Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“I’m so sorry. When did you two–”

“The day before you did. It was Hope on the horse. We swapped places.”

“Oh.” Her eyes alighted on me then misted. “That’s when I felt complete, like a part of me was back.” She reached out and caught me to her, her tears falling. “The time of your birth is a blur because of the meds I was on. Then Alexo was gone and no one could find him. I was depressed for so long, and the pain in my soul was almost too much to bear. I remember a detective who came. He said something like what the doctor had, about a child’s body being missing. I just couldn’t listen. I at least had Faith, and I never let her go. She’s what kept me sane in those days.”

Dad edged closer, tightening our bound circle as he wrapped his arms around us all. “We are a family now. That’s all that matters.”

Faith rubbed her cheek against mine, wet from her tears, or were they mine? I wasn’t sure. We all cried.





Chapter 12




“This area surprised me when I first saw it.” Mum sat at the side of the indoor palace pool in black cotton pants rolled to her knees, swishing her feet through the clear water. Her gaze remained solidly on mine, where I treaded in the deep. She’d barely let me out of her sight in the days since the cliff.

“Donaldo likes the conveniences of Earth.” The pool was three lanes wide and seventy-five feet long, a luxury he’d had installed on the ground floor some years ago. “With my water skill, I’m rather grateful now.”

Faith splashed in from finishing a lap and heaved herself in beside Mum at the edge of the pool. Water sluiced down her red one-piece swimsuit as she grabbed in air. “I’m exhausted.”

“You look like a drowned rat.” Mum grinned at her then returned her gaze to me. “But you, honey, look as fresh as a daisy, no matter that you’ve been in the water for hours on end. I wonder if you’re close to your rising. You have so much energy. It’s almost boundless.”

Faith propped her hands behind her as she leaned back. “I loved having three-times the energy. What a hit that was.” She eyed me. “And Mum’s right. We can’t get you out of the water.”

I kicked away on my back, scooping water at my sides. “I’m not coming out now either.”

Standing, she snatched a fluffy white towel from the wooden slatted bench and wrapped it around her waist. “Where’d Dad go?”

“To a debriefing with the leading eight. Killian collected him and said to say hi to you.”

She sagged over. “Please tell me you’re lying. I wish he’d wear a shirt. Have you seen the fire-breathing dragon tattoos he has all over his chest and arms? And what’s with that metal mallet he’s always holding? It looks like something right out of a Thor movie. And the blood. Ew. I swear all I can smell on him is blood.”

“I think he likes you.” Mum laughed as Faith pinched her nose and did a dramatic roll of her eyes.

“What’s wrong with Killian?” I asked her. “He’s quite the catch. He commands one of his own fighting teams.”

“Hello. Taken.” Still rolling her eyes.

I chuckled. “Right. Maybe we should hook Goldie up on a date with–”

“Oh, that reminds me.” Mum jumped to her feet. “When do I get to meet Goldie?”

Faith rubbed her temple and squished up her nose. She appeared in pain. “Ask Dad. He can have her here in a jiffy, if you want.”

“Are you all right?” Mum tipped up her chin and looked in her eyes. “You need to mind-merge, don’t you?”

“How’d ya guess?” Faith glanced at me. “What about you? You merged with nuisance?”

“I am. He wouldn’t stop complaining in my head, so I merged instead.” A spurt of energy thrummed through my veins. “Hold on. Gotta swim for a bit.”

Kicking out, I powered through the water. I missed Silas. So badly.

Releasing the merge, I freed our link. “Hey.”

“About damn time.” His voice bounded through. “I’ve been wanting to speak to you for hours.”

“I’m swimming.”

“Hope, I need to see you. It’s been days.”

“I’ve been getting to know my mum.”

“You know I understand, but it’s late. That means bedtime. My bed.”

I was parched and swam to the side of the pool to grab my water flask. I guzzled half the bottle down.

“You’re not answering me.”

“Just drinking. I’ve missed you too, but I can’t be everywhere.” I dunked my head under the water and came up again. “Oooh. My hair is dripping down my back and it feels so good.”

“Do I need to buy a water bed to entice you home?”

I laughed, and then promptly stopped. “Oh my. Is that even possible? I’m definitely coming if it is.”

“I should be able to pick one up from somewhere on Earth. How are your energy levels?”