Page 51 of A Phoenix Reborn at Christmas

Suddenly flames engulfed him. Leo shouted.

Feathers sprang from Percival’s skin. He stumbled forward, hunching over as a cry tore from his throat. His limbs morphed. His neck elongated.

Then it all stopped. He straightened.

I am a phoenix.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

Percival stretched his long wings. They were a brilliant red and orange. He looked at his feathered body and his talons. He gazed towards his tail feathers. He circled on the spot, wishing he could see himself completely.

He lifted his head to the sky and opened his beak, wanting to shout out his accomplishment.

Fire burst forth. He snapped his beak shut. He hadn’t intended to do that.

“You did it!” Leo cried out as he dashed forward. “You did it!”

Percival turned towards him. He lifted his head, stretching his neck long so Leo could see all of him.

“Bollocks and broomsticks. You’re beautiful!” Leo’s grin stretched his cheeks as he stared up at Percival. “I mean, you’re beautiful in human form too. But like this…you’re magnificent.”

Percival preened. He might not be able to see himself from head to toe, but at least he could see himself reflected in Leo’s admiring gaze. Percival shook, and his feathers ruffled.

Leo stepped in close, stroking him. “I know I saw you in your phoenix form when I found you in the alley. But I didn’t properly appreciate you. I was too busy being shocked.”

Percival trilled. He frowned. He had…trilled? Was that the noise he made when he was a phoenix?

Leo laughed, fingers delving through his feathers. “You’re so warm. Even though it’s snowing, I don’t feel a little bit cold standing next to you.”

Leo continued to stroke him. Percival’s eyelids drooped. Apparently, he liked Leo’s touch in human and in phoenix form.

“If you wanted, you could shift into your phoenix form in my room. You’d fit.” Leo tilted his head. “Your body might struggle to get through the door. But maybe not. Your feathers might be skewing my size of you.”

A cawing caused Percival to look up. Ebony sat on the roof, watching them with her beady black eyes.

“She turned up a couple of minutes ago,” Leo said. “I think she wanted to be here for your first shift. You know, to support you.”

Then Ebony stretched her wings, flapped, and flew into the snow-filled air.

“Want to join her?”

Percival turned to Leo. He blinked.

“If you want to go for a fly, I’ll stay here and wait.” Leo patted him.

Fly.

Right. I’m a phoenix, and phoenixes fly.

Strangely he’d not thought of that when he’d considered shifting. He’d just thought about becoming a phoenix and strutting around a little bit. He’d not thought beyond that.

He looked up at the grey sky. Ebony circled above, as if waiting for him, as if leading him.

Okay. I can do this. I can fly. Leo and Ebony believe in me.

Percival took a deep breath, his chest puffing up.