Origin (Scales 'N' Spells Book 1)

by AJ Sherwood

  Lisette was two seconds from laughing outright. “You only need dragon’s breath if you’re working a wind-based spell.”

  “In other words, no kissing dragons for every spell?” Cameron growled and mock-pouted. “Damn. Figures there’s a catch. You, sir, are a tease.”

  Alric felt his blush deepen even as he defended himself. “I was trying to be helpful.”

  Cameron wagged a chiding finger at him. “A terrible, terrible tease. You got my hopes up. For shame.”

  Alric wanted to ask if that meant Cameron wouldn’t come to him again when he needed dragon’s breath. He couldn’t seem to get the words out. He didn’t want to hear the word ‘no’ from that mouth.

  Lisette interjected patiently. “Do you want to try another spell?”

  “You bet.” Cameron’s attention bounced back to her with the same energy and enthusiasm a golden retriever chased after a ball. “What else can I do at this stage? Without, you know, blowing something up or burning the castle down.”

  “Quite a bit.” Lisette drew him by the arm toward the door. “Let’s go somewhere that’s set up for such lessons. We won’t do many, as it’s growing late, and you need to focus or risk something going wrong. Like burning the castle down.”

  “It’s a very nice castle. I’d rather not.” Cameron went amiably along, that pep still in his stride, as if rest was the last thing on his mind.

  “We rather share the opinion.” Lisette led the way out of the study without a backwards glance.

  Alric could hear Cameron’s voice floating down the hallway, through the open door, asking many questions and Lisette’s voice answering them. He closed his eyes, listening far longer than he probably should have. A dragon’s hearing was excellent, and sounds echoed along the stone walls.

  Who had he been trying to tease, kissing Cameron like that? What had his mind been trying to do? Because all it had done was give Alric a taste of something he couldn’t have. Cameron might think him handsome, but that didn’t make him interested.

  Alric’s hand came up to his ruined arm, gripping the appendage hard enough to hurt. Not for the first time, he cursed it. It had robbed him of so much. Fighting ability, flight—and future. Because who could possibly want a damaged king?

  He wallowed in that emotion for only a moment before shaking it off firmly. It was unbecoming, and he didn’t have time for that. Alric’s people relied on him being on top of matters and right now, safety took precedence. He’d finish writing that witness statement and then email the Ice Dragon Clan, alerting them to the possible dangers and that their new mage had been hunted. Maybe they’d discover something on their end.

  That’s what he should be doing. Not dreaming of what-ifs and maybes.

  Alric stood in what he’d always thought of as the royal plotting room. His father had called it the War Room. Alric swore he could still feel his father in here, even after five centuries. But in those last days, it was the room he’d most frequently seen his father in as he met with the other clan leaders and strategized against Kaiser and the Jaeggi.

  The room faced the south, and while large windows lined one wall, there never seemed to be enough light to fight back the dark shadows and brighten the space. The walls were a cool grey and covered in old weapons from eras long gone. All of them were battle scarred and told the stories of his clan. In the center was a long, dark wood table surrounded by chairs. Its surface brightly gleamed as if calling them to its sides.

  For Alric, there had been no wars to strategize for, which made it all the worse since he felt like he was losing. But time was an enemy no one defeated. Not even long-lived dragons. With no mages, time was slowly eating away at their numbers, at their hope.

  Cameron and his family could change everything for them. He had to believe that Cameron would not only find a mate within his clan, but that he could be the key to unlocking how they found more mages. If Cameron and his family existed with no knowledge of their heritage, then there had to be others just like them. And the Noh Clan excelled in seeking magic. If they could recover that lost knowledge, then they had a better chance of finding others.

  For now, Alric just hoped Cameron was happy in the castle and wanted to stay.

  The door opened, and Dieter stepped inside, followed by Gunter. The tall, lanky dragon with the fall of blond hair across his forehead looked flushed with excitement, his slate blue eyes sparkling as they darted around the room.

  “Why am I the last to hear you’ve found a mage?” Gunter immediately demanded.

