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

by Scarlet Hyacinth

  “I can’t,” he admitted. “I don’t even know what happened.”

  “You turned her human,” Sari snapped at him. “She’s mortal now, and she’s aging. At this rate, she’ll die of old age in weeks. Jenarra…And here I thought you weren’t the dangerous one. I thought you cared for Rachen enough.”

  Hearing Rachen’s name on Sari’s lips chased away the guilt, awakening that bright, hot emotion inside him. “This is your fault,” he shouted back at Sari. Fiery anger rose within him. “If not for your idiotic vision, this never would have happened. Why can’t you mind your own business?” He sneered, stepping closer to Sari. “Oh, how could I forget? One draechen prince isn’t enough to satisfy your libido now that you’re pregnant. You want mine, too.”

  He experienced a brief moment of satisfaction when Sari gaped at him, frozen mid-rant. That didn’t last long, because Sari quickly recovered. “You’re crazy. Rachen is my friend and nothing more. Anyone with a brain can see that.”

  If Sari hadn’t been pregnant, Alwyn would have done something that would have later made him hate himself. As it was, he reined in his temper, exerting all the self-restraint he could possibly be expected to have under the circumstances. Of course, Karein didn’t really appreciate any of that. He was right there next to Sari, and he placed himself between Sari and Alwyn, like he expected Alwyn to jump his mate any moment now. As Karein growled under his breath, Rachen moved in front of Alwyn in a strange echo of his twin’s motion. The two draechen glared at each other. “Back off, Karein,” Rachen said, his voice so low it seemed to come from the grave. “You have no idea what you’re doing.”

  “Oh, I’m quite aware,” Karein replied. “Are you?”

  They looked moments away from lunging at each other, and suddenly, Alwyn felt very tired. He didn’t want his mate to be at odds with his family because of him. “Stop,” he said. “Please, stop.” Going around Karein, he glanced at Sari once more. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have said that. You’re entitled to be angry with me. You’re right to doubt me. I submit to whatever you decide. Just don’t take it out on Rachen.”

  Sari seemed torn. He looked from Alwyn to Rachen and shook his head. “I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to separate you two. I know Rachen loves you. But even if you didn’t mean to do what you did, you’re still not safe to be around.”

  “Sari…” Rachen started to say, a warning tone in his voice.

  The sound of a cleared throat stopped Rachen from continuing. “If I may,” Caelyn said from the doorway, “I think I’d like to give my input in this matter.”

  For some reason, Alwyn’s heart started to race. “You know something?”

  Caelyn vacillated for a few seconds, then nodded. “I can’t be absolutely certain right now. I’ve only just arrived, and I haven’t spent enough time with you to be sure. This is why I didn’t approach anyone with the information. But given the situation…maybe you should know.”

  He stopped and looked straight into Alwyn’s eyes. Alwyn couldn’t help a small, hopeful smile. Perhaps Caelyn could give him some insight. Maybe it wasn’t too late to fix this. If Caelyn could only nudge him in the right direction, Alwyn might be able to figure out how his abilities worked and give the High Priestess her powers back. Then, he could mate Rachen and everything would be all right. Yes, they could do that. Alwyn couldn’t wait.

  Caelyn winced and glanced away. His mate joined him and wrapped his arm around Caelyn’s waist, as if providing silent comfort. Just like that, Alwyn’s hopes dissipated. Whatever the sprite intended to say wasn’t in any way positive for him.

  “Just…say it,” he prodded.

  Caelyn took a deep breath and met Alwyn’s gaze once again. “You must understand, this will sound very strange,” he said. “It could even be irresponsible of me to reveal it now when I’m not sure.”

  “We understand,” Alwyn rushed him along.

  “Very well,” the sprite answered. “You might be aware that when shifters or magical creatures find their mates, they grow more powerful. It happened to me, too. After mating Graham, my magic developed even more. A side effect of this is that I can see past even the most elaborate of illusions. And well…When I look at you…there’s nothing there.”

  “You’re not making any sense, Caelyn,” Karein said. “Do you mean you can’t see past the illusion after all?”

  “I mean what I said,” Caelyn insisted. “There’s nothing there. No, I misspeak. Not nothing, no one.”

