Sasha (Dragon Isles Book 4)

by Shelley Munro

  “If you’re wondering why I have a ring, it belonged to my mother. Mum gave it to me to give to my fiancée.” He inhaled and closed his eyes briefly as if the memory gave him pain. “I was engaged to a girl called Bronwen at the time of my parents’ accident. I loved her and thought she loved me in return. At first, she was very supportive, then she discovered I intended to look after Noel. She told me Noel had problems and would never be normal. She hated appearing in public with him. Not that Noel helped her opinion. He disliked her too, and on the couple of times we went out together with my brother, he misbehaved. When I wouldn’t change my mind about Noel, she broke off our engagement.”

  “She sounds horrid,” Sasha’s dragon said. “We must help Max.”

  “We will help him,” Sasha said.

  “I like Noel,” Sasha said to Max. “Don’t worry. We will get along fine. I’ll look after your ring.”

  Max shrugged. “I’m not worried about the ring. Are you sure about this scheme? My grandmother can be a bitch. She’s hell-bent on winning custody of Noel. At the moment, we’re waiting for the judge’s decision.”

  “Does Noel like her?”

  “Sometimes,” Max said. “He senses the tension between Grandmother and me, even though we try to be on our best behavior when we’re together with him.”

  Sasha patted his hand. “Don’t worry. I can keep a secret and will do my best to look after your brother.”

  “Unfortunately, I need to travel to Edinburgh tomorrow. I was planning to stay overnight there.”

  “The trust goes both ways,” Sasha said. “You must wonder if you’re right to place your trust in me. I promise, I will guard Noel with my life.”

  3 – Sasha Meets a Human Dragon

  As was her regular habit, Sasha woke early. Dressed and presentable, she left her bedroom.

  “Hurry,” her dragon said. “We have to explore.”

  “That is not our primary mission,” Sasha said. “First, we check on Noel. If he’s still sleeping, we get to reconnoiter before we make his breakfast. Max promised to leave us a list of Noel’s activities and what he likes to eat for each meal. It should be downstairs in the kitchen. If Noel is awake, we’ll get him ready to face the day.”

  “Can we go swimming? Can we eat the new food? Can we fix Max’s garden?”

  “Yes, to all of that.” Sasha grinned because the same excitement bubbled through her. This unknown world was full of exhilarating things. Even having an actual job and looking after Noel was thrilling.

  She’d have her wages to spend, money she’d earned instead of depending on her parents.

  “Can we kiss Max again?” her dragon asked. “Can we flush the water in the privy? That was fun.”

  “I believe we’re allowed to kiss if we’re helping the pretense of our fake betrothal,” Sasha said. “Do you want Noel to be awake or asleep?”

  “Hmm,” her dragon said. “Either. I like his funny face. Do you think our salve will have fixed his sunburn?”

  “There is nothing wrong with his face,” Sasha snapped. “Max explained how some humans have this Down syndrome thing. It makes them different, but they’re also the same. They like to play and eat food and learn interesting things.”

  “We do too.”

  “Yes, so we can do all those things with Noel.” Sasha pushed open the door, her gaze going to the bed.

  Two eyes stared back at her. Noel sat up to reveal a striped shirt. “Shasha. You’re here.”

  Sasha grinned at his eagerness. “Are you ready to start your day, or do you want to sleep more?”

  “Not tired,” Noel said.

  “Pull back the curtains,” her dragon said. “We need to see the day, so we can decide what to do.”

  “Food first,” Sasha said when her tummy rumbled.

  Noel’s mouth widened as he stared at her stomach.

  “My tummy is hungry,” Sasha said. “Let’s get you dressed. What do you want to wear today?” She drew the curtains, smiling as she spotted the morning sunshine. “We can play outside today,” she told Noel. “Ah, your face is much better. Do you have a hat?”

  “Yes.” Noel bounced out of his narrow bed and almost tumbled when his feet caught in the covers.

  Sasha grabbed him before he hit his head, and he beamed at her.

  “I like to go outside. Sheryl made me play inside.”

  “I see,” Sasha said. “Where do you keep your clothes?”

  “In here.” Noel was dancing on the spot and crossing his legs.

