Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

On the landside, lights glowed a few hundred feet away in the windows of a restaurant, illuminating diners as they ate. Streetlamps positioned along the driveway of a beachside parking lot showed a square of grass and several deserted picnic tables.

“This place is beautiful.” I scooped a handful of sand and opened my fingers, letting the fine white grains slip through. Dralion’s beaches were predominantly black and the sand always so hot. “Thank you for bringing me. I can’t believe I’ve finally met you...my sister.”

She pulled me into her arms. “It’s always been just Mum and me. Now I have a father, a grandfather and all of a sudden, you.”

“Wait until you meet Goldie. She’s only a year older than us. Did you ever wonder if there were others?”

“Mum never spoke of Dad over the years, and I never asked. On top of that, I had no grandparents or cousins or other family. I’ve always longed for a sister, which is why Silvie and I have always been close, but no, I never wondered about others. I could never have guessed what’s happened in a million years.”

“Dad stayed away to protect her.”

“I know, and I can’t fault him for his decision. But, if he turns up now, he’s gonna be in a heck of a lot of trouble.” She looked skyward and glared. “You hear that, Dad? Trouble, and a lot of it. So, if you don’t mind, get cracking on telling Mum I have a sister, or else.”

“You know he does what he wants. Or should I say, what he believes is best.”

“Oh, this is in his best interests. He better believe that.”

I grinned, stretching my hands to my knees then played my fingers in the surf, which rolled in. “Tell me all about you?” I wanted to know it all, and this was the perfect spot. “Silas said you’re studying at high school.”

“Exams are in a few months, although I’ve struggled to focus these past weeks with all that’s gone on. What about you? What’s in Australia?”

Well, that wasn’t enough. Still, she was clearly as eager to hear about me as I was to hear about her. “I’m in the outback, at a place called Wincrest Station. Oh, you have forethought. Take the image from my mind. It’s of the stables.” I flicked it up.

“Oh yeah, I love this part about my skill.” Her brow creased as she concentrated. “I see horses and a corral.”

“There’re two-hundred breeding mares. We rear stock for Dralion, grazing thirty-five thousand head of cattle. I spend half my time there, as does Goldie. She and I were raised together.” The incoming tide splashed over my legs all the way to my waist.

“It’s chilly now.” Faith jumped out of the water and rubbed her arms.

Joining her, I swept my hands down her body, sending the water away.

“Did you just– Gee, that’s incredible.” She patted her hands over her blouse and skirt. “The fabric’s dry.”

“It’s part of my skill.” I dried myself next.

“Wow.” She reached out and straightened my hair. “I love your skill. How cool.”

I laughed and fixed her hair.

“Hope. You there?”

I darted a look toward the sand dunes. Silas stood at the top of the bank, a hand to his brow as he peered through the dark.

“There they are.” Loveria slapped his shoulder as he jerked his head toward us.

“Don’t you dare move, Hope,” Silas demanded.

With super speed Silas blinked in front of me, so fast the rush of wind rocked me on my feet. “Hey, long time no see.”

Faith planted her hands on her hips. “For goodness sake. What is it with these Peacian men?” She let out the loudest sigh. “Me. Woman. Must. Have.”

I knocked my shoulder against hers with a giggle. “Surely you were warned about the males within the bond.”

“Not nearly enough.” She screwed up her face.

Loveria flashed in and caught her against him. “Let’s you and me talk. Privately.” He tugged her five strides away.

I went to reach for her, but Silas held me at bay. “No, remember Faith will have mind-merged with him and once they’re touching skin-to-skin, they’re fine. You though, I don’t need getting angry.” Silas stroked my back. “You didn’t have to run. I would have understood if you’d wanted time with her.”

Merging, I sank into my spot because it was hard not to when he stood this close. “I don’t need your permission to do every little thing.”

With a grin, he bent his head and pressed his lips to mine. “I know, but it’d be nice if you did.”

I clutched his shirtfront, a very wet one. “My wave of water didn’t stop you for long.”

“The only reason we searched here, is because it’s one of Faith’s favorite haunts.”

“Let me dry you.” Sweeping my hands down his body, I pushed the liquid away.

“Whoa, that’s clever.”

“It’s part of my skill.” I smoothed my palm over his cheek. “Won’t your sister be mad at you for leaving after she prepared such a lovely meal?”

“You left first.”

“Don’t put this back on me.” Ah, but he did have a point.