Poe paused, tilted his feathery head and eyed my mother. Mom stayed still and let him examine her.
He made a quorking sound. “Evie mom good?”
Mom gave Poe a sad smile. “I had to pretend for a long time, but you can see my heart, Poe.”
Poe studied her for a long moment, dipped his head, and flew away. I waited by the back door for a few moments until Fee streaked through the sky. Mom sucked in a gasp and came to her feet.
“Oh, Evie. She’s stunning.”
And she was. Fee was fully grown now, her tail feathers several feet long and her wingspan even wider. Her feathers were a bright mix of vivid orange and royal purple, and her eyes had turned into a shimmering crystalline shade that constantly changed.
We didn’t see much of the birds anymore, not with the expansion of our territory. They’d taken to exploring far and wide but were never far from each other’s sides.
“Hi Fee,” I said, holding out my hand. She shifted in a flash of light to a smaller size and landed on my hand. I brought her inside, Poe following close behind, and shut the door.
Mom stared at the bird with wide eyes. Fee didn’t go to her, merely watched her with those strange eyes.
I stroked a finger down her back. “This is Cliona, Fee. My mother.”
Fee tilted her head back and forth.
Mom bowed her head and laid her hand over her heart. “You are magnificent.”
Fee gave a little trill.
“Hold your hand out,” I said.
Mom raised her head and blinked, suddenly unsure.
“It’s okay. She won’t go if she doesn’t want to.”
Mom slowly held out her hand. Fee trilled once more and hopped onto Mom’s arm.
“Oh my goodness.” Mom let out a delighted laugh. “You know, I’ve had birds my entire life, but none that looked like Fee. And never a phoenix. Do you realize how lucky you are to have such a close relationship with her?”
I guess I never really thought about it. She needed help, so I helped her. “She’s fast friends with Poe. And I can’t take all the credit. Caelan had her for quite a while.”
“The Lord was good to her?”
“Poe and Fee explored every inch of his territory. He never caged them.”
Mom tentatively stroked the back of her head. “Do you know the legend of the phoenix?”
I researched enough to know what they needed to survive and some of their powers but never did a deep dive. “Not really. I know they are powerful healers, and they’re rumored to be able to resurrect the dead.”
Mom’s lips quirked into a smile. “That and more. This little girl can grant immortality if she so chooses. But you can’t force her. She has to choose you.”
“Fee!” I gawked at the bird. “Raising the dead and throwing out immortality to the worthy? You’re going to be a busy girl when you’re all grown up.”
Mom chuckled. “She is all grown up. But Fee hasn’t chosen anyone yet. Not that she could in a place like this. Everyone here is immortal, are they not?”
“I think so.”
“Hmm. Well, phoenixes go where they are needed. Maybe she’s not ready to answer a call yet.”
Someone knocked on the front door. For crying out loud. I left Mom with Fee and answered the door. Tess, Ash, and Moirastood there holding wine and something that smelled amazing in a takeout bag.
“You up for a visit?” Ash said. “We haven’t seen you in a while.”
