Fire's Embrace [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 6] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) (19 page)

With a brisk bow, Sari turned on his heel and headed out of the room. Phoenix watched him go, at first in an attempt to assess his rival and then because he couldn’t help but be drawn by the spark of life growing inside Sari. He wanted a family like Sari had, with hatchlings of his own.

Karein followed after Sari, as always mindful of his mate’s welfare. As the two of them left the room, Phoenix glanced away…and caught Imperial Consort Talrasar observing him with a degree of curiosity, or maybe suspicion, in his eyes. “Why were you looking at Sari like that?” the fae inquired.

“Oh…I was just observing Imperial Consort Sareltae’s child. He is growing quite nicely I see. As a matter of fact, so is yours.”

“You can tell?” Talrasar inquired, obviously intrigued. “Just by looking at us?”

Phoenix nodded. “Children are energy. They are life. I can see them as clearly as I do you.”

Talrasar didn’t answer. Perhaps he didn’t know what to say to that. Either way, for a few moments, the room succumbed to awkward silence. Phoenix took advantage of this chance to quietly assess each individual in particular. So far, from the point of view of raw magic, he’d have to say that Kael and Karein were the most powerful ones. However, the third Imperial Consul, Hareem, was very closely behind. Rachen, on the other hand, had the potential to be stronger than all of them put together, and none of them realized it.

Meanwhile, Phoenix really hated treating Rachen’s family like they were a threat. He wanted to be friendly and charming, but they were such a tight-knit group and so wary of him that he really didn’t have a chance. Even Sagenamadeen Zager, who didn’t actually belong to the Tersain, was seen like a member of the family, whereas Phoenix was rejected. Graham and Caelyn were also there, although they stood further back in an obvious attempt to be discreet. Either way, even they were far more welcome than Phoenix.

“It’s only a temporary problem, baby,”
Rachen told him through their bond.
“They just have to get accustomed to you.”

Phoenix threw a smile Rachen’s way. He wanted to believe that, because Rachen so desperately needed it, but so far, there was no sign of the nest Phoenix wanted for himself, his mate, and his hatchlings.

As it turned out, though, he and Rachen weren’t quite as alone in this as Phoenix had thought. Hareem’s mate, Taryn, came to his side and said, “Hey, don’t look so upset. I know this isn’t what you’d have liked for yourself and Rachen, but we do mean well. Why don’t we give each other a chance?”

Phoenix met Taryn’s green-gold eyes and saw only kindness. It was true. Taryn did understand. He smiled hesitantly. “I’d like that. I don’t want to see suspicion at every corner or every time I look at something.” Talrasar winced at his words, but Phoenix didn’t acknowledge it. “I’m tired of being used. I just want to be…Rachen’s mate right now.”

“I think we can work with that,” Hareem said. “It’s just a complicated situation because of what happened with High Priestess Eanera and with Sari’s vision.”

“Well, I have no control over visions,” Phoenix replied, “but I assure you the last thing I want to do is to hurt Rachen’s family. And really, everyone here is potentially dangerous for other people. Shifters and magical creatures generally are like that.”

“I didn’t look at it that way,” Kael mused. “I suppose you’re right.”

“I must admit that you’re nothing like the creature in the legends my parents mentioned,” Camden Isaiat admitted. “On my part, I’d like to get to know you better and maybe be your friend.”

Camden’s mate didn’t look very happy about that, but neither did he object to it. Phoenix smiled brighter. It wasn’t a lot, but they were trying. There was a huge gap between them, but with some effort, they might manage to bridge it.

Of course, their effort would really amount to nothing if Phoenix didn’t succeed in healing Eanera. Phoenix realized all too well that, no mattered how much he complained, he’d been treated with far more understanding that an outsider would have been. In fact, he was surprised they hadn’t thrown him into prison the moment he’d stolen Eanera’s powers.

It would have made more sense from a strictly rational point of view. In fact, if it turned out that he truly couldn’t control his powers like they believed, Phoenix would demand it. Even now, they didn’t realize just how strong his magic was, but he did. He would rather return to the box than do anything that would hurt Rachen.

