Page 11 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Aidan wouldn’t apologize for that. “As she shouldn’t. Her mission is critical to our survival, and no one must know besides those directly involved.”
Phoebe leaped to her feet, cheeks turning red. “I’m her mate and your sister. I’m more involved than anyone, and you know it! I have a right to know.”
He’d wondered about the underlying tension he’d sensed despite her playing it cool.
“Sit down,” he ordered sternly.
She sank into the chair with her back ramrod straight, unable to disobey him.
Aidan came around his desk to stand before her with a stoic look, altering his bearing to full pendragon mode. “The only thing you need to know is she is going voluntarily. I asked her to do this, but I did not order her. Telling anyone else about her mission will only put her in further danger, and I will not do that—not even for you.”
“But…”
He held up his hand. “Stop wasting my time and yours. Go train your people so that they might survive the battles to come. If I can allow the mother of my child to go into danger, you can do the same.”
“Right.” Phoebe swallowed, and mixed emotions came over her face, including sadness, regret, and remorse. “Sometimes I forget we have similarities in our relationships, and you’ve got it worse with yours out there even more often. I’m sorry, brother. This is the first time she’ll have to do something truly dangerous since having our daughter, and it’s making me nervous.”
Aidan studied her for a moment. As the pendragon, he’d steadily gained abilities he hadn’t had before, allowing him to be in better touch with his toriq. He could sense moods and sometimes even knew if a clan member was injured or dying. Each day, he understood and mastered those connections a little more. He noted his sister’s aura and scent had changed recently. It took him a moment, but understanding dawned on him as he figured out what fueled her impetuous behavior.
His shoulders relaxed. “Pregnancy is likely affecting you as well.”
“What?” She touched her belly. “That can’t be…you couldn’t know that! It’s too early to be certain.”
“Lorcan’s last visit was nearly three weeks ago. I have no doubt he succeeded this time in impregnating you, even if it does seem early,” Aidan said, giving Phoebe a gentle smile. He had to be tough on her as the pendragon, but this was personal. Now, he could be her brother for a moment.
A sheen of tears filled her eyes. “I can’t believe it. How could you tell when you didn’t even recognize your mate was pregnant this early?”
He winced at that reminder. How Aidan wished he could have known sooner and found a way to protect Bailey better. He had to tell himself it wasn’t his fault, though it still felt like it.
“Father was not wrong about the advantages of being a pendragon.” He stood and moved toward his sister, leaning down to hug her gently. “I can discern many things now that I could not before. Congratulations, sister.”
As he pulled away, she shook her head. “I didn’t think it would happen before the war, but I figured I had to take every chance I could get regardless.”
Aidan mulled over the ramifications. He needed all his assets if they were to survive and win, but he could move them around as needed. His sister could no longer lead her recruits when the time came—that would be far too dangerous—but she could still prove helpful in other ways that were every bit as important.
“In light of this, you will oversee protecting the fortress now. If the Kandoran breach the shield, this will be our last line of defense,” he said, tipping her chin up with his finger. “Pregnant or not, I know you’ll protect our home better than anyone.”
Phoebe’s expression became hardened and resolved. “I will. Thank you for giving me an honorable job despite my…um, condition.”
He smiled fondly at her as she pressed a hand to her belly. “Of course, sister.”
Someone knocked firmly on the door. Aidan returned to his desk and positioned himself behind it, already sensing who stood on the other side. “Enter.”
“Milord.” Falcon stepped inside, closed the door, and gave him a respectful bow. “Two Shadowan representatives are waiting outside the gates.”
He wasn’t surprised. More than a month ago, he’d sent word to their toriq that he would like to form an alliance, and he’d briefly met with their pendragon—Volker. At the time, the response had been hesitant. The last report Aidan received said the Kandoran had become more active along the Shadowan border, which must have made them rethink their plans. He’d instructed the Taugud roving guards to allow up to two envoys from other clans to come to the fortress if they requested an audience with him.
Aidan glanced at his sister. “Resume your class in the smaller training area inside the fortress for the rest of the day.”
This meant that her students would have to practice in human form, but they needed to know how to battle in each form. Normally, they had years to perfect various methods and styles. Their newest recruits would not have that luxury, but all shifters received six months of training when they reached maturity. The classes covered defensive and offensive fighting in both forms, so they weren’t starting at the beginning.
“I assumed as much,” she said, rising to her feet.
He waited until she left the office and shut the door. Then he turned his attention to Falcon. The older shifter had dark brown hair he kept at shoulder length, a large muscular frame, and light olive skin. He radiated warrior strength, yet his yellow eyes also held wisdom beyond most others.
“What do you think of the messengers?” Aidan asked.
The shifter was nearly three hundred years older than him and had proven shrewd with his council. He would have made an excellent pendragon himself if he’d come from a family with a better reputation—his siblings and parents were well-known troublemakers.
