Warrior (22 page)

“
Did Elizara get a coating on her skin?
”

“
Hmm, in the oasis with the other women, those with the water skill were faster, sleeker and slippery to the touch. They must have. This is their element.
” I grinned, recognizing it was now mine too.

I worked at creating another bubble of air. Rising with it, I drew a breath in then turned cartwheels, playing as the water slid over my insulated skin.

“
Are you still underwater?
”

“
Uh-huh. How long’s it been?
”

“
Too long. Get your feet on dry land.
”

“
It’s been a minute.
”

“
More like five.
”

“
Maybe two.
”

“
Four,
” he grumbled.

I laughed. “
I think I may need an incentive to get out. I like this too much.
”

“
Come to me and I’ll give you that and more.
”

“
I don’t think so. This is heaven.
”

“
Heaven would be you getting out.
”

“
Tell me what you’re up to while I swim.
”

“
Hyperventilating. I have a paper bag shoved under my nose.
”

He so did not. What a liar, and I would have argued, but Dad circled the perimeter of the watery shield, signaling me out.

“
I gotta get out. Dad’s calling.
”

“
So, you’ll go for your father?
”

“
He’s bossier. You haven’t mastered that yet.
” With a chuckle, I closed our link and kicked to the water’s edge. I pressed a fist through and hit air.

Dad grabbed and drew me through.

With a suctioning gurgle, I was out. The surface behind me rippled, and then resettled as I maintained its shape with my mind.

“What’s this on your skin?”

“This gel protects me from the cold. It must be part of my water skill to create it.”

Donaldo approached and rubbed at his chin. “Simply amazing.”

Goldie touched the slick stuff on my hair. “How do you get this off?”

“I don’t know.” Or perhaps I did and all I had to do was send it away with the same focus I used with water. My heartbeat skipped in excitement. Oh, that was it.

With a sweep of my hands, from my head to my toes, I directed the gel away. It slid to the ground and coated the soil at my feet.

The breeze lifted my hair, the dry strands fluttering across my face. The salt of the ocean was on my skin, but it was perfectly dry. Even my sleeveless outback shirt ruffled in the wind, and when I patted my jeans, not a drop of water remained. “I can’t believe the control I have.”

“It’s wonderful, but do not forget the wall of water behind you.” Donaldo wagged a finger at it. “As much as I hate to see that go, it better.”

Raising a hand, I swept the water out in an arc. It cleared the cliff and crashed far below.

Dad ran his hands down my arms. “Incredible. You were underwater for several minutes.”

Goldie skipped in a circle around me. “Mar-vel-ous.”

“It is,” he agreed. “But you two need to go.”

“As do I. I have meetings. I will see you girls later.” Donaldo inclined his head, and flashed away. No surprises there. He always had a mountain of work to do.

With a sigh, I glanced up at the windows of Dad’s wing. My mother would be in a room somewhere within. “How much longer do I have to wait, Dad?”

“I’ve seen your purpose is great, as is your sister’s.”

I rolled my eyes. “Dad, that’s not helpful. I asked when I’ll meet my mother.”

“The day you and Faith were born, you arrived tangled together, arms and legs holding onto each other when the doctor performed the caesarian and delivered you both. Faith is not the eldest. Neither are you. You were born together.” He tapped my chin. “You will find each other again, and soon. It shall be as it was then. Your bonds will be renewed as if never lost, because your blood-bond with your twin is the strongest I’ve foreseen. Afterward, I will surely speak to your mother of Katerin Sol and No-Man’s Land. There are so many issues. We will take them one at a time.” He darted a look toward the palace. “I have to go, now. I’m sorry I can’t stay, and that neither can you. Look after her, Goldie.” He shimmered out of sight.

Kicking the space he’d been in, I growled. “This wait is excruciating.”

Goldie passed me my boots. “Yes, but you have a fantastic skill, and I wonder if more will come. You should have asked your father when your rising will begin. He may have seen it.”

One’s rising was the completion of our skills coming together. It was an occasion we honored and celebrated, because as our rising began, an overpowering assault wreaked havoc on all our senses. Adrenaline pumped through our bodies, causing an all-time high. Hormones swung, but most of all, strength-levels three-times greater than normal hit us. Only those closest to us could best aid us in draining the excess energy spiraling out. So, yes, I should have asked about it.

“Boots, and ask him another time.” Goldie dragged up one of my legs by the cuff of my jeans. “The station doesn’t run itself, and you have a lot to do.”

“You mean I have to fill all the watering holes?” I tugged on my boots, hopping about.

Her eyes brightened, the violet all Wincrests shared shimmering to a sparkling amethyst hue. A dangerous hue, in her case. “C’mon, don’t tell me you’re not up for it.”

“There has to be at least fifty watering holes, and half that number completely dried out.”

“Think how happy you’ll make Maslin.” Goldie’s laugh was a tinkle of sound. “Oh, he’s going to be over the moon.”

And without waiting for my answer, she took me with her through the dome room and on to the dusty red plains of home.

Yeah, Maslin was delirious. I worked at transferring river water with his teleportation aid until the night sky was a thick blanket of black.

It was the longest day, and later that night after having filled half of them, I collapsed on my bed, all of me covered in mud and dirt.