  “Lyni, Alwyn is standing right there,” Sari pointed out. “He’s a person. He might have strange powers we don’t understand just yet, but that doesn’t change this undeniable fact.”

  “I know it sounds odd, but truly, that’s how it feels,” Caelyn answered. “Normally, if you were someone else with an illusion cast on you, I’d be able to see your real face, your real identity. But when I look beyond the illusion, there’s nothing palpable there. Just…energy.”

  Caelyn looked so apologetic that Alwyn knew the sprite was telling the truth. Or perhaps something in his heart was confirming it. Either way, Alwyn couldn’t speak to address it. The implications of what Caelyn was saying were too horrible, too heartbreaking.

  He turned on his heel and walked into his bedroom. Without really meaning to, he stopped in front of the mirror. As he stared at his own reflection, he tried to find the answers there that Caelyn had only been able to hint at.

  A few moments later, his mate stepped into the room. No, not his mate, the man he would have wanted for that purpose. It was almost humorous, in a completely sickening way, that Alwyn had even considered taking their relationship further. Even now, he wanted it so badly it hurt, but he couldn’t have it.

  Alwyn turned toward him, and Rachen opened his mouth, probably intending to say something encouraging. Alwyn didn’t allow it. There was no point. “Rachen, I need you to do a favor for me.”

  “Anything,” Rachen instantly said.

  Alwyn could help but release a small chuckle. “Don’t make such promises hastily,” he replied. “You don’t know what I’m going to ask you.”

  Rachen arched a brow. “That doesn’t change my answer. Now, what’s this favor you need of me?”

  Alwyn sobered and licked his suddenly dry lips. “I need you to go see Ferradul Cyraltin. I realize now that he did something to make me into this. You have to find out what I really am.”

  “I don’t understand, baby.” Rachen frowned. “You don’t really believe what Caelyn said, do you? It’s bullshit. Surely you see that.”

  “It’s not.” Alwyn shook his head. “I don’t know what any of this means, but I think I’m finally starting to understand bits and pieces. And the fact remains that Sari was right. I’m dangerous, and you have to find out how to stop this before it’s too late.”

  “Baby…” Rachen shot him a pleading look. “You can’t possibly expect me to leave. How could I abandon you here?”

  Alwyn forced a smile. “I’ll be fine. This is necessary, Rachen. You’re the only one I can entrust with this. If you don’t…I dread what might happen. Please, Rachen. Do this. For me.”

  Pain and frustration flashed through Rachen’s now-bloodred eyes. It was strange, but every time he was around Alwyn, Rachen’s coloring lost some of its darkness, like his brother’s influence was fading from him. Distantly, Alwyn wondered if that meant Rachen’s black dragon abilities were disappearing as well. He hoped not, because he suspected Rachen might need all the help he could get from now on.

  He willed Rachen to accept his plea and not see beyond what Alwyn’s truest intention. Fortunately, Rachen must have also realized the necessity of inquiring into the situation. “Very well,” the dragon said. “I will go, just as long as you come with me.”

  Alwyn shook his head. “You know I can’t do that, not after today. Your family will never allow it.”

  Rachen frowned. They just looked at each other, and Alwyn felt so very close to Rachen, yet so far away. “Promise you’ll wait
for me,” the dragon finally said.

  Alwyn had no idea what made Rachen say that, and judging by Rachen’s expression, neither did the draechen. Nevertheless, Alwyn nodded. He would promise Rachen the moon and sun, as long as he left.

  He instantly felt guilty when Rachen looked at him, open love shining in those reddish orbs. How could he have even doubted it? If only he hadn’t…If only things had been different…

  But no, Alwyn couldn’t think that. No matter what happened, today and in the future, he and Rachen couldn’t be together. There was only one truth clear to Alwyn now. He was a copy of the real Alwyn. Rachen needed to meet the actual Alwyn Cyraltin, his true mate. Meanwhile, he, the fake Alwyn, would do his best to ensure Rachen’s happiness. The dragon deserved it.

