Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

Alric leaned closer and whispered into his ear, “Your family sounds amazing. I can’t wait to meet them.”

“Oh, they’re fun. They’re just also a little…” he said breathlessly.

“They can’t possibly be more eccentric than Ravi. And I love Ravi like a little brother.”

Cameron’s eyes snapped to the sky where the dragon was still flying circles and loops over their heads. He’d been at it for nearly twenty minutes and wasn’t showing any signs of slowing down in his excitement to meet more mages. So maybe Alric had a point about eccentric family members.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve arranged for a private dinner to be served in your chambers this evening so you can spend time with your family without all the hustle and bustle of the clan. It will give them time to rest and to catch up on events. If you think they’re up for it, tomorrow we can have a more appropriate celebration with the entire clan.”

Laughing, Cameron turned to face Alric. Only a couple inches difference in height stood between them, and it would be so easy just to lean down and kiss him. It didn’t matter that they were standing in the middle of the courtyard where at least a dozen other dragons were gathered along with a couple of mages. Not to mention the couple of dozen dragons likely watching out the castle windows.

“You can’t help it, can you? You’re just naturally wonderful and thoughtful,” Cameron murmured.

“You’re clan now, Cameron. This is your home. And I want your family to feel welcome in our home too.”

Cameron’s heart skipped for an entirely new reason. He definitely had to kiss this man now. Didn’t matter if it was in front of the whole clan. He—

The sound of an engine entering the courtyard and tires zipping along concrete had Cameron jerking away in time to see a fancy black sedan pull into the open space. So much for that kiss. His family was here.

“I’m so kissing you senseless later,” Cameron muttered under his breath.

“I’m holding you to that,” Alric replied in the same low voice.

Cameron bit his tongue against the first dirty response that came to mind and smiled as the car doors were thrown open. Cassie was the first to pop out, and she ran straight for him. She was dressed in her usual mish-mosh of bright colors, and her blue hair couldn’t be missed. But it was her enthusiasm he’d been longing for. Nothing stopped Cassie once she put her mind to something. And she was damn scary if you tried to get in her way.

Thin, strong arms wrapped around his neck, and her slender body slammed into his, knocking him back a step. Once again, he felt Alric’s hand on his back, steadying him.

“Cas—”

“Oh my god, Cam! It’s so good to see you! And this place is so amazing. We rode on a private jet. A private jet! Can you freaking believe that? Halmeoni wouldn’t sit still for a second. She talked poor Baldewin’s ear off. I swear he was hiding in the bathroom half the flight just to get a break. And is that a dragon overhead?” She twisted in Cameron’s arms and squealed directly in his ear loudly, and Ravi swooped low and landed in the middle of the courtyard, his blue wings shimmering in the sunset.

Cassie squeezed him again and then shot off, jogging over to where Ravi practically vibrated in his excitement. Cameron’s own grandmother didn’t even come over to see him first. She briskly walked over to the dragon and stroked the side of Ravi’s massive head while giggling like a little kid.

“In case you were wondering, we are now both chopped liver in the face of meeting a dragon,” Cameron grumbled. Alric’s laughter rang out across the courtyard while he wrapped his arm around Cameron’s waist, pulling him in close. Cameron didn’t hesitate to rest his head against Alric’s for a moment, soaking in his touch.

“If they are happy, then I don’t mind,” Alric said before releasing him. “Why don’t you go greet your grandmother while I speak with Baldewin about the trip? I’ll be here when they are ready to meet me.”

Cameron shook his head. “Yes, because the King of the Fire Dragons has nothing better to do with his day than to wait on my grandmother’s whims.”

Alric just shrugged. “I’ll always wait for you.”

Slapping his hand over his heart, Cameron groaned. “Shameless charmer.” He slipped away from Alric and hurried over to where Ravi now stood with his long neck fully extended so Halmeoni could scratch him under his chin while cooing at him.

It took Cameron three tries to get his grandmother’s attention, but at least she fluttered at him and hugged him tightly when she finally turned to face him.

“Oh, my sweet Cam! I’m so glad you’re safe and you’ve found our people,” she gushed as she squeezed him tightly. For such a small woman, she gave some obscenely strong hugs.