Mark was nervous. Even frightened, though he would have had a hard time to admit. Here he was standing in front of what was supposed to be his home, but where he still felt like a guest, an intruder. To meet up with his life-partner, his soon-to-be-wife, he didn't trust any more, though he still loved her. To be presented to his parents-in-law, he had always wanted to meet, to be acknowledged, an encounter he now dreaded. On his birthday, he was told to forget. It felt like a nightmare.

A tingling sensation danced across his instinctively closed fists. Blue sparks. Part of his soul-flames he still couldn't control properly. He sighed and opened the front-door, opening only the small side-door instead of the massive 4meter-tall main-door. It would have been a piece of cake to push the heavy oakwood door open, his phoenix-side allowed him to use inhuman strength. There he was again, comparing himself to a human. Complaining he was not. Well right now even Mark hated himself for being like this. He hated being a cry-baby. Settling into his resolve to stop being a wimp, he straightened his back and entered.

First thing he saw upon entering was Jenny. She was clearly as nervous as he was. Her emotions wavered across the life-partner-binding. Love, fear, sadness. He sighed. Even though his trust in her was gone he did never want to see her unhappy, much less be the cause of it. Focussing on his positive emotions towards her he tried relief her worries with a reassuring smile. Mark would definitely not let her do this alone. He would never betray her or her trust.

Seeing his smile her eyes widened, first shocked and unbelieving, then grateful and happy. His smile automatically broadened when he saw her smiling back at him. Maybe there was a way in the future to come to terms. Looking into her beautiful eyes he certainly hoped for it.

Climbing down one of the two broad staircases Jenny's eyes never left his. She wanted it to be like it had been before his transformation, the longing in her eyes told him. He had to turn away, Mark just could not stand her hope, her longing and her love. Not yet. A tinge of pain reached him through the binding and both of them sighed.

When he looked up again, he saw Jenny straightening her back and wearing the forced smile, that fooled no one. Especially not him. He sighed. There they were again hurting each other. Unintentionally on both sides. But neither of them knew how to end this misery. They were broken, maybe doomed as a couple. Even though they loved each other and wanted to patch up the broken pieces. They just didn't know how. Still there was no way to divorce life-partners. So, they had to figure it out somehow. Simply had to.

She reached her soon-to-be husband and smiled at him again, trying to build bridges over the abyss that divided them. Reaching out her fair, slender hand she hesitated slightly before touching him lovingly on his shoulder. Seemingly fearing he would not allow it. The sensation was strange, ambivalent, just like his feelings. He had to fight the urge to shy away, the same moment she had hesitated, then he relaxed and enjoyed her touch.

'Hello, Mark, darling.' she whispered happily and cleared her throat before she added. 'We have to hurry, dear, please change as fast as possible. My parents literally burn to get to know you. Joline has been ready for about an hour. There are horses at my parents’ house... '

Mark smiled when he thought about the riding tours, he and Joline had done. He couldn't wait being done merging and being able to ride again. Everyone who had been an equestrian for some time would admit this sport to be highly addictive.

He mustered his life-partners attire to get a hint about the dress-code. Even though they were his parents-in-law, they were still his king and queen. The young phoenix sighed, he wasn't particularly fond of royals, had never been. Now he was one. Great. He just hoped it wouldn't like in human-royalty were everyone was to obey rules the head of the family set on a whim.

Jenny wore a green cocktail dress. Nothing fancy but not exactly every-day's attire. Formal informal. That felt okay. He would go along that line.

Mark went up the stairs to their shared bedroom and entered to the adjoined bathroom. After taking a shower he semi-consciously looked for his razor to anew his shave like he had for the past years. He searched his old bag before he remembered he didn't need to shave any more. The merging had transformed his hair into something between feather and hair and he was completely bald besides his eyebrows and the 'hair' on his head, which both had turned white. He sighed as he looked into his face. It had never been plump or fatty but right now his face structure had become kind of sharp like did not actually belong to a human. High chiselled cheekbones, an aquiline nose.

