Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“Right, let’s go, Maslin.” Goldie tapped his back and they headed out, Guy following one-step behind her.

Loveria grumbled as he strode past me. “I can’t believe I have to follow in the footsteps of warriors. What is this world coming to?”

“Just keep some space.” I barely held back a smirk.

“You don’t even have to ask.”

“Hope.” Silas encircled my waist with his arms from behind then brushed his cheek against mine. “Stay close to me.”

I leaned into him. “I know I haven’t told you–and I probably shouldn’t–but I guess I’m glad you’re here.

He nipped at my ear. “We are finally getting somewhere. Say that again.”

Turning, I kissed his chin. “I was upset when you arrived, but I’m getting over it.”

“More, and I meant the kisses.”

“To give you an inch would not be–”

He kissed me, deeply, and I kissed him back, overwhelmed by the new emotions stirring within me. I couldn’t get enough of his kisses.

As he broke away, his head came up. “I’m glad I came, if for no other reason than this moment and that declaration. Now, let’s move out before we lose the others.” He gave me a gentle push forward.

I followed in Loveria’s footprints. Sand crept inside my boots, rubbing and chafing my feet from within. Oh boy, this was going to be one long day.

I wasn’t wrong.

Seven hours later, I’d officially seen enough sand to last me a lifetime. And the heat, it blazed hotter and heavier than the outback’s sun ever had.

The sand sweltered, a vapor rising like steam from the endless orange grains.

I blinked, attempting to keep Loveria in focus. If I could just keep my eyes on him and that layer of white cloth covering his back, I could keep moving.

That worked, for now.

My head throbbed as midday arrived.

Hell. It was awful.

Would this trek ever end?

I sipped water from my flask, which had never left my hand.

“We can stop for a five minute break if you need to.” Silas’s voice floated to me from somewhere behind.

“I’m fine.” My head swam. Come on. Push on. Left foot. Right foot. Keep moving.

I lifted my arms as I swayed, grasping at air.

“I’ve got you.” Silas scooped me up.

“Dizzy.” I clutched his face, but several images of it still circled each other. “Ah, you shouldn’t be able to do that.”

“Do what?” Half a dozen rotating frowns came with his words.

My eyelids were too heavy and slid shut.

I didn’t hear his answer. It came from too far away.

Blissfully in the dark.

Yet heat surrounded me. So much.

“Hope, talk to me.”

A stinging slap on my butt had me dragging my eyelids open. What? Footprints dotted the sand. I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again. I dangled down a man’s back and when I pressed my fingertips together, they were all tingly and numb.

“I can’t stand your silence.” As he walked, his steps jolted my belly into his shoulder.

“Ouch. I’m not a sack of potatoes, and your shoulder feels like a rock.”

“This was the best...” His words trailed away as the foggy haze returned and clouded my vision. My head shattered with pain, and then nothing.



“You can see the encampment from the top ridge of the sand-hill we’re on. At that point, the gray area clears.”

Loveria’s voice swirled around inside my dizzy head. It was his, because he was too close and firing my blood.

“Silas, the warriors teleported to the compound after I said I’d come and get you. Wincrest, though, wants to see her niece in the next ten minutes, or else she’ll slice and dice you.” He sounded wheezy, like he’d run.

“Thanks for keeping quiet about Hope, Davio. She flaked out, and apart from her heart beating too fast, she’s breathing fine.” Silas’s deep voice curled around my senses, even as my head thumped like a drum. I needed to mind-merge.

Open your mouth. Tell him.

“Sure thing, but I’ve got to head off the moment we hit the ridge and check on Faith. My mate better not be suffering as this one is.”

What was Loveria saying? We were almost there?

“You go be with Faith.” A hand smoothed down my calf. Was Silas still carrying me over his shoulder?

I winced as my stomach bumped into bone. Ow. Yes, definitely his shoulder. I scraped one eye open.

“Yes, I can feel my skills returning.” Loveria let out an elated sigh. “I’ll see you later.”

“Take care.”

My mind fully awakened and targeted on Silas’s, connecting with the precision needed for the merge. Oh yes, I adored my mate’s mind right now. So deliciously all mine. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”

He slid me over his shoulder and propped me on my feet. “About time you woke up.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t help the nap.”