Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

“I will see that it is done this evening, Hoheit.”

“I also want you working closely with Baldewin and his guards. We need spies sent into the surrounding cities. They’ve made a bold grab for Cameron once and have been watching him closely. I don’t think they’ll leave until they have proof Cameron has left the area as well. I want to know who they are and why they want Cameron.”

“It will be done,” Dieter agreed with a bow of his head.

Gunter leaned forward, resting both of his forearms on the table. His long fingers were threaded together. “What about a seeking spell?”

“Lisette and the other mages are gathering what information they can from Cameron about him and his family. So far, our seeking spells have been…inadequate. They’ve struggled to identify Cameron and have been blind to these other mages. I believe she’s hoping with Cameron’s help, they will be able to improve the spell.”

Gunter sighed heavily. “But that takes time.”

There was a soft knock at the door and Alric called for Lisette to enter. Lisette stepped in with a soft smile on her lips. Closing the door behind her, she breezed lightly into the room. At just the sight of his mate, Dieter sat up a little straighter in his chair, a look of pure joy lighting his face. Alric watched his advisor from the corner of his eye as she made her way around the table to his side. Dieter never stopped watching her the entire way.

That’s what Alric dreamed of. A love that never dimmed, never faded. He wanted a love that burned brightly for all his long years.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your meeting, Hoheit,” Lisette said as she came to stand between Dieter and Baldewin, her arm resting across Dieter’s shoulders. “I just wanted to tell you everyone is gathered in the hall for your address.”

Ravi sat up in his chair, staring down the table at Alric with interest. “Will Cameron be there as well?”

“Yes. It’s for the clan’s benefit as well as Cameron’s. He needs to see who we are, understand that we are a family, and we all will protect him.”

“Speaking of the young mage, will you bring him into the hall?” Dieter asked.

Alric shook his head before looking at Dieter’s mate. “Lisette, he trusts you. Would you bring him in?”

She smiled warmly at him. “I’d be happy to. Might I make another suggestion.”

“Of course.”

Her eyes narrowed on him in an instant, and her expression turned frighteningly serious. “Wear your bloody crown.”

Alric glared right back at her. He hated wearing that damn crown. It was only taken out for special occasions and state affairs like visiting dignitaries from other clans—not that it happened all that often. They were lucky to be on speaking terms with the Ice Clan.

“Lisette—”

“Don’t you ‘Lisette’ me. That sweet boy understands you’re the sexy man who rescued him and took him to a fancy restaurant. Now he needs to get a good glimpse of who you are to all of us. The true power and the strength of the Fire Clan.”

An old throb of pain went through his left arm, and Alric’s frown deepened. He had some serious doubts about Lisette’s description, but he kept them to himself. Now was not the time.

“Thank you for the suggestion,” Alric said tightly.

“And change your shirt.”

“What?” Alric looked down, plucking at his black shirt with his right hand. It was a nice, clean shirt. What was wrong with it?

“You’re the king of the Fire Dragon Clan, not some moody vampire prince. Wear something with a little color.”

Alric groaned, but he doubted anyone heard it over Baldewin, Gunter, and Ravi’s wild laughter. He’d blushed when Lisette had described him as sexy, but now he was just thoroughly embarrassed. He hadn’t sat in on a lot of meetings in this room with his father, but he couldn’t recall a single one where he’d been taken to task over his choice of clothing.

“Thank you, Lisette,” Alric ground out. She graced him with a smile and then walked back out of the room.

Alric pinned his advisor with a dark look the moment the door closed. The man appeared to be struggling to hold in his laughter. “Did she do this with my father?”

“No, your father always remembered to wear his crown,” Dieter replied, which only sent his friends into fresh peals of laughter. “But she did like to hound him about his shoes. Your father hated wearing shoes.”

A hint of a smile played across Alric’s lips. That he did remember about his father. The old king loved fancy clothes and shiny things but preferred to walk around barefoot.

Alric placed his right hand on the table and pushed to his feet. Everyone else rose at the same time. “Everyone has their assignments—”

“Hoheit?” Gunter interjected and Alric smiled.

“Sorry, Gunter. I want you to make yourself available to Dieter and Lisette. Anything they need researched, be ready. Also take note of anything interesting they might find. Maybe once she learns more about Cameron, his family, and their original clan, we might be able to do more about the seeking spell.”