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

all.”
     
    * * * *
     
    All of her life, Eanera had known she had Jenarra’s help and affection. Her faith had supported her no matter what, even through the pain of acknowledging that the man she loved would never be hers. Jenarra had comforted her and promised her a bright future for Sari when Sari’s marriage had first been announced, not in actual words, but more like in a feeling.
    Now, however, all Eanera could sense was dread. Jenarra hadn’t sent her any visions since she’d been possessed by the Ancient Horror, and Sari’s episode had taken her completely by surprise. She remembered all too well how affected she’d been when she’d first had a vision. And Sari was pregnant now, out of all things. He risked losing the baby.
    She was probably being quite transparent, because her son-in-law chose to address her concern. “Your Holiness, Sari wants me to assure you that he’s all right,” Karein said as they walked through the palace.
    “Is that true?” Eanera inquired. “Sari is liable to try to coax us into believing his condition has improved, just so that we wouldn’t worry.”
    Karein hesitated. “To a certain extent, it seems so, but I’ll still feel much better when you look him over.”
    Regardless of Karein’s obvious concern, he didn’t appear to be desperate, and that soothed Eanera a lot. She found that she was able to breathe a little better. Still, she was very relieved when they finally reached the quarters Sari shared with Karein.
    As she walked inside, she found Sari lying on the couch, browsing through a book, looking irritated and disinterested. When they entered the room, Sari’s gaze instantly shot up and met hers. “Mother,” he said simply, beaming brightly.
    Eanera rushed to his side so quickly that it surprised even her. In a flash, she joined him on the settee and reached for him. “Oh, Sari, I’m so glad you’re all right.” She hugged him tightly and kissed his forehead. “When I heard what happened…I didn’t even know what to think.”
    “I have to say, I completely agree,” Sari replied. “I don’t know what to make of what I saw. Help me?”
    Eanera listened as Sari recounted his vision, not missing a single detail. It was, of course, a message from Jenarra. That much seemed obvious. A threat existed that involved Alwyn Cyraltin in some way and that would affect all of them. It didn’t take a genius to figure that out. But how did Karein abandoning Sari for Caelyn fit into the picture? Why had the werewolves changed form and the dragons hadn’t? And what about the children…Why had they disappeared?
    “What do you think, Mother?” Sari asked when he finished the tale.
    Eanera carefully considered her reply. “I think there’s something terrible coming our way, and you have to be very careful with handling Alwyn Cyraltin. What you saw him do is clearly symbolic, but if he isn’t stopped, he will destroy this family, one way or another.”
    “We believe there might be a second Alwyn out there,” Karein piped up, “and that he is the one Sari saw. Our Alwyn suspects he isn’t the real son of Ferradul Cyraltin and the Great Krite might have backed up his position here through a very powerful illusion.”
    That would make sense, but it didn’t feel right to Eanera. She wasn’t satisfied with that explanation. Something niggled at the back of her consciousness, but she couldn’t tell what it was. “Don’t discard any possibility just yet. You have to investigate both Alwyns equally, in spite of your brother’s affection toward your guest and the help he provided with the Ancient Horror.”
    Karein eyed her with a knowing look. “You instructed Caelyn to analyze him. You had a feeling about him.”
    “I did,” Eanera admitted, “but it could be nothing. My abilities haven’t been very reliable lately, at least in regard to the visions.”
    Sari immediately analyzed her from head to toe, concern shining in his eyes. “Are you not feeling