Fire's Embrace [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 6] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove)

by Scarlet Hyacinth

  “Speak to them in my stead. Tell them about my doubts. I need to know who I am, Rachen, and they deserve to be made aware of it. I’m afraid of what might happen, so afraid.”

  Rachen brushed a kiss over his forehead. “I’ll see what my brothers say. Try to get some sleep. Things will look better in the morning.”

  Alwyn very much doubted that, but even so, he nodded. Rachen helped him up and just glanced at him again, as if wondering if he truly should go. Perhaps Alwyn would have asked him to stay, but Sage appeared in the doorway of his sleeping quarters. “Is everything all right?” the lieutenant inquired.

  Rachen glared at the ice dragon. “Alwyn isn’t feeling well. He can’t come, but I will.”

  Sage didn’t question them. Perhaps he’d heard some of what Alwyn had told Rachen, or maybe he’d simply noticed Alwyn’s little fit. Regardless, he simply agreed without question and led Rachen out.

  As the two dragons abandoned Alwyn’s room, he plopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. At this point, he truly had no idea what would happen, but he did know one thing. It was very likely that he was, indeed, as dangerous as the fae’s vision had made him out to be.When he fell asleep, he dreamed of a burning shadow, consuming him whole.

  * * * *

  “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

  “I’m fine, Karein. We need to talk about this with Alwyn. I have to see him.”

  The voices reached Rachen’s ears, filling him with both apprehension and hope. Compared to his earlier condition, Sari sounded much stronger, but his insistence to see Alwyn obviously pissed Karein off. Rachen suspected his twin was inclined to blame Alwyn for it. Perhaps it was fortunate that Alwyn had decided not to join them, although the reasons behind that decision concerned Rachen a great deal.

  The moment Rachen and Sage stepped into the room, all conversation ceased. Everyone was here, apparently gathered for a meeting. The three Imperial Consuls—Hareem, Karein, and Kaelezrin—together with their mates and Prince Camden Isaiat formed the gathering. All of them looked straight at Rachen. Karein arched a brow, obviously noticing Alwyn’s conspicuous absence. “Where is Lord Cyraltin?” he inquired.

  “He didn’t feel well,” Rachen explained again. “I’m here to speak on his behalf.”

  Talrasar frowned. “I hope you didn’t scare him with horror stories. No one here means him any harm.”

  Sari nodded earnestly. “We just want to figure out the meaning of my vision. It could be anything. My best guess is that the entire thing is symbolic and not necessarily a direct depiction of what might happen in the future. It could be that Alwyn is just accidentally involved in some way in something that will harm all of us.”

  Actually, that sounded less disheartening than what Rachen had expected. He was kind of reluctant to reveal what Alwyn had told him, given that his brothers were obviously doing their best not to throw around wild accusations.

  In fact, in spite of what Sari had seen, Hareem and Karein joined him and patted Rachen’s shoulder. “Give me some credit,” Hareem said. “Alwyn saved my life. I wouldn’t forget it just like that.”

  “Besides, he’s your mate,” Karein pointed out. “He’s practically family.”

  Rachen gaped. “But you said—”

  “I know what I said,” Karein replied, interrupting him. “We never meant to actually accuse him of anything. But the entire attack reeks of sprite involvement. We have to find a way to steer him clear of it, in spite of the treaty with Elusia.”

  Rachen couldn’t believe his ears. He had not expected such unconditional support, not after Sari’s vision. “So you’re sure that it was a sprite? It could have been the Ancient Horror. We aren’t completely sure he’s gone.”

  “No, we aren’t,” Talrasar agreed, “but both Sari and Kael are very familiar with the feel of sprite magic. During the war, they provided a lot of assistance for our forces. Sari has practically grown up with a sprite, so he’s well aware of what I’m talking about.”

  “It’s true that this magic felt different somehow,” Kael explained, “but it nevertheless had a sprite signature.”

  “Perhaps it truly was Alwyn’s father,” Hareem said. “He would certainly have the power to do that.”

  For the first time since Rachen had entered the room, Taryn spoke out. “But that still doesn’t explain the reason for it.”

