Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“Yes. I was with Donaldo when my forewarning activated. I shared the news of your water skill with him. He’s asked for your return, for you to meet him in his quarters. Have Goldie bring you. I’ll keep your mother busy while you’re here. I can’t risk a chance meeting.”


“Gotcha.” I closed the link and jumped about. I was going home, for the first time in weeks. “Donaldo wants to see what I can do. His quarters, though.”

“Of course he would. Now block your nose. I know how much you hate the stink of the dome room.” Goldie grasped my hand.

She always warned me. The dungeon-like room was located deep within the lower bowels of the palace.

“Maslin,” she called to him. “Donaldo’s asked to see Hope. We’ll catch you later.”

“Later.” He sent a returning wave.

Goldie flashed us away, and I braced for the smell and pinched my nose tighter as we arrived in the dome room. No doors here, just four gloomy walls of gray-black bricks with slabs of floor-stones in a dull gray-green. I skidded on the slimy floor, as always covered in moist layers of sticky mildewed moss. It was a wretched place, but then that was necessary, because our enemy would never guess this would be the image needed to successfully ’port through to reach us.

Taking care with my step, I headed to the central well. This well led to the energy source Guy’s grandfather, Gilles Moyer, had first linked his enchantment to forty years ago. This was the spot where he had brought the energy field to life.

My chest tightened as I thought of Guy’s father and our other captured warriors. They never left my mind for long.

Goldie tugged me away. “Donaldo will be waiting.”

I held onto her tight as she ’ported us, focusing only on what was ahead. We reappeared in the foyer leading to Donaldo’s study. Here the ceiling was twelve feet high, with ornate plaster work surrounding a magnificent chandelier dripping in crystal. A dozen high-backed chairs covered in black silk lined the walls. I’d scrambled over those chairs many times as a child. I was home.

A maid stepped forward and bobbed her head. “Miladies, you have perfect timing. Donaldo awaits.” She turned and opened one of the two oak paneled doors.

“Goldwyn. Hope.” Donaldo’s booming voice traveled to us, and we hurried. “I haven’t seen my daughter or granddaughter in too long.”

“Father.” Goldie sped up as Donaldo stood.

He tossed the papers he held onto his solid desk then came around and embraced her in a firm forearm hold. Gold insignia rings on his thumbs glinted in the sunshine beaming through the large square windows to the side. Through the panes of glass was the most glorious sight. Black granite cliffs, an impenetrable structure never more obvious than from this high vantage point on the fourth floor, stood like a sentinel. Beyond was the deep blue of The Great Orbiting Ocean. Throughout my childhood, I’d been fascinated by the natural wonder, and to this day still was.

“Hope.” My grandfather embraced me.

“Granddad, you look good.” He wore an impeccably pressed blue-collared shirt with silver chains looped from his shoulder to his top pocket. His long legs were encased in tough black leather pants.

Swiping a hand over his full, dark beard, he eyed me. “As do you. Tell me of this rare Sol ability you have with water. I understand what Maslin can do, but Alexo tells me yours is at full strength. Showing me would be even better.”

It was Donaldo’s way to get straight to business. He ran a nation, and did it with precision.

I glanced at the long glass vase atop his side cabinet holding one white lily. Lifting my hand, I focused my mind on it. “I can manipulate water as Dad said.” Swirling the water within, the vase moved with a gentle rattle, rocking on the polished wooden surface.

With more strength behind my thoughts, I increased the water’s momentum until the vase jiggled and tipped.

As it fell, I swept the water upward but still within the vase. I used the liquid to lift the glass from within and hold it upright. It required pressure to keep it there, but with a single thought it was done.

Goldie clapped as I levitated the water within the upside-down vase. “The law of physics no longer comes into play around you.”

“Incredible. I mean it.” Donaldo grinned as he stepped around the floating vessel. His violet eyes glinted. “And what of Alexo saying you moved a massive quantity of water from the river and dumped it into one of the watering holes, filling it to capacity?”

“I did. I wish you could have seen it.”

“Then show me now.” He caught Goldie and me by the arm. “We have an ocean of water right on hand. Let’s go.”

Donaldo ’ported us to within thirty feet of the ledge. No. The vase of water I’d left behind would have fallen to smash on his study room floor. “Ah–”

“No.” He took my shoulders and gave me a nudge toward the ledge.

I should have guessed he’d do this.