With the next day came even more excitement, her father sent two women to help her get ready knowing she would need all the help she could get. Their names were Amanda and Camellia and Zeta liked them right away, not only did they bring their own wine they also laughed and joked around the whole time going out of their way to make her look as sexy as possible and Zeta was more than grateful especially knowing she would have the entire town watching her every move. Augusto arrived at Zeta’s apartment early with a beautiful gift. Amanda answered the door with a smile then she and Camellia bowed before leaving, Zeta stepped out her gown was modern and an amethyst color Augusto had never seen before, it hugged Zeta’s every curve showing off her ample breast and tiny waist Augusto smiled proudly. “You look stunning, and I have never seen you look so happy.” Zeta smiled “Thank you, papa, you look handsome as well.” Augusto beamed with pride as he approached her holding out a red box “Miss Lane mentioned your gown was purple so I thought you might like this.” Zeta held her breath as she opened the box to find a beautiful silver and Amethyst necklace. “Oh, papa it’s perfect.” Turning she had him help her put it on then looked at herself in the mirror. “Do you think Phoenix will think I look good?” Augusto smiled “Honey he will think you look breathtaking along with everyone else.” Helping her to their coach Augusto rolled his eyes as Apollo and Artemis jumped up front to sit with Smith. When they reached the Wilcox estate they waited in the row of coaches that lined the drive way, after about ten minutes they pulled around to the front of the house and Augusto got out first to help Zeta. Phoenix had arrived early and was waiting out front for when they arrived, walking up he gave Augusto a knowing look as he helped Zeta down. Phoenix was dumbstruck as he watched Zeta stepped down. “Zeta you look gorgeous.” Zeta blushed as she took his out stretched hand; Phoenix looked at Augusto “If you don’t mind Zeta and I will meet you inside in a few minutes?” Augusto smiled “Take your time, I’ll see you inside.” Zeta smiled as she followed Phoenix toward the gardens that had been lit by torches, “I’ve never really been nervous before but I definitely am now.” Zeta frowned “Why it’s just a Ball, these people are going to talk about us no matter what we do.” Phoenix laughed as he stopped and turned “That’s not why I’m nervous.” Zeta looked confused “Then why?” Phoenix took a deep breath as he led her to the center of the garden by a large fountain. “I’ve never met anyone like you before, you’re different, your special Zeta, you’re one of kind. You’re my match Zeta and it only took me a few days to realize I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Zeta Steel will you make me the happiest man alive will you marry me?” Pulling out the ring he placed it on her finger, Zeta looked shocked “Phoenix are you sure, I’m mean yes, of course, I will marry you.” Phoenix’s desire and excitement took over as he pulled Zeta in for a passion-filled kiss “I love you, baby." Holding each other they stayed silent a moment before walking back toward the entrance, Pamela and Gerald Wilcox stood near the entrance greeting their guest, “Phoenix Prescott it’s a pleasure to see you and who is this young lady?” Phoenix smiled “This is my fiancée Zeta Steel.” The Wilcox’s both looked shocked “Well, well we hadn’t heard Congrat’s to you both.” Both Phoenix and Zeta glowed as they walked in, first walking over to Augusto and Webster to tell them the good news. Yet it seemed as if they both had already had an inkling. Zeta’s brothers arrived and were all happy to hear the good news or at least acted as if they were. Zeta stayed close to Phoenix, it was hard enough having everyone staring at them but every time they were apart it was as if they were both attacked by men and women. Within the first hour of the Ball, two of Phoenix’s admirers walked up and confronted them first was a woman named Wilma Radian, in her mid-twenties she walked up with a sweet smile that soon turned into a sneer. “Funny that all of a sudden you want to go to parties, they never interested you before.” Phoenix laughed “Wilma have you met Zeta Steel my Fiancée?” Wilma nearly bawled “You’re what? You have got to be kidding?” Zeta growled in irritation “No he’s not.” Turning to Phoenix Zeta rolled her eyes “Let’s go talk to someone else, Wilma here is starting to piss me off.” Phoenix laughed “Alright baby.” They only got five steps away before Colette walked up “Did you get my letter?” Zeta right away lost her cool “Yes, in fact, if you ever leave another letter at my door, I’ll find you and stuff it down that always open beak of yours. How dare you call me a nobody living off my family’s success, if Phoenix wanted to be with you he would have, does he seem like a man that denies himself?” Colette looked as if she had never been threatened before as tears welled up in her eyes. “How dare you speak to me that way?” Zeta laughed “Funny you can dish it out but you can’t take it and I was being nice cross me and I’ll show you what the Steel family witch is truly capable of.” Phoenix put his arm around Zeta’s waist, “Colette you and I have never had a connection you