Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

She arched a brow. “Ah, the same one we’ve always spoken about it, silly.”


“Food technology.” Silas edged in behind me. “Te Puke is twenty minutes from here. That’s where they both go to high school.”

“Sorry. I don’t mean to be a dill. I’m just trying to get to know her, while remembering I already do. Not easy, you know.” I leaned against him, merging my mind with his and sinking into my special place. Oh, I so needed that.

Whoops.

I jerked upright.

A strange look crossed Silvie’s face. “You two are never this chummy, and as nice as it is to see you both getting along, it’s making my stomach churn.”

“Right.” I darted a glance at Silas. “Churn?”

“Yeah, Faith and I don’t see eye to eye. She argues with me too much.”

“Don’t you mean you argue with her too much?”

“Probably.” He chuckled.

We continued to the entrance, and the glass doors opened automatically with a light swish.

“Oooh.” Silvie lifted her nose and sniffed. “Who smells that?”

The scent of sugary bakery items from a nearby coffee stand and a hint of floor wax from the gleaming pale-speckled floors hit me. “Do you mean the donuts?”

“Of course I mean the donuts.” Silvie shoved an elbow into my side. “What is with you today, girl?”

“Ah, I’m not feeling myself.”

“Obviously.” She strode off.

Silas tugged my hair. “It’ll be okay. Come on.”

He followed his sister as two little girls whizzed past me, one slightly older than the other. They wore matching pink silk ribbons in their brown hair. The eldest led the way, bounding onto an escalator. A woman called out as she gave chase and I jumped out of her way, the two white shopping bags in her arms almost clobbering me. Others on the escalator moved aside as she ran to catch them up.

Shopping malls. They were a minefield.

Not to mention busy. Families everywhere, and couples strolled hand-in-hand.

“Where would you like to go first?” Silvie asked as I came in beside her.

“I thought you said donuts?” The display of pink, yellow and blue-iced round donuts from behind the glass counter’s front cabinet had my mouth watering. “I missed breakfast, and is that hot chocolate?” I licked my lips.

“It is. Do you want extra marshmallows?”

“Double. Or triple. I don’t mind just a lit-tle hot chocolate with my marshmallows.”

“Gotcha.” Her curls bounced as she leaned over the counter to place the order.

Silas eased in closer to me, his fingers warm against my elbow as he cupped it. He bent his head, his lips almost on mine, when he stopped with a growl. “Damn, that’s frustrating.”

Was it ever.

“Here we go.”

I snapped to attention as Silvie turned and passed me a donut and a cup of hot chocolate in a foam cup. “Thanks. Love it.”

She passed Silas a donut and drink, and then grabbed her own.

We walked. Gee, would it really hurt if Silvie knew exactly who I was? Would she keep my secret? Surely Dad would speak to Faith and Kate soon.

“Hey, look at these.” At the front window of a jewelry shop, Silas paused. “These earrings have a tiny glass pyramid with orange sand inside. You know what I’m thinking, H– I mean, Faith?”

“Oh yeah, they’d be perfect for Elizara, as a thank you.”

“Exactly.” Patting his pocket, Silas headed inside.

“Who’s Elizara?”

“Um... I met her a couple of days ago. She’s been extremely helpful.”

“You mean in Dralion? You met her there?”

Shoving the donut into my mouth, I mumbled a no.

“Where and how was she helpful then?”

“Ah–” I jammed the rest of the donut into my mouth.

“Something is up with you today.” Silvie crossed her arms and tapped her fingers along them.

“Uh-huh, I need clothes.” I linked my arm through hers and whisked her to the next shop, leaving Silas to buy the earrings.

Keeping her busy without time to question me was a mission. I buzzed around several stores, trying on jeans, shirts and blouses of every style and color. We bought shoes, jackets, sweatshirts and summer dresses for the warm nights to come.

Silas’s arms overflowed with packages. “I’ll zap these bags home and we’ll stop for lunch across the way. You two good with that?”

“Yes.” I rubbed my belly. “Shopping’s exhausting. I definitely need food.”

“We’ll see you there.” Silvie nodded to him. “Come on, you.” She led me toward the cafe.

We sat opposite each over at a corner table in the rear. I moved the center posy of flowers to one side. As her brother’s mate, surely she’d keep my secret because he did. It still niggled at me she didn’t know.

“There’s something I want to tell you, but you have to keep it to yourself.” I spread a napkin over my lap, crinkling the edges.

“Hello, eighteen years and I didn’t whisper a word of Peacio to you. I think I’ve proven my worth.” She angled her head. “I can’t believe you even asked that. Spill.”

“Okay, but I can’t tell you until Silas gets here. He’s part of the secret.”