  “Because you never pull your nose out of those dusty books. You need to crawl out of the dungeon more than once a year,” Dieter teased.

  “It’s not a dungeon. It’s a library,” Gunter snapped.

  “There are no windows.”

  “Natural light can destroy old parchment, and most of those books and scrolls are several centuries old.”

  “When was the last time you let your dragon fly?” Dieter demanded, and Gunter suddenly turned quiet, refusing to meet Alric’s or Dieter’s eyes.

  “It’s a new moon tonight, Gunter. Stretch your wings over the mountain peaks. The fresh air will be good for your mind and body,” Alric said. Gunter’s head immediately popped up, and he opened his mouth to argue, but Alric just stared him down. “As your king, I ask that you stretch your wings.”

  Gunter’s mouth snapped shut, and he gave a little grunt, not looking happy about it in the slightest. Dear god, was there no dragon in all his kingdom who wasn’t incredibly stubborn?

  “I want your mind to be clear and sharp when you meet Cameron.”

  “Is it true he also has a sister? Has she used magic yet?” Gunter asked. His displeasure about being away from his books seemed already forgotten in the face of their newest discovery.

  “Yes, he does, and no, she hasn’t. But Cameron and Cassie are twins. I feel confident she just needs to be trained like Cameron.”

  “Is she being brought to the castle?”

  “Not yet. Right now, we are focusing on getting Cameron adjusted to the idea of being a mage and how he fits in our clan.”

  Gunter huffed. “Hasn’t it been explained that this—being a mage—will be her work, her life? That Burkhard Castle and her clan are where she belongs?”

  “Yes, it’s incredibly logical to toss your entire life aside because complete strangers have told you to,” Dieter said sarcastically. “Her brother was nearly kidnapped. Other than seeing Cameron safe, how much should she trust us with her life?”

  Alric pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger before rubbing his eyes. Gunter could argue with the wall if he was in the mood. The dragon needed to fly, feel the cool winds racing across his scales and lifting his massive wings. Maybe Alric would send Baldewin or Ravi with him. It was clear he’d spent too many hours alone in the dun—library with his books.

  Alric’s own dragon grumbled about stretching its own wings, and Alric hushed it.

  The door opened again, revealing Baldewin and Ravi. They were all gathered at last. Alric pulled back his seat at the head of the table, while Dieter took his place on Alric’s immediate right. Baldewin took his normal place beside Dieter while Gunter and Ravi settled into seats on Alric’s left.

  “Have you met him?” Gunter asked, looking over at Ravi.

  “Cameron? Hell yeah! I found him,” he said with pride.

  Gunter let out a soft huff and dropped back against his seat, glaring at the tabletop. The dragon truly hated being the last to get any bit of news, but that happened all too frequently because he didn’t leave his library.

  “Yes, we’ve found a mage at last,” Alric started, pulling all their eyes to him. “But we’re not the only ones.”

  “Fucking insane!” Ravi growled. “To take a mage from a dragon. Those idiots must have a death wish.”

  “Or simply desperate.” But Ravi was right. It was ballsy as hell. No one with a brain in their head stole from a dragon. Not only was his kind territorial, b
ut once they claimed something, there was no getting it away short of bloodshed. Alric clenched his right hand on the table, his dragon snarling a promise of rage and pain once they found the culprits.

  “They clearly knew he was a mage. Cameron told Lisette he saw a green flash from a device when someone bumped into him in his hotel lobby and then again when he was grabbed off the street. That same device is in Lisette’s possession. It’s an Amulet of Noh.”

  “This doesn’t make any sense,” Dieter grumbled in a low, deep voice. It was almost like great boulders crashing down a mountain. “If they’re mages and can use magic, why don’t we know about them? Why haven’t they come to us? Do they see us as a threat?”

  “And what? You believe they were stealing Cameron away from Alric to protect him?” Gunter shot back incredulously.

  Alric shook his head. “If that’s the case, they would have been better served simply talking to him. From what I saw, they had no interest in having a conversation with him. There was no gentleness in their handling of him.”