He looked into his eyes they were changing now. The last human part in this inhuman face was about to disappear. Mark who had thought he would dread the moment felt nothing but a slight relief. No remorse or other hard feelings. Maybe it was better this way.

Without further contemplating he left the bathroom and entered their shared walk-in wardrobe. Jenny had prepared some clothes for him. He really liked her suggestion a light-grey jacked, a dark-blue cashmere turtle-neck and his best jeans. Those clothes felt comfortable and presentable enough. No overkill but still well-dressed. Even though he usually didn't fret about his appearance, there were some occasions good clothes were like some kind of armour, shielding from unnecessary trouble. He felt like today was one of such occasions.

After dressing he joined Jenny and Joline downstairs. Jenny took out her mobile and called a number. 'We are ready now; you may send James.' she said before ending the call.

'Did you just order a chauffeur?' Mark asked unbelievingly. 'Well yes. This is an official occasion. I am presenting you to the king and queen of our clan. We have been ordered to follow the protocol regarding the way we travel. People want to see the young white phoenix, that happens to be betrothed to their second princess. But don't worry, all formalities will come to an end once we enter the estate.' Jenny explained and smiled at his pain expression. 'Thinking about it... you really overdid it. White phoenix, my betrothed and handsome to no end... one of those would have been more than enough to get their attention. But don't worry you will get used to it, eventually.' She reached out and patted his shoulder, without hesitation this time. Joline who had been reading a book in silence smiled and chuckled.

A black limousine appeared in the drive way. The driver wore a livery and opened the door for them. Mark felt like flying away but doubted it would do any good. He sighed and followed his family inside. The click of the closing door sounded like a prison's door to him.

The drive towards the Teine's estate was actually quite enjoyable. Jenny and Joline recounted several amusing anecdotes of their childhood there, making all of them laugh about landing on a brittle tree and breaking the queen's favourite garden bench in the mayhem created.

But even if they were joking Mark could feel his inner tension rise. Last time he had been on this road he was on his way to the Stella Maris. His first step into the clan's world and now he was to be officially presented to one of the clan-heads. His father-in-law.

The Teine's estate was intimidating. Huge iron gates opened silently at their arriving. A winding drive-way led to broad beige marble steps. The house, if one could even call it a house, was made of grey stones that reminded him of an ancient castle. Mark sighed a sound that made both Jenny and Joline look at him. 'You don't have to be so tense. We are already here.' Jenny said smilingly. 'You told me I was going to be presented to your clan... Why haven't we seen anybody?' he asked frowningly. 'Well first of all it is our clan as of the moment you were turned. Second, we were seen. They were there all along the way, you just didn't see them. You couldn't with your eyes still like this. But even though you didn't know you were watched you did a great job.' his soon-to-be wife corrected him and shot him a worried glance. She would have preferred to have him more attached to the clan. And then there was the eye-issue. 'Worry not...My eyes have started to change.' he told her with a sigh. She just smiled.

As if he had waited for them to end their conversation the driver opened the door and the three of them exited the car. The next moment the big door was opened and a couple awaited them. Jordan and Amelie Teine, no doubt. The family-resemblance was more than obvious. Jordan was clearly the originator of his children's flawless demeanour and green eyes, whilst Amelie had given her ageless beauty and flaming-red hair to them. But even whilst admiring them his human eyes told him they were only showing a guise. Something inhuman lurking not too far below the surface. He was still instinctively wary of them even though he shared their trait, now.

'Welcome to clan and family.' the king of phoenixes stated and spread his arms in a welcoming gesture. Mark knew it wasn't a simple cordial gesture but thoroughly calculated. But even though he knew it didn't leave him much of a choice but to smile and play along.

Their eyes met and a hint of surprise flashed through Jordan's gaze when he saw he had been seen through. And so, the game began.

'Thank you very much for your welcome, sir. I feel honoured and elated to finally get to know Jenny's family.' Mark reciprocated seriously.

