Chapter Seventeen. Returning Home.
Olen drives us to the woods in the sleigh. Poplyn comes for a ride, wanting to be with Ashlyn to the very end.
He parks near the trees that contain the portal. I help Ashlyn down and grab our bags out of the box on the back of the sleigh.
Thistle followed behind the sleigh and goes and stands in front of the portal.
Ashlyn turns to Olen who has climbed out of the sleigh to say goodbye. She gives him a one-arm hug, the best she can manage with the dragon on her chest. “It was so good seeing you again.”
“You too. Make sure you come and visit again soon.”
“I’ll try.”
Since my hands are full with the bags, I nod to Olen. “It’s been fun hanging out with you this week.”
“I’m glad Ashlyn brought you. Make sure you come and visit when Ashlyn does.”
“If I’m allowed, I will.” I’m not so sure border control would be happy to have me back anytime soon.
Poplyn climbs up on the side of the sleigh, so he is level with us. His eyes are solemn as he looks at Ashlyn. “Sure you no stay?”
Ashlyn gives him a small smile. “I’m sure. I have a farm that needs me.”
He sighs. “Miss you.”
“I will miss you too.” She steps up and wraps an arm around him. He closes his eyes and hugs her back.
She drops her arm, standing beside me once more.
Poplyn’s eyes meet mine and he scowls. “Glad you bye.”
“I’m sure you are.”
“Now, Poplyn,” Ashlyn says. “I bet you’ll miss Sam too.”
Poplyn huffs and folds his arms.
Instead of telling him I won’t miss him, I just say goodbye.
He mumbles a bye back.
Ashlyn turns to me, holding the pouch against her with one hand. “Ready?”
I nod.
We head to the arched trees.
‘Ready when you are, My Queen,’ Thistle says.
Ashlyn nods and lifts her hand. The portal forms, shimmering in the air between the two trees. Thistle trots through the portal first. Ashlyn nods for me to go next and she follows last, the portal closing behind her.
As soon as I step through, the Tiger’s Eye pendant that was my border pass disappears.
Ashlyn takes the pouch and ties it around Thistle. Thistle will keep Frost safe, sneaking him into the stable and keeping him there until Issy returns home.
“Thank you, Thistle. Please take good care of him.”
‘Anything for you, My Queen.’
Thistle will wait here until we arrive at the farm before making her way back, that way we can ensure Issy is distracted and won’t accidentally see something she isn’t supposed to.
We take off our snow jackets, hiding them in the tray of the ute and head back. Ashlyn slides her hand into mine as I drive and I smile at her.
“It’s good to be back,” she says.
“You sure?”
She nods. “I’ll miss everyone, but I don’t miss that world. I like being here on my farm, in Australia, with you.”
My grin widens. “I like being here with you too.”
I hate to break the moment, but I have to ask. “Do you want me to get rid of the dagger Lyndaria and Hemlin gave me? If you don’t want me to have it, I won’t keep it.”
Ashlyn sighs. “You can keep it. Just hide it well. I don’t know why they gave it to you, you won’t need it.”
“You sure?”
She nods. “It’s saying something that border control isn’t here to take it from you.”
I want to ask more, like what kind of creature does it stops, but I don’t want to push Ashlyn. She avoids talking too much about when she lived on Eroania.
We arrive at Ashlyn’s. Two dogs come barrelling out to meet us when I park the ute, Issy following behind.
When I get out of the ute, Rusty jumps up on me, barking with excitement, tail wagging. I bend and pat him. “Hey fella, what are you doing here?”
“Sorry,” Issy says. “When you left, he made his way over here and wouldn’t leave.”
“No worries, Issy. Thanks for looking after him.”
Belle jumps all over Ashlyn wanting her attention. “Alright,” Ashlyn says, after giving her a big pat. Belle sits, and Rusty goes over and sits beside her.
“Well,” I say. “I’m going to head home to take a shower and then I’ll be back for dinner.” I touch Ashlyn on the arm and give her a quick kiss.
Issy gasps. “Are you two finally together?”
Ashlyn nods and Issy claps. “I can’t believe it! This is amazing news!” She links Ashlyn’s arm. “You have to tell me all about it.” The two head inside.
Smiling, I shake my head and climb into the ute. I whistle for Rusty and he jumps up beside me.
Aunt Mariah greets me with a big hug when I walk through the door, and Uncle Scott shakes my hand.
“How was the trip?” Aunt Mariah asks.
“Really good.” I can’t tell them that we were invited there for a wedding because they will want to see pictures and there are no pictures.
“What did Ashlyn’s aunt think of you?” Aunt Mariah asks.
“She was cautious for Ashlyn’s sake, but I think she likes me.”
Aunt Mariah pats my cheek lovingly. “Of course she likes you, who wouldn’t?”
I clear my throat. “Ashlyn and I are together now.”
“Oh wonderful!” Aunt Mariah exclaims, putting her hands together, just short of clapping like Issy did. “I love that girl. I’m so glad!”
“I’m glad too, son.” Uncle Scott says. “You just make sure you treat her well.”
