“Yes, you’re strong and clever and can fly, but you’ve mentioned male dragons. It’d be two against one.”
Sasha understood his fear. “That’s why I want to sneak around.”
“Better idea,” Max said. “Why don’t we go in the direction they’ve come from now? With humans around and broad daylight, any dragon is going to think twice about shifting. It should be safer. In theory.”
Sasha considered Max’s idea. “All right. We’ll stroll, and if I sense danger of any kind, we’ll retreat.”
“Works for me. The barrier is still present, right?” Max asked.
“Yes, it’s working.”
“Do I smell like a dragon now?”
Sasha’s eyes widened, and she leaned close enough to sniff his neck. She licked his skin, something she’d never have dared before. She or her dragon might have considered the idea, but Sasha was sure they would’ve rejected it immediately. Now, she did it because she could. At the same time, she inhaled. Max’s essence filled her lungs, along with a hint of her.
“Yep, you smell like you made love with a dragon,” her dragon informed Max. “Me.”
Max burst into laughter. “I’ll grab Noel. You start your tracking thing, and we’ll catch up.”
“I’m terrified,” Sasha confessed.
“Me too,” Max said. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“Even though we’re different?”
“It’s your differences that make you stand out, that make you special to me,” Max said. Sincerity and truth rang in his words.
Sasha jumped, and he caught her in his arms and spun them around. She was breathless and laughing by the time he kissed her. He parted their lips and released her with a pat on the bottom.
“We should hustle. You’ll want to do your tracking before the women decide to return to their cottage.”
“Yes,” Sasha agreed, her emotions more level now that Max had kissed the life out of her. “I’ll go slowly.”
She followed the footprints in the sand while scanning the beach in front of them. Max was as quick as he promised and soon caught up with her.
“Where we go, Shasha?”
“I’m showing Max how to follow a trail,” she said.
“Like you did when I was lost,” Noel said.
“That’s right, buddy,” Max said. “But we need to be quiet so Sasha can concentrate on tracking. Okay?”
Noel fell silent, and Sasha increased her speed, the tracks easy to follow. Soon, the trail headed up the beach toward a grassy bank. Sasha slowed, casting out her senses because the dragon scent was more pungent here.
“You okay?” Max asked through their mate bond.
“Still scared,” Sasha said. “Nervous about what I might find.”
“I’m here with you. The women were friendly and didn’t give off bad vibes. Their dragon lovers must treat them well, which leads me to think they should be okay.”
“Maybe,” Sasha said, but the apprehension inside her increased. She’d feel better if the dragon scent was a familiar one, but these were strangers. They might attack first and ask questions later. She’d never forgive herself if Max, or worse Noel, became injured because she’d wanted to find her way home.
“We don’t even know if we want to go home,” her dragon said on their private channel. “I mean, what will our parents do, and what happened to the arrangement with Bruceous? We’re mated with Max. Becoming forcibly parted from him won’t do us any good, and it will hurt Max and Noel, too.”
“I know. This is so hard. I’m torn, and it’s a horrid feeling.”
Max placed a hand on her shoulder. “Keep going, Sasha. No matter what, I’m here at your side. We do this together.”
Sasha swallowed hard. This grown-up business was tough. Justine, The Smart Computer, had made it seem effortless when she’d directed them to relevant sources. “Okay,” she murmured. “The scent goes to the wooden gate over there. I’ll creep closer and peer through the fence.”
“I’ll be right behind you,” Max promised as he gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze.
Sasha crept closer. The low rumble of masculine voices came to her, and she quickly checked on the wind direction. Thankfully, the breeze was blowing her way. Luck was with her this once. With her gaze on the garden beyond the fence, she failed to see a piece of driftwood. When she planted her foot on the stick, a sharp crack broke the silence. She froze in alarm. Holy f-bombs.
The male chatter ceased, and her stomach fluttered with nerves. What if they came to see who was out here? Or if the women returned? Her pulse raced, and sweat gathered on her brow. With caution, she lifted her foot and winced at her close call. They hadn’t come to investigate. She edged farther along the fence to get a better look at the people socializing in the garden. Max followed, and when she spared him a glance, she noted he was taking care of his footfalls.
