AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Why she suddenly felt like a deer rendered senseless in the headlights of an oncoming truck was unbeknownst to her at the time, but Whistler’s bodyguard moved into place, blocking anyone from exiting on or off the balcony. She was trapped—alone and vulnerable on a balcony far above the rocks and the waters that ravaged them far below.
Chapter 2
Tevryn
Dragonwyk
Wind River Mountains, Wyoming
* * *
Tevryn made his way up to the yurt of the Phantom Fire’s alpha and leader, Falkor. Falkor was the oldest of their entire troupe and had been the one for whom the Phantom Fire had changed their tradition. In the past, if a member of the Phantom Fire was called to his eternal flame, he would take his vows to her, give up his immortality, and pledge his firstborn son to the brotherhood. Falkor and his experience and wisdom had been too prized and so it had been decided that he would retain his leadership and remain with the Phantom Fire with his mate at his side. The vote in favor of the change had been unanimous.
Rumors had been circulating amongst the warriors that there was a major battle coming and that dragons from around the world were being drawn into it. If the dragons were not united in their allegiance, that would leave the Phantom Fire in the unenviable position of having to choose sides—something they had never been forced to do for more than a thousand years.
Falkor had sent out emissaries to various dragon clans, trying to get a feel for which side the clans were choosing to align themselves with as well as some of the more powerful shifter clans that were not dragons. For the most part the Phantom Fire had never bothered itself with petty squabbles. The fact that Falkor was taking steps to position the Phantom Fire as a dominant force in the fight meant there was far more at stake than had been previously recognized.
He knocked on the wood frame beside the tent flap and entered when Falkor called to him. Tevryn couldn’t help but smile. The alpha’s eternal flame was a formidable human who now carried his child. The plan was for her to transition and become drakaina after she had given birth and the child could be separated from her. Tevryn liked Kessily but was glad his alpha had been called to her instead of him. It was generally agreed that Kessily’s soul had always been dragon.
“Tevryn,” she called to him. “Can I get you some coffee or anything else?”
“Nay, Milady, but I thank you for your kindness.”
Falkor rolled his eyes. “I swear none of them had these courtly manners until you and Dani joined us.”
“Until their arrival with their beauty and charm, there was no need,” returned Tevryn.
Falkor snorted, but then grew serious as he gestured for Tevryn to take a seat by the fire.
“Tevryn, I understand you may have been disappointed that I did not send you out as one of our emissaries,” said Falkor.
“I did wonder why others were selected over me but decided that you must have had your reasons.”
“Mainly just one. My mate is to give birth to our first child within the week and I did not wish to be parted from her. I needed to keep you close in case. Dani has come up with a list of viable suspects as to who the man behind the curtain might be. Three of them are located in King County, Washington, and I would like you to observe each of them and then report back to me. Dani has composed dossiers on each of them,” Falkor said, handing him a thumb drive. “I would go myself, but time is of the essence, and Kessily’s time grows near. I have always valued your counsel and your shrewd observations.”
“I am honored, Alpha. I will gather my things and leave immediately.”
“One of them is most likely aware of our existence. I would prefer you not enter Washington State until nightfall.”
Tevryn bowed his head in respect. “There is wisdom in that. I will use the rest of the day getting ready to leave and to find a place to use as a base of operations.”
Before he could leave, Warrick knocked and entered the yurt, nodding to Kessily. “A moment, Alpha?” He noticed Tevryn beginning to stand. “No, Tevryn, I think you should stay.”
“You seemed troubled, Warrick,” said Kessily. “Is everything all right with Dani?”
Warrick smiled. “She is fine, Milady. Thank you for asking.”
“Again, with the courtly manners,” teased Falkor. “Warrick, take a seat, and tell us what it is that’s troubling you.”
Tevryn groaned. “God, we really are all getting all chivalrous and polite.”
Kessily flipped a kitchen towel at him, snapping it in front of his face. “I think the whole lot of you have decided having a mate to warm your bed is worth a bit of chivalry.”
“She’s probably right,” said Falkor, pulling his mate into his lap and giving her a kiss, forcing her to settle before releasing her and allowing her to rise. “Why don’t you rest, my love? Your time is drawing near.”
Kessily placed her hand on her rounded belly. “And this child is anxious to enter this world. I think I’ll take you up on that. Warrick, Tevryn, as always nice to see you. If you’ll forgive me.”
Tevryn’s eyes followed her. “Even heavy with your child, your mate is a beauty.”
