Elly has known she was going to become the phoenix for twelve years. She just didn't want it to happen quite yet.
When she meets Terric in person for the first time, there is no going back. Her transformation is underway. Her body is becoming fire and there is nothing she can do to stop it.
Terric has been looking for the phoenix since he felt the first stirrings of her power in the world around him. When he meets Elly and they dance, he knows that she is the one he has been waiting for, but his patience is running out.
She demands a proper courtship, and he complies. After all, how long had he already waited?