“Did you want something?” a masculine voice drawled.
A second male voice said, “Are you spying on us?”
Sasha cursed under her breath and slowly raised her gaze to study the two massive dragon males observing her and Max with clear suspicion.
“You had to stand on a stick,” her dragon groused.
“Do you recognize them?” Max asked.
“No,” Sasha said.
“Hello,” a feminine voice said from behind them before Sasha had decided what to tell the dragons.
“We thought this was a public walkway,” Sasha said. “So sorry. We’ll be going.”
“Don’t be silly,” the brown-haired woman said. “Stay for a cup of tea. Joanna would love to have someone to play with.”
“Thank you,” Max said. “We’d love to have tea.” He and Sasha moved out of the way of the women.
The girl ran straight to Noel. “Do you like to draw pictures? I draw dragons. Can you draw a dragon?”
“I flew on a dragon,” Noel said in a clear voice.
“Did you?” the redhead said without a blink. “That must’ve been something.”
“I hate to bother you,” Sasha said.
“Come in. Have tea. Tell us why you’re skulking at our gate,” one man said, his gaze sharp. Suspicious.
Before Sasha knew it, the two women had ushered them into the enclosed garden area. Noel ran to the deck area with the girl.
“I think introductions are in order,” the brown-haired woman said. “I’m Liza. That’s my daughter Joanna over there, and this is my mate, Leo.” She gestured at the closest man who had long black hair and piercing green eyes.
“I’m Cherry,” the redhead said then pointed at the second male who had black curly hair. “Martinos. Also, my mate.”
Both women glanced at Sasha and Max expectantly. Sasha hesitated, apprehension rippling through her to settle at the pit of her stomach. Now that she’d found actual dragons, she worried about Max’s and Noel’s safety. Her safety.
“There you are,” another masculine voice called.
Sasha frowned and turned toward the new arrival. One glimpse of the familiar face, and she was running, her feet flying across the grass. She flung herself at her brother. “Blaze! You’re here.”
“Sasha.” Shock filled her oldest brother’s expression but he beamed at her, and his beefy arms wrapped around her and held tight. “I’ve been so worried about you. I can’t believe you’re here. Safe. I was about to start a search here and on the mainland.”
Sasha squeezed her brother again before pulling back. “Blaze, I want you to meet someone.” She turned to Max and offered a reassuring smile even though nerves continued to tap-dance through her. “This is Max. He’s my mate.”
Blaze tensed for a moment before arching a brow in her direction. “Your mate?”
“Yes,” Sasha said, lifting her chin. “I love him.”
“Are you positive?”
“I’ve learned grandmother’s tales of soulmates are true,” she said, her tone fierce.
“Okay.” Blaze hesitated before he offered his hand to Max in th
e human way. Sasha hadn’t even known Blaze knew of the custom. “My sister looks happy, but if you ever hurt her, you’ll have me to deal with.”
“Why would I hurt her?” Max demanded. “I love her.”
“Knock it off, Blaze,” Sasha said, her eyes narrowing. “Max won’t hurt me.”
“Shasha! Shasha!” Noel came running up to her. “Joanna can draw dragons.”
Sasha smiled at Noel. “That’s excellent. She can teach you something new.”
Noel nodded.
“This is Blaze. He’s my brother,” she said.
“Max has a kid,” Blaze said, his gaze narrowed. His nostrils flared, and his scowl grew deeper. “He smells like you.”
“I told you Max is my mate,” Sasha snapped. “We both look after Noel, so he has our scents. Get this into your head. Max is mine, and I’m his. We are mates, and nothing you do will separate us. It would be cruel even to try because the mating bonds have snapped into place. We speak over our own channel.”
“Everything Sasha says is true. I love Sasha, and she is my mate.” Max glanced at Noel, the tension in him as great as her brother’s. “Noel is my little brother, not my son,” Max said. “My parents died a few months ago, and I have responsibility for Noel.”
