Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 140644 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140644 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 563(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
“That leaves you with me, too.” They both jerked around to find Ravi standing behind them with a playful grin on his face.
“You’ve got to be Ravi,” Tori said, and the dragon’s eyes widened to almost comical proportions.
“I am. How?”
“Cassie. She told me a lot about you. Said you’d be the best person to show me around the castle.”
He hadn’t thought it possible, but Ravi actually looked lost for words. He shook his head and dropped his hands to his hips. “That girl,” he mumbled. He looked up at Tori and grinned again. “I am. I know everyone and where everything is. And I’m far more entertaining than grumpy dragon Baldewin.”
Baldewin mock-gasped. “Grumpy dragon? I thought Gunter was grumpy dragon.”
Ravi shrugged, looking completely unrepentant. “You seem to take turns. Though, Gunter takes more turns than you.” He looked back at Tori and waved him toward another SUV. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Bags were unloaded from the plane and carefully placed in the SUVs, though Baldewin made sure Tori’s guitar was put in the SUV he was riding in. With the royal family having already left the airfield, Tori was joined by Baldewin, Warin, and Ravi, while another SUV followed with more guards.
Luckily, Ravi had Tori fully engaged in conversation as the little wind dragon regaled the mage with more stories of castle life. Normally he’d try to tame Ravi’s eagerness, but if Ravi’s talking helped to settle any worries Tori might have about meeting the clan, then Baldewin was happy to let him talk.
“No. Way,” Tori said slowly as they finally neared the castle. His mouth fell open and didn’t quickly close again. He pressed close to Baldewin, staring out the car window with wide eyes. Baldewin followed his gaze and smiled when he was greeted by the white spires of Burkhard Castle. They were home at last.
“Welcome to Burkhard,” Baldewin greeted.
The mage’s head jerked around to stare at Baldewin. “You’re serious? That’s Burkhard Castle. The place you and Cassie and Warin and Ravi have been talking about. That can’t be real. It’s a glamour, right?”
“Nope, that’s the real thing,” Ravi said proudly from the front passenger seat. “Amazing, isn’t it? I’ve lived there my entire life. There’s nothing like flying circles around the towers on a clear day.”
“I can imagine,” Tori whispered. His wide eyes moved back to Baldewin’s window and then to the front windshield as the SUV moved along the curves of the road.
“Do you like it?” Baldewin inquired.
Tori’s attention snapped back to him. “Really? It’s gorgeous. Of course I like it.” The mage’s grey eyes narrowed, and his lips quirked into a wicked grin. “Did you actually think I wouldn’t? Baldewin…are you nervous?”
“Maybe a little,” Baldewin admitted with a shrug of one shoulder. “It’s important that you like it here. We would all very much like it if you would consider joining our clan.”
Tori snorted. “I think you’re jumping the gun a little about others wanting me to join the clan, but I appreciate the sentiment.”
“I know I can speak for Sasha, Cassie, Warin, and myself when I say that we would truly like you to join the Burkhard Clan.”
“What about the king? And Lisette? Don’t they decide if I’m invited into the clan?”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” Ravi chimed in.
“Because you’re that desperate for mages.”
Baldewin quickly touched his cheek, his expression growing stern. “No, because you are that amazing. If Alric and Lisette haven’t learned that yet, then they will realize it within minutes of speaking to you. I know it.”
Tori’s blush was back, and Baldewin wanted to kiss the man so badly, but he behaved himself while the mage’s attention was drawn back to the castle as they drove through the open gates and into the massive courtyard.
Warin parked the SUV next to the other they’d followed. As they stepped out, a massive red dragon flew over the courtyard, shooting a geyser of flames into the air before heading off to the mountains with a brisk flap of his wings.
Tori was smiling lightly when he turned to look at Baldewin. Cassie had already been taken inside, and the other SUV was starting to unload with guards. The courtyard was full of the usual activity, though many were slowly passing through to check out the new mage.
“I’m confused,” Tori admitted suddenly.
“About what?” Baldewin walked over, his hands shoved into the pockets of his trousers to keep from reaching for Tori.
“I get that the king lives here with his consort. It would make sense for Cassie to live here with her mate since she’s related to the consort. But where does the rest of the clan live? Are they in the town that we passed?” Tori jerked his thumb back in the direction of Sonthofen.
Okay, now he definitely couldn’t keep his hands to himself. Baldewin draped his arm across Tori’s shoulders and pulled him in close. “We all live here.”