Page 53 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume One

Baldewin completed the introduction with a wave of the hand. “Cameron, Gunter. He’s our researcher. He collaborates with the mages to help them study magical elements and trace mage bloodlines. He also spends far too much time in this room.”

With a sniff and a pointed look, Gunter ignored him. “Welcome, Cameron. I’ve meant to go up and meet you, ask if I could take some blood samples.”

Baldewin sighed. “Will you please act like a normal person for once?”

Cameron was a little alarmed with a person demanding blood samples on first acquaintanceship, but he had to admit he was curious as to why. “For what?”

“My purpose is two-fold.” Gunter came around his desk, revealing comfortable, worn-in jeans and a hoodie that had seen better days. An ink-splattered hoodie, no less. Had he strangled a pen to death? “One, if we have a blood sample on file for you, our mages can do spells targeted at you. Like seeking spells. Even if you’re taken, we can track you.”

Considering what had almost happened, that seemed a very reasonable precaution. “Okay, so what’s the second reason?”

“I’m still attempting to divine what it is about the mage bloodlines that is so predominantly female. Did anyone tell you that most mages are women? Yes? Oh good, that simplifies matters. We truly do not know why. It’s not a bad thing, we dragons don’t care as much about gender, but it’s a fascinating question, don’t you think? I really want to understand if there’s a genetic factor we’re possibly overlooking. The trouble is, I only know of two or three living male mages. I don’t have enough data to go off of.”

Cameron felt himself warming a little to Gunter. He, too, liked a good intellectual puzzle to sink his teeth into. “I actually came down here to ask you about this very thing.”

“Did you really?” Gunter perked up visibly, a hopeful smile tugging his mouth up.

“I did, yeah. And I wanted to talk to you about the whole child-birth thing too. Since I’m a male mage, doesn’t that make it complicated for whatever dragon chooses me?”

“Hmm, not in the way you mean it. It’s true we’re all a little baby crazy in a way, not having had children in ages. Dragons only go into heat once every hundred years or so.” Gunter made a face. “And our mages, they don’t always match up to that heat well, so getting pregnant is very hit and miss. We’ve had only a few children since the Dragon War ended for that reason. Is that your question?”

“Partially. But how do same-sex couples have a child?”

“We have the magical version of an incubator. It’s a rather complex spell, takes a dozen mages to keep it activated and sustained for the full nine months.” Gunter made a face. “Another reason why we couldn’t use it, as we currently only have six mages. We’ve attempted to modify the incubator, but it’s complex magic and not easily tampered with.”

“I can imagine it would be, if you’re basically trying to grow a child.” It was all fascinating and Cameron definitely wanted to ask more questions about this. He had a feeling Gunter might know most of the answers, despite not being a mage himself. If they married technology with magic, would it be easier? More feasible?

Gunter’s eyebrows rose hopefully. “Being that you’re one of the few male mages I’ve seen, do you mind if I take a blood sample?”

“Not at all,” Cameron assured him. “But I want to ask you questions, too.”

“Of course, of course, I’d be happy to discuss it. And I have many questions about the Noh Clan.” Gunter almost skipped to a drawer, pulling out needles and vials like a vampire looking forward to a feast. “Here, take a seat.”

Following Cameron to the barstool, Baldewin warned Gunter in a firm tone, “Don’t take too much.”

Gunter looked up from his prep work and frowned at Baldewin as if the man had suddenly spoken in a foreign language. “Too much?”

Cameron found himself glad Baldewin was here.

Alric could feel the smile forming on his lips as Cameron’s excited voice echoed down the hall. The young mage had been living in the castle for only a week and a half, but Alric swore it had been longer. Every time he saw Cameron around the castle, he was chatting with a different dragon or he was working with Lisette on his spells.

Sadly, Alric had taken to spending more time in his office. It was easier than watching Cameron with other dragons, his heart painfully pounding at the thought of this dragon proving to be Cameron’s mate. His own dragon wanted to snatch Cameron up and tuck him away in Alric’s secret room with his hoard. There the mage would finally be safe away from this threat as well as other dragons.

Not healthy thinking.

Alric needed to do what was best for his people. He needed to think of Cameron’s needs first and not his own.

But even with that in mind, he still found himself cherishing each of Cameron’s visits. Every day, Cameron sought him out. Sometimes it was only for a few minutes before Cameron had a lesson with Lisette, or Alric had a meeting, but other times they were able to steal hours. It didn’t matter the length of time. Alric only wanted to see Cameron’s smile, hear his laughter.

He’d also found himself indulging in Cameron’s morning visits. The young mage insisted on being the one to put oil on Alric every morning. After that first surprising morning, Alric found he could handle himself a little better. Marginally. Alright, it was a lie, but he at least hadn’t lost all control in front of Cameron. And he should probably put a stop to it, but…he didn’t want to.

A beautiful younger man wanted to touch Alric and tease, and dammit, Alric enjoyed the attention. Why not indulge? And really, it became clearer by the day that Cameron wanted Alric. It seemed, oddly, as if only Alric held his regards.

Alric didn’t understand that, not really. His clan had many beautiful, amazing people in it. He’d been sure once Cameron had met them, his attention would shift from Alric and onto someone else. But it strangely hadn’t happened, and that fed Alric’s hope. Was it possible Cameron’s flirtations were sincere? That he really was that interested?

Alric kicked back in his favorite chair with a sigh, letting his legs stretch out in front of him. For a moment, he let himself indulge in the idea of asking Cameron out on a date. A proper date, with all that entailed. It was all too blissful even in his head. Was it wise to do so? Alric feared not only rejection but in making things awkward. If their dating went poorly, then wouldn’t Cameron hesitate in staying here? In accepting a position in the clan?

The concern was valid and yet…and yet.