“I’ve learned grandmother’s tales of soulmates are true,” she said, her tone fierce.
“Okay.” Blaze hesitated before he offered his hand to Max in the human way. Sasha hadn’t even known Blaze knew of the custom. “My sister looks happy, but if you ever hurt her, you’ll have me to deal with.”
“Why would I hurt her?” Max demanded. “I love her.”
“Knock it off, Blaze,” Sasha said, her eyes narrowing. “Max won’t hurt me.”
“Shasha! Shasha!” Noel came running up to her. “Joanna can draw dragons.”
Sasha smiled at Noel. “That’s excellent. She can teach you something new.”
Noel nodded.
“This is Blaze. He’s my brother,” she said.
“Max has a kid,” Blaze said, his gaze narrowed. His nostrils flared, and his scowl grew deeper. “He smells like you.”
“I told you Max is my mate,” Sasha snapped. “We both look after Noel, so he has our scents. Get this into your head. Max is mine, and I’m his. We are mates, and nothing you do will separate us. It would be cruel even to try because the mating bonds have snapped into place. We speak over our own channel.”
“Everything Sasha says is true. I love Sasha, and she is my mate.” Max glanced at Noel, the tension in him as great as her brother’s. “Noel is my little brother, not my son,” Max said. “My parents died a few months ago, and I have responsibility for Noel.”
“The tea is ready,” Liza called. “Come and join us.”
“Are you a dragon?” Noel asked Blaze.
Blaze’s shoulders relaxed. He flashed a grin at Noel, and the tension bled from Sasha as her brother crouched in front of Noel. “I am a dragon.”
Noel patted Blaze’s arm. “I like dragons.” He trotted off to join Joanna again.
Sasha trailed Noel, walking between Max and Blaze. Tension still simmered in her brother, and she sensed he needed to observe Max before he fully accepted she had a mate. At least, he was withholding judgement for now.
“Where have you been?” Blaze asked. “We’ve searched for you everywhere. Once we learned Leo flew through the barrier and met Liza, our hope grew. We knew you’d been flying. It’s taken us time to arrange travel to this side of the barrier.”
“I’m sorry I worried everyone. My dragon flew into the thick air before we realized what had happened, and then it was too late. We landed on the beach to reconnoiter and discovered Noel. We had to help him because it was dark, and he was a child alone. Later, Max offered me a job,” Sasha said. “I’ve been checking the barrier, but it always seemed intact. I couldn’t get home. Are Mother and Father all right? They can’t make me go ahead with the betrothal to Bruceous. Max truly is my mate. We mind speak.”
“You had sex with my sister,” Blaze said on a growl.
“Blaze. Quit that. We’re mates. Sex is part of the deal,” Sasha snapped.
“Yeah!”her dragon echoed, and she climbed higher on Sasha’s body to glare at their brother.
“I did because I love her like crazy,” Max said firmly. “And she loves me in return. We’re together, and that’s final.”
“Excellent answer,” Blaze said, tension leaching from his shoulders. “I’m your big brother and your only family here. I take this responsibility seriously.”
“Max helps to keep us safe,”Sasha’s dragon said with yet another glower at her brother.
“Will you side with me if Mother and Father disagree with my decision?” Sasha asked.
“I don’t know yet. Wait until I know Max better,” Blaze said.
“Hurry,” Leo called. “Otherwise, Joanna and Noel will eat the cake. You’ll miss out.”
“This is your missing sister?” Cherry asked when they finally joined the others.
“Yes,” Blaze said. “Your timing is excellent, Sasha, since I was about to travel to the mainland to begin my search for you.”
“You’re truly here to look for me?” Sasha asked.