“The tea is ready,” Liza called. “Come and join us.”
“Are you a dragon?” Noel asked Blaze.
Blaze’s shoulders relaxed. He flashed a grin at Noel, and the tension bled from Sasha as her brother crouched in front of Noel. “I am a dragon.”
Noel patted Blaze’s arm. “I like dragons.” He trotted off to join Joanna again.
Sasha trailed Noel, walking between Max and Blaze. Tension still simmered in her brother, and she sensed he needed to observe Max before he fully accepted she had a mate. At least, he was withholding judgement for now.
“Where have you been?” Blaze asked. “We’ve searched for you everywhere. Once we learned Leo flew through the barrier and met Liza, our hope grew. We knew you’d been flying. It’s taken us time to arrange travel to this side of the barrier.”
“I’m sorry I worried everyone. My dragon flew into the thick air before we realized what had happened, and then it was too late. We landed on the beach to reconnoiter and discovered Noel. We had to help him because it was dark, and he was a child alone. Later, Max offered me a job,” Sasha said. “I’ve been checking the barrier, but it always seemed intact. I couldn’t get home. Are Mother and Father all right? They can’t make me go ahead with the betrothal to Bruceous. Max truly is my mate. We mind speak.”
“You had sex with my sister,” Blaze said on a growl.
“Blaze. Quit that. We’re mates. Sex is part of the deal,” Sasha snapped.
“Yeah!” her dragon echoed, and she climbed higher on Sasha’s body to glare at their brother.
“I did because I love her like crazy,” Max said firmly. “And she loves me in return. We’re together, and that’s final.”
“Excellent answer,” Blaze said, tension leaching from his shoulders. “I’m your big brother and your only family here. I take this responsibility seriously.”
“Max helps to keep us safe,” Sasha’s dragon said with yet another glower at her brother.
“Will you side with me if Mother and Father disagree with my decision?” Sasha asked.
“I don’t know yet. Wait until I know Max better,” Blaze said.
“Hurry,” Leo called. “Otherwise, Joanna and Noel will eat the cake. You’ll miss out.”
“This is your missing sister?” Cherry asked when they finally joined the others.
“Yes,” Blaze said. “Your timing is excellent, Sasha, since I was about to travel to the mainland to begin my search for you.”
“You’re truly here to look for me?” Sasha asked.
“Griffith is arriving later tonight. He was going to help. Come and tell us again what happened and what you did. We’d all like to listen to the story.”
“Is it safe to talk in front of the others?” Sasha asked through her private family channel.
“Yes. We’re friends here, and we’ve fought for each other. I bet you our story is better than your adventure.”
“Our brother has no idea,” Sasha’s dragon said.
Sasha rolled her eyes, agreeing with her dragon, and took a seat next to Max.
“Okay?” he murmured.
“I think so.”
Once Cherry and Liza distributed the tea and cakes, Sasha related the events that had led to her meeting Noel and Max, and how they’d ended up coming to Holy Island because of Max’s grandmother.
“That’s terrible,” Liza said. “My ex-husband was trying a similar thing with Joanna. It was greed because my father has money, and my ex wanted his share—even though he didn’t deserve a thing.”
“What will you do now?” Cherry asked. “What if your private investigator doesn’t find the info he’s looking for in the next two days?”
“I should take Noel and run, preferably to a place the cops will never find him. I’d need to start again and find a job to support Sasha and Noel,” Max said. “The last thing I want is to let my grandmother take Noel, especially if she merely wants the money for Noel’s support. My brother deserves to have people in his life who love him.”
“His Down syndrome doesn’t slow him down,” Liza said. “Leo, Joanna, and I are returning to the Dragon Isles while Cherry and Martinos are setting up a business in Bamburgh. You could go to Perfume Isle with Blaze and Griffith and live there. Give Cherry and Martinos your friend’s contact details and communicate via them.”
Blaze indicated agreement. “That’s an excellent idea. Noel would be safe. You’d have the opportunity to prove to Mother and Father you’re happy and secure with Max. I think they’d like Noel. He’ll charm them.”
