“Take that,” her dragon crowed.
They turned to discover Max gaping at them, blue eyes wide and shock emblazoned across his handsome face.
“What the fuck,” he said.
9 – Oops! How Do We Fix This?
“Now look what you’ve done,” her dragon said. “How are you going to fix this?”
“It was you, not me.” Sasha swallowed hard. This was not the ideal way for Max to discover her other-self. What if he kicked her out of the house? Or worse, tossed her to the tabloid reporters who were baying like the bloodhounds they’d watched on telly last night.
“What was that?”
“Ah…”
Noel appeared behind him. He beamed at Sasha and ran to her, grabbing her around the legs and giving her a big hug. “Shasha scared away bad men. She saved me.”
Max scrubbed a hand through his hair, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them. “I can’t believe I’m saying this,” he muttered. “You are a dragon.”
“Yes,” Sasha said in a small voice.
“A real live dragon.”
“What does he expect? A paper one?” her dragon demanded in a snippy tone. “One of those purple cartoon ones?”
“Yes.” Sasha waited for his next reaction.
“Crap,” Max said. “This is something from the movies.”
“Ah, I’ll make a cup of tea,” Sasha said.
“Why are we doing that?” her dragon asked.
“Because that’s what they do on telly,” Sasha muttered.
“What?” Max asked, sounding confused.
“Sorry. I forgot. I was talking to my dragon.” She was aware Max watched her the entire time until she disappeared into the kitchen.
“Shasha, can I have chocolate?” Noel asked, running after her.
“Yes,” she said, although, given the time, she should decide what to cook for dinner instead of making drinks.
Noel dragged out a chair at the kitchen table and climbed onto it to wait for his hot chocolate.
Max entered the kitchen, determination written on his handsome face.
“Such a pretty face,” her dragon cooed. “He doesn’t look angry.”
No, but he wanted answers. She’d demand answers in the same circumstances.
Max dragged out a seat and picked up the envelope the cops had delivered. He tapped it on the tabletop.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Each successive beat felt like a punishment. She didn’t want to leave. She enjoyed spending her days with Noel and Max’s kisses…well, she’d started to crave them.
“Where do you come from?” Max asked.
“An island called Perfume Isle. It’s part of the Dragon Isles group.”
“Where are they?”
“Off the coast of the mainland. Hundreds of years ago, dragon shifters lived among the humans here in the UK and Europe and farther afield. Humans made it a sport to kill us, and our numbers became drastically low. Our people retreated to the Dragon Isles, and they made a pact with the local druids who had a monastery on Smoking Isle. The druids produced a barrier, which stands between our worlds and keeps us invisible from the mainland. If any of your people venture too close, a sense of dread overcomes them, and they change course.”
Sasha glanced at his impassive face and had no inkling of what he’d do next. She found his lack of expression unnerving and burst into further explanation.
“Somehow, I flew through the barrier. I landed on the beach to orientate myself and discovered Noel. I couldn’t leave a little boy alone in the dark, especially when he was crying. My dragon and I followed his tracks and brought him home. We didn’t have anywhere to go, so we accepted your offer of shelter in return for looking after Noel.”
“Is he mad at us?” her dragon asked. “He’s not saying anything.”
“Are you angry?” Sasha asked aloud. “If I’d told the truth, you would’ve thought I was crazy. I needed shelter, and you required help with Noel. I thought if I pretended to be a human, I’d eventually discover a way to get home.”
Max rubbed his chin, his stubble rasping beneath his fingertips. “A dragon.”
“I’ve done nothing to harm you or Noel.” Sasha pressed a hand against her chest. “I’m sorry. What should I have done? Walked up to you and said, ‘Hi, I’m a dragon.’?”
“But dragons aren’t real.”
A flash of anger filled her, and she let her dragon show in her eyes. “You kissed me. You weren’t worried about dragons then.”
Max pinched the bridge of his nose. His gaze met hers, and he flinched. “To be honest, I’m not certain what to think. You’re right. You’ve protected Noel at every step and looked after him as if he were your own. I can’t fault that. If you haven’t hurt either of us so far, I figure you’re not about to injure us in the future.”
“We’re not barbarians,” her dragon snapped. “Tell him. Tell him we’re civilized and have honor.”
“Take care. You offend my dragon with your words. She says we are a civilized race and don’t go around killing hapless humans.”
“I apologize. That was thoughtless of me.”
“It was,” her dragon agreed. “We won’t let him kiss us again. Tell him.”
Sasha wanted more kisses. “Does this mean you won’t kiss us again?”
Max groaned. “I’m so sorry. This has been a shock. Sasha, you’re constantly on my mind, and the highlight of each day has been the contact with you and Noel. You faced down my grandmother. I know how forceful she can be, so I’m grateful for your strength of character and the way you stood up for Noel.” His expression darkened. “Do you have any idea of the identity of those two men who tried to grab Noel?”
“I’ve never seen them before, although I have sensed someone observing us whenever we left the house.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” Max asked, his glower returning with force.
“When?” she demanded. “During your nightly calls, which are mainly for Noel? My dragon and I couldn’t see anyone, which meant they kept their distance. Until today, Noel was safe. I’d intended to mention the situation to you when you came home again, which is what I’ve done.”