Jimmy comes through the back door, and we have a brief catch up.
“We can catch up more later,” I tell him. “I need a shower and to get back to Ashlyn’s to have dinner with Issy. We need to eat early as she wants to head home after dessert to make sure she is at her folks tomorrow.”
“Off you go then,” Aunt Mariah commands with a playful tap on my arm.
I head straight to my room, closing the door behind me. I unzip my bag and take out the box with the dagger in it. Lifting the lid, I look over it one more time. It really is a fine piece of craftsmanship. Whatever it is used to kill, I pray it never comes near Ashlyn. I’d use it to protect her if I had to, but surely whatever it is used to stop isn’t on Earth. This was just Lyndaria being overprotective.
I slip the lid back on and hide it at the bottom of my closet.
After my shower, I head back to Ashlyn’s. Before going inside, I go up to the stable to check on Thistle and Frost.
“How is he?” I ask Thistle, peeking into the pouch.
‘Still asleep.’
“That’s good.” I read in the care manual that baby teacup dragons sleep a lot, especially after the first few days of hatching, and thankfully, unlike human babies, they only need to eat twice a day.
I take a quick pic and send it to Ashlyn so it can ease any worries she might have. I set Thistle’s water fountain running again and fill her tray with food Ashlyn has stored in the stable before heading to the house to see Ashlyn.
She greets me with a kiss on the cheek, and a ‘thank you’ whispered in my ear. I give her hand a squeeze.
I go and retrieve the Tiramisu Aunt Mariah sent with me, placing it in the fridge.
“Need any help?” I ask the ladies.
“We’re almost set,” Issy says, pulling a roast lamb out of the oven. My mouth waters at the delicious smell; roast lamb is my favourite.
“You can make the gravy,” Ashlyn says.
I rub my hands together. “I thought you’d never ask.” Making the gravy is a specialty of mine.
After I’m done, the table is set, the food placed in the middle of it. While we were gone, Issy had been busy decorating. Ashlyn already had a tree up, but Issy went wild, adding a bunch of extra Christmas decorations all around the place.
I sit beside Ashlyn and she takes my hand.
“Let me pray,” Ashlyn says.
We all bow our heads, even Issy, who is not a believer.
“Thank you, Lord, for this food we are about to receive. Nourish it to our bodies. Thank you for Issy looking after the farm for me and for being able to spend this meal with her. Bless her Lord and keep her safe as she returns home. Thank you for family, and for all Sam does. In Jesus name, Amen.”
“Amen,” I say. With a gentle squeeze of her hand, I let it go. I’m very thankful to have her in my life.
I let the ladies get theirs before digging in myself.
Issy wants to hear my version of what happened, apparently Ashlyn did tell her about the wedding, explaining that there was a strict no photo rule. I feel a sense of relief at this; now I can tell Aunt Mariah and Uncle Scott. Aunt Mariah will be happy to hear the news, even though she doesn’t know Lyndaria personally.
Issy looks all dreamy when I’ve finished. “I hope I can find a good guy like you one day.”
“I’m sure you will,” Ashlyn tells her.
Issy goes on to tell us about Uni and how her family is going.
We eat dessert soon after dinner so Issy can head off.
“Have a wonderful Christmas,” Issy says, hugging me first and then Ashlyn.
“You too,” I say.
“I really am thankful that you could come and watch the farm for me on such short notice,” Ashlyn tells her.
“Any time, cous.”
Issy gets into her little pink car and drives away.
Ashlyn and I are alone for the first time since I told her I love her. All I can think about is how much I want to kiss her.
“Let’s go check on Thistle and Frost.”
I clear my throat. “Right.”
The dragon is just starting to stir when we arrive. Ashlyn takes the pouch, placing it back on her chest. “Thank you so much for taking care of him, Thistle.”
‘It was my pleasure, My Queen.’
Ashlyn and I take Frost back to the house and she heats up some beef broth for the dragon to drink.
He laps it up and goes back to sleep.
As much as I want to stay, I know I need to go. “Thank you for having me over for dinner.”
“Thank you for everything,” Ashlyn says. “For coming with me to see Aunt Lynda, for putting up with Poplyn, for the wedding.” She swallows.
“Nothing would have kept me away.”
“Will I see you in the morning?” she asks, biting her lip.
“How about I come over before church and we can go together?”
She nods. “I’d like that, though poor Thistle might get tired of having to babysit Frost.”
“She is happy to do anything for you.”
“She’s a good unicorn.”
Silence falls between us and my eyes are drawn to her lips. We step toward each other at the same time. I’m careful of the dragon tied to her chest. She reaches up to me as I reach down to her and our lips meet, longer than the quick kisses we’ve shared since we got back.
I reluctantly pull away, clear my throat and put my Akubra back on.
“Goodnight, Ashlyn.”
“Goodnight, Sam.”
I force myself to leave. I can’t wait until I can see her tomorrow.
(Almost at the end! Stay tuned for the epilogue!)
© Rochelle L. Sharpe, 2026.