Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
“Odds are really good. Alric’s not the type to stand on formality. He’s super approachable.” Ravi paused and made a noise. “You missed King Rodrigo.”
“King Rodrigo?”
Ravi nodded. “King of the Ice Dragons.”
He nearly laughed to see Sora’s eyes go so wide. “Oh damn, and I could have met him too? Shit. I can’t figure out if my timing is good or bad. Where are the ice dragons?”
“Those beach bums are all out in Brazil, surfing and lounging on the beach. But King Rodrigo visits often, talking dragon business with Alric and visiting with a certain mage he’s got the hots for.”
“Wow…ice and fire dragons. I thought you guys didn’t really get along?”
Ravi made a dismissive noise. “They’re fine, we’re just better. You don’t want the ice dragons. The Burkhard Clan is much more interesting. I think King Alric is better looking too. You want to talk to him?”
“I have some questions.”
Yeah, probably quite a few. Ravi was of the opinion Sora should ask all the questions if it meant convincing his family to come out of wherever they were hiding and meet the clan. He wouldn’t push for that info yet, as Ravi knew how the paranoia of the war could persist. Tori’s clan, the Taavi, in Finland had been taught to hate and mistrust all dragons. If the Vo clan was at least willing to send an emissary to talk, it was a good start. Baby steps, that was the way to handle this.
Ravi practically vibrated with impatience. He wasn’t good at baby steps. But he’d try. Really hard. Maybe Alric could convince Sora quickly.
Sora revved up the engine and off they went.
Riding a bike up the winding mountain road felt great. Not as good as flying—few things could really compare—but still, it was fun. Sora was a good driver, too. Ravi had a smile on his face all the way up until they saw the castle gates. And he abruptly realized he’d forgotten to buy the milk.
Well, crap.
But he’d brought back a mage! That had to trump milk, right?
Right.
Ravi was sticking with that story, too.
Sora had to slow as they got closer, as the gates were closed and there was something of a crowd in front of the side door. Not reporters this time. They had been cordoned off to the other side of the road to allow the gates to safely open and close. The line of people were hoping to be to found as mages. A few of them really were mages (Ravi could smell the magic) but others, clearly not. However, each had to be interviewed and tested because they could possibly be good connections to other mages. If someone really was from a mage family, then odds were relatives could be a mage.
North and Gunter were out front, handling the crowd and taking down info. Gunter ushered anyone who smelled of mage inside, where Warin and Lisette took over for further testing, but poor North was getting the brunt of those who weren’t happy to be told they weren’t mages. Someone might need to send in backup.
Ravi waved to a guard to open the gate, which opened just enough for Sora to drive through and closed again immediately afterward. Sora didn’t go far inside before stopping, shutting the engine back off. “Where do I park?”
“Leave it here for now, I can put it into one of the garages in a bit. I want to introduce you.” Ravi hopped off, looking around for Lisette. Ah, there she was. “Lisette, glorious queen of magic and all that sparkles!”
In a graceful movement, she turned from speaking with a newbie mage. With her hair done in that soft up-do, the black dress she had on flattering her figure, she had the poise of an actress stepping onto the red carpet. Then she spotted him not far away, and her eyes obviously rolled off into the sunset. She said something to the mage and Gunter before coming his direction with a quick, decisive stride.
“What have you done now?” Lisette responded in exasperation. She eyed Sora with interest as she moved.
“I didn’t buy the milk, and I may have abandoned my car in Sonthofen,” Ravi admitted cheerfully. Then, like a stage magician, he indicated the taller Sora—who rather unfairly not only looked like a model but had a model’s height—standing next to him. “But I brought back a mage!”
“I really don’t know why anyone bothers to send you to the grocery store. You never bring back the right things.” Even as she teased him, her eyes took in Sora with keen interest.
“No, but I always bring back awesome things. I prefer awesome over right. This is Sora Vo. Sora, Lisette Burkhard, head mage of the clan.”
Sora offered a hand and a bone-melting smile. “A great pleasure.”
Lisette took it, smiling widely in return. “My sentiment exactly. A Vo! How exciting, we haven’t seen anyone from your line in many, many years. Have you come to meet us, Mage Vo?”