  Even as he spoke, Taryn was rocking his son to his chest, holding him protectively. Rachen remembered what Sari had said happened in the vision. He recalled the desperate look on Alwyn’s face. No matter how much he wanted to keep his family from turning against his mate, it was safe to say that Alwyn wasn’t exactly well. Rachen’s dragon could feel it, like something was unraveling within Alwyn, taking bits and pieces of Rachen’s soul with it. Whatever it was, it needed to be stopped, and Rachen couldn’t fail Alwyn by hiding this.

  Taking a deep breath, Rachen said, “Alwyn shared something with me that he thinks all of you should know. He’s having doubts about his real identity. He suspects Elina might have known about it, and planned to exploit this knowledge because of Alwyn’s connection to me.”

  Silence. Absolute silence. Obviously no one had expected him to say that. Hareem released a curse, and Taryn groaned. “Of course,” Hareem said. “How could I have been such an idiot?”

  “Ferradul is a powerful sprite,” Karein said softly. “He would be able to create an illusion that would make us believe he’d handed in his son to us.”

  “Our investigation was thorough,” Sage piped up. “We knew what Alwyn looked like, so he couldn’t just replace him with someone else. It had to be a strong illusion.”

  Talrasar shook his head. “That can’t be right. No enchantment, no matter how powerful, would hold for several months. Even if it is unraveling now, Alwyn has been here for quite a while. We should have seen a sign earlier.”

  “It might have worked if Alwyn himself was holding up the illusion,” Kael offered.

  Rachen glared at the older draechen. “He’s a victim in all of this. Do I have to remind you that we wouldn’t even be considering the possibility if he hadn’t said something?”

  His tone came out biting and accusing, and while Rachen didn’t regret it, Kael obviously didn’t like it. He opened his mouth to answer, but Talrasar elbowed him in the stomach. “We’re just throwing around ideas for now,” the fae said, smiling at Rachen. “Stay calm.”

  “How can I when everyone seems intent on believing the worst of my mate?” That wasn’t exactly true, but Rachen was getting so angry it was seriously hard to think straight. He’d have probably said something even more scathing, but Sari stopped him before he could continue his rant.

  “Wait a second,” the fae offered. “If he’s right…if this is all a huge illusion…then who did I see in the vision? Was it our Alwyn or someone else entirely?”

  That was an option Rachen hadn’t considered, but certainly made sense. The Alwyn he knew would never go against Rachen’s family. “That’s actually very possible. I know my mate. He wouldn’t hurt any of us.”

  There were nods all around, and Karein actually looked a little relieved, having obviously been uncomfortable with the idea of having to fight Rachen’s mate to protect his own mate and child. Oh, Rachen had no doubt that Karein would have done it if need be. In the end, Rachen himself would have shed all loyalties for Alwyn, just like Karein would for Sari. Nevertheless, the idea that they wouldn’t have to, that the man Sari had seen in the vision was not Rachen’s Alwyn at all, lifted a great weight off his chest.

  “So let me get this straight,” Camden Isaiat said. “The Alwyn in Draechenburg isn’t the real one. There’s another Alwyn running around out there, and he’s the one who’s guilty of whatever Imperial Consort Sareltae saw. Then this brings us to several problems. How did Elina find out about it? Was it truly Ferradul Cyraltin who killed her? Where is the real Alwyn and how are we supposed to stop him?”

  “Ugh, I’m getting a headache,”
Taryn muttered. “I almost wish I’d never suggested we use Ferradul Cyraltin’s family at all.” He looked at Rachen and smiled slightly. “Almost.”

  Rachen hadn’t realized that bringing Alwyn here had originally been Taryn’s idea. He supposed he should be very thankful to the werewolf, because otherwise, Rachen and his mate might not have met at all.

  But now was not the time for such things. He had to come up with a solution to answer Camden’s and his own questions. His mate was relying on him.

  It occurred to Rachen in that moment that his brother had made grandiose plans for Ornoz, plans that included cooperation in the paranormal world as a whole. An idea sparked in his mind. “We’ll keep the sprite’s involvement a secret,” he suggested. “We’ll explain that Elina’s death is being investigated, but in the meantime, we won’t put Hareem’s original idea on hold. So as we advance with that, we can send envoys to the rest of the paranormal community, including in Elusia.”

