Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

I nabbed two violet stretch t-shirts and handed one to her.

“Silvie’s flicking him in the leg now, telling him to hurry and wake up. She’s getting impatient. His chest wound is healing, though. I can see the pink line and it’s getting fainter. You ready to go?”

“Yep.” I straightened the hem. “Don’t dally. I’ve gotta show him who’s boss.”

“Good. Hold tight.”

Everything darkened and my heartbeat raced as we arrived in Silas’s room. His thick beige curtains were drawn against the dark and the bedside light was on. He lay still, his wetsuit rolled to his waist, the slash across his chest healing, as Faith had said.

“There you two are.” Silvie motioned me closer. “Come talk to him. Do something. He’ll respond to your voice for sure.”

I crossed and took her spot as she moved away. “Hey, wake up. Enough of this lying around.” I merged my mind with his, sinking into my soul-blending spot.

He didn’t answer, or even move.

“I’m awake. Why aren’t you?” I picked up his hand and glanced at Faith.

“Keep trying. He’s just napping, the lazy sod.”

I cupped his stubbly jaw and leaned in. “If now isn’t a good time for you, I could come back later. I’ll have worked up a little more steam by then.”

He moaned and his fingers tightened around mine. “You were down so deep.”

“There were extenuating circumstances. What were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t. I was an idiot for going after Sol when I should have been watching you.” He lifted his eyelids, then blinked. A tear escaped from the corners of his eyes as he focused on me. “I thought I was too late. You were so limp in the water.”

“Nah-ah, I’ve been known to return from the dead, and I certainly would have come back to haunt you.”

“Not funny. Let’s forget the handcuffs. I’m going to lock you up in the cells so no harm can ever come to you.” He tried to sit, but groaned and slumped into his pillows.

“You could try.” I nipped his nose. “Although in your current state, I doubt you’ll be successful.”

“If there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“Then you’ll need a lot of will, because my way is the way. Officially, I’m now the boss.”

“You’re fully healed?” His gaze traveled over me, inspecting all he saw.

“I’m fine, but in the future, no fighting with Maslin. He said it won’t happen again from his side, and I want your promise on that too.”

“Your safety is all that matters. I give you my promise, and I’ll apologize to him when I see him.”

“That’s one very agreeable mood you’re in right now.”

“I shouldn’t have fought with Maslin. My jealousy almost got you killed, and it’ll never happen again. Whatever you ask, I’ll do.”

“Now, that sounds better.”

Loveria coughed. “Ah, if you two are about to make up, then we’re out of here.” He wrapped an arm around Faith’s waist.

She sighed. “I’m not sure we should leave them alone. You heard. An agreeable mood.”

“Ha,” Silvie snorted. “Well, I’m not agreeable. I want to go and talk to this Maslin Sol and hear his promise to not fight with my own ears.” She snagged Faith’s hand. “Take me to see him, please. Now.”

“Nope.” Faith shook her head. “I know you too well. You’ll hurt him yourself.”

“So? He’s a warrior. He can handle a little pain.”

“It’s still a no.”

“That’s so unfair.” She trudged to the door. “I’m not going to forget this. I’m not making you rocky-road again.”

“Oooh, hold on. Now for rocky-road, I might take you.” Faith skipped after her. “I mean it. Make me a huge slab and we have a deal. I’ll find a way to protect Maslin from you.”

Loveria chuckled and gave Silas a thumbs-up as he followed the girls. “Take the rest of the day off. You’ve still got some serious groveling to do.” With a silly grin, he shut the door as he left.

“Come here.” Silas tugged on my hand and pulled me against him. “Do you forgive me?”

“Maybe. Serious groveling, remember?” I rested my head on his shoulder and cuddled in. I was so tired. “What a day. I’m glad it’s over.”

Here with him was where I longed to be. Nowhere else. He was my home, just as Dralion and the wide-open plains of the outback were.

“Faith and I are going to work on a plan to bring about peace.”

“That’s a tough one, but I’ll do what I can to help.” He stroked the nape of my neck. “As long as we’re together, that’s what counts.”

I edged up and looked him in the eyes. “Thank you for saving me.” Undeniably he had.