Warrior (8 page)

“My father has no fear of my disappearance. I mustn’t be gone long.”

Underneath the thin down mattress, the ridges of the base’s wooden slats poked through.

“Let’s sleep on this information. In the morning we’ll have clearer heads.” He raised my legs and tipped me under the covers then joined me. “I still don’t like the idea of you disappearing for a few days. We’ll stay close.”

“I have no idea when I go dark. He didn’t exactly say.”

He extinguished the lamp, and moonlight filtered through the tiny square window. He rolled to his side, facing me. “We’ll stay close. I can’t dismiss the mated bond. Our souls call to one another and it’s strong.”

I felt it too.

“I can’t keep my distance from you, Hope. That would result in your death.”

“Yeah, but yours would result if my grandfather, Donaldo, ever found out about you. The need to protect goes both ways.”

A low growl rumbled from his throat. “It sounds like you’re arguing with me.”

“I’m pointing out the facts. Alexo keeps the knowledge of Faith’s relationship with Loveria a secret.”

“We don’t have their kind of relationship.”

“So this is a non-relationship?” I smiled. That actually suited me.

“Yes.”

“Okay, honey. I got it.”

He pulled me to him. “I have no idea why, but I like you. You have a smart mouth.”

I snuggled closer, resting my cheek against his chest. “Mmm-hmm. So do you.”

He let out a slow breath and it fanned over the top of my head. “I still want to kiss you.”

“Hell, no.” I grinned to myself.

“Are you repeating my earlier words?”

“Yes, I am.” He rolled me, coming up over top. My heart raced. “Don’t–”

His kiss was potent as he claimed my mouth.

I had no response. I was lost, hypnotized as we shared breath and a moment more special than any in time.

He cupped my face in his hands and stroked my cheeks, his thoughts escaping for the first time.

I read them so clearly within the merge.

He wanted this moment to last.

My heart soared and my soul called to his on the deepest level. “We are in a world of trouble,” I murmured against his lips.

His hold tightened, intoxicating me. Then he eased away an inch, maybe two. “You have the most beautiful spun-gold hair. It catches even the moonlight and glows like silk.”

I cleared my throat. “I know I just said trouble. You should stick to your side of the bed in this non-relationship.”

A wicked grin widened his mouth. “I could drown in the brilliant violet of your eyes.”

“Do I need to slap your face?”

He laughed. “Yes.”

I pushed him away, trying to get my heartbeat to slow. “Go away.”

He rolled into me, held me close. “I’ll be good. Just keeping you warm. It’s my right.”

I curled up, squeezing my eyes shut. “I can’t believe I’m sharing a bed with you. Do you snore?”

“Terribly. I’m also a bed-hog.”

I heard the partial lie, but to which half of that statement? “Hmm, since I’m squished between you and the wall, I’m picking you’re a bed-hog.”

“You feel all warm and soft. I’m not going anywhere.” He nuzzled my hair and yawned. “Go to sleep. You’ll need your rest if you want to be on your toes tomorrow.”

I didn’t doubt it. The minutes ticked by, and I slowly relaxed. My soul-bound mate lay beside me. For one night, or perhaps for more? I had no idea.

Chapter 4

I awoke to light tracking through the small square window, one that was now barely visible because Silas’s broad shoulders blocked the way. It had rained off and on during the night with a tap-tapping against the wood-shingled roof. Each time I’d stirred as it had.

Stretching my legs, I rubbed them against Silas’s socked ones. Oooh, toasty-warm.

His lips touched my cheek as he tucked me in closer. “It’s too early. I need another half an hour.”

“I didn’t say anything.” I ran my fingers along his shadowed jaw, smiling at the prickly sensation. “Do you like sleep-ins?”

“Yes.” He dragged his eyelids open then pressed the small light switch on his modern Earth watch. “Ah, it’s already seven. Unbelievable. I can hear your stomach rumbling.”

Butterflies abounded as he placed his hand over my belly. “That’s because I’m hungry, Mr. Sleuth.”

“So I wasn’t imagining your sharp tongue.”

“I do not have a sharp tongue. I have a sharp mind.”

He groaned, swung his legs out of bed then reached for his boots. He laced them, peering over his shoulder at me. “I’ll be back. I’ll go raid the castle’s kitchens, again.”

I crawled to him. “I see you’re not a morning person.”

“Nope.” He picked up his sword and belted it around his hips. “Not when I was lost in a nice dream.”

“About?”

He leaned in and kissed me. “Don’t wander too far from the cabin. The outhouse is around the back.”

