Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice Read Free Page A

what he wants?”
    Tam shrugged. “He wants to know what happened
over the lake.” She slowed. Curiosity bounced around her like
fragile bubbles. “It’s almost like Cale expected something to
happen to you. When your transmission came across with that note of
panic in your voice, everybody’s worst fears surfaced. Except Cale.
He just smiled and nodded like he knew.” Tam glanced toward Erynn.
“People pay attention to you, remember? Only days ago our worlds
fought an attack from a powerful alien. It’s terrifying we came so
close to extinction. It frightens me.” Tam shivered.
    “They pay attention because of what I can do.
What they think I did.” Erynn bit her lip, heat rising into her
cheeks. It hadn’t been all her doing. Erynn’s contribution in
saving her two worlds paled in comparison with Faylen’s
sacrifice.
    Tam stopped and spun to face Erynn, hands on
slender hips. “Enough. There isn’t a person from both worlds, on
Korin or Arranon, that isn’t grateful for what you did…what you can
do.” Tam shook her head. Her short dark hair brushed her cheek. A
strange, sad smile tipped her lips. “Thanks.”
    “This is still difficult for me, after
Damon—my dad…” Erynn stiffened and glanced to the queue of
fighters. Jaer was back there, coming this way. Erynn sensed he
wasn’t angry, maybe a little concerned. She returned her attention
to Tam. “I’m just not used to so many people knowing about my
abilities, even if they don’t know the reason why.”
    Jaer appeared around the tail fin of an
Interceptor. His step slowed as he made eye contact with Erynn. He
crossed the hangar in a relaxed pace, his well-defined muscles
evident even under the heavy black tunic and quilted pants. When he
reached her, he wrapped one arm protectively around her. She gazed
up at the tall warrior. His hair was worn in the traditional style,
long and clasped at the back of his neck. Sleek strands so dark
they melded with his tunic fanned over his shoulder, blending with
a neat black beard and mustache to frame strong features.
    Erynn recalled her first encounter with Jaer
and couldn’t help smiling. Protecting Erynn had been Jaer’s
single-minded purpose, even when they’d first met.
    Jaer tipped his head and smiled. “Did you
have a good flight?” he asked in his smooth, precise accent.
    His enigmatic brown eyes pulled at her, and
she found herself lost in his heat, his scent, his commanding
energy. The blush built, rising in her cheeks. Tendrils of blue
currents wound around Erynn.
    The static reached Jaer and he chuckled. He
leaned in and whispered in her ear. “You are warm and doing that
tickling thing again.” Hot breath brushed past his lips, washing
over her skin as he whispered, “I love you too.” When Jaer drew
away from her, he was no longer smiling. His eyes displayed a
fathomless depth, exposing profound sadness and regret. The sorrow
vanished as quickly as it had overtaken him, and his smile
returned.
    The currents encompassing Jaer pulled back
and disappeared into Erynn’s hands. His brief flash of suffering
had threatened to rip at her very soul. She had sensed this
underlying distress from Jaer before learning anything else about
the powerful Anbas Warrior.
    Will he ever tell me what torments
him ?
    Cale trotted down the metal steps from flight
control, his boots ringing off the treads. “Erynn,” he called.
    Erynn moaned. “I didn’t mean to upset
everyone.” She turned toward Cale, Jaer’s change in mood forgotten
for the moment.
    Jaer tightened his hold, squeezing her arm.
“Relax. You worry too much.” His calm, even voice once again
reassured her.
    Cale smiled as he hurried over. His long
coppery hair appeared grayer than a few weeks ago, when they’d
first met. Excitement flowed from him. “Something happened to you
over Farglas Lake.” He didn’t wait for a response but hurried on.
“It doesn’t surprise me. Your father Zander and I came across the
lake on one of our