Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

With his leaving, I peered around the room. A bed was tucked against the wall, the double mattress covered by a thick gray blanket. Opposite was a small window with lace netting across it, and underneath a round wooden table and two chairs layered with dust.

I opened the top drawer of the dresser and heaved out a quilt of stitch-work squares in a multitude of blues and greens. I flapped it out and spread it over the bed.

Searching the next drawer, I found green towels neatly stacked beside pillowcases. I wrapped myself in a scratchy but clean towel and used a second one to dry my hair.

With the damp towel, I wiped the dust from the tabletop.

“The little woman is making the place a home.”

I spun around at Silas’s cheeky tone. Throwing the towel at him, I tut-tutted. “Where’s the food, honey?”

He set a wicker basket on the table, and passed me a bundle of clothing. “I half expected to return and find you outside, back in the rain.”

“Then next time, that’s where I’ll be.” I set jeans and a white shirt with a yellow embroidered hem on the bed. “This is perfect. Thank you.”

Silas laid food on the table, clattering dishes and cutlery. “I’ll keep my back turned while you change. This is the only room and I don’t care to get wet outside.”

“If you look, I’ll throw my knife at you.”

He chuckled. “What knife?”

“The one I left at home.” I scrambled, pulling the jeans on, the denim sticking as I hopped about. “Have you stayed here before?”

“A bit. I like the river.”

Dressed, I patted my chest and took a deep breath. “I’m done. You can move now.”

He turned, ever so slowly. “You’re my first kidnap victim.”

“I better be.” I sat at the table. “People get locked up for this sort of thing in Dralion. I know you have certain sway with your King Carlisio, but certainly not mine. Donaldo would slice your head from your shoulders.”

He pried the lid off the first dish, and the scent of chicken floated into the air. “What about Alexo? Will he come?”

“I doubt it. It’s not as if I’m in danger from you. His forewarning only activates if I am. Although, he could check on me with his forethought, but he’s busy with my mother, so I’d say even that’s a no. You should be safe.”

Yum-yum. My mouth watered for the golden-fried chicken drumsticks and roasted sweet potato with buttery corn. “Oh, you did well. The little woman is pleased.”

He passed me a fork and a flask of water. “I love a good steak, but chicken is my next favorite meal. I was worried about my choice from the servery. I had no idea of your tastes.”

I speared a cube of crispy-skinned potato and popped it into my mouth. “I’ll eat anything, except tomatoes. For some reason they make me feel sick, but not tomato sauce. That, I love all over my meat.”

“I see. No tomatoes. I’ll remember that in the future.”

“What future? This kidnapping is a one-deal thing, right?”

His blue gaze darkened. “We’ll see.”

I forked up corn and chewed, arching an eyebrow. “Then for the next round of kidnapping, I’d like to go for a swim. Taking me to a fast-moving river would be perfect.”

He caught my hand and lifted it to his lips. “There shall be no swim, as I’ve said.”

I merged my mind solidly with his, unable to hold back with him this close. “You’re not very adventurous, are you?”

“The river is dangerous. Your life means something to me.”

I pulled my hand free and took one of the drumsticks of chicken from the dish. “I’m not holding you to anything.”

“We’ll have to sleep in the same bed. I’m not prepared to leave you tonight.”

“You’re truly serious about keeping me here?” He really hadn’t cared for my talk of other men, and we were soul-bound. Regardless of our earlier decision to end what we had, that was near impossible to do now. We would always have this tie of mind-merge, pulling us together for at least a few minutes every other day.

“Yes.” Easing back in his chair, he scrubbed a hand along his thigh. “I was up before dawn, and you’ve been on my mind all day. I returned your warrior and now I sit with you because you have the skill of mind-merge. Things have changed. I need more time to think about our options.”

“You can’t have Saunder’s father back.” That was a given.

“I understand. Tell me more of what your father’s requested you do. I see I have no choice but to be a part of this, for now.”

“He said once I met you, to find a way to piece things together. He needs to know everything about my mother’s Sol family line. And I must also discover what I can about this new skill of mine.”

“Alexo Wincrest must have seen more than he originally told you. It’ll be why he never warned you off me, particularly if he knew your life would be tied to mine. That makes sense.”