“I can,” Liza said.
Max shot a glance at the others in the room and leaned toward Liza. “Do you know Sasha’s parents? How do you think they’ll react to me?”
“I’ve met Sasha’s mother. She was amazing, feeding us when we turned up unexpectedly. None of Sasha’s family—the ones I’ve met—show a bias toward humans. It’s obvious to me you love each other. I think it will be fine since Blaze and Griffith are supporting you.”
Max grimaced. “I can’t help feeling nervous.”
Liza patted his shoulder. “They’re much nicer than Leo’s family or Martinos’s family.”
“True. From what you’ve told me, this should be much easier, but that doesn’t stop me worrying.”
The next day, they walked to the portal with Blaze. Griffith had already left and would meet them at the monastery. Noel had taken to Blaze as quickly as he’d warmed to Sasha, and Blaze held Noel’s hand while Max held Sasha’s.
“Is the journey through the portal difficult?” Max asked.
“I don’t know,” Sasha whispered. “Blaze and the others wouldn’t have suggested this if it was dangerous for a child.”
The info didn’t exactly settle the nerves hopping in Max’s gut, and it made him realize Sasha must’ve faced similar worries when she entered his world. She’d managed so well he and others she’d met hadn’t sensed her dragon. Yes, she’d appeared slightly foreign, but she’d thrown herself at the challenge without hesitation.
He must behave in the same way.
With that thought fixed in his mind, he straightened and grinned at Sasha. “Let’s do this.”
Blaze showed them to a grove of trees. Yew trees. Max recalled from his time at school and his history studies how vital these trees had been to his forbears. He’d read the trees held magical properties.
In the center of the grove, the air blurred and churned at a point in front of them.
“This is it,” Blaze said. “Just step into that spot. Noel and I will go first.” He lifted Noel into his arms, making Max’s brother chortle in delight. In the next instant, they’d both disappeared.
“Our turn,” Max said.
“Are you sure about this? I’m uncertain of how my parents will react.”
“Blaze is on our side, now that he knows me better. The other dragons were friendly.”
“They were,” Sasha agreed. “I liked their human mates very much.”
Max stole a quick kiss before tightening his grip on Sasha’s hand and stepping forward. The air seemed thicker as it brushed against their bodies, but the pressure was only momentary. Their surroundings blurred before coming into focus again.
“What took you so long?” Blaze asked.
“I took a few moments to kiss my mate in private,” Max said. He glanced at Noel and saw his brother was smiling and enjoying this adventure immensely.
“Let’s go,” Blaze said. “I’ll introduce you to David and Rena. You can make arrangements, then we’d better fly home to see Mother and Father. Your disappearance upset them.”
“All right,” Sasha said, although she didn’t sound happy, her expression telling him she worried regarding her parents’ reaction to her human mate, and that did nothing to settle his anxiety.
Blaze led the way from the yew grove where they’d arrived. Beyond, an orchard stretched into the distance. Apple trees. Cherry trees. Orange and lemons. Peaches and pears.
In the distance, he could hear singing. Max soon spotted the male tenor. He wore a black robe and was busy weeding a vegetable plot. When he noticed them walking past, he lifted a hand in greeting.
“Do you know where David and Rena are at the moment?” Blaze called.
“They’re in the communal room, trying to stop the older brothers from killing each other. They’re voting on which part of the monastery business plan to concentrate on first,” came the cheerful reply. “For once, I’m glad I’m a junior druid and need not bother myself over the decision making.”
“What is this place?” Max asked.
“Remember I told you about the druids who power the barrier. This is the monastery where they live.”
“Right, the reason I’m interviewing David and Rena.”
Max wasn’t sure what to expect since the dragons and his mate had decided it would be better for him to learn everything from David and Rena. The sound of raised voices traveled down a wide passage to the entrance. Blaze led them inside and stopped outside an open doorway. A dozen men wearing robes from red to blue and one gold gesticulated at each other and raised their voices to be better heard.
