Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“Hope?” His voice was a stunned whisper.

I grabbed hold of the link and locked it down. “Oh my, guess what?”

“Hell, you have telepathy. Brilliant. Wait there. I’ve been detained. It took a while to find Carlisio, but I’ve finished speaking with him.”

“Um, I’m not in Peacio. Alexo collected me when he saw I fast-healed.”

“What?” His voice rebounded around inside my head. “Damn it. I leave and he comes and takes you. Where are you? Your bedroom?”

“No, I’m out riding.”

“Where?”

“On my horse.”

“Don’t be smart.”

I groaned. “I’m with Maslin and I doubt the two of you would get along.”

“Where are you riding to? You and I shouldn’t be separated right now. We spoke about this.”

My saddlebags held a meal, one he wasn’t invited to. “Ah, none of your business.” I didn’t need him turning up, not that he had the image for the Ledge to ’port to.

A furious snort traveled down our link. “I’ll kill him if–”

I snapped it shut, blocking him from reconnecting. Laying out the groundwork was important. He couldn’t tell me what to do.

Gripping the reins, I shoved all thought of him aside and soaked in the beauty of tumbleweeds blowing across the land.

Running my hands down the gelding’s sweaty neck, I settled lower. The ride lengthened, and we passed several half-dried watering holes before Maslin angled off toward the one we’d aptly named the Rocky Ledge. The Ledge’s watering hole descended deep inside a rock-strewn basin, one the cattle found impossible to reach. This hole held the most water of all of them.

As we drew up to the side, we slowed our mounts. I slid my leg over the saddle and jumped to the ground.

Maslin took my horse’s reins, slung them over a low branch and tethered our rides to the same tree. He grabbed the supplies from his saddlebags and mine and inclined his head toward the rocks which rimmed the basin. “We’ll eat down by the water.”

“Sounds good.”

He looped a blanket over his arm and led the way.

I followed over the rough boulders, scrambling in some places until we reached the heart of the watering hole. This was one of my favorite locations, an oasis with towering trees along the perimeter offering delectable shade. The water invited one to swim, and the soft patch of green grass to sit.

Maslin flapped out the gray saddle blanket and spread it over the ground. He dropped his pack, lay down and clasped his hands behind his head. “I love this spot. It’s so peaceful.”

“Thanks for thinking of this.” The outback had many secrets, and this location was one of them. I plopped down and settled on my back with my ankles crossed. I peered through the dappled leaves above. Blue sky dominated, with not even a wisp of cloud in sight. So serene.

“I understand you need to mind-merge with Carver every third day.”

“For five minutes when I do.” I rolled to my side and leaned toward him on one elbow. “I didn’t know this would happen with Silas. Although he and I should take things slow. There are too many factors for me not to make that call.”

“The slower, the better,” he added.

I wanted to be honest with Maslin. “With the mind-merge I saw what Silas desired, and it’s not to have his enemy as his mate.”

“He should want one of his own.”

“I need to keep an open mind, but being here reminds me of the world of difference between him and me. I spend half my life here, and the other half in Dralion. I’d have to find a way to factor Peacio into it, and I’m not sure I can do that.”

“I don’t envy the position you’re in, only, do not eliminate me from the equation.” He passed me a flask of water, one of the cut sandwiches and some fresh fruit. “Now, no more talk of him when I’d like to talk to you about my grandparents.”

“I’d like that as well. It’s your father’s parents who are from No-Man’s Land, right?”

“Yes. For my father’s efforts with the warriors many years ago, he accepted the relocation they offered him to Dralion. My grandparents though, still live in the Sol compound, and one of the benefits of serving as a warrior is gaining access out. I travel to No-Man’s Land whenever it’s possible, although our relationship is new and I’m still getting to know them.”

“It must be awful for your family, particularly with your father losing contact with his own parents.” I unwrapped then bit into one of the sandwiches he’d brought.

“It’s difficult, but we’re immensely grateful I can visit and take home news to my family. I’d like to take you to the compound. And now I know of your mind-merge, I’ve had niggling thoughts. I’ve heard a little about it, or at least I’m sure I have.”

“Oh my goodness. You might have heard of mind-merge? No way.”