  “He needs the privy,” her dragon said. “We should take him there.”

  “Ooh! Excellent thinking.” Sasha moved closer to Noel. “Bathroom first,” she said, repeating Max’s words of the previous night.

  Noel sped from his bedroom and ducked into another room.

  “Shout out if you need help.” Sasha waited outside the door and listened for the right noises, following by the flushing apparatus she’d discovered earlier. It made everything disappear. So hygienic and less smelly than the privy back home.

  Noel emerged, and Sasha directed him to the second room they’d discovered. Water poured from the taps, both hot and cold, and soap came in liquid form from a bottle. Sasha helped Noel to wash his hands and face.

  “I want to pick my clothes.” Noel pressed his lips together as if he expected an argument.

  “You can do that.”

  Noel’s little shoulders relaxed. He trotted back to his chamber and opened a wooden drawer. He pulled out a bright yellow shirt in soft fabric. On the front was the picture of a green frog. From a second drawer, he picked a pair of trews in tough blue fabric. “Socks. Underpants,” Noel said as if going through a mental list.

  “Lucky for us, he seems to know what he’s doing,” Sasha’s dragon said.

  “And lucky for us, we get to make any mistakes with just Noel present,” Sasha replied. “I hope Max writes detailed lists because otherwise, this will be a tremendous adventure.”

  “We’re smart,” her dragon said with her standard confidence. “We can do anything. That’s why they call us Sasha, The Lionhearted.”

  With the help of Max’s list, Sasha bumbled her way through a breakfast of something called rice bubbles—her dragon and Noel adored the sounds they made when coming into contact with the milk—and toast. Noel proved helpful, and since Max’s notes said it was essential to keep Noel active, she decided to do a little cleaning before they played outside in the garden.

  “Max makes my bed,” Noel stated once they’d cleared the kitchen.

  “Do you make Max’s bed?” Sasha asked. Although they had servants, her parents had taught Sasha and her brothers to care for themselves and to keep their chambers tidy. Woe betide if Mother’s room inspection failed her high standards. She and her siblings had learned to do it right the first time.

  “No,” Noel said, frowning at her.

  “Max is tired,” Sasha said. “If we do a few chores for him, he’ll have more time to rest and play with us when he gets home.” She didn’t think he understood. “I’ll show you how to make your bed today, and tomorrow we can do it before we come down to breakfast.”

  Noel’s frown deepened, and Sasha understood what Max meant when he’d written his brother could become very stubborn. Max had also mentioned Noel enjoyed singing and music, so she tried another tactic. “I was going to share my bed-making song. My mother taught it to me to help the work go faster.”

  “What bed-making song?” her dragon asked.

  “The one we’re going to make up,” Sasha said. “About a silly old dragon called Bruceous who hated to make beds. I’m certain something bad happened to him because he was a nasty dragon.”

  Her dragon guffawed so loudly a puff of smoke escaped from Sasha’s nose. Sasha slapped her hand over her lower face to hide the evidence.

  “Better start making up your ditty because Noel is watching us closely.”

  “Right, the song,” Sasha said aloud. “I’ll sing some of it on the way
to your bedroom. Are you coming?” She set off before Noel had made up his mind. “There was a silly old dragon called Bruceous,” she croaked.

  Sasha’s singing voice was terrible, and she admitted it, but if Noel loved songs and rhymes, she’d do her best.

  “Who flirted with the ladies too much,” her dragon sang.

  “We can’t sing that to a child,” Sasha protested. Aloud, she sang, “Who never made his bed because he was the laziest.”

  “What’s next?” Noel asked, staring at her in expectation.

  “Yeah, what’s next?” her dragon asked.

  Ugh! Not only was she out of tune, but her rhyming was off.

  “His mother proposed a bet. Bruceous would get a…”

  “Set of goats?” her dragon suggested. “Set of cows? Set of pretty combs for our hair?”

  Sasha sucked in a deep breath. “A pound of apple pies each week if he could make his bed.”

  “This is a terrible song. Look! Noel has clapped his hands over his ears.”

  “I know,” Sasha said. “What can I say?” She winked at Noel. “Let’s make the bed instead of singing.”