'We, too, couldn't wait for today to come. It took you quite a while to answer our invitation. Poor Jenny and Joline had to attend all social gatherings without you in the past six months. But thankfully I got Jordan to inviting you a little more direct. One could assume you were wary of meeting us. But that sure can't be true, as I was told you were simply rejoicing in the process of merging.’ Amélie replied hiding a verbal dagger under a thin icing of politeness. Mark had to give his all to avoid flinching at her remark. They obviously knew how he felt regarding his transformation. She had indirectly reprimanded him.

'Yes, my queen, the merging is indeed an experience to behold. I simply wanted to be properly presentable when meeting my king and queen. Being unable to present oneself the best way possible would have been inexcusable.' he smiled. This was a game he intended not too loose to badly. She nodded and smiled. Jenny and Joline who had greeted their family properly were now watching their exchange fascinated. Jenny even smiled proudly. The group of five entered the house and the moment the door closed the atmosphere changed.

'You two have made us worried. Nothing regarding an advancement of your relationship. No happy pictures and none of the promised visits. What the hell is happening behind your closed doors?' Amelie wanted to know.

'Well, nothing.' Jenny answered in a flat voice. She obviously didn't like her mother’s direct question hitting the very heart of her problem.

'What has that supposed to mean?' the phoenix-queen asked sharply.

'What she said. Nothing. There is no progress. You could instead call it a regress, if you wilt.' Mark answered in her stead.

'But why? You were so happy... John hinted at something like this... I didn't want to believe it. You are such a nice couple. Mark, you even turned out to be a white phoenix... it should be prefect between the two of you... I can feel the love you share... but there is so much darkness.' she asked desperately, bringing her husband to hug her shoulders. Jordan Teine shot Mark an angry glance clearly unhappy with him making both his wife and daughter unhappy.

'I didn't ask being turned. Right now, I am finally getting to the point of looking into the mirror and not either wanting punch the mirror or using my weapon to blast a new hole into my head for being an uncontrollable juggernaut who has already killed someone. Just because he pissed me of. I hate always knowing if I am lied to. No consoling without white lies. I fucking can't even bring myself to lie any more due to the physical pain it causes. I know you don't want to hear it but I abhor the thought of being a bird.' Mark spoke his mind without giving a shit whether it was polite or even fair. He talked himself into his rage building it up 'til the dam broke. 'I guess my mind is still not altered enough to welcome the changes. Even though I really love your daughter and want to be with her still.' he added panting as if he had not talked but ran.

'I have heard about your thoughts.' Jordan answered pondering as he watched his future son-in-law struggle. 'You have to know, that I like you, kid. You have the makings of a great warrior. We are in dire need for the likes of you in the time to come.' the phoenix-king scratched his 'hair' that sported the same features as Mark's own. Seemingly a trademark of white phoenixes. Then he smiled and furthered 'You will come to terms with it, eventually, you've literally all the time in the world to do so. By the way blasting a hole in your skull does not help you in any way. It simply earns you a hell of a headache and paperwork. You are far more durable than you know.'

'Oh, darling, you are so not helping.' Amelie said and facepalmed herself. 'I beg you to refrain from teaching him how to effectively kill himself until he his emotionally stable. We want to keep him you know; he is nice... even if he is a little …. dramatic....'

'But I am going to teach him to use his abilities. It's going to be so much fun... but first of all they all got to move here...' the king didn't sound like an immortal right now, but much more like a child anticipating his new toy. Mark gulped. He was not sure if he wanted to be subject to Jordan's sense of humour.

'I got to work...'he stated weakly. 'No problem. I would have forbidden you to do this job either-way. You are far too precious to be wasted there.' Jordan smiled. 'But since you seem to love that job, I will generously allow you to investigate the case that just got in. Undercover. In the city's university. Where you will stay afterwards to continue your studies and become a lawyer.'

Mark knew that this concession his king had so willingly offered had more than one catch to it, but he also knew he was in no position to argue. Check and mate. His future parents-in-law had simply ignored him and planed beforehand what to do with him. Regarding him a resource not a living being with an opinion of its own. He had thoroughly been played. The young phoenix sighed and gave up struggling for the moment. Knowing it to be pointless.