“What sort of job did you do?” Leo asked.
“I was a reporter,” Max said.
“Set up a newspaper,” Liza said. “Part of the problem with the Dragon Isles is the lack of easy contact between the three islands. A weekly newspaper could help with that. Henry might transport it between the islands for you. At the least, a newspaper would keep every resident apprised of the important news. It might be a way to advertise for people to move to Smoking Isle as well.”
“A newspaper is a fantastic idea,” Leo said. “I enjoyed reading of the things happening on the mainland when Cherry brought the paper home yesterday.”
“I could do that,” Max said. “Or try my hand at other work. I don’t want anyone to accuse me of freeloading. As long as Noel and Sasha are safe and happy, and we can support ourselves.”
“I could write kissing books,” Sasha said. “My friends and other dragons—maybe the humans too—might enjoy reading kissing books.”
“Kissing books?” Cherry asked with interest.
“Romances,” Max said.
“Oh,” Cherry said with a wink at Liza. “I think we’re going to get along great with Sasha.”
“But I can sense the barrier,” Sasha said. “How did you get here? How is it possible for you to travel from the Dragon Isles to Holy Island?”
“That,” Liza said, “is a very long story. You might have to stay for lunch.” She glanced at her mate and her friends. “Should I start by telling Sasha what happened to me?”
Sasha and Max listened as Liza told them her story of what occurred after Leo rescued her from the sea. Cherry took up the tale, and once she’d finished her recitation of how she’d found Martinos on the beach, both women plus Leo, Martinos, and Blaze informed them what had happened next and how they’d stopped a group of dragons from taking over the mainland.
“Wow,” Max said. “Do the rest of the dragons understand what happened?”
Leo shook his head. “Most of them are clueless. Some wouldn’t believe the skullduggery that played out under their noses.”
Max’s gaze narrowed. “What do you hope will happen now? Will you let everyone know what has happened? How will you stop it fro
m happening again?”
Liza laughed aloud. “You’re definitely a reporter.”
“Most people on the Dragon Isles can read. I think we should publish a basic newspaper here and deliver it to the residents,” Cherry said. “We can use a desktop publishing system and print out the copies. Cherry and I can drive over to the mainland and get whatever supplies we need.”
“Brilliant idea,” Leo said. “It would be faster to get the news out this way. If Max agrees, he could travel back to the monastery and interview David and Rena.”
“Who are they?” Sasha asked.
“Rena is my sister,” Liza said. “David is her husband. Allen, a minister we know, married them a week ago. They’re on their honeymoon, but they’ll be back at the monastery tomorrow.”
Max turned to Sasha. “What do you think?”
“If you’re on one of the Dragon Isles, you and Noel will be out of the reach of your grandparents. Doing the newspaper would allow you to write the type of story you enjoy rather than the tabloid-type stories you hate. And it would give us a chance to visit my parents.”
Sasha continued, “As much as I’d like to stay away from them, if I want to prove I’m an adult and capable of looking after myself, I have to front up and tell them why I refuse to obey their order to become betrothed to Bruceous.”
Blaze started clapping, his open approval, bringing a grin to her face. “An attitude like that should convince Mother and Father you know what you’re doing. I’ll go with you and Max in support.”
“Thank you,” Max said.
“So we’re doing this,” Sasha said on their private channel. “Traveling to the monastery while Liza and Cherry organize the equipment for you to print your story.”
“We’re doing this,” Max agreed.
14 – Meet The Parents
The next two days were full of work but fun as well. Griffith arrived, and Max liked the youngest of Sasha’s brothers. Max interviewed Liza and Leo and also Martinos and Cherry. He wrote their stories and gained their approval once they’d read them.
“You’re good,” Liza said. “It’s perfect. You’ve set out the facts without embellishments, yet it’s an interesting read.”
“Can you and Cherry do the layout while I write my additional stories?” Max asked.
Sasha (Dragon Isles Book 4) Page 17