Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“All our options.” He left.

As I followed him to the raggedy-planked front steps, his silhouette blended into the dark outline of the trees beyond and with his continuing distance, my mind-merge fell away. The disconnection made my heart heave within my chest. What a silly, needful skill.

So...options? Hmm. I tipped my heels off and grabbed the straps as I stepped off the porch. I gasped, landing barefoot in the thickest grass ever.

Nooo way.

This had to be a dream.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I counted to ten and flung them open.

Nope. Blades of the deepest green grass still reached my knees.

I brushed my fingertips through the vision of paradise. Wow.

Oh yee-ahh.

Down I went. Onto my stomach, rolling around, I clutched handfuls of grass, tore it free and threw it high, giggling as it sprinkled on top of me.

What a dream.

I loved this place for the grass alone. Yay to being kidnapped!

Inhaling the richness of the soil, I stretched, arms and legs flapping as I made a grass-angel and dug my own little hollow in paradise.

“What are you doing?” From overtop, Silas frowned, the lamp swinging in his hand.

“Ah, duh, I’m having a moment. You want to join me?”

“On the ground? No.” He extended his hand. “I realize the outback is experiencing a drought, but surely you’ve seen grass before.”

Swatting his hand away, I snorted. “Not like this. The drought’s been going on for years and if you didn’t realize, I’m there half the time. Nah-ah. I’m not moving. It’s not every day a girl gets to play in the grass.”

“I see.” His blue eyes crinkled at the corners. “Although, I can guarantee this grass isn’t going anywhere. You can come outside and play in the morning, if you wish.”

Wagging one finger at him, I moaned. “Don’t try and be funny. The morning is too far away. Oooh, I just had a thought. Since this kidnapping was your idea, mine is that I’m sleeping outside under the–” A big fat drop of water landed on my cheek. Then another on my arm. Next, my forehead. I grinned from ear to ear. “No way.”

Heavy drops of glorious water splattered all over me. I lifted my hands to the sky to grab at the flurry. “Oh yee-yee-yes.”

Silas chuckled. “I’ve never in my life seen anyone so happy about getting wet.”

“It’s grass, and I’m getting wet. What a day.” I laughed, and was about to resume rolling when Silas plucked me from the ground. “Hey.”

He took my hand and led me toward the trees. “When it rains, it pours in these hills. We need shelter.”

“But–” I looked back at my slice of heaven. “There’s grass, and now there’s rain.” I growled as he drew me away. “Oh, you can’t be this cruel.”

Grinning far too smugly, he said, “Our cabin is right this way.”

I kicked at the small puddles in the grass as I tramped through it. “You are so lucky to live on this land.”

He tugged me. “Once we get inside, I’ll pop to the castle’s kitchens and pick up some food. I know you haven’t eaten, and neither have I.”

“Oh, I’m definitely hungry.” Continuing along the grassy path between towering pine trees, I swore water gushed somewhere not too far away. I tapped my ear. “That’s not a river is it?”

Bringing my hand to his chest, he kept a firm hold. “Yes, it is. A fast-moving one.”

I squealed. “Let me see.” I tried to heave free. “Silas, this kidnapping is no fun.”

“The river is swift and dangerous. We’ll go when it’s daylight and you can see for yourself.”

I let out a loud sigh. “I wasn’t thinking of swimming in it.” At least, I hadn’t until he’d mentioned it. That would be great. I’d love a midnight swim. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t teleport us out of trouble if something happened.

“The morning.” Two words, stubbornly stated. “Here we are.”

A small clearing sprinkled in moonlight led to a little log cabin with a front porch and overhanging roof of wooden shingles. Silas pushed open the front door. “We’re the only ones here. Inside with you.”

“No fun at all.” I groaned and grumped as I stomped in. Water pooled at my feet as I halted on the rough wooden floorboards. I tickled my toes in it.

He shut the door, setting the lamp on a dresser beside it. “You’re shivering.”

“I don’t care.” I dragged the hem of my blue dress to the side and wrung it out. Water dripped to the floor, so mesmerizing.

“You’re soaked through. I’ll go rustle you up some jeans and a t-shirt with that meal. You and Silvie are the same size. That sound good to you?”

“Sure.” Water dribbled down my back from my hair. Nice.

“In the dresser there’re towels and blankets. Don’t catch a cold while I’m gone.” He ’ported.