  “Yes.” Noel wrinkled his nose.

  Sasha burst out laughing. “You work on that side, and I’ll stand here. Are you ready?”

  Noel gave her a doubtful nod, but Sasha had an idea. She sang the instructions about smoothing the sheets and tugging up the blankets. Fluffing the pillow and folding his pajamas.

  “There,” she said. “That wasn’t too bad, was it? Now it’s time to see what Max says is next for you.”

  “Drawing,” Noel demanded when they reached the kitchen.

  “We should follow Max’s instructions.” Sasha scanned Max’s notes, and the answer was anything as long as Noel was happy and challenged. Most of all, he needed to exercise instead of sitting around all day. “Ah-ha!” Sasha said. “Do you want to know what Max says in his notes?”

  “Yes,” Noel said.

  “You can draw, but I have a suggestion. I’d like to explore the garden. How about if you come with me, and we’ll look for butterflies? You could draw them. Will you help me look?”

  “I like butterflies,” Noel said.

  “Great, that’s settled then. Are you ready to go? Do you have boots to keep your feet dry? There’s a heavy dew outside.”

  “What’s dew?”

  “I’ll show you. We might find spider webs or some insects. I enjoy drawing them too.”

  Noel wrinkled his nose.

  “Let’s go. Are you warm enough?”

  “Yes.” Noel gestured emphatically.

  “Do you want to bring your drawing paper with you?”

  “Yes, please,” Noel said.

  Sasha helped Noel to find his drawing materials and placed them in a bag. Then, she led the way outside and into the garden. “Can you smell the fresh air?”

  Noel sniffed loudly, making her dragon chortle.

  “The weeds have choked the flower garden,” Sasha said. “I love to grow flowers and herbs. While you’re searching for something to draw, I can fix the garden and give the plants room to grow. Oh, look at the orange butterfly. Do you want to start with that one?”

  Noel unpacked his bag and sat on the footpath, which thankfully, was dry. “The butterfly flew away.”

  “I can describe a butterfly,” Sasha said. “Draw two big wings and a long, narrow body in the middle of the wings. They have two feelers coming from their head.”

  “Does a butterfly have eyes and ears?” Noel asked.

  “I’m not sure. It doesn’t matter. You draw eyes if you want. We’ll save your picture for Max when he comes home tomorrow.”

  “Yes,” Noel said.

  “A young man of few words,” her dragon said. “Let’s fix this garden. It will look pretty without the weeds and give visitors a better impression of the property.”

  “I agree,” Sasha said aloud.

  “Who are you talking to?” Noel asked.

  “I talk to myself,” Sasha said.

  “I am a dragon,” her dragon said.

  “Yes, but we must stay hidden while we are here,” Sasha replied. “It’s not safe for our dragon here. Foremost, we must keep you safe while we work out how to get home.”

  “Grandmother says people who talk to themselves are crazy,” Noel said.

  “Quite possibly,” Sasha chirped, settling down to pull the weeds from the garden on the right hand of the steps leading to the front door. “This garden is full of weeds.”

  Noel sidled closer. “How do you know the weeds?”

  “I like plants. My mother taught me about herbs and flowers. I enjoy making order out of chaos,” Sasha said. “Last night, I gathered plants to make the salve we put on your face to take away the sting. You can make ointments and medicines from plants since they have healing properties.” She tapped her fingertip on Noel’s nose. “Your nose isn’t red any longer.”

  A rumble grabbed Sasha’s attention.

  “What is it?” her dragon asked and moved up Sasha’s neck so she could investigate.

  “I’m not sure,” Sasha replied. “It sounds like the box thing on wheels that Max used to get here from his job. His square box has vanished, so he must’ve taken it back to his work.”

  The black box came to a halt, and a door opened on the side. Sasha rose to her feet and plastered a polite smile on her lips.

  The woman who exited had an oval face with few visible lines. Sasha’s mother would’ve approved of the woman’s grooming—her smooth silver hair and subtly painted cosmetics—while her immaculate purple skirt and cream blouse shouted capable and classy. It was a pity her pursed lips and narrowed blue eyes contradicted first impressions.

  “She looks grumpy,” her dragon murmured.

