Alric grunted. It was true. As long as they were trapped in the dark, they wouldn’t be able to formulate a proper defense against these attacks.
“Granted, with the caveat you take two royal guards with you.”
Gunter stiffened, sitting painfully straight in his chair. “I am more than capable enough to protect Melissande.”
Alric sat up in his chair, meeting Gunter’s disgruntled gaze with his own stern one. “Normally I would agree with you, but I am taking no chances. You’re both too important to our clan to risk needlessly. This is just a scouting mission. You’re not to engage in any way. Locate them, gather what information you can, and return to the castle. Am I understood?”
“Yes, Hoheit,” Gunter said a little sullenly.
“Of course, Eure Majestät,” Melissande easily agreed.
Ravi nudged Gunter with his elbow and smirked. “You know he wants you back safely to protect your dungeon from me.”
Gunter’s head snapped up and he stared at Alric with a look of horror written clearly in his wide eyes. “You wouldn’t dare allow this menace near my books while I’m gone, would you?”
Nearly everyone at the table knew Ravi had no interest in going anywhere near the royal library. He’d only said it to pull Gunter out of his pout, and it had clearly worked.
“I promise to find some task to keep Ravi busy and away from your books,” Alric teased. He then turned his attention back to the rest of the table. “As much as I hate to do this, for the time being, all mages are prohibited from venturing outside of the castle until further notice. Until we understand and eliminate this threat, I’m not willing to risk anyone’s life if it can be helped.”
Lisette leaned forward so that she could see around her husband, pinning Alric with narrowed eyes. “Is this non-negotiable?”
“I am willing to discuss it on a case-by-case basis with the understanding that the request falls under the heading of dire emergency. I would like you to act as a liaison between me and the mages, sorting out the more frivolous requests and finding possible work arounds where possible. Please explain to the mages that I’m concerned for their safety as well as the safety of the dragons who would be protecting them.”
Lisette nodded. “There will be some grumbling, but I think everyone will be understanding.”
“I don’t think it will hurt that we have new guests arriving shortly.” Alric smiled at Cameron, watching as Lisette happily wrapped her arm around his shoulders, pulling him in close. “I’m sure they’ll be exhausted from their travels. Rooms are being arranged near yours, Cameron, so they will be comfortable. Once they’ve rested, we will arrange for a proper celebration to welcome them and allow them to meet the clan.”
“Thank you. I wish I could say you don’t have to go to the trouble, but Cassie and Halmeoni are always ready for a party.”
“Wonderful. Then if there are no other questions…” Alric paused, looking over the gathering before he nodded once. “Thank you for your time.”
Alric and Dieter remained seated while everyone else stood and bowed to him before filing out of the room. Alric couldn’t stop himself from following Cameron’s progress around the table as he talked excitedly to Lisette. A part of him wanted to pull Cameron aside and talk to him. Not that he had anything in particular to say. It had just been hours since he’d last had Cameron alone.
Or stolen a kiss. Now that there was casual kissing between them, Alric was determined to enjoy that new benefit as much as possible. Maybe he could steal Cameron away to a shadowy nook in the castle, away from prying eyes so that he could explore Cameron’s delectable mouth—
“Hoheit? It’s nearly time for the call with Rodrigo,” Dieter prodded him, and Alric barely held back his weary sigh. He should be excited for this call. Sadly, he wasn’t. Talks with the other clan didn’t always go smoothly, although at least they had common ground for this conversation.
Rising to his feet, Alric led the way out of the War Room and down the hall to his private office. Since taking over the office from his father, Alric had redecorated it with bright white walls and pale blue curtains that were always pulled back to allow the sunlight to pour in through the massive windows that lined two walls. The view overlooked the expansive valley below and reminded him of flying. Since it was the room he was destined to spend most of his time in, he thought he could at least make it a place he enjoyed being in. His desk was his father’s, and there was another long boardroom table, but there was also a set of comfortable couches in front of the massive fireplace.
As he crossed the room, his eyes strayed to those couches. In his mind, he could so clearly see Cameron curled up under a thick blanket on one of those sofas, a book of magic spells in his lap. His hair would be slightly disheveled from running his fingers through it, his glasses balanced on the edge of his nose. He’d wanted to be close to Alric while he worked.