Breath (Scales 'n' Spells 2)

All the women looked at him blankly, then at each other.

“Has no one told him?” Gisa demanded, outrage blooming over her face.

“Apparently not.” Lisette sighed, already looking resigned. “Why did I trust Alric to say something to him?”

“You really should not have.” Shaking her head, Jana put a hand on Tori’s arm to draw his attention to her. There was kindness on her pretty, narrow face, but mostly determination. Her bow-shaped lips were flattened in seriousness. “It is entirely your choice if you want to stay here. Baldewin and Warin would not have brought you to the clan if they didn’t already like you and think you’d be a good fit here. After spending the day working with you, I think I can speak for all of us when I say we’d love to have you. Not just because you’ve got good spellcraft and knowledge of herbs—”

A flush heated Tori’s cheeks. Did she really think so? It didn’t sound like empty flattery to him. Oh god, had another mage ever said that to him? Those words felt like a benediction.

“—but because you’re fun. And if you want to stay, then please stay.”

“Even if you and Baldewin don’t work out,” Carla threw in. “You don’t have to marry into the clan to stay.”

That was reassuring, although Tori hoped for the best when it came to Baldewin because the man was sexy as sin and incredibly sweet. He’d be an idiot to pass up the chance of having him as a lover.

But still, knowing he was wanted on his own merits tugged hard at his heartstrings. He looked at all the women once again, and felt tears burn his eyes. “Cameron had said I could leave any anytime. But staying…I wasn’t sure…” Tori paused and flashed them a bright smile. “You’re all amazing. I’ve loved working with you today.”

“Then stay,” Lisette encouraged him. “And I’ll poke Alric, get him to issue a formal invitation to you.”

Tori wasn’t sure how to feel about that. “Is that alright? For you to do that?”

“Already poked,” Cassie cackled, her phone in both hands.

He whipped around to stare at her, jaw dropping. “You did not just text a king.”

“And tell him to get his ass in gear? I totally did. It’s my prerogative as a sister.”

Lisette threw her head back on a laugh. “I love how forthright you are with him. Don’t worry, Tori. Alric didn’t grow up with siblings, so he’s still learning how to handle his new sister, but he more or less takes her in stride. And spoils her.”

“I enjoy the spoiling very, very much,” Cassie assured the room brightly.

The door opened and speak of the devil, there were both Alric and Baldewin. The king lifted his mobile phone as he stepped inside, expression bemused. “I have been reliably informed that I need to get my ass in gear. Apparently, I have failed to express something correctly?”

“You’re quick,” Cassie approved.

“I actually came to speak with Tori about something else, although I’ll speak with him about this, too,” Alric admitted to her. He turned, spotting his quarry, and gave Tori a slight smile. “If you have a moment?”

“Sure.” His heart in his throat, he slipped around Carla. Alric indicated for him to take a seat on one of the couches on the far side of the room. It was meant to be a mini breakroom for when the mages needed to sit down for a moment. Tori’s nerves were stretched taut as he perched at the edge of the comfy, worn-in leather cushion.

Alric took the chair across from him, settling with a sigh, and for just a moment, another emotion slipped out. Fatigue, maybe. He no doubt had a great many things to juggle, so it said something that Alric took the time to come and speak with Tori directly.

Somewhat to his dismay, Baldewin didn’t sit with him on the couch but instead in the chair placed between him and Alric, as if he were trying to straddle neutral ground. Tori felt that gap of space like a yawning abyss, and his nerves startled rattling. This didn’t look good.

“Tori, I came to speak of your clan,” Alric began, “and your place there.”

Oh god. Oh god, the king wanted to send him back. His stomach knotted painfully, and he was suddenly afraid he was going to embarrass himself in front of everyone by breaking down in tears. He didn’t want to leave. Didn’t want to ever leave the Burkhard Clan.

“Alric!” Ha Na snapped, already marching around him. She grabbed Tori’s head with both hands, pulling him into her stomach in a defensive posture. It was a little startling; he’d never been held like this before. Nice, though. He leaned into her because it was a relief to have someone come so automatically to his defense. Something of a novelty, as well. And he loved Ha Na all the more for it. “You are not sending this sweet boy back to that clan!”