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The scent of phoenix flames entered Vur’s nose, and his sleeping body twitched before rolling over to the side, his face pointing at the source of the phoenix flames. His stomach grumbled, and his eyes slowly opened as the snot bubble coming out of his nostril deflated. Since there were phoenix flames nearby while he was sleeping, it could’ve only meant one thing. “Dinnertime?” Vur asked as he pushed himself up. He blinked and looked down at the leaf he was using as a mattress. He shifted his gaze ahead of himself on the bottle-covered room of the tree.
Tafel was standing in front of Vur, and in front of her, there was an elven woman he had never seen before with reddish-pink hair. Phoenix flames hovered around Tafel, and on the other side of the room, Lindyss and Erin were at a table, staring at the unknown woman. Vur stood up and walked around Tafel, getting a better view of what was happening. The demon had her imprint out, and the pink-haired elf was staring at it without blinking.
“So?” Tafel asked. “Do you recognize my imprint?” Her eyes shifted to the side, and she waved at Vur. “Good morning, Vur. We slept all day, so it’s nighttime now.”
“Good morning, Tafel,” Vur said and peeked out the knothole window. The leaves and branches were in the way, but it was clearly nighttime outside. He tilted his head as he looked at Malvie. “Who’s she?”
“A phoenix,” Tafel said. “Auntie went out drinking today, and she made a new friend.”
“You may address me as Malvina, Queen of the Forest,” Malvie said and frowned at Vur. Her brow furrowed as she turned her body towards him, taking her attention off of Tafel’s imprint. “I noticed it earlier, but it’s even stronger now that he’s awake. Why does your husband smell like a dragon?”
“That’s because he’s a dragon,” Tafel said.
Malvie froze, and she turned her head towards Lindyss. A massive grin appeared on the cursed elf’s face, and Lindyss turned her head away, causing chills to run down Malvie’s spine. The disguised phoenix furrowed her brow as she made eye contact with Tafel. “You’re married to a dragon?”
“As you can see,” Tafel said, gesturing towards Vur, who was still in his human form.
“But…,” Malvie said and tilted her head. “Why?”
“Just look at him,” Tafel said.
Malvie turned to look at Vur, the furrow still on her brow. She stared at him as his right arm reached around his back and scratched his butt. Malvie turned back towards Tafel. The disguised phoenix asked, “What exactly am I supposed to be seeing here? I’m even more confused than before.”
“He’s the best,” Tafel said and nodded her head.
Malvie had no clue how she was supposed to see that from Vur scratching his butt, but the phoenix in front of her didn’t look like she was kidding. “Do…, do your parents know you’re married to a dragon?” Malvie asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course,” Tafel said.
“And they approve?” Malvie asked. Her body shifted and wiggled as feathers grew out of her skin, and her arms stretched as they turned into wings. Malvie cleared her throat, and her body reverted back to that of an elf’s. “Sorry, I was so baffled I forgot to maintain my transformation.” Malvie pointed at Tafel with her right index finger and at Vur with her left. She pointed her fingers together and whirled them around. “Let me get this straight; a match between a dragon and a phoenix is … normal on Erde?”
“Yes, absolutely,” Tafel said with a straight face.
Malvie’s eyes narrowed. “Are you messing with me because you think I’m drunk?”
“Are you drunk?” Tafel asked, not answering the disguised phoenix’s question.
“I am drunk, but that doesn’t mean I don’t recognize the imprint on your forehead,” Malvie said. “You’re a part of Marima’s family.” A sigh escaped from the disguised phoenix’s lips as she stared down at the ground. “I’m sorry.”
Tafel blinked. “Sorry?” she asked. “Sorry about what?”
“Marima perished,” Malvina said and bit her lower lip. “I was too weak to protect her.”
“Oh,” Tafel said and scratched her head. “Uh, you don’t have to apologize to me. Honestly, I don’t even know who Marima is.”
Malvina sighed again before straightening her back, staring Tafel in the eyes. The disguised phoenix placed her hand on the demon’s shoulder. “Great Canopy will always welcome you with open wings,” Malvie said and turned her head towards Vur. She added with a whisper, “He’s welcome too if you can promise he won’t bite anyone.”
Tafel pursed her lips and shrugged Malvie’s hand off of her. The demon raised an eyebrow. “Is Great Canopy a kingdom of phoenixes?”
“It’s more appropriate to call it a queendom,” Malvie said as she gestured towards herself, placing her hand on her chest, “and I’m the queen.”
“If you beat her up, you’ll be the queen,” Vur said.
Tafel and Malvie turned their heads to look at Vur. Stella flew out of his chest and gave the demon a thumbs-up. “Beat her up!” the fairy queen said as she flew onto Vur’s shoulder and took a seat. She swung her legs, kicking them forward. “You can do it!”
“Your husband’s thoughts are quite barbaric,” Malvie said to Tafel.
“But he’s not wrong,” Tafel said, squinting at Malvie.
“What?” the disguised phoenix asked, her brow furrowing. “What do you mean he’s not wrong?”
The demon grinned. “Well, if I beat you, who’s going to stop me from declaring myself queen of Great Canopy?”
Malvie blinked before smiling back at Tafel. “You honestly think you can defeat me?” she asked before shaking her head. “However, I’m afraid that’s not how Great Canopy works. The queen isn’t the strongest; she is the most beautiful.”
Tafel pursed, but before she could say anything, Vur spoke first. “Oh,” he said. “Then, Tafel’s already the queen; she’s prettier.”
“Nonsense,” Malvie said, glaring at Vur as Tafel’s face flushed pink. “There are multiple judges that make the decision. You don’t get a say.”
Vur shrugged. “Tafel’s still going to win.”