It is pretty. Maybe we land in right place after all, his dragon conceded.
“Yeah,” Jabir whispered. “I think we did.”
The scent of grilled fish, herbs, and something spicy teased Jabir’s nose before they even stepped inside the cozy stone cottage nestled at the edge of the lake. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, and a colorful assortment of flowering vines framed the doorway. The interior was warm, bathed in golden sunlight filtering through arched windows lined with bottles in every shape and shade of green and blue.
“Cory!” Mikey called out as he ducked through the door, his head narrowly missing a dried bouquet of rose blossoms hanging from the wooden beam.
A moment later, a matronly manticore emerged from behind a decorated wooden doorway. She was… majestic in a way Jabir hadn’t expected. Long lashes framed sharp golden eyes. Her lion’s mane was braided down one side and decorated with tiny baubles. She wore a layered leather apron over an embroidered white tunic and carried the same confident energy his mom had when she was in the kitchen—or about to tangle with the Grombots and Tasiers in the barn.
Jabir grinned. “You wear as much leather as my mom does.”
Cory blinked, then let out a warm, throaty laugh that shook her entire frame. “Well now, I like your mom already.”
“She’s from Earth—well, used to be. My dad is from Valdier. That’s where we live. I’m a dragon-shifter,” Jabir added proudly.
“I didn’t know you was a dragon-shifter! The Isle of the Dragons has dragon-shifters, too,” Mikey exclaimed.
Gabby nodded. “King Drago is said to have eaten a thousand giants and even more pirates.”
“Really? We don’t eat people,” Jabir said, blanching at the thought.
“Hush now, Gabby. You’re scaring the poor boy,” Cory scoffed. “So, you are a Valdier dragon-shifter? What brought you here?”
“A glowing blue tube dropped him outta the sky,” Gabby announced before Jabir could respond.
“My friends and I are on school break, and we were bored. Phoenix had been here before, and we thought it might be cool to check out your world.”
“He brought lots of yummies,” Mikey added, holding up the bag of gummy bears.
“Wait—he has more?” Williston demanded, turning on Mikey. “You’ve been holding out on me?”
“I was saving them!” Mikey yelped. “For later. For sharing. Eventually.”
Their bickering grew louder and more animated as they argued over crunchy yummies, gummy yummies, and sharing. Jabir chuckled as he backed out of the way, letting the trolls circle each other like debating philosophers armed with snacks instead of scrolls.
Everyone turned when the front door creaked open.
A deep rumble filled the room as an enormous figure stepped inside. Jack. The manticore’s eyes softened when they met Cory’s. Without a word, he leaned in and rubbed noses with her, a purr vibrating from deep in his chest. Cory rubbed back, smiling like sunshine. The trolls immediately stopped arguing and stood straighter.
“Albacore’s waitin’ to see what you brought to trade,” Jack said gruffly to the trio.
Gabby tugged on Mikey’s ear to get him moving, and Williston grumbled as he pushed. Jabir smothered a laugh when Mikey cradled the bag of gummies protectively against his chest.
“Come on, yummy boy,” Gabby teased as she passed.
Jabir started to rise, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Jack raised a steady paw. “Just you three. The boy will stay and eat.”
“Aw, Jack. We likes Cory’s yummies too,” Williston complained.
“Out with you! Molly has food prepared for you,” Jack said, shooing them out the door.
Jabir hesitated, watching with trepidation as the trolls turned to leave. Jack shook his head and chuckled at the trio as they continued to argue and complain, then turned his gaze on Jabir.
Jabir slowly sank back into his chair as the door swung shut behind the others. He set his bag down beside his feet, suddenly unsure.
Cory didn’t miss a beat. She turned toward the stove, curled her tail around a spoon hanging from a peg on the wall, and dipped the utensil into a large pot. A moment later, she placed three plates on the table.
