Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

Cameron placed his hand over his heart. Was he having a heart attack? This was starting to feel like a heart attack. His pulse was racing, he was light-headed, and he smelled fresh-baked bread.

No, a heart attack was supposed to be toast. Or burnt feathers.

No, wait. That was a stroke.

Never mind, it wasn’t a heart attack, but the arrival of his twin and his grandmother was definitely feeling like a mistake.

Not that he didn’t want his family safe. He needed to know that Cassie and his grandmother were safe if he was ever going to sleep again. There was no question they’d be safe at the castle surrounded by what was starting to feel like overprotective dragons.

But living in the castle also meant they were going to be near Alric. Or more correctly, they were going to see Cameron when he was around Alric, and they would know. They would see Cameron acting like a tongue-tied, overly excited, peacocking idiot around Alric because he was mindlessly, hopelessly attracted to him.

Of course, Cassie would only encourage him because Alric was bone-meltingly sexy.

And Halmeoni would encourage him because Alric was sexy and a powerful king. She’d be telling him to put a ring on it before some other mage came along to claim him.

Cameron did not need that kind of tag-teaming pressure when it came to Alric. Luckily there wasn’t a whole lot of competition at the moment for the dragon, but it sounded like they were hoping Cameron and his family were just the tip of the mage iceberg. Soon, Burkhard would be crawling with mages, and Cameron would be beating the bastards off Alric with a stick…or maybe a wand.

Groaning softly to himself, Cameron rubbed his temples against the threat of a headache. This kind of thinking wasn’t helping. There was no question they were attracted to each other, but that didn’t prove a damn thing when it came to being actual mates.

How could Cameron even think of being Alric’s mate? He was the freaking king of the entire clan. He was calm, collected, smooth, and so damn controlled when it came to handling any situation he was thrown into. Alric needed a mage mate who was just like him, who could rise to the occasion and be the voice of reason to help him lead.

And Cameron was…well, he wasn’t that.

Which sucked because he really liked Alric. Liked his laugh. Liked the way he glared, because it was almost a dare. A challenge to get Cameron to make him laugh again. Everything about the man was a challenge. He wanted to show Alric that he really was strong and fierce when Alric saw himself as simply damaged and weak. He wanted Alric to finally see how loved he was by all his people.

What a freaking mess. Cassie and Halmeoni were not going to make things any easier.

“Everything alright, Cameron?”

“Eep!” He twisted around to find Alric standing beside him. “How did you sneak up on me?”

Alric laughed and shook his head. “Sorry. I didn’t think I was sneaking since I spoke to several people before coming to stand beside you.”

Cameron straightened his glasses and shoved his hair out of his face. The early evening sun had yet to disappear behind the mountains, and the castle courtyard was sliding into a cool chill. What summer warmth they had was dropping as the sun edged out of view. He absently wished for a long-sleeve shirt.

“No, sorry. I was lost in thought.”

“What’s troubling you?”

Cameron managed a small smile as he looked over at Alric standing perfectly erect and dressed in a sharp, dark suit. Of course, it didn’t look like the slight chill in the air bothered him. But then, as a fire dragon, Cameron doubted any kind of cold bothered him. “I just worry that my family can be a bit much.”

“I don’t know. You’re talking about a sister who took down an assailant twice her weight with only a baseball bat and duct tape. And of course, your grandmother has turned the head of my royal guard into a man who hides in a tiny jet bathroom so he can send me threatening texts.”

“Oh god, he didn’t,” Cameron gasped, covering his mouth with both hands. He was trying not to laugh, he really was, but…Baldewin was so tall and strong and intimidating. What had his grandmother done?

“Baldewin will recover. He’s also explained that Cassie is now quite attached to Sasha.”

“What?” Cameron shrieked, forgetting all about his own worries because Alric clearly had the best gossip. “Have you and Baldewin been texting non-stop since he left?”

“Not quite. Just quick updates about their progress, which occasionally include little snippets about your grandmother and sister.”

Cameron thrust both of his hands into his hair. Maybe he should have made up warning labels for those two. Cameron was used to their craziness, he could take it in stride, but his poor dragon friends had no idea what was coming. It would surely be hysterical (for Cameron), but still, a warning wouldn’t be amiss. But all that was forgotten when Alric stepped a little closer and placed his right hand against Cameron’s lower back.