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

him. “That sounds like heaven,” the dragon answered. He brushed a brief kiss over Alwyn’s lips and pulled away. “Quickly now. Let’s get dressed. We wouldn’t want to shock Her Holiness.”
    Alwyn snorted but rushed to comply. “One moment,” Rachen called out toward the door.
    Eanera didn’t reply immediately. “Should I return later?” she inquired after a few moments.
    “Too late,” Rachen grumbled.
    Alwyn squeezed Rachen’s shoulder and kissed his cheek. “It’s fine,” he told Eanera, even if it wasn’t really. “We’ll be right there.”
    They cleaned up and got dressed as quickly as they could. Mercifully, they found a robe Rachen could wear. Alwyn made a mental note to have Rachen keep some garments here if they were going to engage in sexual behavior. They were unlikely to have the patience to disrobe regularly. In fact, Alwyn foretold many torn clothes in the future.
    When they were ready, they finally rushed to open the door. Eanera was still waiting patiently, and to her credit, she looked a little embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
    “Again, that’s quite all right,” Alwyn said. “I understand your urgency.”
    He guided her inside and gestured for her to sit on the couch. “Now, what can I help you with?”
     
    * * * *
     
    Rachen liked Eanera Myrthylar. Perhaps it was a leftover emotion since the time his soul had been inside Karein. She was Sari’s mother, and her affection toward Sari had always been clear to him. Resenting her was an unpleasant feeling, but one he couldn’t help.
    She sat down, smoothing her fae robes as she made herself more comfortable. Clearly, she’d been honest in saying that she hadn’t meant to intrude on their private moment. Nevertheless, she didn’t linger too much on that. She directed her attention toward Alwyn. “Sari tells me that you’re confused regarding your real identity.”
    Alwyn nodded, now looking apprehensive. “On certain occasions, I’ve caught glimpses of something else beyond…my normal self.”
    “I see,” Eanera answered. “Well, I’ve been thinking, and I might be able to help you with that.”
    Alwyn immediately leaned toward her, obviously very interested. “Truly? How?”
    “Since I’m a healer, my abilities allow me to slip into the bodies of other people. I might be able to push back the illusion—if that’s what it is—and find what’s hiding beneath.”
    Rachen wasn’t very sure that would be a good idea. He trusted Alwyn with his life, but taking into account the volatility of the situation and the way Alwyn’s abilities had manifested so far, there could be a chance that this could end in a disaster. It occurred to Rachen that he might find an answer to their dilemma if he claimed Alwyn. There was no point to try Eanera’s suggestion now, taking into account that far better alternative.
    “Maybe we shouldn’t risk it,” he suggested. “I could find out who Alwyn really is.”
    Alwyn gaped at him, while Eanera arched a brow. “You haven’t done so by now.”
    “Well, yes…” Rachen cleared his throat. “I was hoping that something would happen today that would fix that.”
    Alwyn’s expression immediately shut off, and Rachen realized how that must have sounded to his mate. “Not that it was my sole intention in pursuing you,” he hastened to clarify. “It would just be an additional consequence.”
    His mate clenched his jaw. “I don’t want you mating someone you don’t really desire just to help your family.”
    Rachen rushed to the couch and took Alwyn’s hand. “Baby…I would never do that to you. You have to believe me.”
    Alwyn freed his hand from Rachen’s grip, then proceeded to ignore him. As the young man turned toward Eanera, Rachen’s dragon roared in protest. “Please listen,” he insisted. “I love you.”
    Eanera got up, having apparently noticed the tension, not that it was very hard. “Perhaps I should go. It feels I’m doing more harm than