Page 236 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume Two

Reluctantly, Gunter broke off the kiss as a new thought occurred to him. It might not make Nikki too happy, but it would give Gunter some peace of mind and could save Nikki’s life down the road.

“I have one request,” Gunter said quickly when Nikki tried to snag his mouth again.

“What?”

“I want to be bonded to you before the battle.” Nikki’s eyes went wide with surprise and Gunter knew he had to start talking fast. “I know you want a big, beautiful ceremony, and we will do that, but⁠—”

“Yes.”

Gunter blinked. “Yes? Yes, you want a big ceremony?”

“No, yes,” Nikki laughed.

Gunter just blinked again. His brain had clearly broken at some point in the night. “You’re not making any sense.”

Nikki continued to laugh while they grabbed his face and kissed the corner of his mouth. “Yes, I will bond with you before the battle. But I also want a big, amazing ceremony later. You’re not getting out of that.”

“Really?” Gunter’s brain was never going to recover. He’d already mentally planned out four important bullet point arguments on why it was critical they bonded now rather than later. Nikki had agreed that easily?

“Yes, really. I want to be bonded to my dragon right now, forever and always.” Nikki’s nose wrinkled, and they twisted around to look at the clock on the nightstand. “But it’s already after nine in the evening, and tomorrow night we’re leaving to attack the Jaeggi. The preparations will keep everyone busy tomorrow.”

Gunter had been about to tell Nikki he was willing to move heaven and earth to get this done, but a brisk knocking at his door cut off his words. With a growl, he reluctantly detached Nikki from his person and crossed the room to answer the door. Now was not the time. Plans needed to be made, people rousted from their beds.

Pulling open the door, Gunter found Alric standing on the other side, looking worried and upset. Excellent! Just the dragon he needed.

Alric’s head popped up and he frowned. “Gunter, I thought we should talk about Nikki and⁠—”

“I’m sorry, Hoheit, but we have no time to talk about that. You need to bond us. Now.”

“What?” Alric’s question came out as sort of a yelp as Gunter grabbed his right arm and hauled him into the room.

“Yes, Nikki is going to take down the ward. I’m angry, and there’s nothing I can do. But I can be bonded to them before that happens. Tonight.”

Alric sort of blinked mutely at him for several seconds, like his brain was struggling to catch up to events. Gunter had suffered from the same thing until he’d decided to just shut off his brain and let his heart handle decisions; at least until tomorrow.

“Now? Here?” Alric asked. “Just the three of us?”

“Couldn’t we invite the other dragons and mages?” Nikki asked as they crossed to the main living space of the apartment, their cellphone clutched tightly in both hands.

“That would be nice. Also, I wonder if the kitchen has any tarts or sweets. It’s not a bonding ceremony without something sweet.” Gunter’s hopeful look faded as he looked down at Nikki. “But it’s late. It would be difficult to pull people together, and then food too.”

Nikki’s face split into an enormous grin. “Not if I text Ravi.” They turned the phone screen around to face Gunter and Alric where they could clearly see Nikki’s text of:

HALP!!!!! Getting bonded to Gunter RIGHT NOW but I need my dragon and mage family with me.

Ravi had already replied with an explosion of hearts, crying, shouting, and other random emojis that had sort of devolved into gibberish. The translation being Ravi was excited and happy to help.

There was a rapid-fire knock on the door, but before Gunter could command the person to enter, Ravi burst through in a blur, swooping right past him to collide with Nikki.

“Really? Seriously? Tonight? You’re getting bonded tonight?”

“Good grief, Ravi. Did someone let you have caffeine again?” Alric muttered.

“Ha ha, Hoheit. Are you ready for this? I’m thinking we need to do this in the throne room. It’s the only room in the castle big enough to accommodate all the mages and dragons in the castle right now.”

Alric nodded. “That would be perfect. Start spreading the news. Get Cassie to help you. She’s good at those mass message things. Tell everyone they have twenty minutes to get down to the throne room.”

Ravi had already been moving for the door but stopped suddenly. “Twenty minutes? That’s it?”