Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“I would have told you as soon as I saw you. It was only a few days ago I spotted Faith with Loveria on Peacian soil and struck the deal.”


“I’m glad she agreed to your request. It shows she thinks of our warriors even though she is mated to the enemy. It’s a good sign she’s loyal to us.” I set the stirrup next to his opened notebook filled with his scrawl. “Ah, how am I meant to read this? I can’t document your skill when this is what you give me.”

Looking sly, he nudged my shoulder with his. “Just ask and I’ll repeat what I’ve written for you.”

“Or you could write with a tidier hand. Oh my goodness.” I grabbed his arm. “I haven’t told you yet. I have telepathy and fast-healing. It just happened.”

“Congratulations. Alexo must be pleased.”

“Yes, and tell me, you sensed a firming toward the location of yours when we last spoke. Do you have any more news?”

Men always felt the call, the insistent burn to locate their soul-bound one, and Guy had spoken to me of his desire, the pull at times coming from Earth, and alternately from Magio. He worried greatly since he had searched for her from among his fellow warriors and not discovered his match.

“She moves around too much. If she is Peacian as you have discovered yours is, I will not travel down that road. I’ll steer clear of her and ensure the bond doesn’t activate.”

Even Silas’s true desire of a woman, a protector who’d fight by his side, was one I couldn’t fault. Our countries were at war, our relationship–no, non-relationship–a secret we must keep. Things would have been easier had he never come and activated the bond. Although where would my mind-merge have led me? To death because he had not? I shuddered at the thought.

No, what was done was done. Now I needed answers about my ability of mind-merge. Someone must know it. Or about Katerin Sol. Who was she and where had she come from?

“What are you thinking, that has that deep frown on your face?”

“Katerin Sol, my mother’s mother. I must find her or her people. That is where I will discover what I need to know about my mind-merge. Or at least I hope I will.”

“Hmm.” He tapped his chin and glanced over his shoulder to the door Maslin had left by. “The surname of Sol is referenced to the sun, and many of the desert families hold it. Have you spoken to Maslin about this? His Sol ancestors are from a compound in No-Man’s Land. His grandparents are still there and their tribe is remote.”

Maslin was a Sol. I should have spoken to him. “I’ll get onto that.”

“Hope, the horses are ready.” Maslin patted the doorjamb as he peered around the corner. “Guy, we’re heading to the Rocky Ledge’s watering hole. The horses need a run.”

“Sure.” Guy saluted. “You two have a nice lunch.”

I approached Maslin. “Could we talk more about the Sol compound?”

“Ah yeah, but let’s wait until we get to the Ledge.” He ran his hand over my horse’s saddle, yanking and checking the buckle. “I’ll give you a foot-up.” He clasped his hands and I set my foot into his palm-hold.

I jumped and slid into place.

Maslin passed me a hat. “Check your saddlebags. Make sure you’re happy with what I packed.”

A flask of water, snacks and sandwiches. “Yep, that’s good.”

After hoisting up into his saddle, he rode out and I followed.

Maslin grinned at me, clicking his tongue to encourage his horse into a gallop.

I joined him and picked up speed as we let our horses have their heads. “I love this place,” I yelled into the wind as we raced.

“Me too,” he shouted.

We rode, our surroundings still beautiful in spite of the harsh drought.

Brilliant colors shimmered around us, red the predominant, with the dusty landscape broken by the towering gum trees. Beyond the rocky hills, the ridge rose steeply to meet the rich blue of the sky. The sight enthralled, because the Ledge was like a slab of stone appearing out of nowhere.

An hour passed and we neared our destination. What must Donaldo be thinking with Saunder’s father now returned? He would have heard and I should have asked one of the warriors, only with all I’d been through, I’d forgotten.

“Hey, Maslin, what happened with Tawson Rivera?”

“Lieska took him to Dralion when he woke. She informed Donaldo she’d found him in Peacio, making up quite the tale. Tawson was groggy and unresponsive, his recollection of those hours before and after he woke hazy. Saunder’s with him, and as far as I’ve heard, Lieska’s word stands.”

Hmm, Silas should know what had occurred since I’d left him.

Telepathy.

Trust between mates was a given, and those who had the telepathic skill always connected in order to maintain closer contact. I only hoped with him being a protector, I still had that level of trust to create the threaded link.

Focusing directly on him, I sent out the call. “Silas. Please hear me.”

The horse underneath me pounded across the hard-packed earth.

No word from Silas, not a flicker.

“Answer me, please. We need to talk.”