  “What if they were sent by the Ice Clan?” Ravi suggested.

  Dieter’s grey eyebrows shot straight to his hairline as he stared at the man. Lisette had made the same suggestion, which only made Alric sad. Yes, relations with the Ice Clan were generally strained. They heard rarely from the other clan, and while there was little love between them, it was hard to fathom the leader of the Ice Clan taking such evil steps.

  “It’s no secret they are as desperate for mages as we are,” Ravi continued. “Maybe they’ve sent mages in our territory to spy, to steal away any mages who could join our clan. It’s far easier for a mage to hide in our lands than another dragon.”

  Alric was already shaking his head. “No. We have no proof. With his clan desperate for mages as well, I can’t believe he would risk sending what few he has across the world to steal ours. This…this is something else, and we need to get to the bottom of it if we’re going to keep Cameron and any other mages safe. I’m addressing the clan today. It will be every dragon’s responsibility to protect all of our mages.”

  “What about his sister?” Baldewin asked.

  Alric frowned. “Cameron told her about the attempted kidnapping and warned her to take precautions. For now, I’m hoping these kidnappers don’t know Cameron’s name or about his family. He’s still learning to trust us. I don’t want to push too quickly, but I plan to broach the topic of bringing his sister to Burkhard.”

  “If you want me to turn my charm on Cameron,” Ravi offered with a wide grin, “I would be happy to work my magic on the mage.” He relaxed in his chair and buffed his nails on his shirt.

  It was on the tip of Alric’s tongue to snarl at Ravi that he didn’t want the young dragon anywhere near Cameron, but that would be wrong. Ravi could be Cameron’s mate, and he deserved a shot at discovering it.

  “It’s probably best if you give him some space,” Baldewin chuckled, saving Alric the need to respond. “You’ve already scared him twice.”

  “No!” Ravi cried.

  “You can be overwhelming,” Gunter observed.

  “And your dragon chased him,” Baldewin added.

  Ravi sank a little lower in his chair, his face flushing. “I was excited,” he whispered.

  “It’s fine, Ravi. He’s not scared of you,” Alric said, his heart going out to him. He could understand Ravi’s joy. Cameron was the first mage he was meeting outside of their clan. “Try speaking with him again tonight over dinner, alright? I think you haven’t crossed paths with him yet because he’s still wrapping his head around everything.”

  “Luckily, Lisette has him well in hand on mages and magic,” Dieter interjected with a note of pride in his voice. Alric smiled. Dieter and Lisette had been married most of his life. With his own parents gone, they’d come to represent everything Alric dreamed of having with a mate—compassion, understanding, companionship, laughter, and love.

  “And it is our job to make sure Cameron and all mages remain safe. Dieter, please reach out to the advisor for the Ice Clan. Request a meeting in regards to mages. I’ve sent an email to Rodrigo to inform him of the situation here, but we need a proper meeting to discuss matters. The discovery of Cameron and his family isn’t just good for the Fire Clan, but for all dragons and mages who might be hidden around the world. We need to share our knowledge.”

  “I will see that it is done this evening, Hoheit.”

  “I also want you working closely with Baldewin and his guards. We need spies sent into the surrounding cities. They’ve made a bold grab for Cameron once and have been watching him closely. I don’t think they’ll leave until they have proof Cameron has left the area as well. I want to know who they are and why they want Cameron.”

  “It will be done,” Dieter agreed with a bow of his head.

  Gunter leaned forward, resting both of his forearms on the table. His long fingers were threaded together. “What about a seeking spell?”

  “Lisette and the other mages are gathering what information they can from Cameron about him and his family. So far, our seeking spells have been…inadequate. They’ve struggled to identify Cameron and have been blind to these other mages. I believe she’s hoping with Cameron’s help, they will be able to improve the spell.”

  Gunter sighed heavily. “But that takes time.”

  There was a soft knock at the door and Alric called for Lisette to enter. Lisette stepped in with a soft smile on her lips. Closing the door behind her, she breezed lightly into the room. At just the sight of his mate, Dieter sat up a little straighter in his chair, a look of pure joy lighting his face. Alric watched his advisor from the corner of his eye as she made her way around the table to his side. Dieter never stopped watching her the entire way.

