Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

He nearly tripped at the thought. The vision in his mind was so clear he could have sworn it had really happened. It hadn’t, but Alric’s heart wanted it to.

“Hoheit?”

Alric was already shaking his head. “It’s nothing. Lost in thought.” He paused at a mirror hanging on the wall not far from his desk and straightened his tie. “Do you think your mate would be upset if I don’t wear my crown?” Alric teased.

“Very likely so, but I promise not to tattle on you,” Dieter murmured, earning a snort from Alric.

“My mother would be grateful for all her meddling,” Alric admitting, flashing his old friend a smile.

“She takes it very seriously. She knows the queen would have wanted someone watching over you.”

Alric snorted again. “I feel as if I have an entire castle filled with people watching over me.” He crossed to his desk and sat down. With just a touch of the mouse, the computer woke and automatically registered his face, unlocking the programs. Alric smiled to find that Dieter had already set up everything for the call. All Alric had to do was push a button as soon as Dieter was in position behind his right shoulder.

Butterflies took flight in his stomach as Alric initiated the call. It really was a little silly to feel this strange mix of dread and excitement. While Alric wouldn’t call them friendly, they were at least on speaking terms. Of course, it didn’t help that Rodrigo was closer to his father’s age than his own six hundred and twenty-seven years. The ice dragon had a way of making Alric feel like a little kid pretending under his father’s crown, and Alric didn’t care for it.

The call connected, and Alric was faced with pale blue eyes, blond hair so light it was nearly white, and full lips that seemed to be forever twisted into a sardonic smirk.

“Greetings, King Alric,” Rodrigo said easily.

“Greetings, King Rodrigo. I hope you are well.”

The dragon shrugged. “The weather is cooling, but the swells in Arpoador and Itaúna Beach are rising. My people welcome a new surfing season with enthusiasm.”

Alric fought to keep his face expressionless as he remembered that Ravi loved to call the Ice Clan a bunch of beach bums. Of course, Rodrigo had once teasingly called the Fire Clan snow bunnies, so it was a trade-off.

“I wish you and your people a wonderful surfing season.”

Rodrigo waved his hand and said, “And I wish your people lots of snow. Let’s dispense with the pleasantries. We’ve not spoken in five decades, and I know you did not call me for an update on the tides.” Rodrigo leaned closer to his monitor, his eyes narrowing. “My advisor has been excitedly spouting this nonsense in my ear that you’ve located a mage. And then your strange email. I thought it all a cruel joke. What’s going on?”

Alric could see the king’s advisor just behind his shoulder and nearly laughed to see the man roll his eyes. He just smiled at Rodrigo. “It’s true. I would never joke about this.”

“A mage? You found a mage. The first in five hundred years.”

“Yes.

Rodrigo fell back in his seat, swearing softly under his breath. He rubbed his lips with his hand and seemed to stare off into space, his brain still digesting this information. It was a lot to take in. He had a feeling that like Alric, Rodrigo had all but given up on finding more mages for his clan.

Rodrigo lurched forward in his chair suddenly. “How? Where?”

“I will admit it was purely by luck. One of my clansmen was in town for the Dragon War festival.” Rodrigo’s lip curled in disgust at the mention of the holiday, but he said nothing. “He ran across the mage, though the poor man had no idea his family comes from a line of mages.”

“What do you mean he had no idea?”

“Just that. His grandmother told some stories, but there’s no one in his family who knows how to use magic. He had little knowledge of dragons and mages. The true stories.”

“Impossível,” Rodrigo breathed. Alric knew the feeling. It wasn’t that the king didn’t believe Alric. It was just hard to stomach that there were mages out there who had no idea they were mages.

“Speaking with him, we’ve learned he’s from the Noh Clan.”

Rodrigo nodded. “Sim. I remember the clan. Small clan. Good with seeking spells. Have you investigated his entire family? Is there just one mage?”

“We’ve found three so far. Cameron, his twin sister Cassie, and their grandmother. Unfortunately, their parents are not. The rest of the family line is in Korea, and we haven’t spoken with them yet. The mages are being brought to Burkhard castle to begin learning about their heritage and how to use magic.”

“And to find mates, I would wager,” Rodrigo said, his voice becoming a low rumble. The older dragon shook his head. “I will not lie and say I’m not jealous. Three mages, Alric. That is quite a treasure you’ve found.”