“Hope.”

I lifted one eyelid. Oh, what a sight. I lifted the other.

Mmm, Silas looked as gorgeous as ever in a pair of butt-hugging black jeans and a white cotton t-shirt stretched tight over his broad chest. “You look sooo good. Come here.”

“You need to get up.”

“I would, but my legs are dead. And I’m dirty. Don’t tell me you missed the state of my dress.”

“You don’t look like any princess I know.”

I sighed and merged my mind with his, sinking into sweet oblivion. “Being a princess is completely overrated. Seriously, it is not at all like those fairy tales make it out to be. There is no crown, no glass slippers, and surely no prince.”

“Up with you. I’ll be your prince.” He scooped me from the bed, his lips softly touching mine, and he ’ported us.

I glanced around his bedroom as we arrived. His bed looked completely inviting, only, he headed in the wrong direction and away from it. “This princess wants the bed. Where are you taking me?”

“I’m starving and Silvie cooked. You’re getting changed so we can have dinner.”

“You made your sister cook?”

In his dressing room, he set me on my feet. “She’s amazing. I told you she’s been accepted into the university’s food technology course. It’s like a culinary school.”

He tugged his mucky t-shirt over his head. I zeroed in on the splendor of his rippling muscles. Oh boy, Silas had muscles on top of muscles. “You train with the sword daily?”

“Usually.”

Delicious. I licked my lips. I could certainly stare at him all day.

He removed a starched dress shirt in the palest shade of blue from the rack and pulled it on. Drat. I’d lost that sweet view.

“You should be showering. You stink.”

“What?”

“You should–”

I slapped his arm. “I heard you. I wasn’t asking you to repeat yourself. A little more tact wouldn’t go amiss.”

“Sorry.” He nuzzled my cheek. “I can’t stand you being away from me, but right now I can. Is that better?”

“Not much, but it’ll do.”

“Great. I’ll master this bossier side of me yet.” From the side where my clothes now hung, he selected a violet spaghetti strap dress of mid-length with a flared skirt and a pair of matching heels. He passed the clothing to me. “Silvie doesn’t like her guests turning up late, and you’re not moving. Bathroom’s that way.”

“Even when bossy, I should get a proper kiss.”

His gaze moved over my face and his breathing accelerated. “If I kiss you now, I won’t stop. I didn’t like knowing how far away you’ve been from me today. And Zac and Viv are expected at dinner, so we must leave. Belle too. She’s our empath, and she senses feelings, so be prepared for it. She’s more curious than I imagine you’ll enjoy.”

I cocked one leg out. “Then sense this. I can’t think of any place worse than being with a bunch of protectors. I’ll probably choke on my food.”

He turned me toward the door. “You’ll do this for Silvie.”

I grumbled the whole way to the bathroom and gladly shut the door on him. He was mastering bossy quicker than I liked.

Twenty minutes later, I was dressed and turning around in front of the mirror. The dress had thin crisscrossing straps over my shoulders and back. The bodice was fitted and the exact shade of violet as my eyes.

“Are you coming out?” Silas knocked on the door.

“Go away.”

He came in and crossed to me. “I couldn’t hear you.”

“Sure you couldn’t.” Sheesh, what a liar.

“I bought something for you, today.” He reached into his pocket and pulled whatever it was out. When he uncurled his fingers, a silver charm, the tiny rose pattern delicately painted in sunshine-yellow, glinted in his palm. “It’s a yellow rose, for the gift of friendship. Will you accept it?”

“Oh my goodness, yes.” Turning around, I swept my hair to the side. “Could you put it on with the other?” My hands shook. I loved it.

As he unfastened the link, his fingers brushed against my skin. He added the yellow rose. “There’s something else I’d like to do tonight.”

I fingered the white and yellow rose charms with a soft sigh, feeling completely lost for words. Well, except one. “No.”

“You haven’t heard my request.”

“I don’t need to. You’re in a dangerous mood. You gave me this.”

“You’re a Wincrest. You live for danger.” He dropped a kiss on the tip of my nose.

“It’s still a no.”

“We’ll see.” His cheeky grin returned, and I was lost. “Next time I’ll know not to ask, just do.”

“I’m hungry. Do we walk or do we–”

Everything darkened, and we arrived in the middle of a brightly lit dining room. Silver-edged emerald curtains adorned the windows and underneath was a seated area with covered pads of the same luscious fabric. Cutlery and glasses sparkled on a long dining table draped with a silver-threaded tablecloth. Beyond, double doors led to another room.

“Silvie’s kitchen is through there, and the rec room is next to that. This wing was designed by Genevy for us younger ones some years ago, and only those closest to Davio have access to it. You’re completely safe from coming into contact with those you don’t know here.”

“Thanks. I think.”

The doors swung open and the two protectors who’d aided Silas in his search for me by the river came in. Zac wore a pair of gray dress pants with a paler shaded shirt, and Viv had dressed in a short black leather skirt and red blouse. She had killer red heels and a dagger holstered along her wrist.

I gripped Silas’s forearm and found his dagger hidden underneath his long cuffed sleeves. They were always armed, but then so were our warriors. Something I was used to.

“Good evening.” Viv nodded at me. “Silas told us this afternoon you have the water skill. Congratulations.”