  “Do we truly need such subterfuge to spy on them?” Sage inquired.

  “I don’t think Rachen just means to spy,” Karein answered. “You want to go yourself and take Alwyn with you. You aim to see Ferradul’s reaction, and perhaps to kick-start your mate’s memory. Is that it?”

  As always, Karein had pinned down Rachen’s idea perfectly. Of course, what Karein wasn’t saying—although Rachen had no doubt his twin realized it—was that Rachen also aimed to use this chance to get his mate out of Draechenburg. If by any chance, his Alwyn was the one Sari had seen in the vision, the best thing to do would be to put distance between them. Naturally, if Rachen wanted to be perfectly honest, his main interest was to keep Alwyn safe in case this entire Elina Eretar business exploded in their faces, but he wasn’t about to point that out.

  “That’s actually not a bad plan,” Hareem said. “After all, we can’t stop the process we started because of what happened. We set the basis of a new Ornoz today, and we have to continue it.”

  Hareem was right. Elina’s death needed to be investigated, and if it had been a murder, the perpetrator had to be punished. At the same time, though, they still had to push for changing the Directive. If they hesitated or backed out now, all the effort they’d put in the preparations would be for naught. For all they knew, Ferradul Cyraltin hadn’t been the one behind the killing. She might have truly died of natural causes, or someone else might have used magic against her. It was simply too soon to tell.

  “So we’re all agreed then.” Hareem nodded in satisfaction. “Good. We’ll start at once. For the moment, here is what we’ll do…”

  Chapter Three

  A few days later

  The throne room was abuzz with the murmurs of the draechen nobles attending court. Once again, they’d been invited to attend a momentous occasion for Ornoz, and they were all very nervous regarding about what that would entail.

  Alwyn couldn’t exactly blame them. He actually knew what was going to happen, and was actively attempting not to show how nervous he was. He probably failed, because Rachen wrapped his arm around his waist. “Stop worrying,” his mate said. “You look amazing. You’ll be the perfect host, and they’ll all just love you.”

  Alwyn forced himself to smile. “I hope you’re right, but I’m not really holding my breath.”

  Rachen kissed his cheek, and Alwyn’s heart swelled at the open affection the draechen showered him with. He didn’t seem to care that the nobles could see him, nor that it was probably unwise to show him such favor. If anything, he acted exactly like a protective mate would, and Alwyn truly wished he could let go of all of his misgivings so that they could become exactly that—mates.

  He couldn’t linger too much on his frustration with himself, because the throne room door opened. Caelyn Sutharlainn and Graham Powers entered the room, with Eanera Myrthylar by their side. Instantly, everyone fell into stunned silence. For all they knew, Caelyn and Graham had been killed months ago.

  Until now, Alwyn hadn’t met them, but they certainly didn’t disappoint. To their credit, they didn’t look at all afraid. Oh, Graham was visibly tense, holding onto Caelyn so tightly that the young sprite almost had trouble walking. But then, who could blame him? Alwyn hadn’t been here for the entire debacle, but he’d heard that the previous emperor had ordered the two of them to perform sexually in front of the entire court, then had commanded for Karein to kill them. It was only Karein’s unexpectedly merciful aid—perhaps connected to Caelyn’s slight resemblance to Sari—that had allowed the two of them to escape. And now, here they were, back again. Only now, Caelyn was very visibly pregnant.

  Caelyn and Graham made their way toward the large table that had replaced the thrones. It had been built specifically to accommodate the three Imperial Consuls and their mates, and it did all that while still maintaining the majestic nature the thrones once had. Caelyn and Graham actually looked a little relieved at the sight. Or maybe it was Eanera’s presence that helped.

  When they reached the table, the three guests bowed lowly. The three Imperial Consuls gestured for them to approach. “Welcome,” Kael said.

  “It is an honor to have you here again,” Hareem added, “this time, under more pleasant circumstances.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” Caelyn replied. “We are honored by your invitation, and your assistance.”

  “We hope that this day will signal a new beginning for our peoples,” Karein offered.

  “As always, you are most generous,” Caelyn’s mate, Graham, said.