“Ah,” Blaze said. “You wait here, and I’ll wade into the crowd and let them know we’ve arrived.” He plunged into the melee and tapped a man on the shoulder. He pivoted in their direction, and Max spotted a woman.
The young couple who walked toward them with welcoming smiles didn’t fit what he’d conjured in his imagination. The woman wore jeans and a casual T-shirt while the man dressed in the same manner as the male dragons in black trousers and a white linen shirt, open at the neck. He would’ve passed them on the street, apart from the fact they both sported an electric-blue tattoo on one side of their face. The whorls and interlaced knots of the tattoo were intricate and reminded him of Celtic scrollwork.
“Rena, David, this is my sister Sasha and her mate, Max. And this wee fellow is Noel. He’s Max’s younger brother.”
“Your missing sister?” David asked, his gaze alert.
Blaze slipped his arm around Sasha’s waist in affection. “She found herself and turned up at the cottage on Holy Island. Max is a reporter from the mainland, and Leo and the others decided it would be an excellent idea to produce a newspaper to let the Dragon Isles residents learn of all that has happened. They figured it would stop the spread of rumors and misinformation.” Blaze shot a grin at Max. “If this works well, you might have a job here.”
“That’s a brilliant idea,” Rena said. “We should’ve thought of that ourselves. You want to interview us and listen to our story? Have Liza, Leo, Cherry, and Martinos told you what happened to them?”
“I took plenty of notes,” Max said. “Their stories are completed, and Leo, Liza, Martinos, and Cherry approved them for publication.”
“I’ll look after Noel while you and Sasha hear David’s and Rena’s story,” Blaze said. “You noted Rena’s weird hair?”
“Blaze! Did you leave your tact at the local pub?” Sasha snapped. “You do not say that sort of thing to a woman.”
Rena grinned. “Your brother, Griffith, happened to my hair. He set it on fire while trying to burn his way out of a building here at the monastery.”
Sasha’s brows rose. “Griffith?”
“We won’t let him forget this for quite a while,” Blaze said with a chuckle.
David and Rena led them into a large room full of comfortable chairs and small tables.
“This is the solarium,” David said. “The druids spend their evenings here relaxing after dinner. No one will interrupt us at this time of the day.”
A druid hailed David and Rena, and the pair moved to speak with him.
“Would you like a tour?” Blaze asked Noel.
“Yes,” Noel said, although Max didn’t think his brother understood what a tour was. He placed his hand in Blaze’s and ambled away without a backward glance.
“I’ve told you before, and no doubt, I’ll tell you again, but you have worked magic with Noel,” Max said, gazing after his brother.
He bore little resemblance to the clingy, whiny child he’d been after their parents’ deaths. Understandable, of course, but with Sasha’s help, Noel had gained confidence. He’d be forever grateful for the day she’d crashed through the barrier and into their lives.
Sasha shrugged. “I like Noel. He’s a good kid.”
“And I’m telling you, he has his moments. His behavior has improved with you around. Will your parents be all right with his differences? Your brothers haven’t mentioned anything, b
ut Noel’s Down syndrome brings challenges. They’ll become greater as he gets older.”
“Our parents will treat him with kindness. I promise this. Noel is a child, and no matter what they say to us, they will not belittle Noel or act with nastiness toward him.”
“Should I worry about our meeting with your parents?”
“No. Yes.” Sasha shrugged. “I don’t know. They were determined to betroth me to Bruceous.”
“Sorry about that,” Rena said with a smile. Apparently, her hair didn’t bother her, and she glowed with happiness. “Things are still settling down after the upheaval we’re going to tell you about, and some of the brothers require extra reassurance.”
“Have a seat,” David said. “We should be able to fit this in before lunch. Blaze mentioned you’re flying to Perfume Isle to see your parents. I hope you’ll eat with us before you leave.”
“Thanks,” Max said.
“Where should I start with my story?” David said.
“Start by telling Max and Sasha how you contacted me,” Rena suggested.
