Fire's Embrace [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 6] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) (22 page)

Still put out, but acknowledging the impossibility of secrecy, Caelyn nodded. “It’s true that the Alwyn you met is actually Phoenix. We spoke to him just now, and he went to see High Priestess Eanera Myrthylar.”

James’s eyes widened. “But don’t the draechen know how dangerous this thing is?”

“He’s not a thing,” Caelyn snapped, his tone more biting than he himself had expected. “He’s a person, one who lived in slavery for a long time. He’s also Prince Rachen’s mate, and therefore, family for the Tersain.”

The two benandanti still didn’t look convinced. “I’m not sure about this, Lini,” Carol said. “I mean, there are some things that are beyond everyone’s control, including that of Prince Rachen’s.”

“Well, it’s not like we have any other solution,” Graham pointed out. “His abilities are way beyond ours, or at least mine.”

“That’s true, of course,” James replied quickly. Too quickly? Caelyn couldn’t really tell, and it bothered him. “I admit that I’m not comfortable with the idea of just resigning myself to the inevitable, but I suppose we need to trust the Tersain know what they’re doing.”

In the past, the benandanti hadn’t been inclined to believe in the draechen’s good will, at least not until they’d been forced to do so when they’d had to face a threat greater than them all. Caelyn wondered if the Connors family had learned a lesson out of it, or if there was something else on their minds.

“In any case,” Carol said, “we’ll leave the two of you to your privacy now. I’m sure this entire day had been tremendously stressful, and you’d like to rest.”

“Thank you, Carol,” Caelyn answered. “And, you, take a break from research. Sometimes, you need time for yourself.”

“I suppose you’re right,” his friend replied. “At this rate, we’ll be jumping at shadows and seeing all sorts of strange creatures all over the place in no time. Oh, wait, we already are.”

They all laughed, since Carol’s tone was teasing and not as serious as it had been earlier. For Caelyn’s part, he was relieved that his friend was the same woman he’d met back when he’d been traveling through the United States with Graham.

On impulse, he kissed her cheek, then hugged her. His swollen abdomen made it a little awkward, but it also made her chuckle in delight. “I still can’t believe you’re going to have a baby. Even knowing that it’s more than possible, it’s amazing to see it.”

Caelyn immediately perked up at her words. Lately, his favorite topic of conversation was his son. “It’s even more amazing to feel it,” he replied as he broke away.

“Speaking of which, you need to sit down,” Graham reminded him. “I don’t want you standing too long.”

Caelyn rolled his eyes. He was used to Graham’s hovering, so he didn’t even argue against it. If he wanted to be perfectly honest, his legs were beginning to hurt anyway. He’d probably been walking for too long, and that simply didn’t work out too well in his condition.

Obviously sensing Caelyn’s slight discomfort, Graham took him in his arms and started to carry him toward their quarters. “You’ll see Eanera a different time,” he said. “I don’t want to take any chances with you and the baby.”

Graham’s arms felt so warm and comforting around him that Caelyn didn’t even bother to protest the caveman treatment. Instead, he just relaxed, more than happy to be off his feet.

“Come on,” he called out to Carol. “I have to show you how he kicks.”

Both Carol and James followed them, dropping the Phoenix issue. But even as he chatted with his friends, Caelyn knew this wasn’t over yet, not by far. This was only just beginning.

A few weeks later

Eanera’s quarters looked strikingly empty without her things, toiletries, and books. Sari released a heavy sigh as he sat down on the bed. His mother sat next to him, pulling him into her embrace.

Today, she was leaving for Rose Noire. Her bags had already been carried out to the plane that would fly her to France. Before her departure, she had insisted on talking to him alone, one more time.

Sari hugged his mother tightly, mixed emotions coursing through him. On one side, he was happy that his mother was well enough to return to Rose Noire. On the other, he’d been so close to losing her that now, he was reluctant to let her go.

“I would stay here if I could,” she said suddenly, “but the priesthood is getting more and more anxious. Not to mention that your father needs me there.”