  Meanwhile, Eanera was beginning to look frustrated. Obviously, she didn’t have the patience to go through with all the formalities. Likely, she was concerned for her son. After all, Sari was the reason she’d come here. According to Rachen, Sari’s condition had improved and he hadn’t had any other strange visions, but his health still needed to be monitored, just in case.

  Obviously feeling a similar urgency, Karein got up. “You do us a great honor by visiting Draechenburg, High Priestess,” he told Eanera. “If you’d please follow me…”

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” Eanera replied automatically. She patted Caelyn’s shoulder in passing, and then followed Karein as the draechen consul left the throne room.

  Karein’s departure seemed to trigger a reaction all around. The rest of the draechen started to fret, questions on all of their lips. Kael’s voice rang out through the room, silencing them all, “Lord Caelyn Sutharlainn-Powers, and his mate, Graham Powers, are honored guests and personal friends of the Tersain. They will be staying here for the purpose of reviewing the Directive of the Shifter Castes. No slight to them will be accepted.”

  Kaelezrin’s authority was such that everyone froze. Meanwhile, the former-emperor-now-turned-consul was already pulling Caelyn and Graham aside. They were leaving through a side door, probably in deference to Caelyn’s condition. Hareem threw a gaze toward Alwyn and Rachen, gesturing for them to approach. Alwyn could only follow the draechen’s instructions and joined the group as they left the throne room.

  As the resident sprite, he was supposed to welcome Caelyn to Draechenburg. He and Caelyn would then prepare the field for a visit with Ferradul Cyraltin, one during which Alwyn could inquire into the truth behind his identity.

  Until then, Alwyn had to actually get acquainted to Caelyn. But that was easier said than done, in spite of all of Rachen’s encouragements. Everyone was quiet as they walked through the corridors of the palace, something that didn’t exactly surprise Alwyn.

  Well, if he was going to go through with this, he might as well start now. He approached Caelyn and Graham and said, “I didn’t get to introduce myself back there. My name is Alwyn Cyraltin. I’m also a guest here, but I’d like to welcome you to Draechenburg either way.”

  Strangely, his own name tasted bitter on his lips, like a lie or a deliberate deception. Alwyn didn’t dwell too much on that and instead decided to focus on Caelyn. The other sprite was smiling slightly. “I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s a pleasure. I must admit it was a surprise
to find out about your stay here, but I’m told you’ve been quite an asset.”

  Caelyn didn’t say it outright, but he obviously knew about the Ancient Horror and Alwyn’s involvement in defeating it. Well, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It meant the draechen trusted him, so perhaps Alwyn could trust him, too, at least a little. “I’ve tried to help, to the best of my ability. On my part, I’ve gained quite an attachment to Draechenburg and the people here.”

  Without even meaning to, Alwyn threw a gaze toward Rachen. Rachen grinned at him, his gaze glittering with affection, and the emotion Alwyn saw there steadied him. It made him truly believe that he could do this. He could be the sprite they needed him to be.

  When he turned toward Caelyn and Graham again, he found the two of them smiling knowingly. Obviously, his feelings toward Rachen were obvious even to strangers.

  As they spoke, they reached the quarters that had been assigned to Camden and Sage. When Alwyn succumbed to silence, Hareem finally began to explain, “Sari was very eager to see you both, but unfortunately, as you might probably know, he hasn’t been feeling very well lately. Once his mother checks him over, you’ll be able to see him.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” Caelyn said, his voice suddenly subdued. “I have missed him a great deal, but I don’t want to put any strain on him in my zeal to speak to him.”

  “Soon,” Hareem promised. He stopped in front of a room in the guest wing. “In the meantime, you can rest here. Of course, let us know of anything you need.”

  “Thank you. We’ll do that,” Caelyn replied. Glancing at Alwyn, he smiled. “Perhaps during my stay here, we can spend a little more time together.”

  Alwyn beamed back and nodded. “I’d be honored.”

  Truth be told, Alwyn hadn’t left his room since he’d had the strange…well, Alwyn hesitated to call it a vision, but he feared that was exactly what it had been. He wasn’t feeling very social, or too capable of acting like a so-called host. Not to mention that there was something in Caelyn’s voice that put Alwyn on alarm. Even so, he tried not to let it show and simply kept up his façade of warm welcome.