Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

As we ate, the wood sizzled and burned in the fire, orange and yellow flames flickering bright. A small drifting of woodsy smoke rose to permeate the air. Loveria kept Faith close at his side, maintaining their skin-to-skin contact as she needed to ensure their blood didn’t war, yet Loveria still sat five strides from me, keeping his distance which was what I needed.

He was being compassionate and kind, and as long as he continued to care for my sister, I could get along with him. He was making an effort, and so would I.

“What are you thinking?” Silas touched his palm to my cheek then rubbed his fingers gently back and forth until I turned to face him. “You were away somewhere.”

“I-I’m beginning to accept what is.”

“And...”

“That my blood wars with Loveria’s, but I’ll deal with it.” I glanced again at Peacio’s prince. His gaze on my sister was faithful. Constant and committed. It made my stomach churn a little, but I’d get over it.

Faith and I were both mated to Peacians, something I couldn’t deny. And for us to have a future, we’d have to consider ways to bring peace between our two nations. How that would happen, I had no idea, but I’d give it a go.

“We’ll all deal with it. Together.” Silas pulled a packet of marshmallows from the basket along with a metal skewer. Onto the tip, he threaded marshmallows and set it to toast over the fire. The moment they were gooey, he slid them between two chocolate cookies and squished them together. “Want a bite?”

“Yes.” I snuck it from his hands, only, it was quickly plucked from mine. “Hey.” I swiveled around and gaped at Faith.

“Thank you.” With a crafty tilt to her eyebrow, she gobbled it down. “Oh yee-ah.”

“You little thief.”

“Yep, but a content one.” She rolled onto her back and kicked up her feet, doing a happy-dance with them.

“Here.” Silas passed me another newly made one, and before someone else could steal it, I squeezed the marshmallow until it oozed out with chocolate then took a big bite. I fell back. “Oh boy.”

“Can I have another, Silas?” Faith dropped her hand across my chest to reach for one.

“Since you brought the goods, yes.”

Giggling, she snatched what he passed her and clunked her cookie against mine. “To some-mores.”

“Some-mores?”

“Here we call these some-mores. Don’t you want some more?”

I laughed. “I get it, and yes I do.”

Silas passed me another, and I ate two at one time. I patted my belly when I was done. “I love your beach.”

“Me too.”

Loveria tossed more driftwood onto the fire. He stoked it and it burned higher. Looking satisfied, he then came around and sat on the other side of Faith. He took her hand and rolled her into his side. The two of them quietly spoke.

Silas threaded his fingers through mine, and tugged me to face him. “You doing okay?”

“More than okay.” I leaned into his ear. “Meeting her feels unreal. I can’t lose her. Not now I finally know her.”

“It’s real.”

“No, I mean I don’t want to wake in the morning and find out this has all been a dream. Or for someone to take her away from me.”

“I get it.” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “She spends a lot of nights at the castle. Davio’s rooms are two floors above ours.”

“Ours?” I smiled. “You’re calling your room ours?”

“Your place is with me.” Another kiss, this one on the tip of my nose.

“Half the time.”

“I would take more if you gave it.”

“You can’t have it.”

“Please.” His lips brushed mine.

“Silas.”

He stole in and nibbled at my neck. “You taste delicious.”

“What am I going to do with you?” I cupped his face and returned his gaze to mine.

“Whatever you wish. Right now, I’m having the most sinful thoughts.”

Goosebumps raced across my flesh. “Maybe you need some time out.”

His gaze heated, exponentially. “I don’t doubt it. Say goodnight to your sister. It’s late and I know how you like to be up at the crack of dawn.”

“I don’t want to say goodnight to her.” I let out a slow breath. “Ask anything else, but that.”

“No, it’s bedtime.” He pinched my butt.

“Ouch. Talk about bossy.”

“Have I mastered it yet?” He pulled me to my feet as he rose.

“Not by a long way.”

“Ha. Now who’s lying?”

I faced Faith, who’d stood as we had. “Apparently, I’ve got a curfew.”

“It’s okay. I’ve gotta be up early in the morning too. We’ll catch up then.” She hugged me.

“This has been the most amazing day.”

“For me too. Sweet dreams, sis.”

“’Night everyone.” Silas flashed us to his dressing room with no further warning.

I sagged against his dresser. “Where do I find some pajamas?”

“I folded your things into the top three drawers right behind you.”

“Okay, out of here so I can change.”

“You got it. I’ll meet you in bed.” He walked from the room and closed the door quietly behind him.

In the drawers, I found what I was after and pulled out a pair of sleep shorts in cherry red and a white tank top then changed.