know that not to mention Zeta and I are engaged and plan to marry before we sail for the West Indies.” Colette looked like she was about to scream “You lie?” Zeta held out her hand showing Colette her ring “I never lie.” Zeta laughed as they walked away “About time we dance.” Phoenix smiled as he guided her out onto the dance floor. “Is it me or does it seem like we are the only two people in here?” Zeta laughed “The only two that matter at least.” Maxwell walked up and cut in “Phoenix if you don’t mind I’d like to dance with my sister before the night ends.” Phoenix smiled as he backed away handing Zeta over before walking to the side to watch. When the song ended Brice took his place, then Kent, seeing Phoenix alone all of Phoenix’s admirers started to approach him boldly asking him to dance only to be politely denied. As if he wanted to dance with another woman when he had Zeta his lover and soon to be wife and the most stunning woman in the room hell all of London to dance with. Zeta watched him from the dance floor amazed that he had picked her, wanted her. Kent watched her “I should be upset you’re getting married with such haste but you two are a match and you’ll be shipping out in weeks so it’s understandable.” Zeta looked up at Kent with sisterly love “You married for love, didn’t you? Were you in love with Roberta?” Kent leaned back to look in her eyes wearing a serious expression. “Roberta and I didn’t really get along all that well when we first met, she was really quiet and it came off kind of snobby. Her father died and her uncle asked papa if one of us boys could escort her to Bristol to take care of her fathers will and testament then bring her back. No one wanted to do it so I said I would and right away I thought I had made a mistake. I tried to talk to her but she was withdrawn, she was nineteen and I was twenty. She was dressed in mourning with her hair pulled back tight in a bun and a black bonnet pulled down over her eyes. By the time we had gotten to Bristol I had only gotten her to say her name and age and I had started talking to myself to pass the time. I took her to her attorneys for her appointment. When she was finished, she walked right passed me and went and bought two bottles of rum, when she got back she jumped up next to me and started laughing and said, get me out of here honey, and opened a bottle and started drinking, after that I couldn’t shut her up, we pulled off to the side of the road and found a private spot and started a fire and talked all night. She took her hair down and opened her collar and her face was flushed and her eyes sparkled and she made me laugh all night and her every movement was seductive, after that night we were inseparable so yes I married for love.” When the song was over Kent walked Zeta over to Phoenix “After all that talk I’m going to go find my wife.” Zeta laughed “You do that.” Phoenix stood tall with pride as he led Zeta through the crowd and out onto the balcony. “Did I mention how fantastic you look tonight?” Zeta grinned “I hate these kinds of parties but being here with you makes it all the better, I have to admit I don’t like all of these women looking at you like your dessert.” Phoenix laughed “Dessert?” Zeta shrugged “I still can’t get over you asking me to marry you.” Phoenix pulled her in close and kissed her “I can’t believe how in love I am with you; I never imagined I’d find a love like this.” Zeta smiled “I love you too, baby.” Zeta looked around to make sure they were alone. “I wish we could just go back to my apartment and get naked.” Phoenix gave a sexy growl “I’ll be there, it may not be until later but I’ll be there.” Colette walked up with another woman both wearing sneers “Well if it isn’t the Warlock and his Witch.” Zeta turned and glared at them then turned back and gave Phoenix a hot fiery kiss. Both women huffed when Zeta turned back to face them wearing a look of satisfaction “I can only imagine how many times you wanted to do that but couldn’t. Poor you all I can tell you is you’re missing out and if you thought that was hot just imagine how he will be in bed.” Phoenix laughed “You never fail to shock honey, come on lets head in.” Zeta winked at Colette as she passed by her on their way back inside. At the end of the night, Phoenix walked Zeta out to the coach where her father waited, leaning in he kissed her whispering “I’ll see you later tonight.” Zeta smiled as she stepped up into the coach, Augusto watched her from across the coach “Are you happy Lil Bit?” Zeta giggled “I am papa, I am and I can’t wait to start a life with Phoenix.” Augusto leaned forward taking her hands into his own. “Just think in a few weeks you’ll be headed out on your first real adventure.” Zeta got quiet, Augusto watched her with a frown. “What’s wrong honey?” Zeta shrugged “Do you think Phoenix and I can have a small wedding, really small.” Augusto chuckled “You can have any kind of wedding you want to have, no one is expecting anything I’m sure.” After dropping off her father at Maxwell’s Smith and Zeta headed back to her apartment with Zeta still in a daze excited to see Phoenix later that night. Amanda and Camellia waited for Zeta on the stairs both more than tipsy having already spent half their wages on alcohol. “About