Max opened his mouth again and obviously thought better of what he’d intended to say because his teeth clacked as he pressed his lips together. He huffed out a breath. “I don’t know what to say. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t want Noel anywhere near you. First, Grandmother would use this as a weapon to take Noel from me. Then there’s the safety issue—”
“What safety issues?” Sasha snapped.
“Yeah.” Her dragon lifted higher on Sasha’s neck and onto her cheek so she could glare at Max and give him attitude. “We love Noel. We’d never hurt him.”
Max gaped at her, and Sasha and her dragon glowered back.
“Is that your dragon?” he asked finally.
“Yes,” she replied with a trace of impatience. “Look, everything we’ve done is to keep Noel safe and happy.”
Max dragged his hand through his hair, and it wasn’t for the first time since he’d arrived at home. His black hair stuck up, and Sasha hated to tell him his hair resembled the prickles of a hedgehog. “Please tell me about your dragon.”
Sasha bristled, and her dragon followed suit.
Max backed up half a step. “Hell, I’m mishandling this. I’m sorry. Sasha’s dragon, I’m sorry if my question is rude. Please help me understand.”
“He’s a human. He wouldn’t comprehend our relationship,” her dragon conceded. “Explain to him.”
She agreed with her dragon. “My dragon is my other half, and we share a body. When we’re in human form, my dragon resides on my outer body in her tattoo form. She normally rests on my chest, but she can move across my skin at will. When we’re in dragon form, I’m in her—it’s difficult to explain. In both forms, we communicate with each other telepathically.”
“Two souls. One body. Got it, I think. Thank you for clarifying for me.”
“Hot chocolate,” Noel reminded Sasha.
Max stepped closer again. “No! You’re right. It…this…you… This was a shock. You’ve given Noel first-rate care and made my last two helpers appear ordinary. And better, Noel’s happy. Happier than I’ve seen him since Mum and Dad died, and that’s down to you.”
Sasha let out a shaky laugh, tension releasing from her muscles with a whoosh.
“Woohoo!” her dragon shouted. “Let’s make chocolate.”
“Right. Hot chocolate. Sure thing. Noel, would you like to measure the ingredients for me? We’ll all have chocolate,” Sasha said.
“We’ll add whisky to ours,” Max said, standing. “I need a drink.”
Sasha bustled around the kitchen, grabbing supplies and cups from the pantry. She helped Noel measure spoonfuls of chocolate mix, the familiar ritual soothing her inner angst.
“I’ll add milk to Noel’s,” Max said. “Ours will work better with water.”
Sasha nodded and followed Max’s instructions.
“What will we do now?” her dragon asked. “Maybe it’s better for us to leave. We don’t want to cause trouble for Max and Noel.”
“I don’t know. If we must leave, at least we have some money, and we understand how things work here on the mainland.”
A thump on the door indicated a visitor, and Max scowled. “I’ll deal with our caller. We need to plan and work out how to get rid of the reporters.”
Sasha handed Noel his hot chocolate while attempting to eavesdrop on the conversation.
“It’s those policemen again,” her dragon said, and she slipped down Sasha’s body until she rested in her usual spot over Sasha’s heart, her tail curling over a hip.
An impassive Max directed two police officers into the kitchen, but Sasha saw one was a woman. “They want to talk to you about the abduction attempt.”
“Okay,” Sasha said with a polite smile. Best not to offer information but to wait for the questions and give them enough that they didn’t get suspicious. On the other hand, not too much info either.
“Have a seat,” Max said. “Would you like a hot drink? Tea or coffee?”
“No, thanks,” the policewoman said. Her blonde hair coiled neatly at the back of her neck, and her expression was so severe that worry rolled through Sasha. “We have your statement. I want to go through it again in case you remember something you missed earlier.”
“Sure,” Sasha said.
The policewoman asked her questions, and she described again what had happened and everything she’d seen.
“There were also reports of a dragon. Can you tell me anything about that?”
Sasha laughed and made her eyes grow wide. “A dragon?” she spluttered.
The policewoman tapped her pen against her notebook. “Yes.” Her tone was dry. “That is what locals are reporting.”
Sasha wrinkled her nose, shot a quick glance at Noel, and hoped he didn’t tell them she was a dragon.
Max must’ve thought the same thing since he stood. “Do you need me for anything? Noel works better with a routine, and it’s time for his shower.”
“Go ahead. We’re almost finished,” the policewoman said.
Max whisked Noel away, and Sasha and her dragon relaxed a fraction.
“The reporters outside are saying the dragon landed here,” the policewoman said.
“What?” Sasha’s jolt was entirely natural and not manufactured. “Where?” She gazed toward the window and peered outside at the back garden. “Are they saying the dragon is inside the house? What are they drinking? That’s crazy.”
The policeman, who had remained silent until now, snorted.
The policewoman sent him a silencing glare before turning back to Sasha. “Would you mind if we searched the house and grounds?”
“That should be okay,” Sasha said. “But you should check with Max first since he owns the house.”
