Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

Last time I’d checked in with him, I’d told him they were increasing. “Everyone says they’ve noticed the upward spike.”


“I want to see you before your rising, and it sounds as if you’re close.” He knew I would stay here for it. That was already decided. One needed family, those closest to them to aid in expending the excess energy until the closing moment when the accumulation of skills peaked and one completely collapsed. That draining was intense and took hours to recover from. One was limbless.

“Come see me now.” His tone held longing. “I’ll take you swimming.”

“I’m already swimming.”

“Not with me, you’re not.”

“You are incredibly observant.”

“I swear, Faith’s snarky attitude is rubbing off on you.” The loudest sigh came from him. “I’m exhausted, and I can’t sleep without you.”

My mother picked up my empty water flask. “I’ll fill this up. If you have to go to your mate as Faith does, I understand.”

“Out of there.” Faith tossed me a towel. “I’ve just checked with my forethought, and Davio and Silas appear a pitiful mess. Let’s give them a break.”

“But I need to swim.”

“No problem. I’ll take you to Papamoa beach. The boys can come.” She hugged Mum. “Tell Dad we’ll see him tomorrow.”

I eased out of the pool and wrapped the towel around my waist. Peeking back at the water, I dipped my toe in it.

“No, you don’t.” Faith grabbed me and between one second and the next, we were gone, flashing through the dome room.

We arrived in the warmth of Loveria’s rec room, and ten feet away, Silas and he lay crashed out on two of the white leather couches. Both wore their training leathers and light colored shirts soaked through with sweat. Their swords hung from their limp hands, the pointy tips brushing the thick carpet.

“Did you two kill each other?” Faith stepped toward them.

“You’re back.” Loveria launched to his feet and swung Faith in a circle. “Hey, Silas, you have a visitor.”

“I do?” Silas’s sword clattered to the ground as he rolled off the couch and stared at me. Then he was no longer there. He ’ported the ten feet then wrapped his arms around me like bands of steel. “Are you real?”

Cupping his face in my hands, I grinned. “Kiss me and find out.”

Pushing me against the wall at my back, he did, or devoured was more like it.

I couldn’t think straight, and in that instant I didn’t care. I wanted him and only him.

Oh sweet heaven. More.

“We need privacy.” I clutched his shirtfront, my world spinning. “Bedroom. Now.”

“Whoa.” Faith was there, shoving us apart. “I heard that. Don’t forget your rising is close. That means hormone levels are raging just as strength levels do.” She glared at Silas, and then at me. “You two can’t be allowed this up close and personal. I remember that from my own rising.”

I tried to push her away. “Let go of me. I want him.” The need was strong now he was within my sight.

She tilted her head toward Loveria and he was there. He grabbed Silas from behind and yanked him away.

Silas jerked one arm free. “Davio, she’s been gone for days.”

“I have to keep you two separated. If you give into Hope physically now, it’ll be all the more difficult for her when her rising takes firm hold. You can see she’s close. Distance. You’ve got to have distance.”

I hissed, curling my fingers into my palms and wanting to snag Silas back, but Faith was solidly in front.

“Look at me.” She gripped my shoulders. “I know what you’re feeling. The physical pull toward one’s mate is excruciating if there’s been some time apart, and trust me, you’ve just had that.”

“Right now, I don’t care. What kind of sister are you?”

“One who loves you.”

I froze. “You do?”

“I’ve always wanted a sister. And family. Now, I have all I’ve ever dreamed of.” She wrenched me into her arms. “I’ll even put up with Silas...for you.”

Loveria coughed. “Now, that’s some love.”

“Faith, I didn’t know you were missing from my life until you came into it. I love you too.”

“Good, then believe me when I say I need to get you out of here. Papamoa beach, okay?”

“Yes.”

She glanced at Loveria. “Get changed and we’ll meet you at my favorite spot.” Everything darkened as she ’ported us.

Moonlight glazed over the ocean’s slick, dark surface and my feet sank into the softest white sand. The air was still, the ocean peaceful, like the calm before the storm. The skies above were clear, an inky-black spread with a million twinkling stars.

I walked forward. Oh boy. Water. Lots of water.

“They’re here. Hey, wait up.”

Faith’s words came from afar, and then the pounding of footsteps, but the ocean called to me. Silky smooth, the water rose to my knees, then my waist.

Deeper. I had to go deeper.

“She’s not listening, Silas. Hurry.”

Faith stood in front of me, her hands on my chest as she skidded backward.

What was she doing there? I pushed her away.