River’s arms locked around him. Max felt dampness against his skin, had to blink his own eyes, swallow the knot in his throat. Raising a hand after a long, long time, he messed up the hair on the back of River’s head. “Where have you been, kid?”
River gave a sheepish grin as they drew apart. “Getting my shit together.”
“You couldn’t do that without disappearing?”
River dropped his head, shoving his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. It made Max grin, his heart full to overflowing. He knew this man, grown though he might be.
“Max?” Sophia’s gentle voice. “Are you going to invite him in or interrogate him on the doorstep?”
River’s eyes widened as he laid them on Sophia. “Wow, Max, what did you tell her to get her to let you in the door?”
Max cuffed his brother good-naturedly on the ear as River slid in past him and bent to kiss Sophia on the cheek. “Hello, are you sure you’re with the right brother?”
Sophia had never had a younger sibling. But this man with his laughing eyes and bright smile . . . “Are you making me an offer?”
“I would”—a whisper—“but Max always was a little possessive.”
Max’s arm came around her waist, heavy, warm, real. “Don’t you forget it.”
River looked up at Max as her cop turned to press his lips to Sophia’s temple, and for an instant, Sophia saw the truth of River’s emotions laid bare. So much love, so much need, so much pain. Max’s brother, she thought, needed them. “Welcome home, River.”
His expression shifted into a wary kind of hope. “Yeah?” But he was looking at Max.
Max reached out to thump a fist on River’s shoulder. “You’re staying if I have to tie you to the furniture.”
“No need,” River said, dipping his head but not before Sophia saw the sheen in his eyes, “just tie me to your Sophia.”
“I think,” Sophia said as Max mock-scowled, “I’m going to like having a younger brother.” Reaching out, she slipped her arm into the crook of River’s elbow. “So, tell me all of Max’s secrets.”
Max curled his hand around her nape. “Hey now, no ganging up on me.”
River laughed, said something. So did Max, the heat of his hold burning through to warm every part of her as she listened to the joy beneath their words.
Home.
Finally, they were all home.
Five things happened later that month. All of them momentous in very different ways.
One: Max decided there were medicines he could take for hives.
Two: Councilor Nikita Duncan met Councilor Anthony Kyriakus to draw up a plan to protect their territory against incursions by others on the Council.
Three: Sascha Duncan managed to stop a fight between ten six-year-old changeling leopards using her ability—though she couldn’t figure out how she’d done it.
Four: Councilor Kaleb Krychek found the beginnings of a trail that could one day lead him to his quarry.
And five . . . Max bought Sophia some very naughty lingerie for their honeymoon.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
“Paranormal romance at its best.” —Publishers Weekly
Praise for Blaze of Memory “This is a paranormal author who is at the top of her game! . . . You will want to revisit this love story again and again.”
—Romance Junkies
“Another incredibly strong entry in the Psy-Changeling series, my very favorite in paranormal romance.”
—Romance Novel TV
“When it comes to delivering stories that grab you by the throat and don’t let go, Singh is in a class by herself!”
—Romantic Times (Top Pick)
“Singh has really run with her Psy-Changeling world . . . a standout series among the paranormal romance on the market today.”
—Fresh Fiction
Branded by Fire “An emotional masterpiece.”
—Romance Junkies
“Another superb entry in what is easily my favorite paranormal series in romance.”
—Romance Novel TV
“An amazingly talented writer . . . She grabs the reader and doesn’t let go until the very end and leaves them begging for more . . . I give Branded by Fire and Nalini an enthusiastic 5 hearts.”
—Night Owl Reviews
“A mesmerizing series.” —The Road to Romance (Reviewer’s Choice Award)
Hostage to Pleasure “Nalini Singh has penned another keeper . . . If you want a thrilling read with action, danger, passion, and drama, don’t miss Nalini Singh’s Hostage to Pleasure.”
—Romance Junkies
“I continue to be amazed by Singh’s ability to draw the reader into the Psy-Changeling world.”