Page 74 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume One

“No, sorry. I was lost in thought.”

“What’s troubling you?”

Cameron managed a small smile as he looked over at Alric standing perfectly erect and dressed in a sharp, dark suit. Of course, it didn’t look like the slight chill in the air bothered him. But then, as a fire dragon, Cameron doubted any kind of cold bothered him. “I just worry that my family can be a bit much.”

“I don’t know. You’re talking about a sister who took down an assailant twice her weight with only a baseball bat and duct tape. And of course, your grandmother has turned the head of my royal guard into a man who hides in a tiny jet bathroom so he can send me threatening texts.”

“Oh god, he didn’t,” Cameron gasped, covering his mouth with both hands. He was trying not to laugh, he really was, but…Baldewin was so tall and strong and intimidating. What had his grandmother done?

“Baldewin will recover. He’s also explained that Cassie is now quite attached to Sasha.”

“What?” Cameron shrieked, forgetting all about his own worries because Alric clearly had the best gossip. “Have you and Baldewin been texting non-stop since he left?”

“Not quite. Just quick updates about their progress, which occasionally include little snippets about your grandmother and sister.”

Cameron thrust both of his hands into his hair. Maybe he should have made up warning labels for those two. Cameron was used to their craziness, he could take it in stride, but his poor dragon friends had no idea what was coming. It would surely be hysterical (for Cameron), but still, a warning wouldn’t be amiss. But all that was forgotten when Alric stepped a little closer and placed his right hand against Cameron’s lower back.

Alric leaned closer and whispered into his ear, “Your family sounds amazing. I can’t wait to meet them.”

“Oh, they’re fun. They’re just also a little…” he said breathlessly.

“They can’t possibly be more eccentric than Ravi. And I love Ravi like a little brother.”

Cameron’s eyes snapped to the sky where the dragon was still flying circles and loops over their heads. He’d been at it for nearly twenty minutes and wasn’t showing any signs of slowing down in his excitement to meet more mages. So maybe Alric had a point about eccentric family members.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve arranged for a private dinner to be served in your chambers this evening so you can spend time with your family without all the hustle and bustle of the clan. It will give them time to rest and to catch up on events. If you think they’re up for it, tomorrow we can have a more appropriate celebration with the entire clan.”

Laughing, Cameron turned to face Alric. Only a couple inches difference in height stood between them, and it would be so easy just to lean down and kiss him. It didn’t matter that they were standing in the middle of the courtyard where at least a dozen other dragons were gathered along with a couple of mages. Not to mention the couple of dozen dragons likely watching out the castle windows.

“You can’t help it, can you? You’re just naturally wonderful and thoughtful,” Cameron murmured.

“You’re clan now, Cameron. This is your home. And I want your family to feel welcome in our home too.”

Cameron’s heart skipped for an entirely new reason. He definitely had to kiss this man now. Didn’t matter if it was in front of the whole clan. He⁠—

The sound of an engine entering the courtyard and tires zipping along concrete had Cameron jerking away in time to see a fancy black sedan pull into the open space. So much for that kiss. His family was here.

“I’m so kissing you senseless later,” Cameron muttered under his breath.

“I’m holding you to that,” Alric replied in the same low voice.

Cameron bit his tongue against the first dirty response that came to mind and smiled as the car doors were thrown open. Cassie was the first to pop out, and she ran straight for him. She was dressed in her usual mish-mosh of bright colors, and her blue hair couldn’t be missed. But it was her enthusiasm he’d been longing for. Nothing stopped Cassie once she put her mind to something. And she was damn scary if you tried to get in her way.

Thin, strong arms wrapped around his neck, and her slender body slammed into his, knocking him back a step. Once again, he felt Alric’s hand on his back, steadying him.

“Cas—”

“Oh my god, Cam! It’s so good to see you! And this place is so amazing. We rode on a private jet. A private jet! Can you freaking believe that? Halmeoni wouldn’t sit still for a second. She talked poor Baldewin’s ear off. I swear he was hiding in the bathroom half the flight just to get a break. And is that a dragon overhead?” She twisted in Cameron’s arms and squealed directly in his ear loudly, and Ravi swooped low and landed in the middle of the courtyard, his blue wings shimmering in the sunset.

Cassie squeezed him again and then shot off, jogging over to where Ravi practically vibrated in his excitement. Cameron’s own grandmother didn’t even come over to see him first. She briskly walked over to the dragon and stroked the side of Ravi’s massive head while giggling like a little kid.

“In case you were wondering, we are now both chopped liver in the face of meeting a dragon,” Cameron grumbled. Alric’s laughter rang out across the courtyard while he wrapped his arm around Cameron’s waist, pulling him in close. Cameron didn’t hesitate to rest his head against Alric’s for a moment, soaking in his touch.

“If they are happy, then I don’t mind,” Alric said before releasing him. “Why don’t you go greet your grandmother while I speak with Baldewin about the trip? I’ll be here when they are ready to meet me.”

Cameron shook his head. “Yes, because the King of the Fire Dragons has nothing better to do with his day than to wait on my grandmother’s whims.”

Alric just shrugged. “I’ll always wait for you.”