Chapter 9 #3
“My people, thank you so much for joining me today. I know you have busy lives you wish to return to, so I will keep this brief. I have two announcements to make that will have a great impact on our people.” He paused, and his smile turned into more of a smirk.
“As they like to say, I have good news and bad news. First, the good. We have, at last, found a mage.”
The silence instantly turned into a roar of conversation as everyone started talking at once in what looked to be shock. Several people turned their gaze back to Cameron, and he desperately wanted to hide behind Lisette, but he was way too tall for that.
Alric let the conversation stretch for a couple of seconds before he lifted both hands above his head to get their attention.
To his shock, Lisette grumbled something under her breath, glaring at him.
It only took him a moment to realize she was glaring at his left arm.
Cameron never saw him using it, but he had a feeling it had something to do with his scars.
Yet, if he was in pain, it never showed in his face.
“People,” Alric said simply before lowering his arms again. Silence returned, and he smiled. “I would very much like for you to meet him.” Alric turned toward Cameron and extended his hand to him.
Oh, he could not possibly be thinking…
Lisette pressed her hand into Cameron’s back, giving him a little push toward the dais. “Go on. It’s okay.”
He wanted to hiss at her that this was insane.
He wasn’t properly dressed with his shorts and T-shirt.
That evil woman hadn’t warned him that he was going to be standing in front of the entire clan.
Not that he had a single piece of clothing appropriate for such a meeting.
Just his vacation gear from the hotel, and that consisted of jeans, shorts, T-shirts, and one passably nice sweater.
What would these people think of him? They’d think he was the poorest, most pathetic mage in all the world, which wasn’t far from the truth.
But if he didn’t go, he’d hurt Alric’s feelings. He’d embarrass him. Disappoint him. Nothing in the world could get Cameron to do that.
So, with shaking legs, Cameron slowly climbed the dais, keeping his eyes on those stairs so he didn’t pull a Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars and fall in front of all these people.
As he reached Alric’s side, he stared into his beautiful deep blue eyes and the world fell away again.
The king was back to being the man who’d made him laugh, his expression warm and encouraging.
“You’re perfect. I’ve got you,” Alric whispered, and despite his rising panic, Cameron believed him.
With Cameron positioned on Alric’s left, he turned and faced the crowd of dragons eagerly staring at him. Alric’s hand lightly touched his back as if the king just wanted to remind Cameron that he was right there and would always be there for him.
“My people, this is Cameron Park, and we believe his family is of the Noh Clan. His family knows little of their mage heritage, but Cameron has already begun working with Lisette. He’s eager to learn magic and the history of our peoples.
When you see him around the castle, I hope you take a moment to make him feel welcome and a part of our clan.
As we learn more about Cameron and his family, it is my belief that he will help us find more mages like him. ”
Cheering filled the hall again, and Cameron was once again taken aback by the excitement and joy these people felt at seeing him and hearing Alric’s words.
“Unfortunately, my good news comes with a dire warning. Someone has tried to kidnap Cameron from under our noses. Dieter and Baldewin are leading an investigation into this group to uncover who they are and why they seek Cameron. Until we have our answers and eliminated this threat, we must be extra vigilant to protect all our mages both at the castle and outside. Any mage leaving the castle walls must be accompanied by at least two dragons at all times. I regret any inconvenience this may cause, but your lives are precious to us.”
Cameron’s heart skipped a beat when he looked up to find Alric staring at him as he finished speaking.
Alric smiled softly at him and the grand room started to fade away again.
He couldn’t understand how Alric did it.
When he looked at him, everything seemed to fall away.
When he was with Alric, he felt precious.
The king blinked, his eyes going wide for a second, as if he’d just realized he was staring at Cameron, and turned his attention back to his people.
“Thank you for your time. Please celebrate the arrival of Cameron and watch over each other as we search for more answers,” Alric finished.
There was some brief cheering before most of the dragons started filing out of the hall.
However, many stayed behind and slowly approached the dais.
They quickly bowed their heads to Alric, but their eyes were locked on Cameron as if they couldn’t quite believe he stood in front of them.
With just the tiniest of urging from Alric, Cameron descended the stairs and greeted them.
Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming.
The names blurred a bit in his mind as they spoke, but after a moment Cameron found his own gaze drawn back to Alric.
He glanced over his shoulder to find the king still standing where he’d left him, a broad smile on his lips, but there was something in his eyes, in the lines creeping out from them.
And the faint lines around his mouth. Was he in pain? Was it from when he’d lifted his arm?
Had no one else noticed? Why wasn’t anyone helping their king if they loved him so much?
Cameron reluctantly looked at the other dragons, but he was simmering inside. Someone needed to take care of Alric, help him.
As the last of the dragons wished Cameron well, he started to turn toward Alric, but Lisette was already sweeping in to usher Cameron out a side door.
He looked back to find Alric listening to an older man, a look of worry digging lines into his handsome face.
The king was already at work again, protecting his people.
“He’s in pain, Lisette. I need to do something…” he whispered, finding it hard to draw his gaze from Alric.
The small woman at his side patted his arm. “I know, love. We’re going to fix him up. I promise.”
Some of the tension that had balled up in Cameron’s chest eased. Someone had to take care of that dragon.