Page 106 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume One

“What? No. Absolutely not!” Cameron lurched upright and turned to face Dieter, bracing one hand against the dashboard. “Alric is amazing. He’s sweet and attentive. He’s always worried about my happiness. He—” Cameron broke off his passionate defense and glared at the man’s smug smile. “You’re an ass. I don’t know how Alric puts up with you.”

Dieter threw his head back and laughed. The sound was so deep and free that Cameron reluctantly found himself smiling as well.

“I know you feel overwhelmed, Cameron, but my best advice is to simply be you. That’s enough.”

“But what if it’s not?”

“It is. Trust me. I’m old.”

Cameron laughed. “No, you’re ancient.”

“All the more reason to listen to me,” he replied, not even blinking at the descriptor. “You make him happy. You make him kinder, more thoughtful. Those are all very good things for a king. As his mate, you are a friend, confidante, trusted advisor, voice of reason, and when necessary, a much-needed reality check. Alric can get too bogged down in his dark thoughts. He needs someone to remind him that the world is not always so dark. That there is joy and hope. He need only to look at you to remember that.”

Had he not done all those things already? Had he not pulled Alric out of his black mood and made him smile? Had he not listened to Alric’s worries and fears as they lay cuddled together in bed? He wanted to be all of that to Alric and more.

“And the wonderful part is that he will be all those things for you as well. It’s not just about what he needs. You have your own dreams, desires, and responsibilities. He will want to be there to support you. I urge you to speak to him about your concerns on immigrating here. He’ll be happy to learn what it is that worries you, and you’ll feel better with his open support as you figure out the logistics of moving.”

Cameron rested his head back and sighed, watching the mountains roll past his window. It was so beautiful here. The place called to something in his soul, almost like how Alric called to him. They fit. They’d fit from that very first day, and Cameron hadn’t wanted to admit it to himself because it was too surprising and scary. How was he supposed to fall for a guy in Germany when he’d expected to return home and start a life he didn’t really want?

But falling for the guy with the magical eyes and sexy smile had been the start of finding the life he wanted. The life that fit him perfectly. Maybe he’d been overthinking this. Being in love with Alric was like any other relationship, really. Cameron would figure it out in time, but the thing he needed to focus on was that he wanted to be good to Alric. He wanted, more than anything, to make that man happy and enjoy him to the fullest. Dieter’s advice was to do that, to focus on that first and foremost. And really, it was good advice.

Cameron would focus on Alric’s heart and try his damnedest to enjoy being in love with that incredible man.

Taking a deep breath, Cameron blew it out again, ruffling his own hair. “Ugh, you’re right. I really should have talked this all through with him. I panicked. I never panic.” Okay, well maybe he panicked occasionally.

“It’s understandable. I doubt you came to Germany thinking you would change your entire life in the span of a few weeks.”

“True. Do you think I hurt him when I panicked?” Guilt cut through Cameron, and he shifted in his seat. He never wanted to hurt Alric.

“Maybe a little, but it’s a good wake-up call for him. His brain needs to finally accept what his heart has been telling him. You’re his mate. Doubting it and fearing it isn’t going to make it less true.”

Cameron turned in his seat, looking back the way they’d come. He couldn’t see the castle any longer. “Should we turn back? Maybe we should go back to the castle. I need to talk to him. Tell him how I feel. I didn’t mean to hurt him. I—” Whatever he’d been about to say broke off at Dieter’s laughter.

“I’d forgotten how cute new mates were,” Dieter said with a chuckle. “We’re not far from the town now. Let’s get your paperwork for the visa, and then we’ll head back. Maybe we can even stop in that bakery he likes for a pastry or two.”

“The one that makes those amazing tarts? Yes, we can get a box of those.” He didn’t want to be away from Alric, but the pastries might help his apology.

“See, you’ve already got this mate thing figured out,” Dieter teased, and Cameron could only roll his eyes at the man.

Dieter wasn’t exactly making it sound like being mates was easy. Only that Cameron might be blowing things out of proportion. Which was entirely possible. It all came down to Alric. Did he want the man? Did he want to build a life with him? Did he want more mornings wrapped in each other’s arms, sharing jokes, and little looks? Did he want the laughter, pain, and a future with Alric at his side?

For all those questions, the answer always came back ‘yes.’ No doubt, no hesitation, no fear. When it came to Alric, the answer was simply yes. The rest they would just figure out.

“What in the world…” Dieter’s voice drifted off as he leaned forward a little, squinting at something in the road. Cameron did the same, but it was so small he wasn’t quite sure what he saw until it was already too late.

Three of the four tires suddenly let out hideously loud bangs and the car skidded across the asphalt as Dieter slammed on the brakes. What the hell had they hit in the road? Freaking caltrops? Cameron’s heart raced in his chest, and he gasped loudly, bracing his feet against the floor and grabbing the handle on the door. His head hit the glass hard and he winced. They hadn’t been going incredibly fast, but it was enough for them to fishtail and slide off the side of the road. The other car behind them also skidded, nearly crashing into them from behind, and missing them by inches.

The car came to a hard stop, the whole world seeming to tilt toward the passenger side. Groaning, he rubbed the side of his aching head and glanced at the door. At least he hadn’t hit it hard enough to break the glass.

“Are you okay?” Dieter asked.

“Yeah. Shaken, but I’m fine. You?”

“I’m fine. Old dragons are tough.” He flashed Cameron a smile that didn’t reach his pale grey eyes. He was worried. Cameron forced himself to smile in return, not wanting to add to Dieter’s worries. “I’m going to check out what happened. I want you to stay in the car and call Alric. Tell him to send down some help. Even if it’s Ravi in his dragon form. I want to get you back to the castle as quickly as possible.”

The offer to get out of the car and help him sat on the tip of Cameron’s tongue, but he swallowed it back. With everything happening, it was safer for him to remain inside.

Dieter got out and called to the other car, “Warin! What happened, do you know?”