A druid hailed David and Rena, and the pair moved to speak with him.
“Would you like a tour?” Blaze asked Noel.
“Yes,” Noel said, although Max didn’t think his brother understood what a tour was. He placed his hand in Blaze’s and ambled away without a backward glance.
“I’ve told you before, and no doubt, I’ll tell you again, but you have worked magic with Noel,” Max said, gazing after his brother.
He bore little resemblance to the clingy, whiny child he’d been after their parents’ deaths. Understandable, of course, but with Sasha’s help, Noel had gained confidence. He’d be forever grateful for the day she’d crashed through the barrier and into their lives.
Sasha shrugged. “I like Noel. He’s a good kid.”
“And I’m telling you, he has his moments. His behavior has improved with you around. Will your parents be all right with his differences? Your brothers haven’t mentioned anything, but Noel’s Down syndrome brings challenges. They’ll become greater as he gets older.”
“Our parents will treat him with kindness. I promise this. Noel is a child, and no matter what they say to us, they will not belittle Noel or act with nastiness toward him.”
“Should I worry about our meeting with your parents?”
“No. Yes.” Sasha shrugged. “I don’t know. They were determined to betroth me to Bruceous.”
“Sorry about that,” Rena said with a smile. Apparently, her hair didn’t bother her, and she glowed with happiness. “Things are still settling down after the upheaval we’re going to tell you about, and some of the brothers require extra reassurance.”
“Have a seat,” David said. “We should be able to fit this in before lunch. Blaze mentioned you’re flying to Perfume Isle to see your parents. I hope you’ll eat with us before you leave.”
“Thanks,” Max said.
“Where should I start with my story?” David said.
“Start by telling Max and Sasha how you contacted me,” Rena suggested.
“I’d prefer not to publicize this part,” David said, his gaze on Max. “But it will help you to understand. I’m a dreamwalker. I inherited the ability from my mother, and using this skill, I contacted Rena.” He continued with his tale, detailing the troubles at the monastery and how through Rena, he’d joined forces with Leo and Martinos and their mates.
Max took notes, and even though he’d already learned part of the story, this seemed farfetched.
“It’s all true,” Rena said. “It took me a while to wrap my head around everything.
“Who is running the monastery now?” Max asked.
“Brother Colin is the head druid. He and a group of senior druids are slowly changing the way we used to do things.” David paused. “Do you have everything you need to write your story?”
“I do,” Max said. “Once I’m finished, I’ll run the final version past you both. As I mentioned, Leo and Martinos have already approved their part of the story.”
A bell tolled, and Rena rose. “Perfect timing. That’s the lunch bell.”
Lunch was a communal meal taken with the druids. They ate the hearty vegetable soup with fresh bread and cheese with a dessert of apple pie and custard.
“How long will you be on Perfume Isle?” Rena asked.
“One or two days,” Sasha said. “It depends on how my parents react to my return with a human mate. This might be a fast trip.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” David said. “Your parents are reasonable, and they worried about your disappearance.”
“I just hope they’ll listen before they act,” Sasha said with a wrinkle of her nose.
Once they’d finished lunch, they said their goodbyes and wandered outside to a cobblestone courtyard. Lemon trees planted in pots stood in a sunny corner while the perfume of a white flower drifted from a garden bed on their right.
“I’m still nervous about meeting your parents,” Max confessed. “My lunch isn’t sitting well. I’ve never had this trouble before.”
“Us too,” Sasha confessed. “But remember, we are mates, and Blaze and Griffith are on our side. We have options.”
