Page 35 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume One

He wanted to hiss at her that this was insane. He wasn’t properly dressed with his shorts and T-shirt. That evil woman hadn’t warned him that he was going to be standing in front of the entire clan. Not that he had a single piece of clothing appropriate for such a meeting. Just his vacation gear from the hotel, and that consisted of jeans, shorts, T-shirts, and one passably nice sweater. What would these people think of him? They’d think he was the poorest, most pathetic mage in all the world, which wasn’t far from the truth.

But if he didn’t go, he’d hurt Alric’s feelings. He’d embarrass him. Disappoint him. Nothing in the world could get Cameron to do that.

So, with shaking legs, Cameron slowly climbed the dais, keeping his eyes on those stairs so he didn’t pull a Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars and fall in front of all these people. As he reached Alric’s side, he stared into his beautiful deep blue eyes and the world fell away again. The king was back to being the man who’d made him laugh, his expression warm and encouraging.

“You’re perfect. I’ve got you,” Alric whispered, and despite his rising panic, Cameron believed him.

With Cameron positioned on Alric’s left, he turned and faced the crowd of dragons eagerly staring at him. Alric’s hand lightly touched his back as if the king just wanted to remind Cameron that he was right there and would always be there for him.

“My people, this is Cameron Park, and we believe his family is of the Noh Clan. His family knows little of their mage heritage, but Cameron has already begun working with Lisette. He’s eager to learn magic and the history of our peoples. When you see him around the castle, I hope you take a moment to make him feel welcome and a part of our clan. As we learn more about Cameron and his family, it is my belief that he will help us find more mages like him.”

Cheering filled the hall again, and Cameron was once again taken aback by the excitement and joy these people felt at seeing him and hearing Alric’s words.

“Unfortunately, my good news comes with a dire warning. Someone has tried to kidnap Cameron from under our noses. Dieter and Baldewin are leading an investigation into this group to uncover who they are and why they seek Cameron. Until we have our answers and eliminated this threat, we must be extra vigilant to protect all our mages both at the castle and outside. Any mage leaving the castle walls must be accompanied by at least two dragons at all times. I regret any inconvenience this may cause, but your lives are precious to us.”

Cameron’s heart skipped a beat when he looked up to find Alric staring at him as he finished speaking. Alric smiled softly at him and the grand room started to fade away again. He couldn’t understand how Alric did it. When he looked at him, everything seemed to fall away. When he was with Alric, he felt precious.

The king blinked, his eyes going wide for a second, as if he’d just realized he was staring at Cameron, and turned his attention back to his people.

“Thank you for your time. Please celebrate the arrival of Cameron and watch over each other as we search for more answers,” Alric finished.

There was some brief cheering before most of the dragons started filing out of the hall. However, many stayed behind and slowly approached the dais. They quickly bowed their heads to Alric, but their eyes were locked on Cameron as if they couldn’t quite believe he stood in front of them. With just the tiniest of urging from Alric, Cameron descended the stairs and greeted them. Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming.

The names blurred a bit in his mind as they spoke, but after a moment Cameron found his own gaze drawn back to Alric. He glanced over his shoulder to find the king still standing where he’d left him, a broad smile on his lips, but there was something in his eyes, in the lines creeping out from them. And the faint lines around his mouth. Was he in pain? Was it from when he’d lifted his arm?

Had no one else noticed? Why wasn’t anyone helping their king if they loved him so much?

Cameron reluctantly looked at the other dragons, but he was simmering inside. Someone needed to take care of Alric, help him.

As the last of the dragons wished Cameron well, he started to turn toward Alric, but Lisette was already sweeping in to usher Cameron out a side door. He looked back to find Alric listening to an older man, a look of worry digging lines into his handsome face. The king was already at work again, protecting his people.

“He’s in pain, Lisette. I need to do something…” he whispered, finding it hard to draw his gaze from Alric.

The small woman at his side patted his arm. “I know, love. We’re going to fix him up. I promise.”

Some of the tension that had balled up in Cameron’s chest eased. Someone had to take care of that dragon.

“You studied engineering in the United States?” Warin asked with interest. “That’s interesting. I don’t think we’ve ever had a mage who studied anything but magic.”

Cameron gave a noncommittal shrug, as he had no ready response to that. Warin seemed a nice enough guy. He was definitely good looking, black hair in a smooth fall past his shoulders, the lines of his face masculine and chiseled. He spoke and carried himself as if he were a relic of a time long past. Cameron kept wanting to put chainmail on him and give him a sword. He looked strangely naked without either.

This was the fourth dragon he’d found himself sitting and talking to. Alric had escorted him into the dining hall for dinner—and it was quite the feast with a wide selection of foods—and introduced him to several people before being pulled away. Cameron didn’t mind since Warin seemed really nice. The time he’d helped with the almost-kidnapping attempt, he’d been nice, at least.

The dining hall in the castle was massive. It looked like something out of one of those period movies, with the long tables stretching along the room, with a smaller and shorter table at the far end. Presumably for the reigning family.

Now knowing what he did about the history of the clan, it was sad to see so much empty space. It was at the peak of dinner hour, and yet most of this cavernous room wasn’t filled, people sitting here and there in groups. It should have been full with mages, dragons, children. Not like this.

“Someone mentioned you have a sister?” Warin asked, hope in his voice. “Will she join you here?”

“She really wants to, yeah. Her and my grandmother. They’re really excited about dragons still being alive. And possibly having magic of their own. I know you guys are really interested in meeting my sister, but I have to warn you, she’s one hundred percent gay. She won’t be interested in the guys that way. Like, happy to meet you and talk, no question, just not romantically interested.”

Warin shrugged, accepting this easily. “I think I can speak for us all when I say we want a mate. We’ve all dreamed of finding that person who’s meant for us. But we won’t begrudge a clanmate if you choose someone else instead.”

“Er…really?” People were generally more selfish than that.

A sad smile graced Warin’s face as he explained, “We’ve learned the lesson the hard way, you see. What jealousy can beget. Our clan was decimated because of one man who let himself be consumed with it. None of us needs a repeat. And I cannot begrudge another the happiness, in all truth. These people are brothers and sisters to me; I know the heartbreak they weather all too keenly.”

It was settled. Warin was the nicest guy ever. “Well, I hope you guys realize it’s not just me and my sister? I’ve got cousins, too.”