“I’d prefer not to publicize this part,” David said, his gaze on Max. “But it will help you to understand. I’m a dreamwalker. I inherited the ability from my mother, and using this skill, I contacted Rena.” He continued with his tale, detailing the troubles at the monastery and how through Rena, he’d joined forces with Leo and Martinos and their mates.
Max took notes, and even though he’d already learned part of the story, this seemed farfetched.
“It’s all true,” Rena said. “It took me a while to wrap my head around everything.
“Who is running the monastery now?” Max asked.
“Brother Colin is the head druid. He and a group of senior druids are slowly changing the way we used to do things.” David paused. “Do you have everything you need to write your story?”
“I do,” Max said. “Once I’m finished, I’ll run the final version past you both. As I mentioned, Leo and Martinos have already approved their part of the story.”
A bell tolled, and Rena rose. “Perfect timing. That’s the lunch bell.”
Lunch was a communal meal taken with the druids. They ate the hearty vegetable soup with fresh bread and cheese with a dessert of apple pie and custard.
“How long will you be on Perfume Isle?” Rena asked.
“One or two days,” Sasha said. “It depends on how my parents react to my return with a human mate. This might be a fast trip.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” David said. “Your parents are reasonable, and they worried about your disappearance.”
“I just hope they’ll listen before they act,” Sasha said with a wrinkle of her nose.
Once they’d finished lunch, they said their goodbyes and wandered outside to a cobblestone courtyard. Lemon trees planted in pots stood in a sunny corner while the perfume of a white flower drifted from a garden bed on their right.
“I’m still nervous about meeting your parents,” Max confessed. “My lunch isn’t sitting well. I’ve never had this trouble before.”
“Us too,” Sasha confessed. “But remember, we are mates, and Blaze and Griffith are on our side. We have options.”
“Not really. Officially, I’ve absconded with Noel. The cops will be after me. My grandmother will insist on it. I have to make this work. Your parents have to like me.”
“No, I mean we have options here. We can make our home base on Perfume Isle, or Martinos and Cherry offered us a place on Smoking Isle. Our decision need not come right away. We have the luxury of time to make our choice. Maybe once your friend discovers what’s going on with your grandmother, we can return to Bamburgh. I’m sure we can help the dragons on Dragon Isle and earn a living too.”
“God,” Max said, relief pulsing through him at her reasonable tone and suggestions. “My past girlfriends would’ve had a tantrum by now. You’re so calm and logical.”
“Not always,” Sasha said, her tone dry. “Ask my family.”
Max grasped her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “I can’t see it myself, but I’ll take your word for it.”
“Are you ready to go?” Blaze asked.
“No,” Max said.
Griffith laughed. “I don’t know what Sasha told you, but our parents are reasonable dragons. They won’t burn you at first sight. Second maybe.” His eyes twinkled with mirth, and Sasha slapped him on the arm.
“Knock it off. I know they can’t stop us being together because we’re mates, but their support means something to me. Would you rather have Bruceous as part of the family?” Sasha asked, her tone tart.
Noel tugged on Max’s shirt. “Can I ride with Blaze?”
“Not today, buddy. You need to grow bigger and stronger before you can ride on your own.”
“How?” Noel’s voice came close to a moan.
“You know those vegetables you refused to eat last night,” Sasha said.
“Yes.” Noel stared at Max and Sasha as he waited for an explanation.
“Eating your vegetables is the best way to stay strong,” she shared.
Griffith let out a guffaw, and Blaze joined in the hilarity.
“Stop laughing,” Sasha muttered. “A healthy diet is important to grow. Liza told Joanna the same thing last night.”
“Do you know who you sound like?” Blaze asked.
Griffith continued to chortle and shake his head.
Sasha groaned. “I sound like a parent. That’s because I am a parent. Max and I need to make sure Noel grows up with values and is hale and hearty. Laugh all you want, but I care for Max and for Noel. That means I act like a mature dragon.”
“I love you,” Max said, the words bursting from him.
