Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

“I’d love some.”


He signaled to Loveria at the rear of the inflatable to guide the boat closer to me then leaned over the side with a bottle. “It’s been six hours.”

“That long already?” I guzzled down the precious liquid and tossed him the empty.

Faith nudged in beside Silas. “How are you feeling?”

“Fantastic.” I did a tumble-turn in the water, knocking into Maslin, who plucked me upright.

His eyes were bright, his enjoyment as great as mine. “This is our playground, but you must be getting near the end. Stay close.”

“Yeah, but not too close,” Silas grumbled as he jerked on the long sleeves of his wetsuit. “I’m coming in for a bit. I’ve had enough of sitting like a duck.”

I held up a hand. “It’s all right. I know at the end I’ll lose all strength. I’ll take care.” I faced Maslin. “Ready for another swim?”

He leaned in and kissed the tip of my nose. “Always.”

I gasped. Oh no, he hadn’t just done that. Not in front of Silas.

With one almighty splash, a wave of water hit me in the face. When I opened my eyes, Maslin was gone and Silas was nowhere on the boat.

“Silas took him straight down!” Faith screamed and pointed, almost toppling her and Loveria out of the boat. “Go and get him. Silas is acting all kinds of crazy right now.”

Chills raced down my spine, and my legs went rubbery. “Gotcha.” I tried to dive, but numbness invaded my limbs.

Ah, that wasn’t good.

My lower body became a dead weight and dragged.

I went down, like an anchor thrown from the boat.

Yeah, more than not good.

The shadowy depths of the water swirled over me. No, I wasn’t ready for my rising to finish. Focus. You’re going down. Create some air. You’re going to have to grab it on the move.

Damn. My arms were floppy.

I tried twice to flick my fingers in front of my face and barely managed it. On the third attempt, I finally succeeded and poked my nose into a bubble as I sank past it.

I was descending fast. So deep.

My head swam. Silas.

Throwing open our connection, I called to him. “You have to come get me. My rising is done and I’m sinking.”

“What? No! Where?”

“I’m already well below the surface and falling fast. Can you freedive forty or fifty feet? I think that’s about where I am.”

“I’ll do whatever’s necessary. I can ’port in spurts.”

And I needed oxygen. I created another bubble, getting the distance close as I sank past and managed a half breath before it floated away beyond my reach.

“I’m coming in a direct line down.”

Forming another bubble, I snatched what I could.

“Make it fast. I’ll be the one sinking.”

“Not for long.” His tone held a deadly bite. “Where are you?” Something brushed against my back but it wasn’t him.

“I’m deep. I can’t slow my descent.” I struggled, fighting to move, but my limbs were useless. Focus. I had to make another bubble. I did, getting a pitiful amount of air.

“I’m coming, love.”

My lungs burned. “Silas?”

“Stay with me.” His words echoed in my head.

“I’m not making enough–” I coughed, expelling the precious air I’d drawn in.

My vision swam, and I caught a flash of black and red, and then nothing.





Chapter 13




My head exploded with pain. My chest throbbed as if someone sat on it.

I was tossed around as voices echoed all around.

“Carver’s not getting her back.”

Was that Maslin?

A scream shattered the air and my heart lurched within my chest.

“Get off Silas, Maslin.” The boat rocked underneath me, or at least I’m sure it was the boat. “There’s so much blood, Davio. Is Silas breathing?”

Faith was yelling, and why would Silas not be breathing? And what blood?

“Silas is unconscious, and the wound is deep.” Loveria for sure. “I’ll take him to the healers. Look after your sister.”

“Carver came after me first.” Maslin again, puffing with sharp breaths. “I had to defend myself.”

I tried to move. Silas needed me, only, I couldn’t.

The voices drifted.

The dark embraced me.



“Goldie, her lungs had to be near to bursting, but she’s healing. Davio said so is Silas. I can’t believe he and Maslin fought with their daggers on the boat.”

I tried to push my eyelids up as my sister’s voice washed over me.

“They’ll both be fine, Faith. Your forewarning would’ve activated otherwise, and let’s not forget Maslin had to defend himself. He is a warrior first and foremost.”

Striving for the surface, I moaned deep in my throat.

“That’s it. Open your eyes, sis.”