Phoenix met up with Will and Tanner for some drinks in hopes of getting his mind off of Zeta for a while. Being his best friend Tanner couldn’t help but tease him relentlessly about his obvious heartache over her. Hearing that Zeta had returned home Colette took no time at all following him and watching him from afar waiting until he was drunk before approaching him dressed in her most come-hither dress. “Phoenix darling I had hoped I would find you here, it looks as if London’s too much excitement for Zeta.” Tanner laughed “You obviously don’t know Zeta then.” Both Phoenix and Will laughed, Phoenix shrugged “Zeta went home for a few days is all, what is it you wanted to see me about?” Colette pouted seductively “I was hoping with her out of the picture I could persuade you to consider taking a different path. It’s not just me who can’t see it, I mean come on Phoenix she’s way out of her league. Can you really see her making you a good wife or a good mother to your children, you’re a Prescott for Christ sake your old money and she doesn’t even live up to her own family name?” Will slammed his fist down on the table causing Colette to jump “Not only is Zeta Phoenix’s fiancée she’s also our friend and you Madam are a spoiled brat that no man in his right mind would breed with. So if all you’re going to do is insult Zeta you might as well leave now before you really make me mad and I cause a scene. I’m sure you don’t want to be embarrassed in front the entire tavern now do you?” Phoenix nodded in agreement “Well said Will, and by the way Colette I love Zeta and have no doubt she will make a perfect wife for me and when the time come's a great mother to our children and you coming down here dressed like that doesn’t deter me one bit. I wasn’t attracted to you before and I sure in the hell are not now no matter how drunk I am.” Colette’s eye’s filled with tears as she stomped her foot on the floor getting the attention of the entire bar. “I give up, you and Zeta can have each other I guess it makes sense the Warlock and his Witch, strange and stranger. I hope you two sail out and never come back all you have done to me is cause me heartache and rejection for years.” Tanner laughed “You would have thought you would have figured that out a long time ago, but you are a bit on the dense side now aren’t you?” Colette stomped off making all three men laugh. Phoenix shook his head “I wonder what Zeta’s doing right now?” Phoenix smiled big Will laughed “What are you thinking about over there?” Phoenix shrugged “Just wondering if Zeta’s swimming right now it’s such a warm night and all and the thought of her naked in the moonlight is definitely a pleasant one.” Tanner nodded leaning forward as he spoke in a whisper “I assume you and she have been intimate, beyond swimming naked I mean.” Phoenix laughed “You could assume that, not that a gentleman ever tells.” Tanner smiled “So you say were invited to her cabin for dinner this weekend?” Phoenix leaned back in his chair “Yes, she’s a really good cook.” Will laughed “You sound surprised.” Phoenix laughed “I was.” Tanner leaned back in his chair “I think Will and I can make it, with you leaving soon we should try to see you as much as possible before you sail cause it could be quite some time before we see you again.” Phoenix frowned “Damn it man, I wish you two were coming with us, it’s going to be hell not seeing you guys.” Tanner shrugged “You know me and water don’t mix and I can’t lose all of my customers I had to fight for the ones I got.” Zeta woke the next morning and washed up before heading to the ruins her new art supplies in hand and a head full of dreams to put to life on the inner ruin walls. Apollo and Artemis seemed happy to be home as they rolled in the grass while she painted. Stepping back she smiled, noticing all of her dreams involved Phoenix, his face, his body, their bodies intertwined, their love, lust and passion portrayed in color and motion. She felt alone a feeling she hadn’t felt in years, she liked being alone, solitude had always been her friend but without him she felt empty and cold every thought was of him, his scent seemed to still linger around her like a tease. After a long day of painting, she returned to her cottage to find its silence almost painful when it used to be serene and safe and all she needed to be happy but without Phoenix there that all changed and only his memory eased the ache that now weighed down on her heart. By day’s end, she considered returning to London the town she hated to be with the man she loved wondering if he too was feeling the same torture she was. Zeta had been gone two days, two very long days and Phoenix was unsure if he could handle any more. At seven p.m. on the second evening, Phoenix came to a conclusion, a hard truth, his need for Zeta was too much to fight he couldn’t