time girl, about ready to get out of that dress.” Zeta sighed “You have no idea sisters.” Within minutes Zeta was in her Chinese silk robe and Amanda and Camellia were well on their way, Zeta so excited to see Phoenix she forgot to even mention her recent engagement. When Phoenix got home, he changed before meeting up with Will and Tanner for drinks. When he walked into the Sword and Shield he found Will ordering a pitcher at the bar and Tanner at a booth in the back. “Well, well if it isn’t Mr. Romance himself, getting engaged without even a word to his friends.” Phoenix’s laughed as he joined them “Sorry boys but it just happened today.” Will walked up and shook his hand “Congrat’s was Zeta shocked when you asked her?” Phoenix smiled “She definitely wasn’t expecting it, I was thinking about having you all over for dinner at my house on Friday night.” Both men nodded, Phoenix sighed “I love her so much she’s nothing like other women.” After a few hours, Phoenix headed toward Zeta’s careful not to be seen, sneaking up through the cellar he found Zeta sitting up in the window seal wearing her Chinese silk robe sketching in her book. “Hello, lover.” Phoenix seemed to have a lot on his mind as he sat and removed his boots. “I’m going to have dinner at my house on Friday night, I thought I’d invite some of my friends just Will and Tanner and you’ve already met them.” Zeta smiled as she got down and sat down her sketch book, “Sounds good, are you sure you want to marry me?” Phoenix stood up and walked toward her, “Yes of course, are you sure you want to marry me?” Zeta smiled “Yes I’m definite and I think we should have a small ceremony the week before we sail out.” Phoenix agreed “Were you expecting me to propose tonight?” Zeta shrugged “I never expected anyone to ever propose to me so no it was definitely a shock.” Phoenix laughed “I decided I wanted you to be my wife the day I took you to meet Captain Crumb, that’s why we went so I could pay your passage as well.” Zeta smiled “You might as well keep on taking off your clothes because I’m not letting you out of here until dawn.” Phoenix watched her with passion filled eyes as he unbuttoned his shirt “I must say you always come up with the best ideas.” Zeta laughed “I try honey.” After a long night of making love, Phoenix lay in bed and stared down at Zeta as the early morning sun crept through her window and kissed her faced. “Baby I’ve got to go before the entire town wakes up and catches me leaving.” Zeta stretched as she opened her eyes “I think I’ll head home today, too much London makes me a very moody girl.” Phoenix frowned “You're leaving already, I had hoped you would stay a few more weeks maybe even stay until we sail out.” Zeta sat up holding the sheet up to cover her bare chest “Phoenix I hate London I’m only here because I want to be with you, I was kind of hoping we could have our wedding at the Steel estate. I know you will be busy with work but maybe you can come up and stay with me every few days and I promise to come back here and see you.” Phoenix sighed “I hate to be away from you for even a second. I don’t know if I can handle you being so far away.” Zeta smiled “We will be married and setting sail before you know it.” Phoenix got up and started to get dressed “I still need to pack and find a desk suitable for the ship and you will need more art supplies. Captain Crumb has stop's all over the Caribbean and has agreed for a price, of course, to take me wherever I need to go to get the measurements I need for my map. It will be a lot of work but I’m looking forward to it.” Walking to the window he peeked out at the street below “I better go out through the basement it looks as if I’ve slept in longer than I had planned.” Zeta wrapped herself in the sheet and joined him leaning into his embrace. “I’ll stop by you and your father's shop before I go to say good bye.” Phoenix held her close as he kissed her passionately “You do that honey, damn woman I love you so much I can’t wait to make you my own.” Looking down at her ring he held her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly “Your mine honey and now everyone knows it.” Zeta smiled “Be careful.” Phoenix slapped her ass then disappeared under the door in the floor. After getting dressed Zeta took Apollo and Artemis on a walk through the park more than a few people walked up to congratulate her others kept their distance and stared like usual. After about an hour she returned and packed her things and had Smith load them in the coach. Her first stop was Miss Lanes; she found it busy so she took a seat and quietly waited her turn listening in as the women gossiped. It seemed her engagement was frowned upon by many of the single women in town, everyone wondering what made her so special to get Phoenix’s love and attention when none of them ever could. Keeping to herself she read the paper only to find she and Phoenix had once again made the gossip pages. “Phoenix Prescott has shocked us all once again arriving not only with Zeta Steel, a dark and foreboding witch but engaged to her as well. London’s own Warlock has finally found love and damn if it doesn’t show. Leaving half the ladies in town in shock and awe and maybe even spite having almost given up on him only