Embrace the Fire Read Free

help.”
    His dark gaze held questions as it traced her face. Kinna took a deep breath and plunged in. “Cedric was captured at your aunt and uncle's house. He's in Sebastian's hands now, and Lincoln and I managed to find out where he's being held.”
    “How does that affect me?” Julian asked gravely.
    “Because we heard that Sebastian's taking Cedric to the Forgotten Plains. As Leader of the Third Pixie Division, surely you have some influence; you can command a prisoner released, can't you?” Kinna knew the chances of a positive answer were slim, but she hoped that Julian might know of a way.
    Julian blew out his breath. “Kinna—”
    “This is my twin brother we're talking about. I can't leave him in Sebastian's hands. You have to help me free him.” Kinna reached for Julian's hands. “Please, Julian.”
    He stared at her. “Your twin?” Disbelief rang in his voice.
    Kinna's eyes slid shut as she recounted the wealth of information she'd discovered about her own past—that she was a child of the deceased King Liam of Lismaria, that Cedric was her twin, that their nurse had fled with them on that dismal night so long ago when Sebastian had issued the order for their deaths—that through the magic of taibe , she and her twin had been birthed in the fires of Dragons rather than from the body of a woman.
    Julian's silence forced Kinna's eyes open again. In his expression, pain and awe and disbelief struggled for first place. “When did you find this out?”
    Kinna spoke urgently. “The night before you left the Pixie Glades. Cedric was arrested that night, and Linc and I escaped. Julian, it's true, isn't it, that you're headed for battle on the Forgotten Plains?”
    Julian's dazed eyes sharpened. “It's true, but what is your source? The orders only just arrived.”
    Kinna waved his words aside. “Sebastian plans to use Cedric on the field of battle, I imagine, by forcing him to command his Dragons. Sebastian still believes that Cedric holds more power over the beasts than even his finest Dimn.”
    “What's to say that Cedric won't call the Dragons to turn on Sebastian's forces?”
    “Cedric wouldn't do that; he's a good man, and he wouldn't destroy thousands of lives to get at one person. Sebastian is counting on that.”
    Julian stood, pacing the trampled grass. “Kinna, how do you know all this?”
    “After Linc and I escaped Sebastian's men in the Pixie Glades, Chennuh took us back to The Crossings, and Lincoln turned into a magnificent spy while he sat in on war Councils with Commander Lanier and the others. He weaves powerful Pixie charms that slide him past even the most watchful of guards.”
    Julian glanced at the tent flap as if to be sure Lincoln hadn't slipped in unnoticed. Tension still riddled his face.
    Kinna stood. “So will you?”
    “Will I what?”
    “Will you release Cedric and help him escape to safety?”
    Julian slowly shook his head. “You know I can't, Kinna. If I were discovered, it wouldn't endanger only my life, but Sage's and my family's as well.”
    Kinna nodded slowly. “I see. And I understand, of course.”
    “I'm sorry, Kinna.” Julian reached for her hands, pulling them into his. “You know I'd do anything for you, anything, don't you? But I can't put my family in danger this way. And I can’t flagrantly disobey the King. I’m a Leader of a Division in Sebastian’s Army.”
    Kinna snatched her hands away, stung. “Yes, you certainly must maintain loyalty to such a wise and benevolent monarch,” she snapped sarcastically.
    Hurt flared in Julian's eyes, and Kinna's shoulders slumped. “I'm sorry, Julian. Of course you can't put your family in danger. I shouldn't have even asked it of you.”
    Julian gently squeezed Kinna's shoulders. “This doesn't change anything for us, does it?” The plea in his voice was unmistakable. He stepped closer, massaging the back of her neck. “I love you; I just ... can't.”
    His dark eyes gazed hungrily at her mouth, and