“Brilliant idea,” Leo said. “It would be faster to get the news out this way. If Max agrees, he could travel back to the monastery and interview David and Rena.”
“Who are they?” Sasha asked.
“Rena is my sister,” Liza said. “David is her husband. Allen, a minister we know, married them a week ago. They’re on their honeymoon, but they’ll be back at the monastery tomorrow.”
Max turned to Sasha. “What do you think?”
“If you’re on one of the Dragon Isles, you and Noel will be out of the reach of your grandparents. Doing the newspaper would allow you to write the type of story you enjoy rather than the tabloid-type stories you hate. And it would give us a chance to visit my parents.”
Sasha continued, “As much as I’d like to stay away from them, if I want to prove I’m an adult and capable of looking after myself, I have to front up and tell them why I refuse to obey their order to become betrothed to Bruceous.”
Blaze started clapping, his open approval, bringing a grin to her face. “An attitude like that should convince Mother and Father you know what you’re doing. I’ll go with you and Max in support.”
“Thank you,” Max said.
“So we’re doing this,”Sasha said on their private channel.“Traveling to the monastery while Liza and Cherry organize the equipment for you to print your story.”
“We’re doing this,”Max agreed.
14 – Meet The Parents
The next two days were full of work but fun as well. Griffith arrived, and Max liked the youngest of Sasha’s brothers. Max interviewed Liza and Leo and also Martinos and Cherry. He wrote their stories and gained their approval once they’d read them.
“You’re good,” Liza said. “It’s perfect. You’ve set out the facts without embellishments, yet it’s an interesting read.”
“Can you and Cherry do the layout while I write my additional stories?” Max asked.
“I can,” Liza said.
Max shot a glance at the others in the room and leaned toward Liza. “Do you know Sasha’s parents? How do you think they’ll react to me?”
“I’ve met Sasha’s mother. She was amazing, feeding us when we turned up unexpectedly. None of Sasha’s family—the ones I’ve met—show a bias toward humans. It’s obvious to me you love each other. I think it will be fine since Blaze and Griffith are supporting you.”
Max grimaced. “I can’t help feeling nervous.”
Liza patted his shoulder. “They’re much nicer than Leo’s family or Martinos’s family.”
“True. From what you’ve told me, this should be much easier, but that doesn’t stop me worrying.”
The next day, they walked to the portal with Blaze. Griffith had already left and would meet them at the monastery. Noel had taken to Blaze as quickly as he’d warmed to Sasha, and Blaze held Noel’s hand while Max held Sasha’s.
“Is the journey through the portal difficult?” Max asked.
“I don’t know,” Sasha whispered. “Blaze and the others wouldn’t have suggested this if it was dangerous for a child.”
The info didn’t exactly settle the nerves hopping in Max’s gut, and it made him realize Sasha must’ve faced similar worries when she entered his world. She’d managed so well he and others she’d met hadn’t sensed her dragon. Yes, she’d appeared slightly foreign, but she’d thrown herself at the challenge without hesitation.
He must behave in the same way.
With that thought fixed in his mind, he straightened and grinned at Sasha. “Let’s do this.”
Blaze showed them to a grove of trees. Yew trees. Max recalled from his time at school and his history studies how vital these trees had been to his forbears. He’d read the trees held magical properties.
In the center of the grove, the air blurred and churned at a point in front of them.
“This is it,” Blaze said. “Just step into that spot. Noel and I will go first.” He lifted Noel into his arms, making Max’s brother chortle in delight. In the next instant, they’d both disappeared.
“Our turn,” Max said.
