Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“Nope. I hear you just fine. My mother’s name is Kate Sol. You know Faith, and I do not. Apparently, I need your help. You must tell me what you know and of my sister’s newfound skill of mind-merge. Leave nothing out.”


“Seriously?” The deepest lines marred his brow. “I don’t agree, and this conversation is going in circles. To release each other, you must accept my words. You may find another man of your own choosing. In fact, I insist.”

He was stubborn, but then so was I. “Nah-ah. You are my country’s enemy, but as my mated one, not mine. Help me with my assigned task, and then I’ll let you go.”

“I would have to be an idiot to do so.”

I slapped his shoulder. “Great. I can live with you being an idiot. It won’t be for long.”

“Why is it Wincrests do not listen? You are as bad as your sister.”

“Oh, now tell me of her.” I clapped. “Everything. Don’t forget her ability of mind-merge.”

“As long as we make this quick, but Alexo Wincrest knows her existence is tied to Davio’s. Twenty-four hours ago we discovered it’s a deadly skill, one which is night-night for her if she’s kept from my cousin for more than three days.”

“Hell. I had no idea. Are you certain it’s deadly? This is the worst news.”

Bracing himself with a hand on the fence rail, he nodded. “We’re certain. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you.”

I stepped closer, the toes of my boots touching his. “Tell me more. Once I know all you do, I can release you from our bond. I wouldn’t ask you to remain mated to me except for this. If my sister has a deadly skill, you mustn’t hold back. I’ve been charged with discovering all I can.”

He grabbed my shoulders and I shivered at the delicious contact. It was expected, even though unwanted. He was my mate, the one my soul was bound to.

“Your sister survived the ordeal by mere minutes upon her return to Davio. She was gone for three days to Dralion and suffered physically while she was away. She must be in the same room as him to mind-merge, and without this connection, her body shut down. I witnessed the deterioration myself.” His blue gaze held mine, his hands warming my skin. “Her lungs filled with blood and she almost bled to death before my eyes. It was a gruesome sight. Once she merged, it took hours for her fast-healing ability to restore her. I would never wish to witness such a thing again.”

“I can’t imagine all you speak of, but I know it’s true. Continue, please.”

“When your sister mind-merges with my cousin, it’s not something she can hold back. Other than this, there’s nothing more I can tell you. You should go to your father for more. He is aware.”

I focused on those words as they left his mouth. Dad would know all of this because of his forethought. His request was not all it seemed. “I need more time to hear what you have to say.”

He stroked to the edges of my shoulders. “No. The mated bond builds fast and we can’t allow that to happen.”

“Hope.”

It was Saunder. I spun around.

Silas withdrew his sword.

“No. He’s just a boy.” I stayed him with a hand on his chest. “Oh.” I flushed. That was one hard chest. Like rock hard.

Saunder bounced out and raced across with a wide grin. “There’s a mare in labor. One of the warriors is with her, but he told me to come and get you.” He glanced at Silas. “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t mean to interrupt, but the mare carries the strongest line.”

Silas moved forward. “Hope is busy with me at present. You’ll need to excuse her.”

Yes, I had to focus on getting Silas to stay with me, or at least, not to leave me yet. I needed whatever information he held. I met Saunder’s gaze. “I can’t come right now, although I wish I could. Could you grab one of your uncles for me?”

“Sure thing.”

“Great.” I turned him by the shoulders and nudged him toward the stables. “Go now.”

He hurried away.

Taking Silas’s hand, I pulled him along the side of the building. We needed somewhere quiet to speak. I hadn’t noticed at first glance he was a protector, but the warriors about likely would.

“Where are we going?”

I pointed to the sprawling earth-toned, brick homestead on the hill. It was a magnificent structure, one of Earth’s designs with three floors and a wide wraparound porch. Darkened glass kept the harshest of the sun’s rays at bay. “See the corner balcony on the top floor? That’s my room. Can you zap us there?”

“Whoa, your bedroom?”

I patted his chest. “Ah, yes.” Oh boy, such hard flesh he had there. “There’ll be no distractions.”

“No distractions in a bedroom?” He groaned. “Perhaps I do have idiot stamped across my forehead?”

“No.” I smiled. “But that can be arranged if you’d like.”

Rolling his eyes, he grasped my arms. “We keep our distance. This is going to be one fast conversation then I leave.”

Everything darkened as he jumped through space, and a second later, we stood on the balcony outside my room. He reached for the glass door and slid it open.