Page 161 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume Two

Focus on food, Nikki. Rather amazing-smelling food, at that. “I’d love to try it.”

“It’s generally spicy. Are you good with spice?”

“I like spice.” Nikki took a closer look at the buffet table as they approached. Nothing looked remotely familiar, but it really did smell good.

Gunter, because he was kindness personified, pointed to each dish and explained what it was and what it was made of. It helped Nikki choose what to put on their plate. But they also noticed Gunter chose only the meat and carbs—the korma, rice, and naan, to be precise.

Why did he avoid vegetables all the time? Seriously, the dragon was worse than a child. Nikki had seen it play out time and again on the sitcoms they watched, of how important veggies were. Parents were always telling children to eat more veggies.

Nikki made sure to put a vegetable dish with a second helping on their plate. They’d sneak it over to Gunter’s at the right moment.

For goodness’ sake, feeding a dragon shouldn’t take this much strategy and forethought. There had been wars waged with less strategy than this.

By some miracle, they found two open chairs next to each other and settled into them. Nikki was relieved to see dragons on all sides, so they didn’t have to worry about interacting with mages, at least. It gave them the peace of mind to eat.

Tentative sampling of each dish proved Gunter right—it was all delicious. They dove in with more gusto, keeping one eye on Gunter while they waited for the opportune moment to strike.

When it did, Nikki was ready. Half of their vegetables promptly slid onto Gunter’s plate, nestled next to the naan.

Gunter was more alert than Nikki had given him credit for, though, and instantly paused, glass in hand. “Nikki, why are you putting vegetables on my plate?”

“Because you never put them on your plate,” Nikki said stubbornly, their eyebrow arched in challenge.

Gunter rolled his ice-blue eyes in an obvious prayer for patience. “It’s not like I’m a growing boy.”

“How do you expect your brain to function if you don’t feed it what it needs?” Nikki asked, the eyebrow not dropping.

“How do you even know that?”

“TV, how else do you think I know that?”

Gunter rolled his eyes again, expressively, but the next bite he took was of the vegetables.

Satisfied, Nikki let him eat, smiling as they returned to their own food.

“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? Tis The Gunter, having crawled forth from his dungeon,” called out a familiar voice above the din, and Nikki had to swallow back his laughter.

“That is the worst rendition of Romeo and Juliet I’ve ever heard,” Gunter accused.

“But you still recognized it,” Ravi drawled as he joined them across the table. “I felt like drama should reflect the moment. After all, we have Gunter eating. In the dining hall. Again.”

“You make it sound like I’m the missing element in a whodunnit mystery,” Gunter countered dryly.

“I’m certainly mystified so that fits.” Ravi wore an outrageous grin, as usual.

The last of Nikki’s earlier anger evaporated at the appearance of Ravi. He had the best sense of humor, making it hard to stay angry when he was near.

“I can only think of one reason why you’re joining us for every meal.” Ravi threw out a fist toward Nikki to bump. “Good job.”

Nikki bumped, grinning. “What? We all have to eat.”

“No, not arguing, but I seriously have seen Gunter more times this week than I usually see him in a year. It’s miraculous, I tell you. I haven’t had to think of a single prank to get him out of the dungeon since your arrival.”

Gunter paused, outrage spreading over his face. “Do you mean to tell me that if I just showed up regularly to meals, you would leave my library alone?”

“Dude.” Ravi gave him such a look, Nikki nearly burst out laughing. “Why do you think I prank you? I mean, aside from the fact that you have super fun reactions. It’s to make you actually leave that room. Before you become the first dragon hermit.”

“I wouldn’t be, there was a dragon hermit back in—not the point. Ravi, you could have just said that!”