  That’s what Alric dreamed of. A love that never dimmed, never faded. He wanted a love that burned brightly for all his long years.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt your meeting, Hoheit,” Lisette said as she came to stand between Dieter and Baldewin, her arm resting across Dieter’s shoulders. “I just wanted to tell you everyone is gathered in the hall for your address.”

  Ravi sat up in his chair, staring down the table at Alric with interest. “Will Cameron be there as well?”

  “Yes. It’s for the clan’s benefit as well as Cameron’s. He needs to see who we are, understand that we are a family, and we all will protect him.”

  “Speaking of the young mage, will you bring him into the hall?” Dieter asked.

  Alric shook his head before looking at Dieter’s mate. “Lisette, he trusts you. Would you bring him in?”

  She smiled warmly at him. “I’d be happy to. Might I make another suggestion.”

  “Of course.”

  Her eyes narrowed on him in an instant, and her expression turned frighteningly serious. “Wear your bloody crown.”

  Alric glared right back at her. He hated wearing that damn crown. It was only taken out for special occasions and state affairs like visiting dignitaries from other clans—not that it happened all that often. They were lucky to be on speaking terms with the Ice Clan.

  “Lisette—”

  “Don’t you ‘Lisette’ me. That sweet boy understands you’re the sexy man who rescued him and took him to a fancy restaurant. Now he needs to get a good glimpse of who you are to all of us. The true power and the strength of the Fire Clan.”

  An old throb of pain went through his left arm, and Alric’s frown deepened. He had some serious doubts about Lisette’s description, but he kept them to himself. Now was not the time.

  “Thank you for the suggestion,” Alric said tightly.

  “And change your shirt.”

  “What?” Alric looked down, plucking at his black shirt with his right hand. It was a nice, clean shirt. What was wrong with it?

  “You’re the king of the Fire Dragon Clan, not some moody vampire prince. Wear something with a little color.”

  Alric groaned, but he doubted anyone heard it over Baldewin, Gunter,
and Ravi’s wild laughter. He’d blushed when Lisette had described him as sexy, but now he was just thoroughly embarrassed. He hadn’t sat in on a lot of meetings in this room with his father, but he couldn’t recall a single one where he’d been taken to task over his choice of clothing.

  “Thank you, Lisette,” Alric ground out. She graced him with a smile and then walked back out of the room.

  Alric pinned his advisor with a dark look the moment the door closed. The man appeared to be struggling to hold in his laughter. “Did she do this with my father?”

  “No, your father always remembered to wear his crown,” Dieter replied, which only sent his friends into fresh peals of laughter. “But she did like to hound him about his shoes. Your father hated wearing shoes.”

  A hint of a smile played across Alric’s lips. That he did remember about his father. The old king loved fancy clothes and shiny things but preferred to walk around barefoot.

  Alric placed his right hand on the table and pushed to his feet. Everyone else rose at the same time. “Everyone has their assignments—”

  “Hoheit?” Gunter interjected and Alric smiled.

  “Sorry, Gunter. I want you to make yourself available to Dieter and Lisette. Anything they need researched, be ready. Also take note of anything interesting they might find. Maybe once she learns more about Cameron, his family, and their original clan, we might be able to do more about the seeking spell.”

  Gunter nodded, his gaze distant as he mentally ran through all the books in the library. “Yes. Of course. I think I’ve run across some variations on the seeking spell that might be of use now.”

  “Bring in help if you must. You’re not to spend all hours of the night and day digging through those books.”

  “I’ll check on him between missions for Baldewin,” Ravi offered. Gunter did not look thrilled. Ravi was walking chaos, and Gunter did not like the dragon anywhere near his books.

  “Thank you. I’ll see you all in the hall,” Alric murmured. The four men around the table bowed their heads and filed out of the room.

  Once alone, Alric glanced down at his shirt and frowned. He did not dress like a moody vampire prince.