  “She does,” Sasha agreed.

  “Do you know the lady?” she murmured to Noel.

  “That’s Grandma,” Noel said.

  “The evil woman who wants to steal Noel,” her dragon said. “We must take care we don’t give her further ammunition to use against Max.”

  “Don’t worry. Max has our loyalty.”

  “Hello, Noel,” the woman said.

  A man climbed out of the square box too. Sasha needed to learn the correct name for the transportation, so she didn’t appear stupid. This human was equally well-groomed and wore black trousers and a pale blue shirt, but he possessed better manners since he nodded a polite greeting at Sasha.

  The woman hugged Noel, but he didn’t enjoy the physical contact. He wriggled from the woman’s embrace and returned to Sasha.

  “Who is this?” The woman’s gaze flickered up and down, her expression showing open disapproval of Sasha’s black trews and plain shirt.

  “Shasha,” Noel said, taking Sasha’s hand in his.

  Sasha smiled at him before stepping forward to greet the woman and man. “Hello, I’m Sasha Mountholden.”

  “I thought Sheryl looked after Noel. At least she did until Max fired her,” the woman said in a snooty tone. “That is unacceptable, which is why I’ve come to take Noel with me.”

  Sasha maintained a pleasant, non-confrontational smile while she and her dragon came up with a plan.

  “We can’t allow the woman to remove Noel,” her dragon said. “The woman is rude. She didn’t even introduce herself to us. Mother would not approve of this human.”

  “Exactly,” Sasha agreed.

  “Go and pack a bag for Noel,” the woman ordered Sasha.

  “I don’t think so,” her dragon said. “This woman requires a set-down. Let’s do it.”

  Sasha didn’t reply but held out her hand to the man who was frowning at the garden she’d started to weed and at Noel’s butterfly drawing.

  “Hello, I’m Sasha. Your name is…”

  “Frank Cranshaw,” he said. “This is my wife, Julia. We’re Max’s and Noel’s grandparents.”

  “Ah,” Sasha said. “Max has mentioned you. Why don’t you come inside? We can have refreshments.�
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  “We’ll make that tea stuff and serve cookies,” her dragon suggested.

  “Perfect idea. We’ll channel Mother when she has unwelcome guests.”

  Sasha ushered them inside. “Let me wash my hands, and then we’ll have a chat.”

  “I don’t think so,” Julia said. “It’s unacceptable to leave Noel with a stranger. Max doesn’t spend enough time with the child. It’s the reason we’re petitioning the court for custody. It’s not right, leaving Noel with Max. My grandson is never here.”

  “That’s not true,” her dragon said. “Max loves Noel. He was most upset with that Sheryl woman.”

  Sasha growled under her breath. “It’s obvious the Sheryl person has contacted the grandmother and told tales.”

  “We must stop them,” her dragon said.

  “Don’t worry. We will,” Sasha said, a plan taking form. “Thank goodness I placed Max’s notes in my pocket. It wouldn’t do for the grandmother to get hold of them.”

  Sasha washed her hands in the bathroom and turned to see Noel loitering in the doorway behind her.

  “I want to stay with you,” Noel said.

  Sasha ruffled his hair. “Don’t fear, Noel. We’ll have tea and cookies with your grandparents.” She held out her hand, and Noel took it, but his expression remained worried. “Let’s wash your hands first, then we’ll have tea. Would you like to help me?”

  “Yes,” Noel said, confirming this with an emphatic nod.

  Sasha dried his hands before they returned to the kitchen. She found Frank sitting at the kitchen table, his shoulders slumped.

  “Easy to tell who wears the trews in this relationship,” her dragon commented. “He looks as if he’s lost a tournament match, and everyone has jeered because of his defeat.”

  Sasha guided Noel forward. “Is something wrong, Frank?” she asked. “Where is Julia?”

  He offered a weak smile. “She went to the restroom.”

  The polite word for the privy, Sasha had learned.

  “She’s probably reconnoitering and gathering evidence against our Max,” Sasha’s dragon declared.

  “She won’t find anything incriminating,” Sasha said. “But just in case, I’ll boil the kettle thing and make tea. I’m glad Max showed us that search thing to learn things.”