  Chapter Six

  The entire Tersain family gathered on the cliffside to see Rachen off. Karein wasn’t sure what had determined his twin to agree to it. He could only guess that Alwyn had convinced him, but what did Alwyn hope to gain by sending Rachen away? What did Alwyn make of Caelyn’s claims?

  These thoughts troubled Karein, keeping him silent all throughout the preparations. Finally, though, just before Rachen boarded the plane, Karein went to his twin. “Be careful,” he said, squeezing Rachen’s shoulder.

  Rachen looked at Karein’s hand where it rested, but didn’t try to shrug him off. “You, too,” he said. “And…take care of him. Please. I know this looks bad, and I know your main loyalty is to Sari, but I need you to watch over Alwyn and keep him safe.”

  It was hard for Karein to make that promise. He truly didn’t know how things would evolve, and his love for Sari kept him from being as protective toward Alwyn as he’d have liked. “I’ll do my best,” he finally promised.

  “I suppose I can’t ask for more,” Rachen said, obviously disheartened. Karein felt like he’d failed some sort of test and was once again destroying Rachen’s chance for happiness. But his hands were tied, since Alwyn had himself admitted that he had hurt Eanera.

  Rachen pulled away from him when Alwyn joined them. He was smiling, but his eyes were sad, and Karein had the impression that Alwyn had come for a more permanent good-bye than Rachen might intend.

  Ignoring Karein, Alwyn pressed a kiss to Rachen’s cheek and said, “For luck.”

  As he started to move back, Rachen trapped him in his arms and crushed their mouths together. Karein found himself looking away. He wasn’t normally uncomfortable with public displays of affection. It was normal for shifters. But there was despair in that kiss, one Karein couldn’t withstand when it came from his own brother.

  “I’m sorry,” Sari whispered through their bond. He slipped to Karein’s side and took his hand. He generally avoided being around Alwyn, which was quite understandable and perhaps even preferable, in Karein’s opinion. However, he’d insisted on being here now, if only because he’d wanted to provide emotional support. “I wish this could have been avoided,”Sari continued.

  “I know,” Karein answered. “So do I.”

  He looked only at Sari until he finally heard Alwyn and Rachen stop kissing. As he turned toward his brother again, he found Rachen staring at Sari. “Good-bye,” he said simply. “I wish you an easy pregnancy and, should I not return as quickly as I plan, a safe birth.”

  As farewells stood, it was very formal. It also made Karein wonder exactly what Rachen had in mind for this trip. Sadly, he had no way to find out, and no time. “Well, it’s time for me to go,” Rachen said.

  The entire family gathered around them, wishing Rachen a safe flight. They had apparently given Rachen and Alwyn some space for their good-bye, and possibly Karein, too. After all, twins were generally very close. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that this conflict hurt both of them a lot.

  At last, Rachen boarded the plane. Everyone watched the plane take off. It almost seemed like now that Rachen had left, a new tension had settled over the group, a new feeling of apprehension.

  Karein had never been a coward, but he dreaded this. He dreaded what he would likely be forced to do, the knowledge that he might very well fail his brother and betray his confidence in the near future. Even so, as the jet took off and disappeared into the distance, he turned toward Alwyn.

  “Why did you truly ask him to leave?” he asked.

  “You know why,” Alwyn answered with a smile that held no humor. “Come now. Let’s not play games. Now that he’s gone, you can finally do what you’ve been waiting for, lock me up and throw away the key.”

  “We wouldn’t do that,” Karein replied. “You’re still his mate.”

  “Am I?” Alwyn arched his brow. “Am I really, or does he just think I am? You heard Caelyn Sutharlainn. If he’s right, I’m only an illusion, Your Grace, and I have no claim to him. By rights, he’s flying toward his true mate right now.”

  “Do you truly think that?” Sari inquired, so softly Karein almost had trouble hearing him.

  “It doesn’t matter what I think,” Alwyn asked. “I don’t even know anything anymore, so I couldn’t possibly make a rational judgment where Rachen is concerned. But I do know that I hurt someone, and it makes sense that you’d want to keep me from doing it again.”

  Hareem saved Karein from answering. “I assure you that you will be treated well and more than fairly,” he said. “We still consider you a member of the Tersain dynasty. We’ll just make sure we take no chances during your stay here.”

