The Phoenix - 085 (Patreon)

[A/N: Canon is finally coming around, even though there are some changes and more will come, I am very happy that the story has finally reached this point. I will probably write five or so more chapters, before taking some time to write a chapter or two for my Naruto FF, like I had promised to some of you and maybe one for The Wanderer.

Enjoy!]

Chapter 085 – Wolf

[297 AC – Two months later]

Walking through the dense woodland, Phenex' mind was wandering to the most significant change that had happened over the last few months.

As he had already known it would happen, Jon Arryn had been poisoned by Lysa Arryn, though it was a plot that had involved Petyr Baelish and the Queen as well. Varys likewise had been in the know about this planned assassination, but he hadn't provided that information to Melisandre, proving that his word wasn't to be trusted.

Melisandre though had also known about the poison, and how could she not, considering that it was a field where she was even more proficient in and knowledgable than Oberyn, who had studied poisons for decades in the Citadel and later on during his travels.

She had not exposed it though in accordance with Phenex' instructions. Melisandre herself also didn't really care much about the Hand's death, as she knew that this event would cause massive power shifts all over the realm, something she planned to take advantage of to strengthen the temple's influence.

Putting aside these thoughts, Phenex breathed in the cold and vital air of the forest, as he finally arrived at his destination.

Before him lay the corpse of a female direwolf, a stag antler still stuck in its throat, making it obvious which was the fatal wound amongst the many deep scratches in its dark grey fur. It was the same direwolf that had given birth to the five little pups that had been taken away by the Starks just minutes ago.

It had been Rob Stark that had convinced his father, the Warden of the North, to take them with them this time around though, as Jaehaerys was obviously in Essos. Phenex had not intervened in this matter, as he saw no reason to do so.

Taking away the direwolf pups would have been nothing more than a small-minded attempt to slight the Starks, which was not something he planned to waste his time with. He may not have a good impression of Eddard and Catelyn, but their children were still blank canvases and only time would tell, if they were worthy of his attention and trust, or not.

Turning to the side, Phenex approached a somewhat hidden spot beside a great tree root and saw a small and skinny white wolf stuck beneath some thorny vines.

Freeing the pup, Phenex took it into his embrace and channeled some of his inner fire into the small creature to strengthen its weakened lifeforce and purge its inborn deficiencies from its body, while softly stroking its fur.

Walking back before the dead mother of the small wolf, the snow-white pup cried out in a heartbreaking manner as it tried to gain its mother's attention. As an animal, its senses and instincts were naturally sharp, so it could tell that something was wrong, but it was simply too young to understand what exactly it was.

Sighing quietly, Phenex could feel the pup's longing for its mother's care and it reminded him of himself when he had lost his own mother a few years ago. Even now there was a deep-seated pain in his heart that flared up every now and then.

His eyes gained a firm look as fire suddenly consumed the dead female wolf, but it didn't burn the creature, instead, the flames rushed into the wounds.

It looked as if the flesh of the direwolf stitched itself back together under the fiery baptism of Phenex' power and a moment later his mind reached out towards the origin of all life, as he reignited the spark of vitality inside the beast before him.

Confused and a bit scared the young pup yipped in fright, as it buried itself deeper in Phenex' embrace, not realizing that he was the reason for the happenings before its eyes.

It did not take more than a few seconds before Phenex banished his fire and saw the once-dead direwolf staring at him with something akin to reverence.

As a magical species, it was naturally more intelligent than a normal wolf, adding to the fact that it could tell that Phenex had been the one to revive it and that it could instinctively sense the unmatched might that hid under his skin, such a reaction was understandable.

Crouching down, Phenex sat the small pup on the ground and it hurriedly approached his mother on somewhat wobbly feet, crying out happily, especially when the female direwolf rubbed its muzzle against the pup's side.

Turning back to Phenex, the large direwolf approached him, while he was still crouched low and tentatively lowered its head and pressed its nose against Phenex' hand. Slowly raising his hand and Phenex brushed through the magical wolf's fur with his fingers.

“Make sure to be cautious around these woods in the future, humans are dangerous after all. And don't worry about your other children, I will keep an eye on them.”, Phenex whispered soothingly, having transmitted his words directly into the direwolf's mind, as a slight smile danced on his lips.

He knew that the female wolf was worried about her children, so Phenex didn't hesitate to make this promise, as it was not something difficult to accomplish after all.

Raising her head, the she-wolf gave him a deep and captivating look, her eyes shining with wisdom and trust, before turning around and grabbing the small pup by the scruff and vanishing into the dense forest.

A moment later, Phenex too vanished.

…

[298 AC]

Standing on the shore with only a pair of grey linen pants and a similarly coloured tunic on his form, Phenex watched with smoldering eyes as Arianne walked into the small river, her clothes wholly discarded.

“You don't want to join me?”, the Dornish Princess asked raspily, as she threw a glance back over her shoulder.

Her eyes shone with desire and life, while a rosy tint covered her cheeks. Her dark locks covered her graceful back in part, while the sensual curves of her hips, perky behind, and lithe legs were on full display, causing Phenex own desire to rise in his chest.

They were currently somewhere south of Qohor, as Phenex had promised Arianne to take her to the former Free City on Sapphire's back a few days ago.

While traveling though they had decided to take a small break, before finishing the rest of the journey in one go.

And after landing near the river, upon which Sapphire directly decided to take a nap next to a hill a short distance away, Arianne had decided that the summer heat left her no choice but to take a small bath.

Looking at his gorgeous lover with blazing eyes, Phenex couldn't help but agree with her – a bath was definitely necessary.

“How could I resist you, when you ask me like that, my love?”, Phenex replied with a smile, while pulling his tunic over his head and untying his pants.

Stalking forward in all his naked glory, while Arianne turned around fully, slowly stepping backwards into the river, her gaze playful and filled with anticipation.

“I am sure you need my help in washing your back, don't you little princess?”, Phenex asked suggestively while smiling mischievously, his tone somewhat deep and raspy, causing a pleasant shudder to run through Arianne's form.

"No, no. I couldn't let the God of Volantis wash my back.", she answered solemnly, her gaze though was wandering over his corded muscles and perfect physique hungrily.

Laughing lightly, Phenex suddenly pounced forward and wrapped his arms around Arianne's waist, pressing her bare form against his.

“Kya!”, clearly surprised, the young woman could do nothing but cry out on instinct and try to escape. Her resistance though was short-lived, as the heated skin of Phenex' firm chest pressing up against her bare breasts made her move deeper into his embrace, longing for his warmth and touch.

"Ahh, I am afraid that wasn't an offer than can be rejected, Lady Martell.", Phenex whispered into Arianne's ear, before placing a soft kiss on her shoulder and neck, extinguishing even the last thought of putting up any kind of resistance in her, as Ariannne's body shuddered lightly, a content moan escaping her full lips.