Page 64 of Legends and Longing

“I don’t mind.” Sitting straighter, Shiloh projected worry and confidence I realized meant he had made some kind of decision. “You’re their father, after all.”

Oh.

Well, it seemed I was right but that was highly unexpected.

It wasn’t often I expected to be wrong but it seemed like this time I was wrong about expecting to be wrong.

Baldron blinked before slowly nodding. “It has been a very long time since I was able to acknowledge that.”

Because we weren’t supposed to use those spells.

Ever.

They were locked away in the vaults…or at least they were supposed to be.

I did not say that out loud or even through our bonds, but the ancient dragon smiled as he peeked up at me from his chair. “My family helped form the vaults, young professor.”

Looking at Shiloh, his smile shifted but I did not understand how someone could smile and look sad at the same time. “It seems while I was gifted my greatest desire, your family was gifted something harder.”

What?

What was harder?

No.

I was smart.

I’d studied the archives and the vault.

Oh.

No.

We didn’t use that one either.

Who had been allowing people to use the forbidden spells?

“That one is not allowed.” The words burst out before I could stop myself and both the ancient dragon and my mate winced. “You. That.”

“Are we talking not allowed as in naughty or as in forbidden?” Raxius’ gaze jumped from each of us to land back at me. “Shiloh looks guilty.”

Our mate shrugged. “Well, when the seers say do this…you do this.”

What had the seers actually said?

Oh.

“When do you have an accounting of a seer?” Yes. That was a much better starting point. “Do you actually remember everything you read? How was that spell used?”

We were not supposed to use any of the spells in the vault because we could not be trusted to use good sense with them.

“Spell?” Raxius did not like being confused and I could feel his frustration rising. “Someone break it down very simply.”

Baldron nodded slowly, probably realizing my grumpy mate was barely holding back growls. “In our past, the seers were the only ones allowed to give permission to use the restricted spells.”

“Because we have the self-control of drunk squirrels.” Shiloh’s response was accurate but did not paint a positive mental picture if I was understanding his references correctly. “But sometimes they’re useful.”

“When the seers disappeared, it was decided those spells needed to be locked away.” After a few slight difficulties proved they needed to be used under strict supervision.