Fire's Embrace [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 6] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) by Scarlet Hyacinth Read Free Book Online

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