Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“On my way.” I let out a slow breath as I eased back and stood. If I dallied, it would slow my day. And taking me home wasn’t Silas’s favorite thing to do. He generally grumbled and would no doubt raise the issue of Maslin again.

Having snuck to the door, I turned the knob, and then slid through the small gap. Faith was there wearing navy three-quarter Nike pants and a blue sports top with white stripes down the sides. Like me, her hair was drawn into a ponytail.

She held a finger to her lips. “Should I use the image of the stables you’ve already given me?”

“Yes, Goldie’s usually there at daybreak. That’d be perfect.” My mind-merge slipped from Silas’s as we tiptoed further away. I rubbed my head.

Faith’s brow shot upward. “Forewarning. He’s about to wake.” She ’ported us.

As we flashed in at the station, the sunshine near blinded me. Another scorcher of a day awaited.

“Whoa, it’s hot.” Faith darted a look about. “Where’s the grass?”

“We don’t have much here, but the lower fields along the river where we graze the cattle are green. Let me give you the image.” I pulled it up.

“Oh.” Her violet eyes brightened. “That’s so much better.” Turning to face the homestead on the hill, she lifted a hand to her brow. “Nice digs. Which room is yours?”

I gave her the visual, and then one of the room next to mine. “If you want to stay, this one is yours. It leads onto the same balcony as mine.” It was almost a mirror image.

“Fabulous. I love the New Zealand rimu by the way. It’ll feel like home away from home. Except that I’m collecting a few of those. I have a room in Dralion, one near school, and now there’s Davio’s. Sometimes I don’t know where I’m sleeping.”

“Well, if you don’t know what you’re wearing either then just raid my wardrobe or Goldie’s. We’re the same size.”

“Thanks.” She nudged my shoulder with hers. “If you’re here, then I’ll stay. I want to know my sister. We have eighteen years to catch up on.”

I couldn’t hold back from giving her a hug. She smelt like fresh air and violets, and she squeezed me in return.

“Hell, where are you, Hope? I wake up and you’re gone.”

“Good morning, Mr. Sleepyhead. I’m with Faith. We’re bonding, so stay away.”

“I’d rather you bond with me.”

“I know you would. Go to work.”

“You’ll return tonight, right?”

“Yes.”

A loud mental sigh. “If you don’t, you’re in trouble.”

I closed the link and smiled. He was so predictable.

I took Faith’s hand and pulled her toward the stables, my favorite place in the world. “Do you like horses?”

One grating cough came from Faith. “I’ve never ridden a horse in my life.”

“What? You’re missing out on so much.”

“I’m not a horsey person, but Mum is. Don’t forget I can zip-zap here and there, which means I’m going with teleportation over a sore butt in the saddle any day.”

“Hope, is that you?” Goldie’s voice traveled from the interior of the stables. “Maslin’s looking for you.”

I skipped through the wide open doors. Goldie was halfway up the stack of hay bales on one side. It was a small supply, just for the stalls, but quite high. She reached for the top bale, grabbed it by the ties and tossed it. It rolled and bounced to the ground, kicking up a plume of dust as it came to a stop in the center of the room.

“Goldie.” I coughed and wet my lips as a surge of thirst hit me. “I brought Faith with me. My sister.”

“You brought–” She pivoted, clapping a hand to her mouth, her gaze riveted on Faith. “Oh my. You brought–” She dropped to her butt, and then bumped from one baled platform to the next and landed with a jolt and “oomph” on the last level. On her feet, she engulfed Faith in her arms. “Welcome to the family.”

The blood-bond would surge between them, and the familial Wincrest ties would bind strongly.

Faith held onto Goldie, her shoulders shaking. “I don’t know what to say. I have an aunt.”

Goldie hugged her hard then pulled back. “If you’re feeling overwhelmed, so am I.”

“Who’s–” Maslin halted in the doorway, his gaze darting from Faith to me. “Wow.” He removed his Stetson and thumped it against his legs. “Well, I never…so alike.”

“Maslin, come meet my sister.” I waved him forward then rubbed at my throat. I was parched.

He extended his hand to Faith and she shook it. “Nice to meet the mysterious Faith Wincrest.”

“Mysterious no more.” She smiled. “Nice meeting you.”

Maslin glanced at me. “You’ve been waiting for this. How are you feeling?”

“Incredible. Like my heart wants to soar from my chest.” I pressed my closed hand to it, my gaze returning to Faith’s. “Maslin knows all about us and the protectors. He’s also distantly related to you and me through the Sol family line.”

“You mean through Elizara?”

“Yes.” I wet my lips, my thirst having increased. “They’re all part of the same tribe.”

Maslin nodded his head toward Faith. “Elizara will want to meet you. She won’t wish to wait.”