Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

I blinked as the overhead light blazed. Faith and Goldie were perched beside me on the bed. The station. “Why am I not with Silas?” Not that I was happy with him right now. He’d fought, and at a time when I’d needed him most.

Goldie enveloped me in her arms, the scent of horse and hay coming with her. “I can’t have a protector here and this is where Faith brought you. You had me so worried. Boy, I don’t know whether to hug or growl at you.”

“You’re doing both already.”

Faith wiped her cheeks. “It’s my turn to hug and growl.” She wrapped me up tight. “You did it. You’ve gotten through your rising. Silas is still healing though, and I’m under strict orders from Dad to wait here until you wake. He wants to–”

With a swirl of air, he shimmered into the room, and I pushed myself upright. “Hey–”

“Don’t hey me. Your mother is not happy with what I had to report.” He smothered me next. “She’ll be all over you when you come home. That was the warning I had to pass on.”

“I can’t wait,” I said, my voice muffled by his silk shirt.

He glanced at Faith. “Goldie and I have always kept a close eye on her. Although with your forethought, you’re now called to help. As you can see, it’s a never-ending job.”

“I’ll help, but there has to be hazardous pay involved. She’s a lot of hard work.”

“Ha, I’m not that bad.”

Faith swung to look at me. “Oh c’mon, yes you are.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Don’t argue with me.”

“Then take me to Silas so I can argue with him. He’d appreciate it, and I’ve got a lot of arguing to do. He’s truly okay, right?”

“Yes. I would have told you otherwise.” Still dressed in her wetsuit, she pulled me with her off the bed. “Let’s get changed. I’ll gladly take you to him.”

Dad cocked a brow. “I’ll head home and reassure your mother. I’ll see you both as soon as possible. In Dralion.” He shimmered and disappeared.

Goldie grabbed me by the shoulders. “Hold on. Maslin wanted to see you too.” She tapped her head. “I just ’pathed him you were up.”

A knock sounded, and we all turned. Faith crossed to the door and opened it.

Maslin hurried in. “Are you healed?”

“Yes.” Maslin was my friend and always would be. Our lives were intertwined because of our love of this station. He had always stood at my side, never having left when I needed him. “What happened out there? Between you and Silas.”

“It was a tense moment when he brought you to the surface. Once we knew you lived, I told him he wasn’t getting you back. I reacted from my gut, and well, I’m sorry, he attacked and I defended. I realize he’s your mate, and in hindsight, neither of us were likely thinking straight. It won’t happen again. Your safety will always come first.”

I took his hands in mine. “What am I going to do with you?”

He gave me one of his assured grins. “We’re blood-bound. I’ll always be by your side. Tell Carver I apologize for my part in what went down, but more than that, I accept his place in your life. He saved you. That I can never forget.”

Goldie rubbed my arm. “Carver dived deep to get you. I can forgive him his lapse in judgment for what happened afterward since Maslin wasn’t harmed.”

Maslin popped a kiss on my cheek. “I’m truly sorry for my part in it. Make sure you take plenty of time to rest and recover. We have a ton of watering holes to top up once you have. Stay safe.”

“You too. I’ll see you later.”

“Absolutely.” He flashed away.

“That goes for me as well since I imagine you’ll want to be elsewhere. Get lots of rest like Maslin said.” Goldie ’ported as he had.

Faith smiled. “I really like Maslin. In fact I’m even a bit jealous he got to–”

I clapped a hand over her mouth. “Don’t even think of saying it.”

She pried my fingers away. “He got to cut Silas. Lucky dude.”

“Sheesh, you weren’t supposed to say it.” I headed to my dressing room.

“Who knows?” She sighed wistfully as she followed. “Maybe one day I’ll get my chance. I can but dream.”

“What we actually need to do, and not just one day but soon, is work out a plan on how to bring peace between Peacio and Dralion.”

“I’m with you there, sister of mine.” She pulled me into her arms. “Sorry, just needed another hug.”

I squeezed her back. “I love having a sister. Thanks for being there during my rising.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t have been anywhere else, and I’m with you on working out a plan.” She eyed the rack and snagged two pairs of black jeans then tossed me one of them. “We’ll go and see Silas, before he wakes up and comes over here. I need to see you put him in his place.”

“Oh, I’ll be having words with him.” My chest tightened as frustration and worry equally collided. “Is he truly all right?”

“I’ll check again, but I would have had forewarning if not.” She closed her eyes. “Yeah, he’s still out to it. Silvie’s with him though, as well as Davio.”