Read Phoenix for Free Online Page B

back of his neck.
    He anxiously watches me as I carefully unwrap the parcel. I open the silk paper, and
     something glimmers.
    My heart trips over.
    In my hand is a blue diamond ring.
    My head snaps up, a question in my eyes.
    “I know we’re young,” he says softly. “But I love you, with every beat of my awakened
     heart.”
    I hold my breath, waiting for him to say the words.
    “Natalie Buchanan, will you marry me?”
    “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!” I squeal with delight.
    He slips the ring on my finger, and I throw my arms around his neck, kissing him over
     and over. Happiness radiates through me, making my heart swell until I think it’s
     going to burst.
    “I love you,” I say between kisses.
    “I love you too, blondie,” he says.
    I giggle joyfully as he spins me around, the cool breeze brushing against my skin.
     Eventually he puts me down and kisses me again, this time softly, slowly, opening
     a channel between us so I can feel everything he’s feeling: his love, his joy, his
     happiness. We’ve Soul Shared before, but this time is the most intense of them all,
     and tears spill down my cheeks. We eventually break the kiss.
    “I hope those are tears of happiness?” he teases, wiping them away.
    I nod.
    We hurry downstairs, eager to break the good news. As we enter the cabin, everyone
     is silent, an expectant look on their faces. Ash grins sheepishly at me. They must’ve
     all been in on it!
    “Well? Don’t keep us in suspense,” Day demands when nobody says anything.
    I show them the ring, and everyone cheers.
    The women all hurry around me to coo over the ring—even Polly, who manages a few smiles—while
     the men pat Ash on the back, telling him “well done, mate,” and “how did you get a
     girl like that?” Beetle tops off everyone’s drinks and raises his glass.
    “To Ash and Natalie—may you have a long and happy life together!” he says.
    “To Ash and Natalie!” everyone else responds.
    I glance at Ash, and for a second there’s worry in his eyes, but he quickly conceals
     it, giving me the broadest, most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. I smile back, but
     I can’t help but wonder why he looked so concerned. Is he already having doubts? No,
     I’m being paranoid! I push it from my mind and allow myself to enjoy the moment. I
     can ask him about it later.
    The party carries on in full swing. Everyone is in high spirits, dancing and singing—even
     Sigur, who, as it turns out, has an amazing voice. He teaches Polly and MJ a traditional
     Darkling song, while Ash’s father, Harold, comes over to me and gives me a hug. My
     cheek scratches against his gray beard, but I don’t mind.
    “I’m so glad you’ll be joining the family,” he says. “I’ve never known Ash to be this
     happy.”
    “I promise to take good care of him.”
    “I know you will.”
    “You’re not worried we’re rushing things?” I ask quietly.
    He gives me a gentle smile. “I was, but Ash convinced me that he’s ready for this
     commitment, and when my son sets his mind on something, there’s no changing it.”
    I laugh lightly. “That sounds like Ash.”
    “If you have any doubts . . .”
    “I don’t,” I say, which is true. I have no reservations about marrying Ash. After
     nearly losing him two months ago, I’ve learned to grab happiness with both hands and
     not wait around for a future that may never happen.
    Harold hugs me again, and I hold on to him for a bit longer than necessary, but he
     understands. With a dead father and a mother serving a life sentence in prison, I’m
     essentially an orphan. When I marry Ash, Harold will become my father too. It’s a
     very comforting thought.
    We all gather around the table as Day brings out a lopsided chocolate cake, which
     is slathered in gloopy icing that’s already started to slide off. The large, wonky
     piping on top reads HAPPY BIRTHDAY NA . She ran out of space for the
T.
I absolutely love it. It’s nice knowing Day