by AJ Sherwood
In other words, she liked the effect the spell had, but the way Cameron had unleashed it scared the fuck out of her. “The original version is perfectly safe and portable.”
“Precisely what you did,” she repeated sternly.
Co-ruler he might be, but Cameron was still her student. “Yes, ma’am.”
“We’ll need to figure out where the Jaeggi have moved to.” Baldewin took off his glasses and rubbed at one temple. “I’ve not had much luck in that quarter. I doubt we’ve seen the last of them.”
“We’ll redouble our efforts until we find them,” Alric promised in a voice of doom.
“I can help with the computer end of things,” Cassie offered. “You’d be amazed what the right search algorithm will come up with.”
“We’re counting on you.” Alric flashed her a quick smile. “Alright, let’s focus today on cleaning things up. If no one has realized dragons and mages are still alive, then let’s take advantage of that while we can. The world will likely realize the truth soon enough. We should enjoy our anonymity while we can.”
Lisette cleared her throat in a pointed manner. “And after we’re finished today, I think we should sit and properly plan a ceremony. Congratulations, both of you. I’m glad to see you didn’t let this nonsense stop you.”
Cameron couldn’t help the besotted smile on his face as he looked at Alric. “Rather the reverse. Made me realize I didn’t want to lose any more time with him.”
Lifting their joined hands together, Alric kissed the back of Cameron’s hand softly, his smile just as warm. “Indeed. And we’d like a proper ceremony, Lisette.”
“We’ll make sure it happens. And soon.”
Soon sounded perfectly wonderful to Cameron.
To Cameron’s surprise, the ceremony was not held in the great hall with its ancient banners and Alric’s obsidian throne. Instead, he found himself standing in the middle of a vast green field on top of a mountain. A field that could only be reached on the back of a dragon.
He and Alric rode together on Baldewin’s back as part of the great thunder of dragons flying up into the mountains. An honor guard circled Baldewin in his flight while more guards surrounded Sasha as she carried Cassie. Of course, Halmeoni had selected Ravi as her escort, which gave both him and Alric palpitations.
Alric helped Cameron down from his perch when they reached the field. Cameron paused to pat Baldewin on the side of the neck, thanking him for the ride before he stepped fully into the late-morning sunlight. The place was like something out of The Sound of Music with its vibrant green grass dotted with little white flowers and snow-capped mountain peaks. Well, this version would have been The Sound of Music meets Game of Thrones thanks to the dragons.
Looking up into the bright blue sky, he smiled to see dozens of dragons circling overhead. Their scales of various shades of red shone in the sun. Here and there someone would trumpet and roar. He could only guess that anyone hearing it in the valley would simply think it was thunder. It was a shame the humans had no idea that the dragons still existed.
Was that when things had gone so wrong in the world? When it had lost the dragons and magic?
Maybe it was time for that to change. Maybe when the dragons found their lost mages, they would reconsider coming out to the humans.
The world needed its dragons and a little bit of magic.
“Are you ready?” Alric’s voice had changed, become so much deeper. Cameron pulled his gaze from the sky where he’d been watching the dragons circle before landing in the field to find Alric was now in his dragon form.
Stepping up to his mate, Cameron lovingly ran a hand over his long snout, smiling into his deep blue eyes ringed with gold. He was so handsome for a dragon. Not a concept he ever thought would cross his mind, but it was true. When he looked at Alric, he thought his dragon was the most handsome of all. That couldn’t possibly be love talking. Cameron definitely wasn’t biased.
“You are so beautiful,” Cameron said. He stroked Alric’s face and down his deep rosewood skin. It was blissfully warm to the touch and silky smooth. While the sun was warm overhead, the wind whipping across the field was more than a little chilly with the faint smell of snow.
A familiar rumble like thunder moved up Alric’s throat and Cameron laughed. His happy dragon was not-purring. He lifted his head proudly and spread his good wing, stretching it. Cameron’s eyes darted to the damaged wing, his mechanical engineer mind turning over the shape and size. He could fix it. He was sure he could create a mechanical solution that would allow his beloved mate to fly again with his clan.
