Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

Goldie tightened her ponytail with a yank. “I told Maslin, her and Guy no killing. The three of them weren’t happy about it, but they’ll do as they’re told.”


“I’ve already sharpened my sword.” Lieska slid the blade from her side and angled it so it glinted in the sun. “And I’m looking forward to Carver’s first visit. No killing doesn’t mean I can’t harm.”

I moaned. “You can’t be serious.”

Raising her own side-belted sword, Goldie tapped it against Lieska’s. “Practice with me, my friend. Show me what you can do.”

I backed up. They trained hard and without mercy.

“Come and talk to me while those two fight.” Maslin scaled the wooden railing of the training area and perched on top. He wore a blue-checked shirt and tan jeans, his Stetson low on his head.

“Hey.”

“I heard about your mind-merge with Carver.” He did not look happy.

Lieska laughed as her sword came down over Goldie’s. The heavy ringing of metal on metal made me scamper up the railing. I might fast-heal, but I truly didn’t care to get hurt. “I need to keep the news quiet, obviously.”

“Yes, I was told. You can count on me.”

“Maslin, you should get down here,” Lieska called, her dark hair whipping about her face as she countered Goldie’s next strike. “You’re the one who let a protector disable you. Bad-bad.”

Goldie chuckled and jumped forward, advancing on Lieska. “I second that.”

I straddled the top beam, facing Maslin. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see him coming, and I would have warned you if I had.”

With his gaze narrowed to slits, he rubbed his thighs. “He’ll never get the chance to take me by surprise again.” He touched two fingers below his eyes. “I’ll have these open. You are my princess, not his.”

So serious. Um, time to change the subject. “I have telepathy and fast-healing. It just happened.”

A smile tugged at his lips, lightening his stern expression. “Excellent, although I’m not surprised.” He scanned the area, from the stables to the right, to the feed sheds on the left. “You’re a Wincrest, and there isn’t one in history who hasn’t held skills.”

“Silas isn’t here, if you’re looking for him.”

“Just keeping my eyes open.” He leaned in to talk over the din of the clashing swords. “Come with me to the Rocky Ledge’s watering hole. I’d like to talk to you. Away from here.”

“About?”

He eased over the top railing and jumped, bent his knees and landed with a soft thud. “Everything.” His gaze veered to Goldie’s where she held her position against Lieska in their fight. “Goldie, I’m taking Hope out riding. We’ll catch you later.”

“Gotcha.”

I took hold of his arm and he ’ported us to the stables. Guy tinkered with a silver stirrup at his workbench, his unruly, coal-black hair falling over his brow.

I hadn’t seen the young enchanter in days. “There you are.”

Since his father’s capture at the battle of Eventide two years ago, Guy and I had studied under the same tutor.

“Hey.” He grinned.

Maslin stepped past me. “Guy wished to see you after hearing about your skill of mind-merge from Goldie. She told us together.”

“Your sister looks just like you, by the way.” Silver, which displayed his strongly skilled line, swirled around the edges of Guy’s pale blue enchanter eyes. “Although, I knew she was not you the moment I saw her.”

Maslin snatched two saddles from the rack and headed for the outer door, calling over his shoulder, “Hope, I’ll grab some food for lunch and see to the horses. I won’t be long.”

“Sure.” I crossed to Guy. “I can’t believe you’ve met Faith before I even have.” I checked out the melted portion at the base of a stirrup he was working on. “Oh, well done, the spell of heat without fire. That’s the closest I’ve seen you get to melting metal.”

He gave a lazy shrug. “I’m getting there.” Guy passed the stirrup to me. “I think the ditty needs to be longer to keep the heat generating. I’ll master it and when he’s released, prove to my father I didn’t slack in my studies. Not once.”

Running my fingers over the warm metal, I smiled. “I know you haven’t slacked.” Oh boy, what must he think of me, bound to a protector? “So, you heard about Silas?”

“Yeah, you’re bonded to one of them, like Faith.” He sighed. “Your life is tied to Carver’s, as hers is with Loveria’s. I’m sorry.”

I leaned against his workbench. “Me too, but there is a benefit.”

“Impossible. Although, this I’d like to hear.”

“Now I’m mated to a protector, I’ll do everything in my power to find your father and our other captured warriors. Alexo mentioned your agreement with Faith.”