Rachen’s arms came around him, tightening into a possessive embrace.
“That won’t happen. We just have to stick together and believe in ourselves. I have complete faith in you.”

Phoenix suddenly had a flash of something unpleasant, a knowledge tickling at the back of his consciousness. Before Phoenix could pin it down, the door opened once more. He knew it was far too early for Karein to return, but he was still somewhat taken aback when the usher announced someone else entirely. “Princess Krysta and Prince Arlen Isaiat of Patala, to see the Imperial Consuls of Ornoz.”

Phoenix tensed. Camden’s brother and sister had arrived. Distant memories of conflicts with the naga stirred, and he buried himself into his mate’s embrace, wondering what news the naga brought.

“We will see them now,” Kael said.

The naga prince and princess entered the throne room with a grace that befitted their station and characterized their species. Instantly, their gazes zeroed in on Phoenix, but they didn’t immediately address the proverbial elephant in the room. “Greetings, Your Graces,” Arlen said. “We bring word from our parents regarding the matter we discussed.”

“We appreciate your assistance,” Hareem answered. “The cooperation of the naga people flatters us.”

“You’re late, Arlen,” Camden intervened, shattering the formality of the exchange. “We already know that it’s all true.”

“So…the phoenix did return?” Krysta asked. Apparently, that was incentive enough to warrant the dismissal of regular court etiquette.

Phoenix took his cue and piped up, “Yes. It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Krysta. I am Phoenix.”

Krysta’s eyes widened. Obviously, she had not expected him to be aware of his previous identity. If he wanted to be perfectly honest, Phoenix wasn’t exactly certain how it had happened himself. He just knew that he’d followed his mate’s desires, his bond with Rachen, and had managed to become more than a nameless fire bird. And since back then, he hadn’t been granted a humanoid body, he’d picked this one for himself, the body he’d had when Rachen had fallen in love with him.

“I realize you’re surprised,” Phoenix said, “but it’s true. I’m not what I used to be.”

“I see that,” Arlen said warily. “Nevertheless, we’d prefer it if we stuck around and made sure. With the permission of the Great Imperial Consuls, of course.”

“You are guests here for as long as you like,” Hareem said. Phoenix didn’t like the fact that Arlen had basically said they thought he might run amok, but this was out of his hands. At this point, there was very little he could decide for himself.

The conversation was interrupted when Karein walked back into the room. “High Priestess Eanera will see you now,” he said. “Follow me.”

Phoenix took a deep breath and complied. He was relieved that he’d left the naga’s presence, but seeing the High Priestess again was potentially worse. Without being asked, Rachen came with him. As they left the throne room and headed toward the chamber where Eanera Myrthylar was presumably staying, Phoenix held onto Rachen’s hand and prayed that, for once, his magic would do what he told it to. He hoped that today, he would at last become more than an instrument of destruction.

* * * *

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Selbrian asked Eanera, taking her hand and kissing it. “The last time this creature saw you, he stole your powers.”

“I have to be,” Eanera answered, hating the tremor in her own voice. “It’s our last chance.”

Selbrian grimaced, his eyes fixed on her face. Eanera had the urge to tell him to look away and release her hand. She knew she was no longer the woman he had once held and kissed. She’d been beautiful once, but now, her blond hair had grown completely white and had actually started to fall out. Her skin was wrinkly, and she’d grown deathly pale and thin. Everything ached, and even going to the bathroom was a torment. And throughout it all, she didn’t even have Jenarra anymore to comfort her. That separation was what hurt her the most, and as the days passed, it all grew more and more unbearable.

It was strange, but she’d never realized how hard it would be to have to face the realization of her own mortality. As a fae and as a healer, she had acknowledged it in an abstract manner, like a problem she could fix. Much like other magical creatures, fae never died out of old age.

How did humans handle this? In her heart, she had dismissed them as inferior, irrelevant because they didn’t have magic or strong abilities. But they were far braver than she was, facing their frail existence head-on, flying onward like butterflies who, in spite of their ephemeral existence, still brought so much color and joy into the world.