But he didn’t want to mention it to Alric yet. He didn’t want to give his love false hope. Not until he’d at least turned the idea over with Gunter. And maybe Lisette. Combining magic and mechanics had worked to free him from the Jaeggi. Why couldn’t it help Alric fly?
Cameron kissed Alric’s cheek. “I’m ready.”
And he was. Standing on this mountaintop with Alric, surrounded by dragons and mages, Cameron would never have thought he’d be here. His parents had tried to convince him his place was in a good-paying job that got him a nice house, a husband, and a couple of kids, but that reality had never fit him. His soul had been crying out for something more, something so much bigger than he could understand.
It had been crying out for his dragon.
Last night, he’d lain awake beside Alric, listening to his lover’s steady breathing in his sleep, thinking about the path he was on. There was no denying he was scared. The role he was stepping into was a big one with a great deal of responsibility. He didn’t know how to lead a clan of dragons and mages, particularly one likely heading back into a war with the Jaeggi.
But as the sun beamed down, he realized he didn’t have to know. He would have Alric at his side to help guide him. He’d have Lisette and Dieter and all the dragons he’d grown close to over the past weeks to teach him.
He’d finally found his purpose—to save these dragons, to save mages who had been lost like him.
With his hand resting on Alric’s neck, Cameron turned to face the gathering of dragons and mages. He smiled at his new family. The dragons shone in an array of reds while Ravi stood out in his brilliant blue. Dotted among them were their few mages, all of them dressed in their finest. Cassie and Halmeoni stood beside Sasha in lovely new clothes, looks of joy and pride shining on their faces. A part of him wished his parents could have been there, but Cameron could understand Alric’s urgency to have the ceremony completed. The news of the Jaeggi’s return had the clan unsettled—and the world did not need a clan full of agitated dragons. This ceremony was about hope.
“Today is a day of celebration. I have bonded with my mate,” Alric announced to their clan. Dragons roared and mages shouted. Cameron might have blushed, but Alric nuzzled him with his head. It was hard to tell when a dragon was smiling, but Cameron could feel his mate’s joy.
“Cameron Park of the Noh Clan has honored me with his love, devotion, compassion, patience, and brilliant mind. As his mate, I swear to do the same for all of my years.”
A lump formed in Cameron’s throat. In front of so many dragons and mages, there was no hiding his need to wipe his damp eyes. “Silly dragon,” Cameron whispered in a rough voice. Damn Alric for making him cry.
“Cameron Park is also my consort. His knowledge and experience will help to guide the clan to prosperity and happiness for centuries to come. I swear to protect and guide my mate in all things for the betterment of our people.”
Now it was his turn. Taking a deep breath, Cameron turned to face Alric, smiling at the love of his life. “I humbly accept this heavy burden and great honor. I promise to support you through all events that lie in our future. I promise to offer you guidance, compassion, and understanding.”
There was another low rumble of pleasure from Alric, and Cameron swore the dragon’s chest puffed up with pride.
Still grinning like an idiot, Cameron turned to the gathering of mages and dragons, l
ifting his voice even louder to carry above the wind. “To the clan, I humbly accept this role as consort. I promise to serve and protect my clan to the best of my abilities both in times of peace and war. I promise that my actions will always honor my clan. I promise to devote my heart and mind to support our people at all times.”
There was a tingle of magic beside him and Cameron turned to find Alric back in his human form. His sexy man was wearing a dark suit, and his lovely blue eyes shone with such love and pride. Cameron started to go to him, intending to kiss the shit out of his man, but Alric grinned and held up one finger, asking him silently to hold. Alric looked past Cameron’s shoulder, and Cameron turned as well to find Lisette standing close by with Alric’s crown in hand.
Cameron stepped back, giving Alric room to lower himself just enough that Lisette could place the crown on his temple. God his man looked regal. Alric then turned to Lisette and held out both of his hands. The mage turned back to a fancy but sturdy box with a thick lock she’d brought with her. Reaching into it, she pulled out a simple gold circlet inlayed with sparkling diamonds and rubies and placed it into Alric’s hands.