wait a minute longer. He missed every inch of her, from the sound of her voice to the intoxicating smell of her hair to the silky smooth feel of her flesh as their naked bodies touched. Every inch of her belonged to him and he had to have her and couldn’t wait another second. Webster laughed when Phoenix walked downstairs carrying his bag. “It’s only been two days son and you’re already going to see her.” Phoenix shrugged “I have to pops I can’t wait, it’s torture without her.” Webster looked worried “It’s late, be careful, take your pistol.” Phoenix nodded in agreement “I always do pops, I’ll be home in a few days oh and Frank Ogree’s will be delivering my new desk tomorrow if you could just put it to the side I’ll take care of it when I get back and a new shipment of canvas and paints should be arriving any day now.” Webster nodded “I’ll take care of everything you just go and see about that lady of yours.” Phoenix smiled as he opened the door to leave “Night pops.” It was almost one a.m. when Zeta fell asleep on the couch in front of the fireplace; she had been up all night talking herself out of going to London and had drunken herself into a slumber in the process. Apollo and Artemis lay at her feet, hearing someone outside they ran to the door growling as someone quietly entered, Zeta was too drunk to wake up so when they saw Phoenix they greeted him happily. Phoenix found Zeta asleep looking beautiful in the glow of the dying fire, trying not to wake her he slowly picked her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom and laid her on the bed. Stroking her hair he leaned in and softly kissed her waking her up. “Phoenix?” Phoenix quickly grabbed her up and kissed her “Zeta Baby I couldn’t stay away, you’re all I can think about.” Zeta moaned as he kissed her neck “I was about to come back to London to see you.” Phoenix laughed as he sat down and started to remove his boots, “Does that mean you missed me?” Zeta sat up and started to get undressed “More than I ever imagined possible, you’re all I could think about.” Standing up Phoenix pulled Zeta up into his arms holding her tight as he passionately kissed her then slowly helped her undress. Zeta couldn’t take her hands off of him as she helped him out of his clothes then they both slipped under the covers and laid in each other’s arms. Both in a haze as they caressed and tasted one another's flesh unable to get enough of each other. Phoenix’s first thrust inside her caused her to cry out as her body tightened around him. Pleasure pulsating through her as he moved inside her keeping a steady pace as he caressed and suckled at her breasts, nibbling at her nipples with his teeth and tongue. Zeta’s moans of delight and the feel of her hips as they moved beneath him caused him to thrust harder and faster. As Zeta reached her climax her body felt as if it had exploded from within a wave of pleasure came over her causing her face to flush and her legs to tremble as her nails dug into the back of Phoenix’s arms sending him to his own sweet end, then with a strong jolt and a deep shutter he pulled out and released his seed into his hand before cleaning up and falling down to her side both trying to catch their breath. “By the Gods woman you are magnificent and I can’t seem to get enough of you.” Zeta smiled as she turned and rested her head on his chest “I wish we could get married tomorrow and set sail the next.” Phoenix laughed “Well Captain Crumb will be leaving on the fifth of April so we should get married on the fourth so we can leave right away.” Zeta got up and sat in front of her mirror and started to braid her hair “So marry on Friday leave Saturday, and today is the twenty-sixth of March so only ten days from now.” Phoenix watched her in awe as she returned to bed her flesh calling out to him. Laying at his side he couldn’t help but reach out and run his hands over her thick black braid. “Wow, just ten days and we’ll be married and leaving on our grand adventure.” Zeta laughed with excitement “As man and wife can you believe it?” Phoenix turned over so that he was leaning over her, “I’ve never been so lucky, I truly love you Zeta with all my heart.” Zeta easily got lost in his eyes “And I love you Phoenix.” The next morning they woke in each other’s arms the feeling was bliss and Phoenix never wanted to have to go back to waking up alone without her. Zeta made breakfast then they took a morning ride before heading to the ruins where both Zeta and Phoenix painted spending the entire afternoon just talking and making love all day. Zeta painted a cool blue Caribbean sea with a lush island in the distance while Phoenix painted the ship sailing at night in a violent storm with giant waves crashing around it. Sitting back Zeta smiled “I can’t tell is this a fear of yours or something you’re looking forward