Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

Holy shit! This was the man he’d shouted at.

The chanting stopped as Alric reached the top of the dais and turned to face the assembled people. He smiled at them for a moment before lifting his lovely voice so it carried across the vast room.

“My people, thank you so much for joining me today. I know you have busy lives you wish to return to, so I will keep this brief. I have two announcements to make that will have a great impact on our people.” He paused, and his smile turned into more of a smirk. “As they like to say, I have good news and bad news. First, the good. We have, at last, found a mage.”

The silence instantly turned into a roar of conversation as everyone started talking at once in what looked to be shock. Several people turned their gaze back to Cameron, and he desperately wanted to hide behind Lisette, but he was way too tall for that.

Alric let the conversation stretch for a couple of seconds before he lifted both hands above his head to get their attention. To his shock, Lisette grumbled something under her breath, glaring at him. It only took him a moment to realize she was glaring at his left arm. Cameron never saw him using it, but he had a feeling it had something to do with his scars. Yet, if he was in pain, it never showed in his face.

“People,” Alric said simply before lowering his arms again. Silence returned, and he smiled. “I would very much like for you to meet him.” Alric turned toward Cameron and extended his hand to him.

Oh, he could not possibly be thinking…

Lisette pressed her hand into Cameron’s back, giving him a little push toward the dais. “Go on. It’s okay.”

He wanted to hiss at her that this was insane. He wasn’t properly dressed with his shorts and T-shirt. That evil woman hadn’t warned him that he was going to be standing in front of the entire clan. Not that he had a single piece of clothing appropriate for such a meeting. Just his vacation gear from the hotel, and that consisted of jeans, shorts, T-shirts, and one passably nice sweater. What would these people think of him? They’d think he was the poorest, most pathetic mage in all the world, which wasn’t far from the truth.

But if he didn’t go, he’d hurt Alric’s feelings. He’d embarrass him. Disappoint him. Nothing in the world could get Cameron to do that.

So, with shaking legs, Cameron slowly climbed the dais, keeping his eyes on those stairs so he didn’t pull a Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars and fall in front of all these people. As he reached Alric’s side, he stared into his beautiful deep blue eyes and the world fell away again. The king was back to being the man who’d made him laugh, his expression warm and encouraging.

“You’re perfect. I’ve got you,” Alric whispered, and despite his rising panic, Cameron believed him.

With Cameron positioned on Alric’s left, he turned and faced the crowd of dragons eagerly staring at him. Alric’s hand lightly touched his back as if the king just wanted to remind Cameron that he was right there and would always be there for him.

“My people, this is Cameron Park, and we believe his family is of the Noh Clan. His family knows little of their mage heritage, but Cameron has already begun working with Lisette. He’s eager to learn magic and the history of our peoples. When you see him around the castle, I hope you take a moment to make him feel welcome and a part of our clan. As we learn more about Cameron and his family, it is my belief that he will help us find more mages like him.”

Cheering filled the hall again, and Cameron was once again taken aback by the excitement and joy these people felt at seeing him and hearing Alric’s words.

“Unfortunately, my good news comes with a dire warning. Someone has tried to kidnap Cameron from under our noses. Dieter and Baldewin are leading an investigation into this group to uncover who they are and why they seek Cameron. Until we have our answers and eliminated this threat, we must be extra vigilant to protect all our mages both at the castle and outside. Any mage leaving the castle walls must be accompanied by at least two dragons at all times. I regret any inconvenience this may cause, but your lives are precious to us.”

Cameron’s heart skipped a beat when he looked up to find Alric staring at him as he finished speaking. Alric smiled softly at him and the grand room started to fade away again. He couldn’t understand how Alric did it. When he looked at him, everything seemed to fall away. When he was with Alric, he felt precious.