Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

Alric’s Prussian blue eyes fell shut and he leaned his face into Cameron’s touch, a look of peace smoothing out his features. “Liebling,” he said on a sigh. “I am well so long as I have you in my arms.” As he spoke, he tightened his arm around Cameron’s shoulders, pulling him in closer. He had a feeling that if the car comfortably allowed it—and if Lisette wasn’t on the other side of him, trying to heal various cuts across his frame—Cameron would have been in Alric’s lap.

Cameron nuzzled his face into Alric’s neck, kissing his jaw before murmuring, “I love you.” He couldn’t stop saying it. Didn’t want to stop saying it. Alric needed to know at all times how he felt, needed to be bathed in those words.

A low rumble came from deep in Alric’s chest, and Cameron’s head popped up. He took in Alric’s satisfied smile and relaxed form.

“Did your dragon just purr?” Cameron asked.

“I love you too, but dragons do not purr.”

Cameron smirked at him. “Yeah, and humans don’t purr either, but I swear it sounded like you purred.” Cameron looked around Alric at Lisette, who looked like she was fighting very hard to hold in a smile. “Lisette, do dragons purr? Or should we be more worried about Alric’s lungs and breathing?”

Alric pulled Cameron back down against him and growled. Definitely a growl. “There is nothing wrong with my lungs and dragons do not purr. That is a cat thing.”

“Yes, and we all know you’re a large lizard,” Cameron teased. “Or maybe dragons are related to crocodiles. You’ve both got that same toothy grin.”

A choking noise came from Lisette as she tried to hold in her laugh. Dieter didn’t even try as his low chuckle filled the front of the car.

“Don’t encourage him,” Alric muttered, but he was still smiling at Cameron.

“To answer your question,” Lisette started and then cleared her throat. “Dragons don’t purr, but a very happy dragon has been known to make this kind of happy rumbling sound sort of like a distant roll of thunder.”

Cameron snickered at Alric’s very pleased expression. “So you don’t purr, but you thunder?”

“Yes.” Alric leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Cameron’s. “And when our mate is in danger, we rage like a firestorm very well too.” Alric closed his eyes, and Cameron could feel the swell of pain and fear rise in Alric again. “I cannot lose you, my sweet Cameron. I—”

Cameron silenced his words with a short, tender kiss. He wanted a hell of a lot more, but he didn’t want it with the audience they already had. The truly fun part of their reunion would have to wait until they were home and alone.

“I am safe. They didn’t hurt me. And no one is ever going to come between us. I will always fight to get back to you, just like you will always fight to be with me.”

Alric sighed. “I know you’re right. It will just take time to shake this fear.”

“I have no problem reminding you every day of our lives that I’ll always be right here with you.”

The rumbling rose from Alric’s chest again, and Cameron’s heart swelled. He’d do anything to keep his dragon happy.

“Hoheit?” Dieter said from the driver’s seat.

They all turned their attention out the front window as they pulled into the town where they’d first found evidence of the Jaeggi living. The streets and sidewalks were largely empty, and the few people Cameron did see walking around were actually Burkhard dragons. This didn’t make any sense. It wasn’t a large town, but the cat drone had revealed a bustling village full of life and people when they’d last seen it.

“Pull over, Dieter. Pull over,” Alric ordered sharply.

In the first opening, Dieter pulled the sedan into a spot just off the main street and turned off the engine. They all jumped out of the car, and Cameron immediately found himself surrounded by dragons. It wasn’t just Alric with his arm tight around Cameron’s waist, but three other dragon guards who’d seen the car enter the town had hurried over and were now flanking Cameron on all sides.

Peering between the large, muscular bodies, Cameron spotted two other dragons around Lisette along with her mate. At least it wasn’t just him, though Cameron knew it was going to be a while before the clan gave him a little breathing room. Not that he blamed them. But it was clear they were taking the protection of their mages to a new level so long as the Jaeggi were out there.

“What the hell…” Alric breathed, tearing Cameron’s attention away from their guards and back to the town.

Alric directed them over to a line of shops on the main street with Jaeggi in the name. All of them were closed despite the hours on the window showing they should each be open for at least another couple of hours. Cameron turned and looked across the street to find two more shops with Jaeggi in the name also closed. One even had writing in bold white letters across the window. Unfortunately, it was beyond Cameron’s knowledge of German.