Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

Frowning, Alric marched through the castle. At this time of day, Cameron and his family would just be settling in with Lisette for their magic lessons. It was the first day of lessons for Cassie and Ha Na. He hated to ruin the day this way, but it was better if they knew. Their safety was most important of all. It would also give him the chance to break the news to Lisette. She and the rest of the trained mages could possibly start working on a more effective way to locate the Jaeggi Clan members.

At the door to Lisette’s work space, Alric paused at the sound of laughter filling the room. For a heartbeat, he felt lighter to hear Cameron laughing and joking with his family. With a sigh, he knocked a couple of times on the door before pushing it open.

Lisette’s happy expression froze on her face, as if she was afraid he was bringing some bad news. He wasn’t sure if he should take that personally or if she was just thinking about Gunter and Melissande.

“Melissande?” she whispered, confirming his thoughts.

“She and Gunter are safe,” Alric replied, and her shoulders slumped as she released a deep sigh of relief.

“Today was the trip to that suspected mage town,” Cameron said with a gasp. He jumped off the stool he’d been perched on and walked right over to Alric. “I can’t believe I forgot. What’s happened? Were they attacked?”

Alric’s heart swelled over Cameron’s concern and his willingness to jump straight into the fight. Giving in to the urge, Alric picked up Cameron’s hand with his right and threaded their fingers together. “They weren’t attacked. They’re fine and headed back to the castle as we speak. Dieter is dispatching Baldewin and some other guards to watch over them until they are home.”

“What’s going on?” Cassie inquired.

“Did they find something?” Lisette added.

“Evidence of the Jaeggi.”

Both of Lisette’s hands jumped to her mouth, and she shook her head, as if she could simply will it to not be true. “How?”

Cameron’s hand gently tightened in his, drawing Alric’s gaze to Cameron’s worried eyes. “Who are the Jaeggi? The name sounds familiar.”

“Here. Sit.” Alric reluctantly released Cameron’s hand and ushered him back to the stool he’d been sitting on just moments ago. The explanation was as much for Cameron as the rest of his family. “When Cameron first arrived, we explained that the Great Dragon War was caused by a mage who had fallen in love with a dragon who was not his mate. He refused to walk away from the dragon when he found his mate. The mage’s name was Kaiser Jaeggi of the Jaeggi Clan.”

“He started the war—the one that ended five hundred years ago?” Cassie asked.

Alric nodded. He remained standing next to Cameron, his hand pressed to the mage’s lower back. Just touching Cameron made him feel calmer, more centered than when he’d been speaking in his office to Rodrigo alone.

“Alric said that Kaiser and his clan cast the spell,” Cameron paused and looked up at Lisette. “It was an anti-spell considering the damage it did. It killed off entire clans of mages. Dragons fought the Jaeggi Clan and died.”

“And they’re still around? You didn’t kill these bastards off?” Ha Na asked, her voice full of shock.

“Halmeoni!” Cameron and Cassie said in unison.

“No, she’s right,” Alric said. He smoothed his hand up Cameron’s back, and some of the tension flowed out of his shoulders. “After everything we lost, you would have thought we’d get rid of every last Jaeggi member. When the dust settled, no Jaeggi could be found. The rest of the mages had scattered and went into hiding. Most dragons were dead. We just wanted to return to our homes, care for those who’d survived, and mourn those we’d lost.”

Cameron surprised him again by jumping back to his feet and tightly wrapping his arms around Alric, pulling him in so close that it was like the mage was attempting to pull him inside his body for his own protection. Alric closed his eyes and hugged him, burrowing his face in the hollow of Cameron’s neck for just a moment. His hands gripped Cameron’s shirt, holding him tightly. When his parents had died so many year ago, he’d not been able to have a moment like this. His clan had suffered. They’d all lost someone. Alric couldn’t be weak. They’d all been looking to him to lead them forward through their time of pain and grieving. But his sweet Cameron was giving him something his battered heart had longed for over five centuries.

“Thank you,” Alric whispered in his ear before slowly pulling out of Cameron’s fierce embrace.

“What do you need us to do?” Ha Na asked, bringing a smile back to Alric’s lips. If Cameron, Cassie, and Ha Na marked the revival of the Noh Clan, then Alric was so proud to have them at his side.