Of course, humans were hardly beautiful butterflies, but that was beside the point. The fact remained that they all faced this, while fae never had. Eanera wondered why she had been picked to experience it. Was there some deeper message she was supposed to grasp because of it? If so, she really couldn’t focus on it right now.

She had one final hope, the same man who’d taken her powers in the first place. Sari had told her that the illusion creating Alwyn Cyraltin had collapsed, and that the man who’d returned to Draechenburg in Alwyn’s stead seemed to be in more control of his powers. No matter what happened, Eanera had to try. It couldn’t possibly get any worse than this slow decay that would unavoidably end in her demise. From the moment her powers had vanished, she’d known only one thing could return them, and now they would finally try it.

On the other side of her bed, Sari bit his lip in concern. “You have to tell us if you feel anything is wrong at any point,” he demanded. “For the moment, he hasn’t made any promises, but in case he does attempt to heal you, we have to be very careful about it.”

Sari’s words drew a smile from Eanera. “I know, dear child,” she replied. “I might not have my powers anymore, but I’m still aware of how it worked.”

True, Sari was right to be concerned. To a certain extent, she’d gotten herself into this situation. She had known Alwyn Cyraltin was dangerous, but still she’d gone ahead and attempted to use her abilities on him. Had she been arrogant? Perhaps. She certainly wasn’t arrogant anymore. She hadn’t told Sari everything she’d felt in that moment, because she hadn’t wanted to scare him, but the power within that man was unfathomable, so raw and intense that Eanera might have deemed him a god if she didn’t know any better.

Selbrian frowned, and Eanera realized that her hold on him had tightened. She hadn’t done it on purpose, but he couldn’t have missed the tension in her. Mercifully, he didn’t try to change her mind again. He knew as well as she did that everyone else was powerless to help her.

In spite of acknowledging that, Eanera still went rigid when a knock sounded at the door. “Mother?” Sari asked, sounding concerned. “Are you okay?”

“Fine, Sari,” Eanera forced herself to say. “I’m just fine.” Louder, she called out, “Come in.”

Or at least she tried to be loud, because her voice still came out weak and the effort nearly sent her into a coughing fit. As she struggled with her increasing dread, the door opened, and Karein walked in, followed by Rachen and…him.

Instantly, Eanera froze. From a physical point of view, he looked identical, except for his eyes. His eyes were fascinating, like burning coals, pitch black, but with sparks of red occasionally flicking through them. Eanera had never seen something like that before.

It was very odd that she could even distinguish those details. Her eyesight wasn’t as good as it had once been, and he was all the way next to the door. And yet, as she glanced at him, everything seemed so very clear. It really made no sense at all, but she found herself calming down.

His gaze immediately fixed on her. “Oh,” he said simply.

“Oh?” Sari asked, his nostrils flaring as he shot to his feet. “That’s it? That’s the only thing you’re going to say?”

“Sit down, Sari,” Eanera told her son. “You’re going to hurt yourself.” She paused, unsure how to address the new arrival. Finally, she settled for something neutral. “I’m sure our guest was just about to explain.”

He seemed to see right through her, as he smiled softly. “Phoenix. You can call me Phoenix. And yes, I can explain. There are some things about your condition which I can fix, and others which I might not be able to without significant risk.”

“Risk?” Selbrian repeated. “Can you just make her stop aging? We just want her to be healthy and whole.”

“I should be able to do that,” Phoenix replied after a small pause. “As far as I can tell, at the very core of Her Holiness’s being, High Priestess Eanera is still fae.”

“I am?” Eanera couldn’t help but ask. She hadn’t felt very fae recently. If anything, she’d had the feeling that she’d turned completely mortal. “In my heart, I feel…human.”

“This is complicated to explain,” Phoenix told her as he slowly approached. “As a fae healer, you must be aware that each person has his or her energy signature. Since my powers largely rely on the energy of the earth, I have found before that I am able to sometimes manipulate it.”