Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“Missed you. Really missed you.” He kissed me, so fiercely I almost fainted again. He pulled back, a bare inch, his gaze darting all over me. “How do you feel? Your heart’s finally beating right. I’ve been so worried. You won’t ever do that to me again. Do you hear me?”


I flicked out my hands as they tingled, as blood raced through and returned to them. Even the red patches of sunburn on the backs of my hands healed with my restored skill. I sighed and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Righto, but you deserve some more lip action, and not the telling-off sort.”

No sooner were the words out than he took my breath away with a soul-claiming kiss. So hot. His need swirled through me as I dug my mind deeper into my sweet spot.

Oh, I was not leaving his mind, or his mouth.

He stroked along my shoulders, down my sides and over my hips.

My heart raced.

“Hope.” He murmured my name. “I can’t ensure your safety unless I’m with you.”

I snuggled closer, wanting those soft lips back on mine. “I want to neck some more.”

He exhaled, the sound so sweet as his breath stuttered a little. “Say that again.”

“I want to–”

“Hope Wincrest.”

Damn. Goldie.

She stood on the highest ridge of the sand-hill, her blond hair whipping about her shoulders. “Your ten minutes is up, Carver. Get over here now.”

I snagged Silas’s hand and trudged toward her. “We’re here?” Oh, of course we were. Duh. Where was my head? Kissing Silas had certainly scattered my thoughts.

Silas’s fingers firmed around mine. “Davio said the Sols are just over the hill.”

I slogged to the top of the rise. Below, on a stretch of long, flat sand, hundreds of brightly colored tents with striped awnings rippled in the wind. A four-post-high corral with horses and a three-post-high holding pen with cattle was closest. The animals’ bawling carried on the breeze. “I can’t believe it.”

“Look at the children,” Silas said.

At least a dozen small children scurried in and around the tents playing tag, their flowing white tunics covering them from their necks to their knees. A boy with black hair chased a girl with blond ponytails. She skipped around a market stall, an open-air tent which held baskets of fresh fruit. Oh my. The sight of apples and oranges made my mouth water.

“There.” Silas pointed. “A line of people are waiting.”

It was as he’d said, and then two dark-haired men wavered into sight not far from the line of people. They appeared out of nowhere, carrying a wooden pail in each hand. A small amount of water sloshed over the rims as they passed them to those in the crowd. On their heels, two more arrived and others within the crowd surged forward to take the water.

I smiled as the teleporters promptly disappeared. “They’re bringing water for the others.” My fingers curled so tightly into Silas’s palm, I was sure to leave a mark. “Tell me this isn’t a mirage?”

“It’s not. Food and shelter awaits.”

“Some of them could be my mother’s family and related to me.” I was eager to get there. “Where are Maslin and Guy? I don’t see them.”

Goldie answered, saying, “Maslin went straight to his grandparents’ tent. Guy teleported home, but he has the image and can return with ease. So can I.”

“Are you leaving?”

“Of course not. I’ll stay for as long as you need me.” She patted my arm, her gaze narrowed on Silas. “Although you can leave. I’m sure you’ve had your allotted five minutes. I know I’ve seen enough of you today.”

He sent her a sharp look. “Your niece and I are mated. I have accepted the bond, if you had not heard.”

“Huh, there is accepting the bond, and then there is desiring the bond. Perhaps you should leave since you don’t yet know the difference.” She eyed me. “If he doesn’t treat you right, I’ll hurt him.”

She would. And I loved her for it.

Silas stroked the hilt of his ever-present sword. “I will stay.”

“Figures.” Goldie slammed her hands on her hips.

“Um, can we have a minute, Goldie? I’ll meet you at the Sol camp.” Best to separate the two of them as quick as I could.

“I’ll scout around.”

“Thanks.” She flashed away and I faced Silas. “My headache has gone and I feel strong again. You don’t have to stay. You must have work you’ve set aside.” Of that, I was certain.

“There are several projects I’m overseeing.” He tightened his hold on my hand. “I can’t leave you right now. Don’t ask me again.”

I rubbed my cheek against his shoulder. “I should be down there.”

“I’ll ’port us to the area near the stalls. That’s where the most people are.”

I burrowed deeper into his mind as everything darkened. We reappeared a foot from a basket of gorgeous red-skinned apples. This was real. I was here. “Where do we start?”

“There’s a crowd coming. Maslin Sol brings them. Damn, it’s impossible to tell who the elders are when we don’t physically age.”

Yes, all looked young, and now a dozen people dressed in light colored tunics encircled us, the girl with the blond ponytails dashing in and around them all.

Sweat dampened my palms.