Chapter 082 – Promise

[296 AC]

Phenex' impression of Jorah Mormont was not very positive and he had even glanced at the man's essence through his inborn connection and power over everything that was life, to make sure that he didn't misjudge him, which he didn't.

The former Lord of Bear Island was a man without substance, lusting and obsessing over beauty and riches while trying to maintain some semblance of honor and integrity. When it came down to it though, he was more than willing to forsake any moral constraints he may have had to fulfill his desires.

Such a man was not worth recruiting, even if he was a nobleman that could prove himself useful as a chess piece against the North.

Phenex was not a fan of manipulation in the first place, even though he did so for convenience's sake sometimes. He preferred to use his knowledge and lay down plans, while letting time and patience aid him in his success.

He preferred to wait for opportunities to present themselves in most cases before he acted, contrary to those like Littlefinger and Varys, who actively created opportunities through schemes and manipulations.

Phenex was no schemer or manipulator, he was a patient strategist with the heart of a warrior and the soul of a phoenix.

As such he did not even hesitate as he judged Jorah Mormont like he had done with so many other slavers since taking up his rule in Volantis. There was no mercy in his heart for those he found guilty, even though he was aware that his actions would lead to a pitiful death for the exiled nobleman.

Phenex knew the value of life better than anyone else, as he was life incarnate and he often contemplated and reflected on his views of it, but that didn't mean that he wasn't ruthless or decisive, as these qualities were also ingrained in his being.

…

Refocusing back on the present, Phenex shook off these thoughts as he took Kinvara deeper into his embrace, loving the way her smaller frame was basically sheltered by his as if his whole body was used to protect this particular beautiful flower from rain and wind.

Besides the starlight and moonlight falling from the night sky, a single dim lantern a few steps away was the only light that touched their figures, as they sat there and enjoyed each other's warmth and presence.

Grabbing Kinvara's hand with his own, Phenex' fingers caressed the back of her hand softly, as he voiced out quietly: "I have something for you."

Turning her head around and looking at him with a curious light in her eyes, Kinvara asked: "A present?"

"A promise.", Phenex replied with a slight smile and a tender look in his eyes.

Holding onto Kinvara's hand, Phenex turned it around until her palm faced upwards, while he placed his palm below her hand, gently cupping it with his own. The next moment fire suddenly ignited above her palm, which normally would not gain much of a reaction from the priestess, as such feats were all too easy for her to accomplish.

This flame though was something entirely different, as Kinvara could not feel the faintest hint of magic from it at the first glance. Probing the gently swaying flame with her mind and magic, in an attempt to find out what it was made of, caused Kinvara to exhale sharply as if someone had forced the air out of her lungs.

Endless warmth and tenderness had flooded her mind and drowned out all her other senses for a moment before she managed to withdraw her consciousness from the flame.

Taking a few deep breaths, while leaning back into Phenex' chest, as he gently rubbed her side and abdomen until she managed to regain her bearings. Unsure if what she had just witnessed was the truth, Kinvara questioned absentmindedly, her gaze still fixed on the flame floating above her palm: "I-is this … ?"

"It's a fire born from emotions. It will burn forever, as long as the underlying emotion remains in the heart of its creator.", Phenex explained quietly, before he continued in an even softer tone, "This flame was created with my thoughts focused on you, Kinvara."

The flame suddenly contracted and twisted as it turned into a thin thread, before gradually forming a circle. At first, the circle was nearly fist-sized, but slowly it shrunk while the blazing thread grew thicker and firmer until a small ring of fire floated in the air.

Phenex' other hand then grabbed the elemental object as if it had a material form and slowly placed it on the ring finger of Kinvara's left hand.

"And this is my promise to you.", Phenex whispered, as he left a soft kiss on her neck.

It was at this moment that even the calm and collected High Priestess couldn't stop her tears from flowing, as she understood what Phenex had just gifted her. The flame ring was a symbol of his love for her and it would never ever extinguish, as long as Phenex' feelings for her remained unchanged.

It was as much a confession of love, as it was a testimony of Phenex' desire to be with her.

Every flicker and pulse of the fire ring caused warmth and affection to spread through her heart, as she curled up in his embrace.

Kinvara didn't say anything, as Phenex' arms wrapped around her and she buried her head in his chest, though her tears didn't stop for a long time.

…

[296 AC]

It was another few days later before Phenex and his Feathers returned to the temple and their respective duties.

Spending time together and indulging in a somewhat simple and isolated life had them all recover their sharpness and focus.

It was also time for Phenex to deal with some rather important issues, as during this short seclusion the Prince of Pentos had arrived in Volantis and had been waiting to meet him, though the man had only gotten to see Kinvara.

What the Prince had to say however was something that surprised her and something that she could not make a decision about, Phenex though had refused to deal with any matters concerning the temple while staying in the small courtyard, so the Prince could only wait for his return.

The man had not dared to voice out his displeasure of course, as he knew his place well enough. Nobody demanded a meeting with a god after all.