“I will. Catch ya later.”
I shut the link as Guy dove in for a second attack. His tan shirt pulled tight over his back, molding to muscle. Yep, all was definitely good. They both moved, their swords clashing and meeting dead center. Guy breathed roughly and Vitaria eyeballed him, and then they fought with a torrent of energy. Sweat poured off them as their morning session progressed.
All around, dozens of warriors fought equally as hard, skillfully, and with dedication. It was no wonder when we fought them we never knew who would win. Sometimes we came out on top, and at other times, they did.
“Silvie.”
I spun around, came eye to eye with Hope. “What are you doing here?”
“Shh.” She pressed her finger against her lips. “Faith sent me. She’s at school, but since I was already here, she asked me to get you somewhere safe.”
“What? Why somewhere safe?”
Her gaze darted toward Guy. “She had another forewarning.”
“Not again.” She had to stop having those, and I was going to insist on it.
“Just come,” she urged, tugging me along. “And don’t draw any attention to yourself.”
“I am having a word with her.”
“You and me both.” She pulled me past the seating on the lower level and through a small gap between two rows which dipped down into a darkened corridor. “This is the way out, to the palace grounds.”
“No way. That’s one place I’m not allowed.”
“Well, the stables, right next to the palace. I’ve got two horses ready to ride since neither of us can ’port.”
“To ride where?”
“Where you can’t burn everything down.”
“Are you saying—” We burst out of the corridor and into the sultry sunlight. “Oooh, nice.”
“You’re about to explode. Now get moving.”
“Please tell me you don’t mean explode the way I would mean explode?”
“Silvie? Where are you?”
It was Guy, and no surprise since my heart was trying to leap from my chest.
“The bathroom.”
“Grrr, don’t lie to me. I can sense that through our link.”
“The outdoors. It’s a lovely day and all. I’m taking a walk. Well, actually a run. I need the exercise. Just ask Faith.”
“Stop being evasive.”
“Silvie, hurry.” Hope yanked me around a corner and toward a stable hand who waited with two mares. She hoisted herself into the saddle.
“I mean it, Silvie. Where the hell are you? You just can’t up and disappear like this.”
“I’m with Hope. Apparently we’re taking a ride. Nothing for you to worry about.” If I was about to blow, I didn’t want him in the firing line.
“You’re at the stables?” He shimmered into sight.
Drat. He was too fast for his own good. “As it appears, yes.”
“Where you go, I go.” He bent and cupped his hands. “Here, mount up.”
I set my foot in his clasp and he lifted me. The leather creaked as I settled into place. “Faith said I’m about to explode. She sent Hope to take me to a safe place.”
He flicked a look Hope’s way. “How bad will it be?”
“Faith never said, only to hurry and make sure we’re far enough away so no one sees. She gave me the perfect spot.”
He leapt up behind me and grasped the reins. Bending low, he prodded the horse with his knees and we were off. “Hold on tight.”
We rode out the main gates after Hope. We veered left toward the forest path. Pine trees grew tall and strong either side as we galloped. Above, the thick canopy masked the sun, but the ocean and its rhythmic crashing reached me on the breeze. The rough path narrowed as we followed Hope’s lead.
I ducked my head as tree branches snagged my hair and clothing. Guy bent lower, squishing me into saddle. “Since you’re now here, you could ’port us.”
“It appears Hope knows where to go, but I’ll zap us if I need to.”
“I don’t want her hurt. Make her leave once we get there.”
“We’re almost there,” Hope called over her shoulder.
We rode into the sunshine. The black granite cliffs appeared in a deadly drop. Whoa.
Hope reared around and pulled her horse to a stop. “This is where Faith said to come.”
Guy tugged the reins and his horse halted beside hers. “You go. I can handle her heat.”
The wind lifted her blond hair and swept it about her face. She shoved it back and eyed me. “Faith’s instructions were to go with the flow, and don’t fight the fall.”
“Don’t fight the fall?” I gulped, so hard my throat hurt. “Ooo-kay. Thanks for that.”
She nudged her horse’s flanks then rode away.
Guy dismounted, gripped my hips and lifted me clear of the horse. He clapped the mare on its rear. It bolted and raced after Hope into the woods.
“Right, don’t fight the fall.” I stalked toward the cliff’s edge. Below, the ocean stirred, the depths of darkest blue tinged with white caps. “I can’t believe I’m about to explode when I’ve been controlling my skill of late.”