Fire's Embrace [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 6] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) (27 page)

The world started to grow a little hazy at the sprite’s words. No, it couldn’t be. Phoenix just wanted to be left alone. Why couldn’t they understand that?

Phoenix had known that his mate had met up with a group of avian shifters who meant to trap him again. However, he had believed himself to be safe here and had hoped that, eventually, through the negotiations the draechen had planned, everyone would come to see him for what he truly was. Apparently, he wouldn’t even be given the benefit of the doubt.

Nausea swelled inside him, and he swooned, almost falling over at the knowledge of what they had planned. “They found the box?” he croaked out.

“No,” Britanni answered. “This is something else, but we don’t know what.”

Something else? Phoenix couldn’t imagine what other trick they had up their collective sleeve, what other spell they had prepared to tame his beast. He also couldn’t figure out what interest to Sutharlainn had in telling him about it. They were clearly wary of him, and not even their fear of Karein could have managed to circumvent the extent of their apprehension. There was something going on that they didn’t know about. But what?

Suddenly, Phoenix felt cold and afraid. He just wanted to get out of here already. He got the feeling that everyone could see right through him and notice how much the prospect of facing the avians scared him. If the Sutharlainn had wanted to disturb Phoenix, they’d certainly succeeded.

Thankfully, he had his mate by his side. Rachen held him up, keeping him from falling. His arm around Phoenix’s waist provided him with a strength that Phoenix himself didn’t have.

Meanwhile, Hareem had decided to take advantage of the Sutharlainn’s unexpected openness. “And what’s the Krites’ position in all of this?” he inquired.

“We aren’t exactly in the Great Krites’ confidence,” Britanni answered, “but I would venture to say that Elusia would never jeopardize its treaty with Ornoz.”

Phoenix wanted to snort. Of course the Sutharlainn would be happy to provide them with intel, as long as it didn’t involve the Krites. They’d have to come up with another way to hunt down Ferradul, because likely, a diplomatic approach wouldn’t be possible. Then again, knowing the Tersain, they’d probably been ready for all of this.

“They are, baby,”
Rachen told him through their bond. “
I know for a fact that Hareem has people looking for avian activity. It was only a matter of time until we found out about this, even if the Sutharlainn hadn’t told us.”

Out loud, he addressed the sprite family. “We appreciate the information and we’ll make sure to pursue it. I assure you, no one will harm my mate.”

“Caelyn is probably waiting for you,” Talrasar said. “We thank you for your assistance. Accommodation has been prepared for you and should you need anything else, just notify us through the servants.”

It was a dismissal, and the sprites couldn’t have missed it. Bowing once again, they each said their good-byes and left the room. Sage saluted and followed after them without a word. He’d undoubtedly received all the instructions he needed before the entire meeting.

Once the throne room door closed, Sari unexpectedly got up and walked to Phoenix’s side. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “You’re one of us now. We won’t let anything happen to you.”

The fact that the words came from Sari, who had every reason in the world to resent Phoenix, told him that his fears were more than a little obvious. Even so, Phoenix found that he appreciated Sari’s kindness. “I know,” he answered. “It’s just…It’s an involuntary reaction. But I realize I have Rachen now. I’m not the same creature I used to be. I have control over my choices and my power. They can’t take that away from me, not anymore.”

As he spoke, he felt more and more empowered, although he knew better than to think it was only his own words that helped him through his near panic attack. Rachen’s embrace anchored him, reminding him how beautiful, true, and powerful their love was. Nothing and no one could tear that apart. Whatever weapon the avians had come up with, Phoenix could defeat it. He had too much to live for now to allow himself to be trapped once again.

Karein still seemed a little worried, though. “If the two of you want to skip dinner, we completely understand.”

Phoenix shook his head. “You have the announcement to make. It’s too important for Rachen.”

“Don’t I get a say?” Rachen inquired.

“No,” Phoenix shot back, turning in his mate’s embrace and kissing his cheek.

There was laughter all around. “It looks like everything’s back to normal,” Taryn noted with a smile.