to?” Phoenix shrugged “Both really I know when it happens and it will, it will be scary but at the same time I’m excited to see the true power Poseidon holds and how it feels to be helpless in his wake.” Zeta nodded with interest “At what age did you decide you wanted to take this voyage to the West Indies?” Phoenix shrugged “My cousin Phineas and I grew up together we were inseparable and when we were both twelve he and my Uncle Thomas moved to Virgin Islands to start a sugar cane plantation it was hard for me. He and I write to each other regularly and ever since he left I’ve been saving the money I make at the shop and planning to go and see him, and now that he and his fiancée Zudora are getting married he has asked me to be his best man.” Zeta laughed “Phoenix and Zeta and Phineas and Zudora kind of funny really.” Phoenix shrugged “I always have called him Phinny and he has always called me Nix.” Zeta smiled “Nix I don’t think I’ve heard anyone else call you that.” Phoenix shrugged “Phinny is the only one who does; I can’t wait for you to meet him.” Zeta smiled peacefully as she lounged back in the grass and closed her eyes, “What are your plans for the voyage and after?” Phoenix laid down next to her “Captain Crumb says our first stop when we reach the West Indies will be Trinidad and Tobago where we will be staying only enough time to meet up with his contact and deliver his shipment. From there we will be heading to Barbados where we will be staying a few nights while he and his crew load cargo headed for Havana. So from Barbados, we are going to pass all of the other islands and head straight to Havana to deliver the shipment. We will be staying there a few days while Captain Crumb and his crew take shore leave since many of them including the Captain have family and lovers there. That is unless the Captain feels we need to stop along the way of course. Sailing close to the Cuban coastline we will travel to Jamaica to pick up a shipment of perfume and toiletries headed for the Virgin Islands where we will be departing.” Zeta sat up on her side “Will you be able to get all the measurements you need for your map?” Phoenix smiled “What I don’t get on the way there I can get on the way back, Captain Crumb and I have already discussed it.” Zeta shook her head with interest “How long will we be in the Virgin Islands?” Phoenix caressed her cheek before moving a strand of hair back over her shoulder, “I have no idea a month maybe more I guess it depends on how you and I feel once we get there.” Zeta was interested in their plans “What if we get there and never want to come back?” Phoenix laughed “You sound like Phinny, last time he wrote he said that there’s land available right off the coast. White beaches for miles right next to his, he said it had my name written all over it, it’s an old sugar cane plantation.” Zeta smiled “That’s a lot of money to come up with all at once even for you.” Phoenix nodded “Yes that’s true, but it could end up being a good opportunity.” Zeta frowned “Hell with my dowry we could probably buy it and still have plenty left over.” Phoenix wondered “Not to pry but why is it exactly that your dowry is so big?” Zeta laughed “Five boys, one girl, I guess my father figured he only had to do it once and I am his Lil Bit and he doesn’t want me to ever have to be hurting for money I guess. You know my grandfather was a Lawyer but made sure my father stood on his own, yes the Steel estate has been passed down through the generations but it was totally up to my father to make his own fortune and like me, he is an artist, but an artist with vision. He knew he would never make it as a painter but as a business man he excelled and he wanted to bring something new and modern to England, men met in taverns for meetings and women congregated in more appropriate settings like tea shops so why not bring the two together especially now with women taking on stronger roles in the business world. Therefore Steel coffee houses came about and took England by storm giving both men and women a place to congregate without having the burden of a tavern setting, giving them a safe haven for not only business but families to gather as well.” Phoenix watched her with a smile “I’ll tell you what if we decide to stay we’ll just write home and invite them all to see us. Hell, your father travels all the time anyway what’s one more trip and my father needs to get away for a change.” Zeta laughed “Nine days to go, I guess I should send out the invitations, thank the Gods it’s only going to be family and friends.” Phoenix smiled “And since we have little of either it shouldn’t take long.” Standing up Phoenix held out his hand and Zeta took it smiling as he pulled her up into his arms. “Let’s head back.” Zeta smiled as she leaned up and kissed him softly; taking his hand they walked back