“Whoa.” He jerked back, swinging his hand back and forth through the water. “Hold on. Another flare-up.”
“Of course she’ll have flare-ups if you’re that close.” Hope swam in beside him. “Emotions run at three-times the strength as well. You two shouldn’t touch during her rising. It’ll only make things harder for her.”
Silas shimmered into the room in his trunks. “Hey, sis. I got the call. Your rising’s here?”
“Yep, and about time you showed up.” I didn’t want to do this without my brother. He’d always been there for the big stuff, and this was considered big stuff.
Silas swam out and caught Hope around the waist. “Not too close to the hot-headed one, love.” His gaze veered to Guy. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Moyer. Last I heard, Silvie was after a final farewell.”
“It didn’t happen, and it never will. Where she is, will be where you’ll find me.”
“Damn, it was the meal, wasn’t it? I should have spiked the food before she took it.”
Guy’s gaze lit on mine. “As my father’s spell said, I’ll never go hungry before her.”
Silas coughed. “Ah, excuse me, that’ll do.”
I laughed as Guy circled in behind me. “I take it you want to get burnt again?”
“I can’t help myself. It’s just as well I fast-heal.” He slid his hands over my hips, nestled his chin on my shoulder. “Look ahead. It looks like Loveria is here too, and ready for a swim,” he whispered in my ear.
“Moyer,” Davio gritted out, having ’ported in. “What are you doing here?”
Faith grabbed his hand. “Hey, don’t get upset, but they’re staying together.”
“What happened to their release?”
“They took it back.”
“Silvie, is he truly the one you want? Feel free to say no.”
Poor Davio. “Yep, without a doubt he’s the one I want.”
“Great,” he sighed as he eyed Silas. “Sorry I’m late, but when you said it was Silvie’s rising, I dropped by the stockpile of logs in the forest. It’s all set to burn if she needs it.”
Oooh, he had a stockpile of logs? Yay. “I love you, cousin.”
“Only use it if necessary, Silvie.” Davio met Guy’s gaze. “Every time my cousin’s needed you, you’ve been there. In my opinion that’s what counts, whether you’re a warrior or not.”
Faith flung water as she wrapped her arms around Davio’s neck. “Now, that’s why I love you. Your heart is open to change.”
He cupped her cheek. “I’m learning my enemy isn’t exactly the enemy anymore, and it’s because of you. Times are a-changing.”
Silas inclined his red-gold head toward Guy. “There are warriors in our midst as never before, as there are protectors in yours. Can you handle it, Moyer?”
“In the past we’ve battled, and I don’t deny the hate which festers within the hearts of Dralion’s people, but it is a hate which must go.” His gaze flicked to Davio’s. “Because of Silvie, I understand this war needs to come to an end. She’s loyal to you and your people, and I would never compromise that loyalty, not when it makes her who she is. A nurturer, even with the greatest of the battle skills.”
“How do you believe this war should come to an end, Moyer?” Davio joined Silas, and the two stood united as water lapped at their chests, the girls digging their heels in beside them.
“I’m loyal to Donaldo, but I also understand we must work together. One warrior and one protector at a time. We have to see peace prevail.”
My heart pounded. His loyalty was strong, and one warrior and one protector at a time sounded like a good strategy to me. “Guy, I like what you just said. It sounds like a plan.”
“It does, and we certainly need one.” He pressed my hands to his chest. “Together we’re stronger as one.”
“We always will be.” I glanced at Davio. “What do you think? We have to try and make this work.”
“It’s good. Working together, one warrior and one protector at a time. I like it. We could turn the tide and make a change.”
“I love it.” Faith almost bowled him over as she hugged him. “This is exactly what Hope and I have wanted. For peace to prevail between our nations. Having a plan like this is a start.”