Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“I want you to know the way in and out since you can’t.”


We continued down a long passageway with textured silvery-white walls, the ceiling twelve feet high with silver filaments inlaid into the plaster corner scrolls.

I wanted to stop and admire the stunning landscapes gracing the walls every ten feet, but Silas pressed forward. “There isn’t time.”

“Why not?”

“The guards have pin-prick hearing, and I need to warn Carlisio I’ve claimed my mate.”

“Hold on. Claimed? When did this happen in our non-relationship?”

“I have no choice. You have mind-merge and your welfare is my responsibility. Your sister is equally as dependent on Davio.”

Never had the thought of being bound to Silas annoyed me more than at this moment. I let out a loud sigh. “I’m not anyone’s responsibility, let alone yours.”

“Yes, you are. I see it more clearly now.” He snagged my arm as we reached a set of gray marble stairs with a smooth banister curving upward. “My rooms are on the second floor of the north terrace.”

“Tell me more about Faith?” I asked since he’d brought her dependency on Loveria up.

“She’s a rebel.”

I ran to keep up. “A rebel is one I can respect.”

“Spoken like another rebel.”

I stopped, right in the center of the passageway where white roses bloomed in a vase. “You’re angry? You can’t tell me it’s only because I went for a swim.”

He turned on his heel, staring at me. “Down a fast-moving river. After a storm. With you on enemy soil.”

“So. So. And so?” I crossed my arms.

“I didn’t expect to be so worried about you. The feelings have come quickly.”

He ushered me backward into an alcove with a life-sized statue of a fearsome looking protector. Chiseled from smooth green stone, holding a battle-axe in one hand and a sword in the other, it looked as intimidating as Silas now did.

“That’s the way of the bond.” I poked him in the chest. “Argh, how are we supposed to make this work? If you ever turn up at Wincrest Station, a warrior is bound to take your head off. No one will ask why you’re there. You can’t just say you’ve claimed me. We need to talk about it.”

He leaned in, pushing me against the statue’s cold stone. “We are mated. I cannot turn away from you any more than you can turn from me.”

Pressing a hand to his chest, I held him at bay. “What woman would you wish for, if you could choose exactly who she was?”

His gaze searched mine, and an image of a faceless woman slipped through his mind-merge shield. She could fight alongside him, like a fellow protector, definitely not me.

“I see.”

“Our soul-bond draws me to you. I cannot undo the fact you are a Wincrest. I will come to accept it.”

Damn, I couldn’t take from him what he wouldn’t freely give. Which left me with little choice. “We need to take a break.” My chest tightened as I issued the words, because it was the last thing I truly wanted. Stupid bond.

“That’s not a wise choice. I must accept what is. So should you.”

He pressed my palms flat to his chest. The heavy beat of his heart pounded against my flesh, my hands heated and pulse jumped then vaulted a second time and beat in time with his. He’d aligned our heartbeats as our mated men did in order to strengthen the bond. If I were ever in any distress, he’d know because our hearts would beat in sync. “How could you?”

“It was my choice.”

“More like your fate.” My chest throbbed. “I would never have asked this of you.”

“I know you wouldn’t have.” He dipped his head to mine. “I must be able to feel what you do, to know when you need me. If I’d done this earlier, I would have caught your increased heart rate at jumping in the river and known to come. It is done.”

“I spend half my time in Dralion. Our hearts beating in sync will only add to your frustration.”

“You will not do anything dangerous where I can’t reach you.”

“Swimming in a river is not dangerous.”

“So you’ve said, and so I’ve disagreed.” He drew me into the passageway. “We should go before someone comes. These halls are never so quiet. My bedroom’s close.” Four doors down, he opened a dark wood door and guided me through. He gestured toward the bathroom. “Clean up. I’ll return to the cabin for the clothing I left there. I must also speak to Carlisio and update him.”

I unzipped his leather jacket and passed it to him. “Thanks for this.”

He tossed it onto the wooden chest at the end of his bed. “I want you here. You must know that.”

I saw the truth in his words, yet I’d also seen his true desire. I could never stand and fight beside him, not when our countries were at war. “You go speak to Carlisio Loveria.”