toward her cottage neither spoke both just content to be together. When Friday came around Zeta went to the kitchen in the main house and got everything she would need to make Phoenix and his friends dinner, Phoenix rode out and met them a few miles down the road, when they returned Zeta had started a fire, lit candles and had dinner waiting on the table. When they walked in, she was pouring them all wine. “Tanner, Will it’s nice to see you all again.” Tanner laughed as he walked up and hugged her lifting her up off the ground. “Smells like heaven in here Zeta and you look like an angel.” Will smiled as he kissed her cheek “Don’t go buttering her all up, Zeta honey thank you for inviting us we could smell you’re cooking a mile away if I wasn’t hungry before I sure in the hell am now.” Zeta smiled “Please come in and have a seat.” Phoenix winked at her as she handed him his glass of wine. “Everything looks great honey.” Everyone seemed impressed by Zeta’s cooking, laughing and talking throughout the meal. Zeta was excited to hear stories about Phoenix, about to open another bottle there was a loud knock on the door when Zeta answered it she found all five of her brothers staring down at her, Brice in the front. “Papa wanted us all to be here a week before the wedding, and Theo told us you and Phoenix were already here, where is he?” Zeta shrugged and opened the door “Why don’t you come in and find out we were just about to open another bottle of wine.” Caleb growled, “This isn’t funny Lil Bit.” Zeta just turned and went back to opening the wine “Tanner, Will I don’t know if you have met but these are my brother’s Brice, Kent, Maxwell, Caleb, and Devlin.” Tanner and Will stood “Is there a problem here?” Zeta laughed as she pulled five more glasses down from the cupboard “No Tanner theirs no problem just my over protective brothers worrying that Phoenix and I are out here without a chaperone.” Tanner laughed then took a drink as Zeta handed her brothers some wine “No worries there, Will and I are here.” Brice looked around “So what’s going on around here?” Phoenix shrugged “Zeta made me and my friend’s dinner and it was great thank you darling.” Will gave Zeta a playful wink “Yeah I didn’t know witches could cook so well.” Zeta laughed, Tanner knit his brow “So if you’re supposed to be here a week early aren’t you a bit early yourselves?” The brothers shrugged, Devlin chuckled “Are wives are being nags so we came early and they’re to follow in a few days.” Zeta rolled her eyes “I haven’t even gotten my dress yet, I leave for London tomorrow to pick it up.” Caleb frowned “And does Phoenix plan to wait and go with you?” Tanner butted in before Phoenix could answer “We all do actually.” Kent looked confused “Why aren’t you wearing Momma’s dress?” Zeta chuckled “Kent momma was five-seven and I’m five-one, her dress is white with lace and pearls and my waist is smaller than hers and my breasts are bigger and I wouldn’t be caught dead in white, it’s just not me, I want my dress to fit my personality.” Caleb laughed “You know what Allison would say right now, she’d say what do you want your dress to be black, form fitting and so sexy the Priest will faint at the sight of you.” Zeta laughed along with Tanner, Will, and Phoenix not her brothers. “Well, it’s not black so no worries there.” About to walk out Tanner stopped them “Any of you up for a game of cards later?” All of Zeta’s brothers grinned, Caleb laughed “That depends, is Zeta playing?” Will laughed “Does it matter?” Devlin laughed “Only if you like to bluff, Zeta can tell a liar from a mile away and she can read a person like a book just by their body language.” Tanner looked at Zeta “Let’s test that, have I ever lied to you?” Zeta smiled “Yes, but right now wouldn’t be the right place or time to tell you when or where but suffice it to say my brothers are right. I can always tell when I’m being lied to but if you would like to test it I’m up for a game of cards.” Phoenix looked to be thinking hard “Have I ever lied to you?” Zeta shrugged “Just once.” Phoenix frowned “When?” Zeta smiled “The day you took me onto the Wind Serpent, you said you needed to see how much cabin space you would have for your desk and stuff, you were lying to me. I didn’t know why until later but I knew you were lying.” Maxwell sipped his wine “Why was he really there?” Zeta smiled “He was there paying for my passage and making sure the Captain was alright with Apollo and Artemis being on board.” Brice looked confused “But that was way before you proposed.” Phoenix nodded “It was the day she came to London we had only been together a few days at that point but I already knew I wanted her to be with me not that I told her I didn’t want to rush anything but at the same time I wanted to be prepared.” Maxwell opened the door “Let’s all meet in my father’s