Page 133 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume Two

In a moment, they were in the air and racing back toward Sonthofen, Germany, and Burkhard Castle. The mage fell asleep before they even reached the German border. That was somewhat reassuring. At least Nikki wasn’t the type to dislike heights, like Tori. The trust in that gesture relieved Gunter. Gunter believed it was a mix of exhaustion and relief at finally being away from the Jaeggi.

And they were kind of cute when they were sleeping and relaxed in his arms. Kind of kittenish. Except this kitten had the power to blow them all to kingdom come. Gunter shuddered as his mind replayed exactly what elements Nikki had slapped together. The sooner Nikki got some professional training, the better and safer it would be for all of them.

Nikki woke when Gunter started to lower them into the castle courtyard. They took everything in with wide eyes and eagerness, but it was tempered with caution. Gunter wasn’t quite sure why. Because it housed mages? Nikki seemed to be wary of them earlier, so that could be it. But something about the castle made them cautious.

Once on the ground, Nikki stuck close, though they no longer clung to Gunter, at least. If they passed anyone, Nikki questioned whether they saw mage or dragon in human form, and their guard stayed up. But their fascination with the castle didn’t wane, their head panning one direction, then the next as they took it all in.

Briefly, Gunter considered placing Nikki in one of the rooms already prepared in anticipation of them locating more mages with the Jaeggi. And then he imagined the castle blowing up because Nikki had been left alone with unknown mages.

No, that wouldn’t work.

There was one set of rooms next to his currently unoccupied. That would do, at least until Nikki got over their fear of other mages. Then they could be moved closer to them at a later date. Yes, that would have to work.

“How many dragons live here?” Nikki asked.

“Normally, there are about fifty dragons. The castle is quite full of visiting dragons from the Valerii Clan, as well as from the Sodalicium,” Gunter replied as they took the central staircase up to his floor.

Nikki’s voice dipped a little softer as they asked, “How many mages live here?”

“That number feels like it’s changing constantly now. For a long time, we had fewer than a dozen. Now, with all the visiting mages and the new mages we’ve discovered, I’d say there are about thirty. Possibly more.”

An “eep” sneaked out of Nikki.

“But none of the mages here will ever harm you. They only want to help you and be your friend,” Gunter argued, but it was like talking to a brick wall. Nikki had no interest in being friends with a mage.

“Do you spend a lot of time with the other mages?”

“Not really. I am the royal researcher and historian, which means I spend most of my days alone in the library.”

Nikki’s eyes lit up, and Gunter belatedly realized exactly what he’d stepped into. He was such a fool.

“I like books!” Nikki volunteered.

Well, at least there was some hope for the mage.

Gunter stopped at a door just down from his own and opened it. The room smelled a little stale. It had been a while since it was last used, but it was kept tidy in case of visitors to the castle. There was a lovely sitting room adorned in shades of pale blue. From there, the doorway led to a sunny yellow bedroom, walk-in closet, and en-suite bathroom. All very lovely and private. It had to be a vast improvement to where Nikki had been living before.

“What’s this?” Nikki asked.

“This is your new room.”

Nikki’s eyes snapped up to Gunter. “Really? All of this?”

“Yes. This is your private apartment. Your rooms. No one can come in here without your permission. You’ll always be safe in your rooms.”

Nikki’s grip on his hand lessened a little, and they took a step away to let their fingertips skim across the fine fabric of one of the chairs. Their expression was poleaxed, as if this was something Nikki had no experience with and certainly didn’t expect. But there was a growing smile of delight, too. “I don’t have to share it.”

“No.” Gunter grinned as Nikki took another step into the room. Yes, this was perfect. Nikki would have a place of their own and would be willing to detach from Gunter.

“Where are your rooms?” Nikki asked suddenly, and Gunter forcibly held on to his smile.

“Right next to your room. If you step into the hall, I’m the first door on the left. You can come visit me anytime you need to.”

“Oh. You promise?”

“I do. I’m just a few steps away. Nikki, if you don’t mind, I have a few questions for you?”

“Sure, go ahead.”