Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

The mage placed his hand on Alric’s arm, his gaze worried. “What is it?”

“I’m worried about scaring you,” Alric surprised himself by admitting.

Cameron’s grin returned. “I don’t think you can, but I appreciate your concern.”

“It’s just…I don’t know how much has been explained to you about being part of a clan—particularly a dragon clan. Expectations. Duties. How your life inevitably changes.”

“I’ve got some guesses, but what are you thinking about?”

“Joining the Burkhard Clan is a major change for your life. Being a part of the clan means living here. Of course, you can visit with your family—preferably after we’ve taken care of the current threat. I don’t want you to think you’re a prisoner,” Alric hastily added while mentally cursing himself. He wasn’t doing this right. He should have called for Dieter. “Being in a clan means devoting yourself to that clan. As a mage, that means studying magic and using that magic to support your fellow clanmates.”

“So…all the clan lives in the castle?” Cameron said. The tiniest hint of a smile toyed with the corners of his mouth.

“Yes.”

“And being in the clan means I get a job in the castle?”

“Yes, though your first job is student. You’ll mostly work with Lisette, but the other mages will be helping you as well. As a student, you’ll also assist them in gathering spell ingredients, spell preparation, and research.”

Cameron’s would-be smile turned into more of a smirk. “You haven’t said a single thing to scare me yet.”

“Are you sure?” Alric demanded before he could stop the words from leaving his mouth. Cameron’s bark of laughter nearly covered Alric’s groan.

“Don’t get me wrong, this is all new and unexpected. It’s not at all what I thought I’d be doing with my life, but I love it, Alric. I truly do. When I’m working magic with Lisette, I feel like I’m finally doing what I was meant to do. So, leaving my old life behind? Joining the clan? Being a mage? Those things don’t scare me.”

“Good,” Alric said on a sigh. “You have a standing invitation at all times to join us.”

“I figured that was the case. I just wanted to clear the air before everyone got here.” He did seem lighter, his shoulders relaxing a touch. “Thank you. I want to accept.”

“Please do,” Alric replied huskily. He couldn’t imagine anything that he wanted more than this, to have Cameron with him. That possessive snarl rose up in the back of his mind, and he slapped it hastily down before the growl could come out of his throat. Cameron didn’t ask to be his, he only asked to belong to the clan. That was an entirely different matter.

Even if his heart rebelled at the difference.

“I assume something has to happen to make that all official, and we’ll do that tomorrow. Right now, I want my second question answered.”

Alric startled a little as Cameron stepped close enough that his chest brushed lightly against Alric’s. Their eyes met, and Cameron’s were nearly swallowed up with a deep black that Alric was sure he’d never stop tumbling through. The mage’s breath hitched, and Alric’s heart tripped as Cameron leaned the last little bit to claim Alric’s mouth in a slow, sensual kiss.

Eyes fluttering shut, Alric happily kissed him back, wishing more than anything this moment could last for a thousand heartbeats. This kiss was different than their playful little pecks to borrow power for a spell. This kiss spoke to him of want, and there was nothing casual about it. The pressure was exquisite, and Alric nearly moaned at the alluring touch of Cameron’s tongue sliding along his bottom lip, asking for entry.

Groaning, Alric parted his lips, welcoming him in. His right hand clamped down on Cameron’s hip, holding him in place. Not that Cameron gave any indication he wanted to escape. He’d wrapped his arms around Alric, pulling their bodies flush together so that Alric could now feel his lean muscles. Cameron’s growing erection rubbed against Alric’s hip, and the dragon wanted nothing more than to grind their bodies together.

If Cameron had meant for this to be an innocent first kiss between them, the heat was quickly flaring out of control.

Pulling back, Cameron looked directly into his eyes. He appeared slightly dazed and a beautiful flush painted his cheeks. Hunger and heat darkened his brown eyes, enough to spark Alric’s own heat, and god, that was a heady feeling. Alric hadn’t felt it in years.

“Where is this going?” Cameron asked him, his usual smooth tenor a little rough around the edges. “This sexual tension between us. And before you answer me, I don’t want the king’s answer. I want Alric’s.”

How astute of him to have figured that out. That Alric was trying to give him a chance with the entire clan and not pressure him. Because Alric-the-king and Alric-the-man had two entirely different answers. It was a little hard to answer him because Alric wanted so very, very much. Too much. “I want you. But it’s up to you where this goes.”