“What exactly is your position here?”
“I’m Max’s fiancée,” Sasha said, “and I also look after Noel when Max needs to work in Edinburgh.”
The policewoman glanced at the ring on Sasha’s left hand. “Congratulations. How long have you been engaged?”
“A few months,” Sasha said.
“Do you have a date for the wedding?”
“Careful,” her dragon warned.
“I’ve got this,” Sasha said with a bright smile. “Max’s parents died in an accident several months ago. It didn’t seem respectful to set a date and marry straightaway. I wanted Noel more settled, and both Max and I wanted to enjoy our wedding. I mean, you only have one day, and it should be special.”
Max returned to grab his phone.
“Max, the police want to search the house and grounds,” Sasha said.
“Why?” Max barked. “We have done nothing wrong.”
“No, sir,” the policewoman said. “But the reporters outside insist that a dragon landed here.”
“They think we’re hiding a dragon inside the house?” Max scoffed. “I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous in my life. Aren’t dragons meant to be massive creatures? How would one fit inside the house without knocking down a wall?”
The policeman barked out a laugh, which the policewoman quelled with a glare.
“You’re welcome to search the grounds if you must, but even you must admit the idea of a live dragon entering my house and cowering under the bed is crazy.”
“Are you refusing to let us search the house?” the policewoman persisted.
“You have no legal reason to search my home,” Max said calmly. “To say you’re searching for a dragon is plain ridiculous. If you wish to search, you’ll need a warrant.”
“Because you’re hiding something,” the policewoman shot back.
Max stood his ground, not intimidated in the slightest. “Like what?”
“Someone suggested, Mr. Lombardy, that you staged the abduction attempt on your brother.”
Sasha’s mouth dropped open in shock while Max appeared equally astonished by the allegation.
“Who suggested that?” Max demanded.
“Your grandmother,” the policewoman said, watching him closely.
“Out,” Max said, jerking his head toward the door. “Leave my property. I’ve changed my mind about you searching any part of my home or garden.”
“But it’s not your property, is it, sir?” the policewoman said in a smooth tone. “The house is in trust for your younger brother, and you only live here because you’re his legal guardian.”
“Out.” Max enforced the order by walking to the doorway, which led to the passage and the front door. “I don’t have to listen to these accusations. If you want to search this house, you bring a search warrant.”
10 – Grandmother Makes Her Move
Max escorted the two cops out while Sasha jogged upstairs to check on Noel. As she approached the bathroom, the garbled words of a song drifted to her—one Noel had learned at kindergarten. She grinned because his singing was horrid, but he was enjoying himself.
“Hey, Noel. Did you wash behind your ears?”
Her dragon chortled. “That’s what our mother always asked us.”
“Yeah,” Sasha replied ruefully.
“Shasha, I’m hungry.”
“Me, too,” Sasha agreed. “We’ll cook dinner once you dress in warm clothes.”
Sasha helped Noel to dry himself and dress, then they walked down to the kitchen. Max was sitting at the table, reading the contents of the envelope the police officers had delivered. A deep scowl dug into his forehead.
“Is something wrong?”
Max shot a glance at Noel. “We’ll talk once Noel is in bed.”
“Watch TV?” Noel asked.
Sasha exchanged a glance with Max.
“Let him watch a cartoon,” he said. “If I don’t talk about this, I’m going to burst. Come on, buddy. Which cartoon would you like
to see tonight?”
“What are we cooking for dinner?” her dragon asked. “It might be better if we leave the chicken for another night.”
“Remember, we watched how to cut a chicken up into portions. If we do that, it will cook faster,” Sasha said. “We’ll have it with mashed potatoes, peas, and gravy.” She set to work and soon had the chicken in the oven. With that done, she peeled the potatoes and cut them small.
Max entered the kitchen, and the cackle of Noel’s favorite cartoon dog drifted after him.
“Thank you for starting dinner,” Max said. He tipped his half-drunk hot chocolate in the sink. “The letter the cops brought and had me sign for are legal papers. My grandmother is upping the ante. She says I’m hardly here with Noel and that I leave his care to my au pair.”
“What’s an au pair?”
“A person who looks after children and receives a payment for it,” Max said. “She doesn’t believe we’re engaged.”
“She’s right,” Sasha said, even though the words made her chest ache.
Max groaned. “God, I’m so confused. I have feelings for you, and every time I look at you, all I want to do is steal a kiss.”
“What’s stopping him?” her dragon whispered. “We’re gorgeous.”
Sasha wanted the answer to the question too. “Why don’t you kiss me?”
Max met her gaze, his eyes full of honesty. “Until I saw you spurt fire at that reporter, I’d intended to kiss you.”
“What changed?”
“You’re a weredragon,” he said.
“We call ourselves dragon shifters,” Sasha corrected. “From the reading we’ve done since our arrival, a weredragon is the same being, no matter which form they take. We are two beings in a single body. One of us cannot thrive without the other.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“You should. Some dragons can be particularly snooty and full of pride. Questioning their origins is considered rude.”
Max lost some of his color. “Would your family approve of me?”
Sasha (Dragon Isles Book 4) Page 12
