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

out of Draechenburg. If by any chance, his Alwyn was the one Sari had seen in the vision, the best thing to do would be to put distance between them. Naturally, if Rachen wanted to be perfectly honest, his main interest was to keep Alwyn safe in case this entire Elina Eretar business exploded in their faces, but he wasn’t about to point that out.
    “That’s actually not a bad plan,” Hareem said. “After all, we can’t stop the process we started because of what happened. We set the basis of a new Ornoz today, and we have to continue it.”
    Hareem was right. Elina’s death needed to be investigated, and if it had been a murder, the perpetrator had to be punished. At the same time, though, they still had to push for changing the Directive. If they hesitated or backed out now, all the effort they’d put in the preparations would be for naught. For all they knew, Ferradul Cyraltin hadn’t been the one behind the killing. She might have truly died of natural causes, or someone else might have used magic against her. It was simply too soon to tell.
    “So we’re all agreed then.” Hareem nodded in satisfaction. “Good. We’ll start at once. For the moment, here is what we’ll do…”

Chapter Three
     
    A few days later
     
    The throne room was abuzz with the murmurs of the draechen nobles attending court. Once again, they’d been invited to attend a momentous occasion for Ornoz, and they were all very nervous regarding about what that would entail.
    Alwyn couldn’t exactly blame them. He actually knew what was going to happen, and was actively attempting not to show how nervous he was. He probably failed, because Rachen wrapped his arm around his waist. “Stop worrying,” his mate said. “You look amazing. You’ll be the perfect host, and they’ll all just love you.”
    Alwyn forced himself to smile. “I hope you’re right, but I’m not really holding my breath.”
    Rachen kissed his cheek, and Alwyn’s heart swelled at the open affection the draechen showered him with. He didn’t seem to care that the nobles could see him, nor that it was probably unwise to show him such favor. If anything, he acted exactly like a protective mate would, and Alwyn truly wished he could let go of all of his misgivings so that they could become exactly that—mates.
    He couldn’t linger too much on his frustration with himself, because the throne room door opened. Caelyn Sutharlainn and Graham Powers entered the room, with Eanera Myrthylar by their side. Instantly, everyone fell into stunned silence. For all they knew, Caelyn and Graham had been killed months ago.
    Until now, Alwyn hadn’t met them, but they certainly didn’t disappoint. To their credit, they didn’t look at all afraid. Oh, Graham was visibly tense, holding onto Caelyn so tightly that the young sprite almost had trouble walking. But then, who could blame him? Alwyn hadn’t been here for the entire debacle, but he’d heard that the previous emperor had ordered the two of them to perform sexually in front of the entire court, then had commanded for Karein to kill them. It was only Karein’s unexpectedly merciful aid—perhaps connected to Caelyn’s slight resemblance to Sari—that had allowed the two of them to escape. And now, here they were, back again. Only now, Caelyn was very visibly pregnant.
    Caelyn and Graham made their way toward the large table that had replaced the thrones. It had been built specifically to accommodate the three Imperial Consuls and their mates, and it did all that while still maintaining the majestic nature the thrones once had. Caelyn and Graham actually looked a little relieved at the sight. Or maybe it was Eanera’s presence that helped.
    When they reached the table, the three guests bowed lowly. The three Imperial Consuls gestured for them to approach. “Welcome,” Kael said.
    “It is an honor to have you here again,” Hareem added, “this time, under more pleasant circumstances.”
    “Thank you, Your