Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“Oh no, you have it wrong. We are– Um...”


She turned the page. “Don’t worry. Look, this is a portrait taken of Samania and Sarahiah. They are my nephew’s twin daughters. Twins run in the Sol bloodline. Quite strongly.”

“They also run in mine,” Silas stated. “My sister is my twin.”

“How wonderful. Maybe you two will, well, you know.”

Elizara was headed toward issues Silas and I had never discussed. It was all too soon.

“All right, do you have any particular questions?” she asked.

I barely needed to consider it. “What do you believe has become of Katerin and Nathwer?”

“I don’t know. I only hope Nathwer and her still live, that she recovered from her illness. She was not a telepathic though, so needed to stay close to him.”

“Why do you think she wouldn’t have returned to collect her daughter from the orphanage?”

Her smile dropped away at my question. “She was very ill, mentally. More so a few months after her marriage than at any earlier time. Although she always loved children, and longed for her first to arrive. To hear she abandoned your mother three days after her birth goes against what I would have ever considered.” She tapped the sides of her legs. “Thirty-six years have already passed. What happened to Katerin and Nathwer may never be solved.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. Katerin’s story wrenched at my heart. Did I have grandparents out there, somewhere? And Katerin and Nathwer’s images were right here. One with forethought would be able to track them. It was a start, a good one. “I will do all I can to search for her.”

Elizara continued to frown, and I lifted the page showing her nieces. “Tell me more about them. They weren’t in the crowd.”

“They celebrated their eighteenth birthday last week, and now they are away for a few days. The girls have taken time to travel the desert, following our border with Peacio’s to the northern coast. It is a sacred journey undertaken by our young ones as they enter adulthood.”

“Why is it sacred?”

“The land north of here belongs to our people, and we must know where each oasis is. We cannot survive without water, and as wonderful as it is to have teleporters within our family, we do not take them for granted. All our people must have the life-survival skills they’ll need for their future. Their father has gone with them, as has my mate. They remain within the area where I can connect telepathically to them. It was a rough trip, and we have only just set up camp here. I’m glad I stayed, otherwise I wouldn’t have been here to meet you.”

“Me too. I wouldn’t have wished to wait.”

“One-half of your roots belong to the desert. You are home.” She leaned in and hugged me, enveloping me in the scents of sunshine and sand. “These are your people. No matter where you live, you will always have a home here, with me.” She slowly stood. “Now, I must go. I need to see to our evening meal with the other ladies. Come to the center of the camp when you are ready. They’ll be an open fire pit which we all eat around.”

“Okay.” With Silas leaning over my shoulder, I continued to gaze through the portraits so carefully drawn. When I was done, I clutched it to my chest. “My family. I have more than I ever thought possible.”

“You do, and it’s getting late. How about I set up the pelts as a mattress to sleep on, and then we’ll be able to rest as soon as we’ve eaten?”

“Great. I love that idea.” I scrambled to my feet and tucked the album away in the crate. Silas made a neat stack, four thick in the center of the room. I tossed two of the pillows we’d sat on to the head of the makeshift bed. “I feel hot and sticky. I’d love a change of clothes.”

He scratched his nose. “I’ll have to pillage some more from Silvie.”

“Please.” I pressed my hands to his chest and kissed him.

“If my sister finds out I’ve raided her wardrobe, she’s going to believe I’ve taken up cross-dressing.”

“Then don’t let her catch you.” I stepped back, and he gave me a devilish grin before he flashed away, one that may have matched mine.

Shoving the tent flap aside, I stared out. All was quiet, most of the tribe likely helping with the meal as Elizara did. This compound would have to run smoothly with so many living here.

“Here you go.” To one side of the tent, Silas positioned a small metal tub half-filled with warm water. He passed me a towel tied around a bundle of clothing. “I’ll return again soon. Unlike you, I’m happy to clean up at home.” He promptly disappeared.