Taryn was only partially correct. Tension still lingered within Phoenix, one he doubted would disappear just like that. In fact, he suspected that the only way he’d completely surpass it was by finding out whether or not the avians were planning something. The worst thing was that, even if he didn’t trust the sprites, he suspected that this time, they’d been telling the truth, insofar as the avians were concerned, at least. Phoenix just had to have the strength to face what that meant when the time came.

* * * *

Caelyn wasn’t exactly sure if he’d done the right thing in asking for his family to come here. In fact, he’d begun to doubt it from the moment he’d sent Graham to speak to the Imperial Consuls. However, as he held his son in his arms, he knew that he couldn’t have acted in any other way. Now that he was starting a new life with his mate, he needed some closure with his old one.

Graham didn’t look so convinced. “I’m not sure I want you anywhere near your parents, angel,” he said. “It’s not that I don’t understand. Believe me, I do. But it could be risky. It could upset you. You’re not in any condition to withstand the stress.”

Caelyn arched a brow at his lover. “The worst is over, Graham,” he said. “Sure, I’m tired, but I also feel stronger now. I have to face them, once and for all. They’re my family, and I want them to meet you, to understand how much we love and need each other.” He glanced down at the sleeping baby he held. “I want them to meet Micah.”

To a certain extent, Caelyn still couldn’t believe that he was a father now. He’d been waiting for what seemed like forever, and, intellectually, he’d gotten used to the thought. However, actually cradling the child was very different. Of course, Caelyn had, in a way, been caring for their son for months now, so he fell into this new role with ease. However, Graham fretted and paced, hovering over Caelyn, unwilling to allow him to walk even one step on his own. It was beginning to become a little frustrating, albeit endearing.

“I just love you so much, angel,” Graham confessed. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“You won’t have to,” Caelyn assured his mate. “I’m far stronger than I used to be. Besides, you’re here to protect me.”

At that, Graham finally smiled. “True,” he replied. “Nothing will ever harm you or Micah as long as I’m around.”

Caelyn realized the protectiveness came with mating an Alpha wolf, but he still felt a little warm inside upon hearing that vow. He had no idea what he’d done to deserve such a wonderful mate, but he would forever bless the moment when Graham had come into his life.

Graham chuckled, obviously intercepting his thoughts. “And to think, we owe it all to Shtamakarein Tersain. A year back, I hated him so much. I never expected that something he did would lead me to my soul mate.”

“I think that we also owe it to ourselves,” Caelyn answered. “Even if Karein hadn’t gotten involved, we’d have found each other eventually.”

“Maybe,” Graham answered. “In any case, I’m just glad I didn’t have to wait.”

He leaned closer to Caelyn and would have probably kissed him. However, instead of doing so, he tensed. Caelyn knew that the moment he had been waiting for had arrived. Indeed, mere seconds later, a knock sounded at the door of their chambers. “It’s your family,” Graham said. “Should I let them in?”

Caelyn took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Now that he was actually put in the situation he himself had created, he realized he wasn’t looking forward to seeing his parents again at all. He didn’t feel guilty for what he’d done. He had known then like he knew now that he’d made the right choice. Micah was more than eloquent proof of that.

However, that didn’t change the fact that, the last time he’d seen them, they’d been trying to force him to marry Karein. Until recently, they’d also thought him dead, something which had made his brother lash out against Sari. Now, Caelyn needed to face all that, all the tension, the lies, the intrigue, all the expectations they’d had for him, everything he had left behind with no regret when he’d mated Graham.

He wasn’t afraid that his parents would make him change his mind about his mate bond with Graham. Nothing they said could ever affect the way he felt for Graham. Even so, just their presence summoned unpleasant memories of a time when Graham had been a prisoner and both of them had nearly died.

He watched in silence as Graham went to receive Caelyn’s family. As the werewolf left the bedroom and opened the door of their suite, time seemed to freeze. Caelyn couldn’t physically seewhat was going on, but he could monitor the situation through his connection with Graham and he could tell that his parents’ reaction hadn’t been the ideal one.