His mate turned to him and Cameron gasped, hands coming up to reach for it only to pause. “Seriously?” he whispered.
“Part of the uniform that comes with the job,” Alric teased softly. He lifted one eyebrow in question, and Cameron dropped his hands back to his side, nodding. He was ready.
So very carefully, Alric laid the circlet on Cameron’s brow, the gold seeming to have been warmed by Alric’s hands.
“Perfect,” Alric said in a choked voice.
Cameron was done waiting. Snaking his hand around the back of Alric’s neck, he pulled his dragon in for a hard, demanding kiss. Cameron was vaguely aware of the laughter, cheering, and dragon roars around them, but all he cared about was Alric’s lips, his strong arm around his waist, and the joy overflowing in his heart. He was home.
The kiss broke off sooner than Cameron would have liked, but really, they didn’t need to put on a show in front of the entire clan. Grinning at Alric, Cameron rubbed his nose against his mate’s. “Love you, King Alric.”
“Love you, Consort Cameron,” Alric murmured against his lips.
Alric stepped away from Cameron so that they could stand side by side in front of the clan. Cameron threaded his fingers through Alric’s, smiling at the family members he was born with and the new family he’d acquired. He loved them both.
With leaps and the great flapping of wings, dragons launched themselves back into the air. They roared and sent up blasts of fire as they cut through the puffy white clouds, celebrating both their king and their new consort. The mages gathered close, hugging Cameron, Alric, Cassie, and Halmeoni.
Leaning back against Alric’s chest with his lover’s arms wrapped around him, Cameron watched his new family. Today was the beginning. Three new mages had been found. Alric had found his mate, and it was clear Cassie had found her mate in Sasha. God help the crazy dragon who laid claim to his Halmeoni.
But it was more than the discovery of the three mages. They were all members of the Noh Clan—the greatest seekers of all the mage clans. As Alric’s consort, Cameron was determined to put all his and his clan’s power into finding more mages. They weren’t just going to save the Fire Clan from extinction, he planned to save them all.
Da hast du dir schön was eingebrockt! – You’re in for it now!
Eure Majestät – Your Majesty
Hoheit – sire
Ich hatte keine Ahnung! – I didn’t know!
Ich liebe dich. – I love you.
Liebling – dear, love
Oh Scheiße - shit
Tut mir leid. – I apologize.
Verdammt – damn
AJ’s mind is the sort that refuses to let her write one project at a time. Or even just one book a year. She normally writes fantasy under a different pen name, but her aforementioned mind couldn’t help but want to write in the LGBTQ+ genre. Fortunately, her editor is completely on board with this plan.
In her spare time, AJ loves to devour books, eat way too much chocolate, and take regular trips. She’s only been outside of the United States once, to Japan, and loved the experience so much that she firmly intends to see more of the world as soon as possible. Until then, she’ll just research via Google Earth and write about the worlds in her own head.
If you’d like to join her newsletter to be notified when books are released, and get behind-the-scenes information about upcoming books, you can join her NEWSLETTER here, or email her directly at [email protected] and you’ll be added to the mailing list. You’ll also receive a free copy of her book Fourth Point of Contact! If you’d like to interact with AJ more directly, you can socialize with her on various sites and join her Facebook group: AJ’s Gentlemen!
Jon’s Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case
Jon’s Crazy Head-Boppin’ Mystery
Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum
Brandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas
Mack’s Ghastly Homecoming
New York Times Bestselling author Jocelynn Drake loves a good story, whether she is reading it or writing one of her own. Over the years, her stories have allowed her to explore space, talk to dragons, dodge bullets with assassins, hang with vampires, and fall in love again and again.
This former Kentucky girl has moved up, down, and across the U.S. with her husband. Recently, they’ve settled near the Rockies.
She has written roughly sixty novels spanning urban fantasy, gay romantic suspense, and gay paranormal romance. For a full listing of all her tales, check out JocelynnDrake.com
Lords of Discord
Claiming Marcus
Saving Rafe
Waking Bel
Embracing Winter
Healing Aiden