Sasha grinned and threw herself at him. He kissed her, despite their audience. Like everything, Sasha gave the kiss her all, and they were both breathing hard when their lips parted.
“I wanna see,” Noel protested and peeled Griffith’s hands away from his eyes.
Blaze pulled a face. “Let’s fly, otherwise it will be late by the time we arrive. I wanted to give Max a tour of the estate and maybe take him to House of Ghan to meet Rafael.”
“Your other brother?” Max asked.
“Yes.” Sasha stepped away from him and started stripping while her brothers did the same.
Max crouched in front of Noel and fastened his jacket. He placed a warm hat on his brother’s head and wound a scarf around his neck. Max donned warm clothes too before scooping up the discarded ones and packing them in a fabric bag.
Soon, they were flying across the monastery land and over the sea beyond. The flight went way too fast for Max’s liking, and even though he was certain of Sasha, he stressed about her parents’ reaction to her mating with a human. Blaze and Griffith seemed to have accepted him already, but that didn’t stop trepidation from marching through Max and slapping around his confidence.
“How are you and Noel doing?” Sasha asked through their private channel.
“We’re good. It’s cold, but flying has Noel enthralled. He won’t want to travel any other way.”
Sasha and her dragon both laughed as he meant them to, and the gaiety eased some of his tension. An hour later, he spotted land. “Is that Perfume Isle?”
“It is,” Sasha said. “You should smell sweet spices soon. Our island is famous for its delectable scent.”
Sasha’s dragon flapped her wings and arrowed downward until she skimmed the treetops. Sasha was right. The perfume from the plants reminded him of his mother’s cookies when they’d come fresh from the oven. A pang struck his chest as he thought of his mother and, by extension, his father. He missed them, even though he hadn’t spent much time in Bamburgh. He’d still made regular calls via the internet or phone. They would’ve loved Sasha. His parents hadn’t liked his fiancée much. They’d been polite with her, but he’d sensed their reservations, and once he’d overheard them discussing the engagement. He doubted they’d have the same issues with Sasha, despite her other
ness.
He prayed Sasha’s parents were open-minded enough to give him a chance.
“Our home is over that hill,” Sasha said.
Although Max had expected a prosperous estate—given what Sasha, Blaze, and Griffith had told him about their home—this was even grander than he’d anticipated. The buildings were of weathered gray stone, and like the monastery, the gardens were a show of flowers and herbs. Beyond, large orchards of fragrant trees emitted the sweet aroma of baking spices. Max wasn’t sure what the trees were, but they contributed to the wealth of the Mountholden dragon clan.
They landed in a large grassy area in front of the stone mansion. Max clambered down from Sasha’s back and reached up to help his brother. He tugged Noel out of the way, giving the three siblings plenty of space to shift to their human forms.
“Did you enjoy the flight, Noel?” Max asked.
“Yes.” Noel’s eyes shone with enthusiasm. “I’m going to draw pictures to show Joanna. She’s my friend.”
“You do that,” Max said.
Sasha dressed rapidly, as did Blaze and Griffith.
A woman appeared from the direction of the flower gardens. She was running and shouting at the same time. “Tiberius! Tiberius! Come quickly.”
A man strode from a smaller building nearby, his hair a light brown with strands of copper. One look at the man’s broad shoulders and height told Max this was Sasha’s father. The dragon scanned the new arrivals, and when his gaze settled on Sasha, he lengthened his strides to hurry to his daughter.
“You found her,” Sasha’s mother cried, and she kept running until she reached Sasha. She wrapped her arms around her daughter and clung to her. Tiberius hustled to his wife and daughter and drew them both into his embrace.
“This might take a while,” Griffith said as he fastened the ties on the front of his shirt.
Blaze came over to join them and stood watching his parents and sister with a grin on his face.
“Who are they?” Noel asked in a loud voice.
“That’s our mother and father,” Blaze said.
“I don’t have a mother and father,” Noel said.
Sasha (Dragon Isles Book 4) Page 18