to find out he wasn’t the problem it was them and Miss Zeta Steel met the needs they never could.” Zeta laughed out loud getting the attention of the women around her, looking up she smiled then shrugged. Miss Lane walked over wearing a smile “I’ve had dozens of women asking about your dress, I knew that style would be popular, even if you aren’t I knew with you in it, it would be.” Zeta couldn’t help but glow from all the love brewing inside her “I’m here because I want to have some clothes made before Phoenix and I sail.” Everyone moved in to hear their conversation. “I’d like a few pair of leather pants, two black, two brown, fitted with some leather corsets or vests to match. Wearing a dress at sea is fine but I think pants would be a better idea something I can wear with my boots.” Miss Lane laughed “You in tight leather pants might make it hard on Phoenix.” Zeta frowned “Why is that?” Miss Lane laughed “You’ll have the entire ship watching your every move not that they won’t be already.” Zeta shrugged “Can you make them?” Miss Lane nodded “Yes and I’ll make sure you have all the other pieces of clothing you might need as well.” Zeta smiled “Thanks, I’ll pick them up when I return to town in a week.” Miss Lane watched with amusement as Zeta started to walk out, “Zeta darling did you forget something?” Zeta frowned “I don’t think so why?” Miss Lane shook her head “Your wedding dress, do you plan on wearing your mothers, if so it will need to be altered to fit you. I figured you would probably want to get something unique you know just for you, I can’t really see you in white lace or ruffles. If you’ll trust me, I’ll draw up some ideas and pick out some fabric for you to look at when you come in next week, and then you can decide.” Zeta nodded “Your right I hadn’t even thought about it and there’s no way my mother’s dress would do, she was tall with long legs, angelic would best describe her and I of course am the complete opposite. Thank you, I’m looking forward to seeing your ideas.” The second she left the other women started talking about her Miss Lane rolled her eyes. “Not in my shop ladies, Zeta’s a good friend of mine and she deserves to be happy. This petty jealously is getting to be downright pathetic.” Zeta last stop before leaving town was to Webster and Phoenix’s shop, walking in she smiled at Webster “Afternoon Webster.” Webster stood to greet her kissing her cheek “Hello Zeta you’re looking beautiful as always.” Zeta smiled when she turned to see Phoenix he was already out of his chair and picking her up into the air stopping her mouth in a kiss before she could say a thing. “I hate to see you go.” Zeta shrugged “I don’t want to leave you either but I can’t stay in London, I will be expecting you to come and see me in the next few days.” Phoenix ran his hand through his hair as he sat her down “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Phoenix kissed her again “I’ll order you more canvas’s and more paint so you won’t run out while were out at sea, and I’ll take care of scheduling the priest.” Zeta smiled “I know you were planning on having dinner at your house on Friday sorry I won’t be there, I was thinking maybe you and your friends could come to dinner at my place, I could cook.” Phoenix had already forgotten about the dinner “Sounds good I’ll talk to the boys.” Zeta gave Webster a saucy wink as she turned to leave “Bye Webster see you soon.” Webster laughed as he watched Phoenix walk her out with his hand on the small of her back. When they reached the coach Phoenix helped Zeta up then called out to Smith to wait a moment while he followed her inside shutting the door. Within seconds Phoenix had Zeta up in his lap “I’ll think of you constantly, I don’t know how I’ll even sleep without you.” Zeta leaned up and kissed him licking her lips after as if to taste him “I miss you already.” Phoenix gave her one last fiery kiss then sat her down and got out “I love you.” Zeta smiled “I love you too.” Phoenix watched as her coach pulled away then turned to go back inside. Webster was smiling at him when he walked back in, standing up he walked over and set the paper down in front of him turned to the gossip pages. “Looks like you made the paper again.” Phoenix laughed then read it; moments later he sat it down and sighed. “Well pops I never really thought I’d fall in love but Zeta’s my match and I love her so much it hurts, I can’t wait to make her my wife and make her truly mine forever.” Webster smiled “I’m so proud of you, and thrilled to see you happy and in love.” Zeta was eager to get home she hadn’t painted in over a week and had more than a few crazy vivid dreams to add to her dream journal. When she arrived home, she found out her father was away on business and wouldn’t return until the end of the month which would be around the time she and Phoenix would be getting married. The entire estate was quiet and desolate which was nothing new to Zeta. Her first night back Zeta stayed in and made herself a quiet dinner just happy to be away from all the hustle and bustle of London. Her thoughts never leaving Phoenix whom she hoped would be arriving sooner rather than later because she missed him something fierce and it had only been a few hours since they had last parted.