“What will you do?” Sari asked her. “Will you tell the priestesses about what happened?”

Eanera sighed. “It’s only fair. Besides, I can’t exactly hide it.”

Sari understood what she meant. While his mother had regained her youth and seemed to have some of her powers back, she wasn’t the same woman she had once been. The gem in the center of her forehead hadn’t reappeared. At first, she’d had trouble accepting it, and it was, indeed, problematic, given that the entire situation would put Eanera’s position as High Priestess in jeopardy. However, the day before, she had confessed to Sari that she’d made her peace with it.

“I think that if it is Jenarra’s will that I get my abilities restored, it will happen,” she told him now. “If not…well, to tell you the truth, I have many things to focus on that aren’t my duties as High Priestess.”

Sari shot her a surprised look. “Truly? Like what?”

“Well, don’t share this with anyone, but Selbrian has been discussing the possibility of undoing his marriage with Onyerre.” She actually blushed a little. “As you know, it’s never really been done before, but the circumstances make Selbrian believe that it could be possible. Understand, it’s very complicated, given that he has three children with her and it’s still somewhat uncertain as to what exactly she did willingly and what she was pushed into by the Ancient Horror. Selbrian is hoping for a quiet divorce and a light sentence. And if that happens…well, he asked me to marry him.”

Sari almost couldn’t believe his ears. He had been waiting and hoping for something like this all his life and now that it was finally happening, it was hard to acknowledge that it was true. Nevertheless, he knew that his mother would never joke about something like this.

“I’m so happy for you,” he said with a bright smile. If there was anyone who deserved to have a real mate bond, it was his mother. And to think that, for so long he’d actually thought that his parents didn’t truly love each other. He should have known better.

“You couldn’t have figured it out on your own,”
Karein pointed out through their bond.
“Now stop thinking about the past, and focus on the present.”

Karein was right. They were seriously lucky in that, even with everything that had happened, they’d managed to get safely out of the entire predicament. Sari hadn’t had any other strange visions, and their lives in Draechenburg had settled into a peaceful routine. Sari had actually started to grow a little closer to Phoenix, much to Rachen’s delight. Phoenix himself had seemed wary of Sari at first, something which Sari blamed on jealousy, but now, they’d figured out that both of them pretty much wanted nothing more than to be with their respective mates. In the end, the two of them had a lot in common, far more than Sari had originally expected.

True enough, Sari still held a degree of resentment for Phoenix. He couldn’t forget what had happened with his mother just like that. But they were both trying, and that was what mattered. Caelyn was helping, and Sari had long talks with his best friend regarding the entire situation.

As if guessing his thoughts, his mother suddenly gave him a serious look. “Look, Sari, there’s something else I want to tell you. I know I have to go because I’m needed in Rose Noire, but I’m very worried about you.”

“Worried?” Sari repeated inquiringly.

“I want you to know something,” she said. “This isn’t over. I can’t help but feel that Phoenix is still dangerous. I’d like you to come with me to Rose Noire with me. Karein can join us.”

Sari couldn’t believe his ears. This was the first time his mother was mentioning this since that day when Phoenix had returned her youth. “I don’t understand…Why didn’t you say anything until now?”

“Because I’m not sure of my own powers, Sari,” Eanera replied. “Before, my visions used to be dead-on, but now, all I have to go on is this gut feeling. Not to mention that I fear that my unique knowledge of the extent of his power might be tainting my perspective. He’s a good man, and he loves Prince Rachen. I’m sure of that. And yet…” She shook her head, as if she herself didn’t know what to say. “I was hoping that I’d get something clearer that would help me figure out exactly what is unsettling me, but I can’t put my finger on it.”

Sari trusted his mother even when she didn’t trust herself. He knew that if she thought Phoenix was dangerous, it was probably true. However, this had been no secret. Karein had seen what Phoenix could do, the way he’d been able to torch an entire forest and restore it with a thought. He’d managed to injure Karein and Eanera even before he’d gained control of his abilities. Even so, this time around, Sari had to have a little faith in Phoenix, too, if not for Phoenix himself, for Karein and Rachen.

