Shaking his head, he disagreed with his wife. “No, Yuki, they’re saying that magic is still real. That dragons are. That mages are still out there. They’ve very carefully not said anything about magic clans. Which is wise of them. The modern world has forgotten a great deal of how the dragon and mage clans of old operated. I don’t think anyone will put that together quickly.”
That was likely true. Sora pondered it all for a moment, his eyes still on the screen. The dragon king and his consort looked happy but cautious, as if they were set on a certain script and not telling any more. The consort sidetracked a question with the story of how he was discovered, how the Fire Dragon Clan made him realize he was a mage. It was an interesting story and not at all an answer to what the journalist had asked him. Yes, they were being very careful with information right now. Sora approved of their caution.
His mother’s expression morphed from peeved to thoughtful. “I suppose this was inevitable. Modern times makes it so much more difficult to hide, what with cameras on every cell phone, and social media. It’s not at all like a hundred years ago. They’re wise to step out and say something on their own terms instead of being forced into the spotlight.”
“They are,” his father murmured. He lifted one hand into the air as if physically weighing a thought. “Although that leaves the question, do we introduce ourselves to them or not? I don’t know much about them, personally.”
Sora might have commented on his father’s caution except for a few facts.
Fact one: His parents were constantly riding him to get married. And he could really use a break from that.
Two: He was itching to go and investigate this himself. The power of curiosity compelled him.
And three: He loved traveling, and Germany sounded like an excellent place to go on a trip.
Now, how to say this so no one argued with him about it? Sora took a moment to phrase it in his head before speaking aloud. “I think, before we make any decisions, we need more information. Why don’t I pose as a single mage and meet them? Scout them out a bit?”
Both parents turned to look at him, his father with weighing eyes. His mother’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“Why would you go?”
Sora had already anticipated his mother’s question and had a ready answer. “Because I’m more comfortable with overseas travel than anyone else, as I’ve done more of it. And you can trust my judgement, as I won’t get carried away.”
His father nodded slowly, his gaze back on the TV. “I do want to know more about them before making any decisions. It might well be time for us to come out of hiding, too. But I don’t want to jump without knowing what the landing will be like.”
Apparently, his mother agreed, as she didn’t voice another protest. Instead, she stared hard at the floor, obviously thinking things through.
Sora found himself holding his breath. He’d go regardless, but how he went depended on his parents’ feelings. If they were supportive, he could go openly. If not, he’d have to be subtle and stay in the shadows. The latter approach meant it would be harder to learn anything, and he’d really rather not go that route.
But if this was a chance to stop hiding, to step out openly into the world? The idea filled him with a glowing sense of anticipation. It would be amazing, truly amazing, to work magic openly. To not be confined to these walls any longer. Sora found himself praying this would work out well and not blow up in everyone’s faces.
“We should discuss this with the rest of the Council,” his mother murmured.
Sora inwardly cringed. He hadn’t thought of them, but Sora meeting with the Burkhard dragons and mages could have far-reaching repercussions for all of them.
“True, but I don’t see them being against Sora going. They know his caution and level head. They’ll value any information he brings back.”
She hummed her agreement, still not looking entirely pleased, but she seemed to at least see the wisdom in what Sora was requesting. “We’ll get the Council’s approval, but you must take precautions. Don’t use our family name, choose some other minor clan’s name.”
Ah, probably a wise precaution. Their family was a bit too famous. “Sure. How about the Vo?”
“That’ll work,” his father said with a nod. “Vo’s a common enough surname no one will really remark on it, anyway. When do you want to leave?”
“Soon. I think it’ll take me a few days to get plane tickets, pack, all of that. If they get too inundated with curious people, it’ll become hard to get into the clan.”
And Sora would really rather not have that fight on his hands.
“That’s fine. I’ll send messages to the Council tonight so we can get things moving. I’m sure they’re watching this interview and wondering the same things we are.” He stood and headed out of the dim living room, headed for the laptop still on the kitchen table in the other room.
Sora was set to follow, but his mother’s sharp brown eyes on his face halted him. “What?”
“If you suddenly fall in love with a dragon and get swept off your feet, I won’t complain,” she promised him dryly. “Since no one here is apparently to your liking.”
“Maybe I need a more target-rich environment, Kaa-san,” Sora teased.
She swatted him on the thigh. “You’re such a bad son. Go on, help your father.”
Sora went, snickering as he did. The odds of him being swept off his feet were actually rather slim. For some people, romance came easy. They fell in love without much effort. But for him, it had never connected. It’s not that he didn’t like the idea of having a romantic partner. Far from it. It was just that, usually, at the end of the date, he was very ready for the other person to go home.
He’d not found the one person he wanted to spend all of his time, affection, and energy on. He might not ever find that person. He wouldn’t fixate on it, though. That would just give him an ulcer and a broken heart. Sora had better things to do with his time than mope because he didn’t have a boyfriend.
Like investigate dragon clans that had just outed themselves to the world.
Sora stole a glance over his shoulder as he headed into the kitchen. The dragon king and his consort were laughing about something, leaning a little into each other as if to share the joy between them. They were a beautiful couple, their love and affection obvious. Sora felt a flash of envy race through his chest. There was no relationship more beautiful than between dragon and mage. It was pure love, nothing else. It was why mages throughout time had always courted a dragon’s favor, with the hope of having such a happy relationship.
King Alric and Consort Cameron were putting up an excellent united front to the world right now.
At the bottom of the screen, a website address flashed: AreYouAMage.com. Sora’s mouth dropped open at the craftiness of it all. The king and his mate painted an enticing picture of love, romance, and happiness—three things everyone was searching for. Combined with the website, it was like they were saying, If you’re a mage, you could have this same love and happiness, too.
So very tempting.
But was it all too good to be true?
Ravi looked around uneasily as he walked through Sonthofen. It used to be, before he came rather spectacularly out of the dragon closet, that he could pop into town for milk and a video game and think nothing of it. But he was too famous for that now.