Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

He huffed, continuing to squish us. “I can hear you both.”


Faith nodded at me. “We could ignore him and just go with my plan. That would work.”

“I’m still listening,” he growled.

“I will if you will,” I added, going for it.

“No one’s will but mine will be obeyed.” He released us and paced the room. “I don’t know what to do. Every time I run a scenario, my forewarning blares with the same problem. Kate finds out she had a child she’s never met, and no matter that you died, Hope, she sees her actions as no different than her own mother’s. It destroys her to know she gave her own child away and never acknowledged you. Not even to Faith. She didn’t grieve. She blocked you from her mind, which includes your birth, your death. It all.”

“I didn’t die.”

“It doesn’t matter. After she finds she struck you from her heart, it tears her apart. I can’t see that happen.”

“I want to meet my mother. Even under the ruse of acting as Faith. What about that scenario?”

He halted his pacing and tapped one foot on the polished wooden flooring. “I’ve never thought to work that angle.”

“We should.” Faith closed her eyes. “Found her. She’s outside with Jilly. She looks like she’s about to go riding.”

Dad crossed to the glass doors overlooking the balcony and peered toward the stables. “Kate and I were about to head out when I had forewarning about you two. She enjoys riding.”

Faith gripped my arm. “Good. So does Hope. She’s going to join Mum and you...as me.” Without warning, everything darkened and Faith and I arrived inside a clean stall, the scent of the hay strong in the air and the ladies’ voices close by. Faith tugged me to my knees behind the half-height door.

Dad flashed in beside us and hunkered down. “I’ll pull you out, Hope, if anything goes wrong.” His whispered warning was clear, as was the grave look on his face. “I will not allow your mother to have a breakdown.”

“Of course you won’t.” Faith peeked over the top of the swing door. “How about you guys just go saddle a thingy and stop over-analyzing everything.”

“A thingy? You mean a horse?”

She gave me a snide look. “Don’t be a smarty pants. A thingy, a horse. Who cares.”

“First–” Dad urged her down. “I cannot believe I’m hiding out like this. Second, you stay here. Hope and I will go.”

He took my hand and flashed us outside. “Wait here.” He strode away and asked the lad who held the reins of the two horses to ready another. “Kate, our daughter is coming along with us.”

Oh my goodness. My heart fluttered within my chest. My mother was maybe ten feet away, a horse the only obstacle between us.

“Don’t be silly. Faith’s not ridden before. She doesn’t care for horses.”

“She’s gotten over it. Rather quickly.”

I looked upward, my heartbeat racing as streaky white clouds hazed the sky. I never wanted to forget this moment.

“Hope, I swear this heart alignment is making me crazy. What are doing, now?”

“I’m in Dralion.”

One loud snort. “I’m buying handcuffs before this day is out.”

“I’m about to meet my mother, but as Faith. A twin-swap thing.”

“Right.” Several seconds of silence passed. “I want to see you the moment you’re free. I’m still in Sunider, but I can return in an instant.”

“I’m so nervous.”

“You can do this.”

His solemn words reassured me, and I closed our link and rolled my shoulders.

“Hey.” Faith’s voice in my head. “Pay attention. She’s coming.”

“Faith? Where are you?” Kate rounded the horse, smoothing over the animal’s sleek rump with a hand.

I stared, and my heart thumped like thunder.

My mother.

Blond streaks shone through her long chestnut-brown hair. Her eyes were the prettiest shade of brown, her skin smooth, just like that of our people.

“Faith.” She snapped her fingers in front of me. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

Her lips moved. Oh boy, my mother spoke to me. For the first time.

I wobbled and she propped a hand under my elbow. “Are you all right?”

“I’m nervous.”

“I’ll be here to help you.” She turned and took the reins from the stable hand as he arrived with my ride. “Hop up, and you’ll be fine. I’ll go slow for you.”

I propped my foot in the shiny silver stirrup and swung up. I could do this.

Dad set an arm around her waist. “Faith will be fine. She’s a fast learner.” His smile was tight. “But not too fast.”

Faith moaned. “You hear that? Not too fast.”

“Let’s go,” Dad called out as he mounted.

I snapped the mare’s reins and followed the gravel drive to the main gates.

“Slow down. And slouch. Some fumbling with those long leather things would be good.”

“They’re called reins, Faith.”