Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“Where there’s no water?”


“No. Because we have so little water. We use our skill to find it, collect it and hold onto it.”

“Tell me about it. Maslin’s parents aren’t mated and he can’t hold his breath like that.” I elbowed up.

“You likely know water is made up of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen to every molecule. I can remain submerged for several minutes because I draw the hydrogen away with my water skill, and form a protective bubble of it around the oxygen. It is done with a flick of my hand and a thought and I simply breathe the pocket of air in. Only those with the full strength can do so. There are twenty-three of us altogether, while Maslin and two others are at half strength and cannot breathe below water.”

I nodded, taking in all her words. “Thank you for speaking to me of this.”

“Of course. Bring your sister as soon as you’ve met her. Missing out isn’t good and she should be here.”

In the privacy of her tent this morning, we’d spoken at length about Faith, of what I knew about her and Kate. It was a sad story, and tears had come to her eyes during the telling.

Elizara leaned in and brushed the sand from my cheek. “This is sticky.” She flicked her fingers toward the pond and a wash of water flew at me. Like a missile, it splattered and drenched.

I spluttered, and then smiled.

“Sorry.” She laughed. “I can fling water for some distance, more so than the ones who don’t hold the full strength.”

“If you ever wish to visit me at the station then come. We could use you.”

“Absolutely. I have decided to travel to meet my nieces and my mate in a week as they make the return journey, but after that, yes, I’ll be there. Let’s head to bed.” She rose and tugged me up.

We returned with the other women to camp. I would be on my own. No Silas.

Did he think of me this much?

Was he well?

At the tent flap, I hugged Elizara. “I can’t imagine not knowing you. I wish I’d known Katerin too.”

“So do I.” She squeezed me tight. “Use whatever clothing you’d like from the pile I left. I’ll see you in the morning. Sleep well.”

I changed for bed into a short pink nightie with a teddy bear imprint on the pocket then spread a thin white sheet over top of the pelts and slid in.

An ache behind my eyes made me close them, and I opened my telepathic link with Silas. “It’s just me. I need the merge.”

No answer, but we were connected.

Great. He must be mad, or hate me, or both. What a mess I’d made of things. With a sigh, I focused on the pinprick of golden thread in my mind. I channeled my mind-merge along it, weaving and letting it go as it disappeared from my mind to travel along the divide to his. After a few minutes, I was falling into his mind, rolling around in the soft spot which was all mine.

At least I’d always have this.

Mmm. I smoothed the pelt.

So good. I adored his mind.

Only, my five minutes was up way too soon.

Probably should withdraw.

Ten minutes, and I let out a slow breath.

Fifteen and I choked up. Best to let go.

Taking a great gulp of air, I forced my withdrawal, pulling away until I’d fully released him and only the telepathic connection remained. “Hey, Silas. Um, thanks.”

No answer.

I twiddled my fingers.

Should I tell him of my day? He hadn’t broken the connection.

No.

“Elizara has the water skill.” I couldn’t help myself. “I only found out today. There’s this oasis. It’s a magical spot. You would like it, or at least I think you would.”

I stilled for his response.

Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

My heart sank somewhere even deeper inside my chest.

I should stop and break the link. “Elizara loaned me some clothes. She likes prints of teddy bears. There’s even one on this nightie of hers. It’s pink, by the way.” Right. I babbled but couldn’t help it. “She can hold her breath underwater for several minutes, and send water flying some distance with only the flick of her hand and a thought.”

I closed my eyes as a spasm of pain throbbed in my chest. He still didn’t answer.

I missed him, so badly. This was sheer torture, not having him speak to me.

“Ooo-kay. Night then. Sleep well.”

Best to end it, quick, which I did.

Hell, that was awful.

Rolling to my side, I wiped at my cheeks. The moon’s glow illuminated the sides of the tent. Silas had carried me across the desert to this place. He had cared for me and made sure I’d gotten here. I had so much to thank him for.

I would never forget.

The compound went quiet as the hours passed.

By dawn, the heat of the rising sun turned the tent sides radiant yellow. Sleep. I needed the oblivion of it.

I yawned, finally succumbing as my eyelids slid shut.



A heavy presence of desert heat covered my back.

Stretching and uncurling, I bumped into warm skin.