“I’m here,” she said, waving from behind a burning tree. “Is the dragon dead? I’ll circle to meet you.”
Leo scanned the clearing, his expression harsh and urgent. “Where’s Nan? Where did she go?”
“Dead,” Liza shouted. “I’ll come to you.”
Liza circled the burning trees and bushes. It took her longer than she’d thought to go around the fire. When she reached Leo, he was beating at the flames near him, and she helped, using her tunic to smother the flames until scorched earth and charred trees remained.
“Gwenyth,” Leo said, long strides bringing him to her side.
His arms wrapped around her. He smelled of sweat and smoke and soot covered his limbs. Despite this, Liza felt the same sense of safety she’d experienced each time Leo held her. A tiny grin started and widened.
Dragons were real. Who knew?
Liza pulled away so she could see Leo’s face. “My name is Elizabeth. My friends and family call me Liza.”
Leo froze, his expression going blank. “Your memory has returned?”
“It has.” Understanding his apprehension, she smiled and hugged him hard. “I still like you, Leo, and have much to tell you. My daughter is in danger. It’s imperative to keep her out of my ex-husband’s reach.”
“You’re married?”
“My husband and I separated when I was still in New Zealand, a country on the other side of the world. My husband learned my father is wealthy, and he wants his share of that money. He’s refusing to sign the divorce papers.”
“So we’re not married?” Leo said. “Because you already have a husband.”
“No, I consider myself divorced and free,” she said. “That’s not important. I have to get back to my daughter as soon as possible. We must discover how I got here so I can return to Joanna.”
19 – The Past Returns
“She’s on the mainland all alone?”Leo asked, horrified that he’d split up a mother and child, albeit unknowingly. “I’m not even certain crossing the barrier is possible again.”
“My best friend Cherry and my half-sister Rena will watch my daughter. I can count on them to have my back. They know what my ex is like.” She paused, her focus going to the immense dragon body. “Do you know the dragon?”
“My brother,” Leo said. “Goticranth, Eater of Bunnies.”
“Oh, Leo. I’m sorry.” She frowned. “Bunnies?”
Leo sighed. “It’s a lengthy story. I didn’t want to kill my brother. I tried to stand back, but he refused my offer of a talk.”
“Goticranth and Nan intended to kill both of us.” Liza’s eyes flashed in indignation. “Do we even know why? You refused to marry Nan, so she kills you. What sort of strategy is that?”
Leo shrugged, tired, physically, and mentally. His dragon hadn’t uttered a word since Goticranth and Nan had attacked. The closest brother in age to Leo, now dead. Nan dead. The consequences would ring over their heads if they remained on Hissing Isle.
“Leo?”
“Gwenyth—I mean, Liza. I’m tired.”
“Me too,” she confessed. “As much as I want to discover a way to return to my daughter, neither of us can help her if we’re so exhausted we can’t see straight.”
“There is a stream close by. We can wash before we find a place to rest for a few hours.”
“Thank you.” Liza placed her hands on his shoulders and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. Her lips lingered, and he held her tight and took the kiss deeper. Making the kiss hotter. Because he knew without a doubt that she was his mate. She’d fought at his side, and together they’d beaten Nan and his brother. He loved her, and she intended to leave the Dragon Isles.
“What if we can’t discover a way to return you to the mainland?”
“We will.” Her tone was fierce. Determined.
Leo led the way to the stream, allowing his senses to guide him.
