Page 1 of Fated for his Flame

Chapter One

Silas

“What the hell is that?” I moaned as we peeled off from the main flight. Our wings dipped in unison, banking us to the right and bringing our home into full view.

“You know what it is as well as I do,” Caleb said, a deep basso chuckle bubbling up from within his scaled chest at my discomfort.

My serpentine head swung around to eye my younger brother. As first- and second-born sons of our family, many expected us to be rivals for the position of heir to the house growing up. But that had never been the case. Instead, we’d grown close.

“Thank you for your astute observation,” I shot back. “I just want to know why he had to go do this tonight of all nights.”

Caleb tilted his head, an eyelid slowly dropping over one yellow eye, momentarily obscuring its oval pupil from view. “Are you serious with that question?”

I didn’t immediately respond as we approached the large, sprawling manor, home to not just our residences but also the business operations of the family. With our wings beating in off-cadence patterns, we circled overhead. My sharp eyes picked out the various attendees, all dressed to perfection. Lights covered the rear terrace where the gathering, as my father would call it, was taking place.

“Not really,” I muttered, shaking my head. “It would just be like Father to host a party for his returning war ‘heroes,’ and we both know it.”

I just about spat out the last word.

“It’s a gathering, not a party,” Caleb chortled. As second son, he knew he wasn’t required to spend nearly as much time mingling as I was. And he was enjoying my pain.

“Bullshit. There are a hundred people down there, minimum. That’s a party.”

“It’s a soiree.”

I didn’t respond.

“A function.”

I almost banked sharply and batted Caleb’s head with a wing.

“Shindig.”

I glared at him. “Where did you pick up that word?”

“One of the humans, probably. Either way, it’s quite the banquet down there. A big bash.”

“I hate you so much.”

Caleb just laughed and swung aside, clearing a path for me toward an open area covered in stone and lined with a red perimeter. An area designated for arriving or leaving.

“See you later. Maybe much later, if I can manage it,” he said.

Practically exhaling smoke from the anger burning me up, I came in for a landing, my claws barely scraping the stone as I touched down and my wings spread wide to catch the last air.

Eyes were already turning my direction, and I could see guests parting as my father made his way toward the edge of the terrace. There was no point in making him wait. That would only strain an already tough relationship. Better to just suck it up and let him have his way.

Forcibly covering a sigh, I shifted back into my human form, ignoring the momentary confusion from my limbs after spending so long in dragon form.

“My sons are home!”

My father swept over me with a thunderous embrace, his palms pounding my back before he stepped back, half-yanking me off the platform with his enthusiasm. “My sons, the heroes!”

The crowd politely expressed its admiration, albeit in a far more restrained manner. They didn’t care about me or Caleb. All they cared about was my father’s approval. It was all fake. Their emotions. Mine. My father’s.

I bit back my true feelings, however, and went along with the ridiculous show. Not because I wanted to but because that was my duty as a son, as heir to the most powerful house in the Dragon Isles. Sometimes, you had to put up with the political bullshit.

Besides, I would need the support of many of the people there if I wanted my proposal passed before the Dragon Council. So, I slapped a fake smile on my face and made my rounds. At some point, Caleb landed as well, and a portion of the attention split from me.

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