Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

Glorious water swirled over my shoulders, skimmed my chin. Ahh, perfect.


“Wait up.”

Someone lifted me off my feet, and I blinked. Oooh, Silas wrapped his arms around me.

Oh yeah, he had no shirt on.

I licked my lips and stared at his muscled chest. “You took too long.”

“It was bare seconds. I had to change for a swim.”

Seawater glistened on his skin, the most gorgeous sight. I tickled my fingers across his flesh, only, my vision wavered.

Water all around... I needed him. No, I needed it.

“Hope?” He clicked his fingers in front of my face. “Her eyes are glazed, like she’s in a trance.” Silas spoke to someone over my shoulder, only, the gentle slapping of the water against my back seduced me. Like an invisible hand which caressed, water swept around my legs, tugging at me as if to come, to play.

“I want to go, Silas.” I focused on my skin, on the essence I needed to coat it to prepare for the cold.

The gel gathered and I slid free of him.

I was away.

Power thrummed through my limbs, a strength three-times greater than ever before as I kicked and moved beneath the water’s surface. Like a seal, I glided out into the depths.

Air.

I slowed and held my position, thinking only of what I needed, and with a flick of my fingers in front of my face, separated the hydrogen and pushed it outward, away from the oxygen. I pressed my nose into the protected bubble of air and breathed, moving with it as it rose. Purrr-fect.

“Where are you? Are you breathing underwater?”

Silas’s demanding questions echoed inside my head.

“Damn it. You’re freaking me out. The water’s pitch black and I can’t see you.”

I moved through the dark, a few feet below the surface as I continued out to sea. Deeper. Ever deeper.

“Answer me.”

I stopped, but only to draw in more air. I couldn’t have him halt me.

Away again. Further still.

“I need to hear your voice.” His abrupt tone sizzled along my senses as a slick-skinned dolphin drew beside me.

With a smile, I smoothed its silvery-blue flesh with a hand.

“Hope, it’s Faith. Silas is going crazy here, and ordinarily that wouldn’t upset me, except his worry is over you. I can’t see you with my forethought.”

Hmm. No, she wouldn’t. I was under the surface, in the dark. “I’m fine.”

“No, you need those closest to you. Your rising has begun.”

“I know. I like it, and I’m not telling you where I am unless you promise not to take me from the water. I gotta stay.”

“Of course you do. Give me some direction. We’re organizing a boat. There’s a Surf Club and Davio’s borrowing one of the inflatables. Well, stealing it really, but let’s not get into technicalities. We’ll head out and motor beside you in the water.”

The dolphin circled me as I came to the surface and treaded water. “I’m west of the Surf Club. I’ll be the one swimming with the dolphin.”

Slick nose butting my arm, the dolphin pressed me to play. I laughed and curled my hand around his fin.

Oh, this was wonderful. The ocean was alive, and the water was mine.

“We’ll bring the boat to you. Stay still.”

“Not a chance.”

Holding onto the dolphin, I clicked my tongue. “Take me for a ride.”

With a flick of his tail, he obeyed, skimming the glassy surface and making a high-pitched squeal. I giggled as water flew into my face. Such a rush. It was a moment I wished would never end. Only, the inflatable was close, its engine roaring as it sped toward me. Seated at the rear, Loveria worked the motor control, and Silas and Faith were at the front searching ahead.

The dolphin dived and I let go and waved out to them.

Loveria slowed the craft and brought it in beside me. “Heck, you can swim fast.”

“It’s my rising.”

“Rising or not, you shouldn’t have run,” Silas growled as he leaned over the side.

“Officially I swam. I can’t believe you stole a boat, and what’s with the wetsuits?” They all wore the Surf Club’s black and red gear with the lifesaving logo emblazoned across the front.

“We didn’t have a choice. You’re in the deep and we don’t produce the gel.”

“Unbelievably deep.” Faith scrambled across Silas to reach me.

I grinned at her. “I can’t believe my rising is finally here.”

“It is, and we’re here for you. I can come in. Do you want me to get Dad first? Or Goldie?” This was a time to celebrate, to have my closest near. Except, with Silas on the scene, not to mention Loveria, having Dad or Goldie in the inflatable begged trouble.

“No, you better not get either. I’ll have to do this without them.”

Her gaze flickered with understanding. “What about Elizara? Or Maslin? They have the water skill and I know they’d come.”

“Oh, that’ll work. Yes, get them.” The ocean rocked me in its watery arms and I longed to slip below the surface. “I’ll be back in a–”