  Alwyn nodded wordlessly, obviously resigned to accepting whatever they decided. Sage manifested at their side and started to lead Alwyn away.

  As he watched Alwyn go, Karein squeezed Sari’s hand tighter. By his side, his brother asked, “Do you feel as awful as I do?”

  Karein sighed heavily. “Worse. Overlords, Hareem, I hope there’s another answer to this. I can’t imagine what will happen if Rachen doesn’t find it.”

  * * * *

  Unlike most of the paranormal species, who chose to build their own settlements away from human ones, sprites based their day to day lifestyle on their power to create illusions. They owned residences in most of the major cities in the world, expanding their area of influence through their ability to blend in. Rachen knew all this, just like he knew that the main residence of the sprites was in London. Similarly, he wasn’t exactly surprised that the sprites sent a delegation to pick him up at the airport.

  What did take him aback for about half a second was that the sprites leading the delegation in question were Pádraig and Britanni Sutharlainn, Caelyn’s parents.

  Rachen had been under the impression that Caelyn’s family had fallen from favor after Caelyn’s abandonment of Karein. Then again, taking into account the fact that the Great Krites had obviously supported the attempt on Sari’s life at the hands of Caelyn’s brother, it made sense that things weren’t exactly the way they’d been originally presented.

  As he left the plane, Rachen didn’t let any of these questions show. Instead, he pasted a neutral smile on his face and walked toward them, mentally reviewing their reactions upon seeing him. Of course, he could never trust appearances where sprites were concerned—as eloquently proven by the situation—but that only made Rachen more determined to get behind whatever masks these people would be putting up.

  When he reached their side, every sprite, including the two leaders, bowed. “Your Highness,” Caelyn’s father greeted him, “it is an honor to be in your presence. We haven’t met. My name is Pádraig Sutharlainn.” Pointing to his wife, he said, “This is my wife, Britanni. We’ve been assigned to guide you during your stay here.”

  Rachen wondered if there was any hidden intention behind this choice, but he decided he’d find out soon enough. He also refrained from pointing out that he knew them very well, since at the time of the entire debacle with Caelyn, his soul had been inside Karein, witnessing everything. Either way, he could play the pretend game as well as any sprite.

  “Thank you,” he replied. “I appreciate your support, and I hope it is a sign of good thin
gs to come.”

  The formal reply was exactly the right thing to say and set the tone of the entire conversation. As the group led Rachen out of the airport, Caelyn’s father continued to drone on flattering comments, half of which Rachen didn’t even hear. At one point, his wife piped up, “Of course, whatever you need while you’re here, you only need to tell us.”

  “It is unfortunate, but the Great Krites aren’t in the residence right now,” Pádraig said. “But we’ve been given the authority to handle your every demand.”

  Ah, so therein lay the gist of the issue. The Krites were doing some damage control and were trying to hold back Rachen’s investigation by throwing the Sutharlainn at him.

  It wasn’t not only frustrating, but also impolite and highly irregular, given Rachen’s position. Truth be told, it wasn’t the rudeness that bothered Rachen, but the fact that if the sprites continued to give him trouble, it would take him a while to finish his task. He wanted to return to his mate’s side already. He didn’t have time to play these games.

  Rachen wanted to do the whole cloak-and-dagger thing like he’d been asked, but no one could have accused him of being a very patient man. He was, at the very core of his being, a fire dragon. Therefore, he took great pleasure in his reply. “Ah, yes,” he answered with a fake smile. “Caelyn told me you were generally very helpful.”

  Britanni released a choked noise, while her husband paled. Rachen widened his eyes in a mock expression of surprise. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

  “It’s understandably a very painful topic for us,” Britanni replied tightly. Then she started to look confused, and perhaps suspicious. “But…when did you speak to Caelyn?”

  She sounded genuinely baffled, and Rachen wondered if she hadn’t found out about Caelyn’s arrival in Draechenburg. That was surprising. Did they still think Caelyn was dead? That made no sense. According to Karein, Iasan Sutharlainn had been told about Caelyn’s survival. Rachen had assumed that Caelyn’s brother had told his parents about it.