interest. Augusto also watched them. “Well as most of you know in this family we always do gifts first then we have our feast.” Turning to the door he called out “Bring in Zeta’s birthday gifts please.” When all the gifts had been brought in Zeta pushed back her chair and Augusto dealt them out to her. “This is from Brice, Gabriella, and the kids.” Zeta smiled as she opened the box to find a black leather-bound journal with Zeta Steel engraved on the front, it came with a quill and a pot of ink. Zeta stood and smiled as she hugged them both. “Thank you it’s perfect.” Sitting back down Augusto handed her a long box “This is from Devlin, Angela, and the kids.” Zeta smiled as she opened it to find a black parasol with a hand-painted design and a pair of black leather gloves with the same design stitched into them. Zeta looked excited as she looked at them then stood and walked over to hug them. “Thank you so much.” Devlin laughed “Angela thought we should get you one in white or pink but I knew it was black or nothing at all.” Zeta smiled “Well I’m glad my brothers know me so well.” Sitting back down Augusto sat another box in front of her. “This is from Kent and Roberta and the boys.” When she opened it, she smiled big pulling out a set of scented bath oils, salts, bubbles. Roberta smiled “I know how much you like to take baths so when we went to Paris last month we picked them up.” Zeta smiled as she walked over and hugged them both “Thank you I like them very much.” Returning to her seat Augusto had already placed Maxwell and Erica’s gift on the table. When Zeta opened it, she giggled with excitement as she pulled out a beautiful dagger with her name engraved on the handle the dagger’s design was filled with detail. Standing up she walked over and hugged them both. “I love it; I’ll keep it on me at all times, thank you.” Returning to her seat Augusto handed her a large box “This is from Caleb and Allison.” Zeta was already dreading opening it. Caleb looked a bit worried himself, opening the box she found a fancy pearl-colored dress covered in ruffles and lace with tiny pearls all over the bodice. Something she would never wear, Zeta first looked at her father then at Allison who wore a smug smile. Caleb groaned obviously upset, “God damn it, Allison, I gave you money to buy my sister a birthday gift do you not recall my instructions. They were quite simple and to the point, I ask you to buy her a gift she would like and use.” Allison rolled her eyes “It’s a beautiful dress and it’s the kind of dress she should be wearing. Especially if she’s trying to find a man that will actually want to marry her, and how can that happen with her dressed as a witch all the time.” Caleb looked ready to drag Allison out by her hair turning to Zeta he sighed “Sorry sis.” Zeta shrugged “I love you, Caleb, even if your wife is an annoying bitch.” The whole table laughed except for Allison of course when Zeta sat down Phoenix handed her his gift. “I didn’t want to come empty-handed.” Zeta’s heartbeat quickened as she opened it to find three hand-painted book mark’s Hades, Earth, and Mount Olympus. The edges are done in gold filigree, the details alone were amazing. Phoenix smiled “When your father came and visited us he mentioned you had named your dog’s Apollo and Artemis and your horse Hermes so I figured you like me must like Greek Mythology.” Zeta lightly ran her fingers across the paintings “They are beautiful I’m almost scared to use them.” Phoenix laughed “Please do, I can always just make you more.” Zeta smiled as she sat them down and hugged him wanting to kiss him but resisting the urge “Thank you.” Turning they found the whole table watching them, Phoenix slyly placed his hand on her leg under the table both wanting more yet denying the temptation. Augusto looked excited as he brought out his gifts first the gowns. Zeta giggled with excitement when she opened the boxes to find the gowns, the crushed velvet colors were deep and rich in color and had been made into her favorite designs and styles. “Oh daddy now these are gowns I will wear they are perfect, I can’t wait to try them on and I can actually dress myself. You know how much I despise depending on others to assist me like the help I need in other dresses.” Standing up she sat on her father’s lap and kissed him, Phoenix only wished that could be him, hell he hadn’t stopped thinking about her since the moment he first saw her. Two servants carried out Augusto’s last gift when Zeta saw it she jumped out of her father’s lap and ran over to get a better look. “By the Gods look at this” going through the paints she smiled “The colors are so vibrant there’s enough here to last a year if I’m diligent and with all the supplies I’ll need.” Looking at the canvas she laughed “Does this mean you’re sick of me painting on every surface in sight.” Augusto laughed “Well I figured you’re probably running out of space by now.” Zeta was so excited she laughed as she sat back down “Thank you all I couldn’t be any happier with my gifts.” The feast started to be served and the table got loud as everyone started talking, turning to Phoenix Zeta smiled “You’re an excellent artist.” Phoenix winked at her as he refilled her glass “I’m just glad you liked it.” Zeta blushed as Phoenix scooted in closer “So do you have any birthday plans for tonight?” Zeta smiled “Just what I normally do.” Phoenix grinned “What’s that?” Zeta looked around to see who was watching them “Get drunk,” Phoenix leaned in closer “Who with?” Zeta shrugged “Usually alone but I was kind of hoping you might want to join me.” Phoenix reached out taking Zeta’s hand into his own. “When and where?” Zeta bit her bottom lip as she looked around then smiled “Ten O'clock at my cottage.” Phoenix smiled “You’re on honey.” During dinner, Zeta’s brothers asked Phoenix about his coming voyage wanting to know details and what his plans entailed. Zeta listened in it was obvious Phoenix was excited about it and had it well planned out. With only six weeks until his departure, Zeta was already finding herself missing him. In truth out of all the men she had met he had been the only one she had even liked, she had kissed a few but had never felt the same way about them as she did about him. She started to think this might be the last weekend she would ever see him again if he was to leave he may never come back hell he could meet a woman on his travels and return married. After only knowing him for two days she wasn’t quite sure why she cared but she definitely did and it must have started to show on her face. Phoenix could see Zeta was deep in thought and upset, turning he spoke to her in a whisper “Zeta honey, what’s wrong?” Zeta tried to smile “Nothing, I’m fine I was just thinking about something.” Phoenix frowned “If I ask you again later will you tell me?” Zeta nodded “Yeah, I guess I can do that.” After dinner and dessert and brandy had been served Augusto stood to make a toast. “To little bit, to Zeta happy eighteenth birthday, no matter how old you get, you’ll always be my baby, you have always been different, just look at me a blonde with green eyes, hell after five big brawny sons all with blue eyes and light hair your mother a blue-eyed long-legged golden Goddess herself gave birth to you a tiny little thing with hair as black as a raven and eyes a shade of purple I’ve never before seen, how it happened I don’t know but you’re the best gift a father could ever ask for, your beauty and talent astound me and I rather like all your strange quarks and eccentric ways. Yes, I want you to marry and to give me grandchildren, but your happiness means more to me so as of now I promise to stay out of it, no more surprise suitors.” Zeta laughed “As of now huh?” Augusto smiled then called one of the servants over “Please take Zeta’s gifts to her cottage I’m sure she will want to look through them all later.”