“Hey.” Hope jogged toward us, her blond hair swinging about her shoulders. “What are you two doing out here?”
Faith hugged her sister. “We’re about to fix our problem, or at least try to. How about we walk and talk. Are there any other warriors about?”
“Everyone’s out on the range except for those three.” She pointed to the men we headed toward. Guy sat on the edge of a water trough, and Nicolas and Maslin stood to the side, all three immersed in their discussion.
I looked at Hope. “Faith told me what Nicolas said to you both, and my plan is we’re going to beat Wincrest at his own game.”
“What do you mean, beat my grandfather at his own game?”
“Instead of you two having to accept Killian or Abelard, or anyone else who asks Wincrest if they can court you, you’re going to take matters into your own hands.”
“Ew.” She shook her head forcefully. “I already hate the sound of that. I can’t believe this is your solution. Silas will kill me if he thinks I’m dating another man, and after me, he’ll kill you for suggesting it.”
“Death and disaster. Nothing I’m not used to. Anyway, that’s why we’re not going to tell them. None of us. Not if we all want to live.” I kept walking. “Now, I think Maslin will be perfect for you, Hope, provided he agrees to the ruse.”
“Silvie, don’t you dare tell me I have to date Maslin.”
“You have to date Maslin,” Faith grumbled as she hooked her arm through Hope’s. “And it appears I have to ask Nicolas.”
“Nicolas? But he’s one of the leading eight. You can’t ask him.”
“You don’t think he’s trustworthy, sis?”
“Of course he’s trustworthy, but he’s still one of the leading eight. I’m not sure he’ll agree.”
“We don’t have time for him to say no.” I slipped two fingers between my lips and whistled out. “Hey, boys.”
Guy jerked upright, his gaze jumping to me. “What are you doing here?”
I skipped ahead. “If there isn’t one problem to fix, there’s another. You know me, I’m the problem fixer.”
He glanced at my fingers then shot me a confused look.
“No, not that problem. The other one.”
“Ah, I see. Then you should have called me for a pickup.” He tucked me under his shoulder then turned toward Maslin. “Maslin, meet Silvie, my mate and pest-extraordinaire.”
Maslin tipped his stone-colored Stetson toward me. “Nice to meet you, Silvie. Guy was speaking of you just before Nicolas arrived.” He switched his gaze to Hope. “Okay, why didn’t you tell me what Killian and Abelard said yesterday? Instead, I have to hear about their request to court from Nicolas. Others at the games heard their request too. The news is spreading among the warriors.”
“Um, I didn’t know how to tell you, but it appears I’m about to now.”
“Then get to it. Donaldo believes he has the final say on who you two girls can date. He’s about to go too far.” Maslin’s nostrils flared, his displeasure clear to see. He and Hope were close.
Nicolas eyed Faith and Hope. He looked imposing in his battle leathers. “I haven’t told Donaldo you’re bound, but you have to come clean. The only question bugging me, is why you haven’t already. I thought since you two were so tight with Maslin and Guy, they might know who your mates might be.”
Faith wiped her brow. “Ah, we are bound, but we can’t speak of our relationships.”
“Why not?”
“Can you keep an open mind?”
“Usually.”
“Okay, well—” She sucked in a long breath. “—our mates aren’t from Dralion. Hope and I are bound to protectors, the very men Donaldo would keep us from.”
Deathly quiet, he turned his stare on Maslin and Guy. “You two had to have known about this.”
Maslin lifted his chin. “We can’t deny the girls their mated ones. Even Alexo and Goldie keep their secret from Donaldo.”
Nicolas snorted. “That’s crazy. They can’t be mated to protectors.”
“It’s the truth.” I had to convince Nicolas of our plan. “Hope is mated to my brother, and Faith to my cousin.”
“What? Hold on. Are you saying you’re a Peacian?” His gaze jolted to Guy. “Is this the truth? You’re mated to a Peacian as well?”
“Silvie’s loyal to the girls and me. She’d never speak of what she knows, nor give our portal away.”
“She’s still a Peacian.”
“Nicolas, she’s also my best friend.” Faith wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “We’ve known each other our entire lives, and as Maslin said, Alexo and Goldie keep our secret. Dad and our aunt have given us free choice, but we take extreme care. In Peacio, my mate’s family and closest also know and keep it to themselves.”
“Who exactly is your mate?” Nicolas thumped his chest. “Do I even want to know?”
“Davio Loveria.”
“What? You’re mated to Peacio’s prince?”
“Yes, and Hope is mated to Silas Carver.”