study in an hour for a game.” Everyone agreed and her brothers filed out, Tanner smiled “Okay when did I lie?” Zeta giggled “When I was at your house waiting for Phoenix you told me you could tell Phoenix was in love with me and I said he wasn’t and you said you were his best friend and knew him better than anyone and that he was. Then I asked you if Phoenix had a lover do you remember?” Tanner smiled “Yes I remember.” Zeta laughed “You tried to avoid answering then flat out lied and said he didn’t.” Tanner looked at Phoenix and shrugged “Sorry brother.” Phoenix smiled “Is a prostitute in Rochester considered a lover?” Zeta laughed “If it’s the same one every time it is, not that I care I mean you’re a man I guess I’d rather you get it from one woman than a whole city full.” Will laughed “Damn Zeta I like you more and more the longer I know you.” Zeta shrugged “Does no good to be jealous of a whore, now any woman from here on out is a different story. I’m sure the same goes for you, if I remember correctly you don’t like it all that well when other men trespass on what is yours.” Phoenix frowned “You know you’re right I don’t, hell I don’t even like the thought of it.” When they got to Augusto’s study Zeta’s brothers looked ready to play, it was obvious it had been a long time since any of them had any fun with work and family and all. Sitting around the table Brice dealt out the cards Zeta sat at his right with Phoenix next to her everyone talking and laughing as they checked their cards. The first few hands went quickly the bets starting out fairly low but gaining with each hand. The Steel brothers found it amusing to tell Phoenix and his friend’s stories about Zeta and all the trouble she had started over the years. Brice looked at Zeta and gave a sly smile, “I was eighteen and had a month until I was due to go off to school when momma had Zeta, she was in labor a two whole days before she had her and died about two hours later. Papa and us boys all had time to say goodbye, it was strange she had always been such a strong woman I never imagined her ill let alone dying. Afterward, we all tried to help with Zeta, papa hired her a nurse but Zeta would scream every time she got near her, she would only let us hold her so we just took turns and Zeta has always been a daddy’s girl and even as a child she kept to herself.” Phoenix leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms as he listened with interest. “Did she spend a lot of time with you boys?” Maxwell shook his head “When she was little she would follow us around the estate, climb the tree’s and watch us but by the time she was twelve it was clear she was different, not like other girls her age. She was bold, fearless, dangerous and always into trouble when she wasn’t off painting or making forts and stuff. Papa would buy her pretty dresses and invite other girls her age over but she would scare them away and as the years went by she got darker and more foreboding. When she was fifteen, she discovered the old cottage and fixed it up all on her own and decided to move in, that’s when our father bought her those mutts of hers so even though she was alone and friendless she would have them and he knew she’d be safe with them to watch out for her.” Tanner finished his wine “Sad story.” Zeta laughed “Any other stories you all would like to tell?” Kent laughed “I have one and it’s good.” Zeta rolled her eyes; Kent laughed “A couple of years back I was on a hunting trip with about fifteen friends of mine. On our return, we planned to stop here to clean up and have dinner before returning home the following day. So tired and dirty we cut through Steel land and headed to the watering hole to wash up, so there I am swimming with fifteen naked men when sixteen-year-old Zeta here appears at the top of the big rock naked and jumps into the center of all of the men.” Zeta laughed “I had no idea they were there until I surfaced.” Kent laughed “So she surfaces a bit shocked and laughed and says, Good afternoon gentlemen, lovely day for a swim. My friends just stared at her slack jawed, I mean come on a naked woman jumps into a pond full of men you know they thought the Gods had blessed them. I didn’t know what to do, I about fell over trying to get to her to try to cover her up. Then without shame as all of my friends watched she got out and walked off into the bushes still to this day I hear about it. Hell, the only reason it wasn’t in the paper was the men didn’t want to get scolded by their wives.” Will gave a sly smile “Where exactly is this swimming hole?” Maxwell frowned “Why hoping my sister will get naked for you?” Will rolled his eyes “No Maxwell you ass, swimming sounded fun and you all don’t know Phoenix very well if you think he’d allow that, he gets rather serious when it comes to protecting what’s his.” Brice put