“I know, Mother,” he replied, “but I can’t go. Rachen needs Karein’s support. He’s family. Besides, Phoenix is only now getting accustomed to Draechenburg, and I’m trying to be as welcoming as possible, given the circumstances. It’s not easy, but he’s been through a lot, and we have to help.”

Eanera sighed. “I was afraid you were going to say that. In your place, I’d have probably done the same. Very well, Sari. I’ll briefly visit your father and see what’s going on in Rose Noire and come back here as soon as possible. In the meantime, be very careful.”

Sari nodded and hugged his mother one more time. “And you,” he said simply.

They got up and left Eanera’s quarters together. Karein was waiting outside, his expression carefully blank. It wasn’t really necessary, since it wasn’t a secret that Karein knew most everything Sari did.

Indeed, Eanera chose to address it, instead of allowing them to drift into awkward silence. “I meant no offense to your twin or his mate,” she said. “I only want what’s best for Sari.”

“I understand that,” Karein replied. “Believe me, I will protect him with my life. Sari and our son are everything to me.”

Sari had a flash of his vision and the way Karein had moved away from him. He took Karein’s hand and squeezed it. He was being silly. His mother’s words had just shaken him more than he’d have liked to admit. For all he knew, their future had changed when Rachen had mated Phoenix. Although…He couldn’t really remember…Had Rachen called his lover by his name in the vision? Sari had identified Phoenix as Alwyn back then, but what if…

It occurred to Sari that Rachen’s hair had been red in the vision. He hadn’t thought about it until now, hadn’t considered that such simple information could be important. But Rachen’s fire dragon had become stronger after mating Phoenix. If Sari was remembering correctly, it meant that the vision had anticipated Rachen and Phoenix ending up together.

Karein wrapped an arm around his waist, holding him tightly.
“Breathe, baby. Nothing’s changed. You just have a different perspective. You know me. I’m never going to leave you. You know Phoenix. He doesn’t have some sort of grand master plan to destroy our happiness. You know Taryn and Graham. They’d never abandon their mates.”

He was right, of course, and his words were confirmed when they ran straight into Phoenix and Rachen. “Oh, hello, High Priestess,” Phoenix said. “I just wanted to wish you a nice trip and grant you a small token of my friendship.” He smiled, looking a little embarrassed. “I realize that, in many ways, you’re still very wary of me, and you’re probably correct. But I need you to know that I love the Tersain. They’re my family, and I will never harm them.”

Without further ado, he offered Eanera a small box. Eanera blinked in surprise, but took the item. “I thank you, but this truly wasn’t necessary. There’s nothing that…”

Her words trailed off when she opened the box. Inside it, one sole feather lay, still burning. “I willed the feather not to melt the box,” Phoenix explained, “and since the feather is my gift to you, you’re the only one who can use it. It carries my energy, in a smaller dose. Therefore, if you at any time touch it, I will know you need help and I will come to your assistance.”

“I…I don’t know what to say,” Eanera replied.

Sari was touched, too. He had a feeling Phoenix didn’t just go around giving his feathers to random people. He probably still felt guilty about harming Sari’s mother, especially since her powers hadn’t fully returned. “We thank you,” he said to Phoenix. “Does the feather have any magic on its own?”

Phoenix nodded. “It does, but you cannot command it. It is the magic of the earth, of the fires burning in its core, the magic I am made of. Should there come a time when it is needed, it will manifest on its own.”

“A protective talisman of sorts,” Eanera said. Her smile was kind when she looked at Phoenix. “I’m truly touched. I know it couldn’t have been easy for you to part with it.”

Phoenix looked a little uncomfortable, and only began relaxing when Rachen wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “It’s true that I wasn’t sure. People have been using me for as long as I can remember. But I think that now, I have a new life. I no longer exist as a tool. This was my choice, and no one will ever force me to become a weapon for destruction again. If I was created out of power, I will use it for the benefit of the people I care about.”