A quick search of the backyard produced aloe plus several other useful herbs. The garden had once been well-tended but held a shaggy, unloved air now. Sasha’s fingers itched to right the damage, but instead, she strode back indoors and set to work to make her salve. The familiar steps allowed her mind to calm and her thoughts to assemble themselves into a plan.
Not that she had any choice in the matter.
“You’re right,”her dragon said, having remained silent for a time.
Unusual for her dragon, who had an opinion about everything.
“We must stay here and investigate,”her dragon continued.“It was luck to discover the boy. He’s a strange wee fellow, but I took a liking to him. He’s not a chatterer.”
“No, you prattle enough for all of us,”Sasha said.“Right, the salve is ready for application. Let’s find Noel and sort out his face for him before he goes to sleep.”
She followed the faint sound of voices and stepped into a room with a narrow bed. Strange manmade things with wings obscured the walls, and several hung from the ceiling. A layer of dust covered them, a fact Sasha noticed because her mother would’ve sacked the servants for allowing laziness to defeat cleanliness. She made a mental note to clean the bedroom at the first opportunity because a young boy would not grow strong if he lived in a dirty room. Her mother’s wisdom, yet again.
“And they lived happily ever after,” Max said, closing the book he was reading to his brother.
“Hi, Noel. I’ve made something for your face. I bet your cheeks feel tight and sore.”
He squirmed, his teeth biting into his bottom lip.
Sasha smiled and handed the cup of salve to Max. “Here, you go. Just rub it into the sunburned parts.”
“I want Shasha to do it,” Noel said, wriggling away from his brother.
Max sighed. “He’s tired and grumpy. Would you mind?”
“Happy to do it for Noel.”
She sat in the space that Max vacated and smiled at Noel. “It will feel cold at first, but it will take away the sting.” With her fingertips, she gently rubbed in the lotion. A few minutes later, she sat back. “How does that feel? Better?”
“Yes.”
“Tell Sasha thank you,” Max said.
“Thank you, Shasha.”
“Goodnight, Noel. Sweet dreams.”
She stood and left the room. “We’ll have a drink in the TV room,” Max said. “I won’t be long.”
“What’s a TV?”her dragon asked.“Oh! Another adventure. Let’s search for this TV thing.”
“We have no idea where to look.”
“Ah, but now we have a chance to appease our curiosity,”her dragon said, sounding a trifle smug.
Sasha pushed open several doors and peered inside. One appeared more formal, and once again, the furniture held a layer of dust. Not this room then. The next one seemed more promising. She took two steps into the room, and Max appeared behind her.
“Would you like a glass of wine?”
“No, I’d prefer a hot drink if possible.”
“Tea?”
Since the beverage was familiar, she inclined her head. “That sounds perfect.”
“The light switch is to your right.”
Sasha had already worked out the light and pushed the button while Max padded to the kitchen.