Graham and Caelyn’s family didn’t know each other very well. In fact, they’d never actually spoken. The only time they’d seen each other was at the so-called show, when Caelyn had first met Graham. However, Graham had the advantage of Caelyn’s memories to guide him, while Caelyn’s family only had their dislike.

Unsurprisingly, the conversation began in an entirely frustrating note. “Oh…It’s you,” Pádraig said.

Hearing his father’s voice after all this time shook Caelyn, but the coldness and barely hidden disdain in his tone snapped him out of any shock he might have experienced. He gritted his teeth and made a mental note to point out that Graham was the one truly welcome here.

For once, Graham kept his calm in spite of Pádraig’s less than enthusiastic greeting. “I’m so glad you recognize me,” he said almost cheerfully. “Come on in. Caelyn is expecting you.”

He backed away and gestured Caelyn’s family to enter the suite. They did so, all the while glancing at Graham with expressions of surprise and suspicion. Once they were inside, Graham guided them to the bedroom. The moment they stepped through the door, Caelyn’s mother lost interest in Graham. She caught sight of Caelyn and instantly ran to his side. “Oh, my baby,” she cried out, her eyes full of tears. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think I’d ever get to see you again.”

Caelyn really hadn’t expected this reaction from his mother. She’d always pushed him to marry into a wealthy, privileged family, and he’d done exactly the opposite. Right now, though, she didn’t seem to care. Fat tears flowed down her cheeks as she watched him, trembling with the obvious need to reach out to him, but waiting for a reaction from Caelyn’s part.

Pádraig didn’t seem so willing to mend broken bridges. “Britanni, stop,” he said. He gave Caelyn’s mother a dark look, and she glared back at him. They seemed to be talking through the use of their mind link, and if Caelyn had to guess, disagreeing on what approach they should take during their visit.

Meanwhile, Caelyn’s siblings approached the bed in silence. They fidgeted, emanating discomfort and uncertainty. Deidre was the one to break the silence. “And this must be your beautiful son,” she said.

There was genuine curiosity in her voice and absolutely no distaste or any other negative emotion. Therefore, Caelyn’s parental pride swelled within him and urged him to cast away his misgivings. “Yes,” he replied. “His name is Micah. He’s sleeping now, but you can come closer if you want to get a better look at him.”

His siblings complied, but so did his mother. Ignoring her mate, she sat next to Caelyn, observing Micah’s face. “He’s very beautiful,” she finally said. “Is he going to be a sprite or a werewolf?”

“Both,” Graham replied in Caelyn’s stead. “As far as we can tell, he’ll have shape-shifting abilities, but also magic.”

Pádraig looked like he wanted to say something scathing, but he held back before he could do so. His shoulders slumped and he approached Caelyn as well. “Look, son. I’m happy to see you are well. I just don’t understand why you chose something like this for yourself. You could have been Imperial Consort and your son the heir of Ornoz.”

Caelyn didn’t point out that it was highly unlikely he could have even borne Karein a child. It was a matter Sari had shared with him in confidence, and Caelyn couldn’t be sure his parents were even aware of Karein’s previous difficulties with breeding. Regardless, it didn’t really matter. It was high time Caelyn made his parents and siblings aware that he would not allow any slight against Graham or Micah. “I never wanted that. I wanted a mate who loved me and wanted a family, and I got my wish. In fact, I got the best mate I could have possibly imagined, and I don’t appreciate you claiming the opposite. If you’re going to do that, you can go ahead and leave.”

“You have a lovely family, son,” Britanni rushed to assure him. Her hand landed on his arm, squeezing gently. “Ignore your father. He just hasn’t fully gotten used to the idea. I apologize for his attitude. On my part, your mate is more than welcome in the family.” She didn’t sound very convinced in that regard, which upset Caelyn more than he’d have liked. But then, her tone softened and she gave Caelyn a pleading look. “I don’t even want to approach the topic anymore. You’re my baby and I love you. I thank Jenarra that She gave me another chance to tell you that.”