Her dragon banked away from the land and darted over the sea. Today, the waves reflected the sunlight and appeared a stunning jade green. The clouds were a puffy white, and the faint breeze cleared the cobwebs from her mind.
She’d speak with her brothers on her return. Perhaps they’d help her parents understand a lifelong partnership with Bruceous wasn’t suitable for her.
“We’re skilled with plants and grow amazing flowers,”her dragon said, her tone strident.“They should give us a chance to prove ourselves. Let us start a business and allow us to embrace ourcourageousdesignation.”
An old, well-trodden discussion between her and her parents. Sasha had broached the subject of more independence, and her mother and father rejected every argument she’d offered. The bottom line—female dragons should follow a proven path rather than trespassing into masculine territory. Daughters must accept the directives handed down from parents since they had their child’s best interests at heart.
We only want your happiness, Sasha.
Her parents didn’t understand she was at her happiest when her hands were digging in the soil, and she laid her eyes on a plot of beautiful flowers. That was true joy, and her success brought a sense of satisfaction. Her dragon was right—if they acquiesced to this marriage with Bruceous, her limited freedom would dissipate like dragon’s smoke.
“We should turn back now,”she told her dragon.
“Just a little longer before we visit Isobel.”
Sasha scowled at the mention of her friend. Isobel had recently become engaged to a dragon from Hissing Isle. He seemed nice enough. Isobel was happy with the arrangement, but she wasn’t crazy-mad in love or attracted to her fiancé.
Sasha wanted to know what came later. Her parents informed her love grew in time, and an arranged relationship was practical for both parties. Sasha doubted she’d ever like, let alone love the ogling Bruceous with his wandering hands.
What happened when he tired of her?
Sasha could easily imagine Bruceous pinching bums and embarrassing her at parties. He’d harassed young females for years, and she doubted he’d change. Others would pity her. Once the news spread, they’d sympathize. Then there was the whole sex thing.
Sex with Bruceous. Yuck!
“Stop those nasty thoughts,”her dragon implored.“You’re making me nauseous. If you think Bruceous is bad, you wait until his dragon makes an appearance. I bet he’s twice as ugly and even more reptilian than the man.”
“We can’t let this betrothal go ahead.”
“At least it’s a betrothal at this stage and not a marriage.”
“Huh!”Sasha spat.“Once the arrangement becomes formal, there is no wriggling away from Bruceous’s trap. I still can’t understand why Mother and Father consider this a suitable match. No matter how hard I try to place myself in their shoes, the logic of their decision fails me.”
“The air over there is strange,”her dragon murmured.“Oh, look! Pretty rainbows.”
Before Sasha could caution her dragon, a single wing beat took them gliding through the sparkle of colors. Her dragon faltered at the sudden force of dense air. She strained to move her wings, doubling her effort. Without warning, her dragon shot forward and veered downward. They skimmed the waves and stabilized their flight path.
“Are you all right? Whatwasthat?”Sasha asked.
“I’ve never encountered anything of the sort before. The air thickened, and it was exhausting to maintain our height.”
“There’s land over there. Let’s rest on the beach,”Sasha suggested.
Four slow wing beats later, they landed on a strip of sand.
“Where are we? I don’t recognize this area,”Sasha said.
Her dragon inhaled and exhaled a breath along with several smoke rings.“I don’t recall the landmarks either. It doesn’t smell like Perfume Isle. Where are the spices and the beautifully scented flowers? All I can distinguish is the brine of the sea and a dead animal. A hint of smoke. And a layer of something strange. I can’t describe it, but it makes me want to sneeze. Do you know what it is?”
“No,”Sasha said.
“Wait, is that weeping?”
Sasha listened along with her dragon.“The crying is coming from over there. Should we investigate?”
“Whoever it is sounds so unhappy. Perhaps we can help. Maybe they’ll give us directions to return to Perfume Isle.”
Sasha frowned, caution making her hesitate.“We should shift and dress in case it is a human. Our dragon scares some humans.”