down his cigar and Zeta picked it up and took a drag then smiled up at Phoenix. “Since everyone’s telling stories, I have a few of my own.” Brice frowned “Now Zeta.” Zeta laughed “Let’s start with you shall we Brice, remember Helena the kitchen girl, no need to respond. Remember the time you got drunk off your ass and took her into the barn to have sex with her and fell asleep midway through, pants around your ankles and all.” Everyone laughed Zeta continued “Kent I’m sure you haven’t forgotten when I caught you masturbating in the bushes and scared you so bad you fell into them ass end up.” Even Kent laughed at that one, Zeta laughed “Maxwell do you remember when you and Erica were fighting and you came here and ended up taking Sarah the servant girl to your bed then Erica showed up so I ran up and told you to get dressed and jumped up on your bed like I’d been there the whole time. Sarah had just got dressed when Erica burst in and you were still naked from the waist up and I made a big deal of telling Sarah we were hungry and to bring us food, then faked tears and hugged you in front of Erica and thanked you for all your advice telling you what a sweet brother you were to help me.” Maxwell winked at Zeta from across the table “Very close call.” Zeta looked at Devlin and shook her head “And Devlin I can’t even count how many times I have found you buck naked after a night of you being dead drunk I don’t even want to know where your clothes ended up.” Turning to Caleb Zeta smiled “And Caleb I know you and Allison’s best friend Valery are lovers or at least have been, If I was you I’d watch how I act together you two touch way too much not that Allison would notice she’s entirely too self-absorbed to notice hell I don’t blame you.” Maxwell leaned back in his chair “Well we know something about you that Phoenix doesn’t.” Zeta shrugged “Like what?” Maxwell grinned “When it’s a full moon Zeta dances in the moonlight.” Caleb laughed “Nude.” Kent laughed “Zeta used to dance around the house and sing all the time, even as a child her voice held a mature, seductive sound, it was mesmerizing almost spellbinding, just like our mothers.” Caleb smiled “Momma used to sing all the time, funny Zeta never knew her but sings just like her.” Phoenix sat back and listened they had been playing poker about an hour everybody paying much more attention to talking rather than playing. Zeta was way ahead, Brice looked at his watch. Getting late boys, Tanner, Will, Phoenix where will you three be staying?” Tanner spoke first “Zeta’s of course.” Brice frowned, Will nodded “Zeta’s will be fine.” Returning to Zeta’s the three made their beds, Tanner watched Phoenix and chuckled “Go to her if anyone shows up those dogs of hers will let us know in time to get you.” When Phoenix stepped into Zeta's room she was brushing out her hair a look of longing and obvious desire on her face. “Are you going to stay with me tonight?” Phoenix smiled “Yes for a while at least is that all right with you?” Zeta stood and slowly let her dress drop to the floor “Definitely.” Phoenix started to undress as he watched her walk to the bed, blowing out the candles they slipped between the sheets while Phoenix whispered sweet words of love into her ear in between his hot kisses. “I’m going to make love to you baby but we have to be quiet alright.” Zeta smiled into the darkness “Alright all try.” As they slowly made love Zeta gripped the sheets as wave after wave of pleasure came over her. Her sweet moans escaping into the pillow as Phoenix fastened his pace each thrust bringing him closer and closer to his own end her body seeming to come alive as it gripped around him his low groans muffled. Reaching her peak she screamed into her pillow her full breasts bouncing below him as he thrust forward one last time before pulling out and releasing his seed onto her flat stomach. Both out of breath Zeta smiled “Do you think they could hear us?” Phoenix shrugged “Not that I care.” Zeta watched behind heavy lidded eyes as Phoenix cleaned her up then fell down next to her on the bed wearing a sated smile. “Do you think your brothers will check on us?” Zeta smiled weakly “I know they will, but at least we were able to make love tonight.” Phoenix sighed “Kiss me again before I go.” Dreading seeing him go Zeta pulled him in close as she kissed him one last time. “See you in the morning.” Phoenix put on his pants and headed to his bed out on the floor, Tanner and Will waited. “Feel better?” Phoenix smiled “I can’t wait until I can have the whole night without worrying about getting caught, hope we weren’t too loud.” Will looked amused as he gazed into the fire “Nothing we haven’t heard before.” Just then the front door opened and Brice looked in “Just checking in, I might be the first but I won’t be the last.” Phoenix laughed “Figured as much.”