Page 163 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume One

“It’s the safest option and would get you here in a matter of hours so we can properly protect you. You need more than two dragons with you right now. Flying really is the safest choice.”

“Nope. We’re just gonna nope right out of that option and move on to option number two that does not require my feet to leave the ground,” Tori said firmly. Baldewin was failing miserably to control his goofy grin. Clearly Tori had recovered from his inability to speak to a king with great aplomb.

“I’m not asking that you fly via dragon. I am more than happy to charter a private jet that will bring you to a small airfield not far from Sonthofen. From there, we can properly escort you to the castle,” Alric calmly argued. The man clearly did not understand how much Tori did not like flying.

“Whether on a dragon or in a plane, it all still counts as flying, and I am not flying. Try again,” Tori countered.

The line went silent for a moment except for a muffled sound that Baldewin was willing to guess was a barely covered laugh from Dieter. He could easily imagine Alric’s stubborn glare at the phone as he sat at his desk. His Hoheit did not like to be deterred from the course of action he preferred, but he was a resourceful man.

“If I cannot get you on a plane or a dragon, then I must send more dragons in your direction. I will have an entire army flanking you at all times, if I must. You will arrive at Burkhard Castle unharmed.”

Tori’s eyes widened so much they were in danger of rolling out of his head. “Is he serious?” he demanded in a breathy whisper.

“I am very serious, mage,” Alric answered before Baldewin could, proving his hearing was as sharp as ever.

The entire morning had been filled with surreal events stretching from the booby trap on the car, the attack, the kisses with Baldewin—which weren’t real kisses no matter how much part of him really wanted them to be—to this entire conversation with a freaking king.

Yep, Tori had to be dreaming. He hadn’t crawled out of the ridiculously comfortable bed yet. He was curled up in a mound of pillows and soft blankets.

Then why the hell couldn’t he be having a fun dream about a naked Baldewin?

A horn honked, and Tori looked back to the road in time to jerk the wheel, pulling the car from the center line and away from the massive truck that had been barreling down on them.

Okay. Not a dream. Or nightmare. He was really awake, driving a car and talking to the king of the Fire Dragons. He needed to focus if he was going to help get them somewhere safe before another gaggle of Jaeggi mages located them.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m ready for an entire squadron of dragons to descend on me,” he managed.

He might have adjusted to having Warin and Baldewin around, and he might be heading to an entire castle filled with them, but he didn’t want to be surrounded by strange dragons sooner than absolutely necessary.

Most of the time, he could forget that Baldewin and Warin were dragons. They were just a nice pair of guys he was hanging out with during an international road trip. There would be no forgetting it if he suddenly picked up a dozen new bodyguards.

“Remember, Hoheit, it wasn’t that long ago that Tori was under the belief dragons were evil betrayers. It takes a while to adjust that mindset after hearing it your entire life,” Baldewin murmured.

Tori opened his mouth to apologize, but Alric was already speaking.

“Yes, you’re right. I’m sorry I didn’t consider that, Tori. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable or more threatened than you already do. My only concern is your safety.”

And Tori believed him. He’d never met the dragon, but there was an earnest quality to his voice that left Tori convinced he actually cared about his well-being. It didn’t hurt that Baldewin trusted him so completely, and Tori found himself trusting Baldewin’s judgment.

“Another option is a spell,” Tori found himself offering. His voice wobbled a little, and he had to clear his throat before continuing. None of his teachers ever trusted him to cast such a spell, but he knew its workings by heart. He knew he could successfully do it. There was just a small problem. “I can do a masking spell that will hide our magical signature, which I’m assuming the Jaeggi are using to keep finding us. I just don’t have the elements to complete the spell. If my memory serves correctly, they aren’t the type of things I can easily pick up while on the road.”

“Dieter, will you contact Lissette and ask her to come to my office? I’d like her input on the spell and the elements needed,” Alric said in a low voice. “Tori, the quickest way for me to get you those ingredients is via dragon. Are you comfortable with me sending another guard in your direction as a courier and protection?”

“Actually, Hoheit, I’m thinking it might be best to send both a guard and a mage to us,” Baldewin said.

From the backseat, Warin chuckled. “I can’t believe you’re actually going to suggest it.”

Baldewin waved a dismissive hand at his friend. Tori watched them both as best he could from the rearview mirror, but he still got the impression he was missing something. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best time to try and figure out what they were up to. It was hard enough keeping his mind on the road and talking to the king at the same time.

“Sasha helped me on the retrieval of Cassie from the United States, and she is a fast flier. She would provide excellent protection for Tori, and I think Tori would be comfortable with her presence.” Baldewin paused and licked his lips. “And Cassie has become quite an accomplished mage in the past month. She is the one who originally located Tori. I believe she could be of great assistance in the casting of the masking spell. She would also be far more believable than me in explaining to Tori how our mages are valued at Burkhard.”

There was a long, tense silence before Alric spoke again. And even then, his voice was flat and disbelieving.

“You want me to send you Cassie?” Alric inquired.

“Yes.”

“Cassie Burkhard? Cameron’s twin sister? That Cassie?”