I released my mind-merge, feeling the ache of withdrawal inside my head as I did. I looked into his eyes. “Gosh, it’s like I’m not supposed to leave your mind. I can’t believe how heavily one with this skill relies on the other. Could you bring some paper and ink? I need to start recording this.” I slid my hands underneath my knees to prevent myself from reaching for him.

“Sure I can. What do you usually eat for breakfast?”

“You choose.” I squeezed the thin feather mattress as he stepped back and ’ported.

Right, the outhouse.

I strolled outside and gawked as the rain fell. Large, fat drops splattered into my palm as I held it out from under the eaves of the small porch.

Oh, amazing.

Fresh water.

I sipped it. Across the small clearing, two other closed-up cabins sat, surrounded by giant pines.

Above, a lush green canopy drooped under the weight of the night’s rainfall and tree trunks glistened as water streamed down their sides. Everywhere, so much water.

In the distance, the river roared.

As I jumped off the top step, water splashed over the bottoms of my jeans and toes.

I was away, twirling around and skipping toward the river so close.

Dirt and grass squished around my feet, and I grinned as I came out from under the trees. White water tumbled over wide gray boulders and rocks. Oh, this was not the idle outback river I was used to. No. This was an art form in motion, nature at its most chaotic, singing of life.

I scrambled over the slick rocks at the sides and stood on the highest point, mesmerized by the pounding water and the spray coating my bare arms.

The water pebbled as I tickled my fingers over my skin. More. I wanted more.

Beaming, I looked over the rapids. Dad would be experiencing a forewarning if I shouldn’t be here. I’d always had an affinity for water, despairing over the outback’s drought, yet I took every opportunity to swim wherever possible in Dralion. “Dad, you know I’m a super strong swimmer, and I can’t miss this.”

I waited, jiggling about.

No one appeared, not Dad to forestall me, nor a warrior he’d sent.

I was good to go.

I dove, and the current shot me to the surface. Water dumped over my head then swelled under and tossed me back up. Over and over, I was volleyed about.

I giggled whenever I broke for air, and my squeals echoed all around. It was bliss. Goldie should be here to enjoy the fun. She would love this.

I gulped rain-scented air while the scenery rushed past. An occasional deer flashed by, prancing along the bank, drinking from the surging water. The rumbling, gushing river raced me down the valley. As the forest vanished, cattle grazed in glistening pastures below a blue sky dotted with gray bubbling clouds.

What a sight. If only this stormy weather would hit the station.

The station? Heck, I had work and I should be there.

I eyed the river ahead. An area pooled to one side. I had to make that. Kicking out, I headed away from the center. Finally, I made the shallows. I splashed about as I found my feet, the rocky bed sharp. “Ouch.” I jumped as the stones cut the underside of my foot.

I dragged myself onto the sandy shore and flopped onto my back. My jeans clung to my legs, and the borrowed shirt had been stretched beyond repair.

“There. You. Are.”

Goldie’s tone was low and her gaze intimidating as she stood over me. Next to her Dad stood, his arms crossed and his thick black leather coat flapping heavily around his ankles.

“Hey.” Okay, I was in trouble.

Two sets of violet eyes, the exact shade as mine, mirrored frustration. Dad stepped forward and lent me a hand. “I watched.”

He drew me up, and I wobbled as I kept off my sore foot. “Is the protector, Silas Carver, the one you want?” he asked.

Goldie hissed in a sharp breath. “No, Hope. The plan was to get Saunder’s father then go your separate ways. What happened to the plan?”

“It’s gotten a little lost.” I glanced between the two of them. “Neither of you can hurt Silas. He’s the other half of my soul and you know how deep the–”

“No, no, no,” Goldie snapped. “You said you were ending it.”

Dad grunted. “It’s not possible, Goldie. Hope holds the skill of mind-merge as her sister does. I had forewarning days ago which I couldn’t speak of, and as we’ve now discovered, Faith can’t survive more than three days without merging her mind with Loveria’s. The same goes for Hope. Death follows, and damn it, both my daughters now hold this rare skill.”

Goldie paced. “Argh, so that’s why you allowed her to meet the protector.”

Well, wasn’t this a lovely family reunion. “Ah, perhaps I should point out there is some good news in all of this.”

“And that would be?” Goldie kicked at the pebbles lining the river’s edge.

“I have a skill, which means there might be more to come. I will also document all I’m learning on mind-merge. Which is now firsthand. It can’t all be doom and gloom. I won’t allow it.”

Dad tilted his blond head. “I do feel you hold the key. That emotion came through strongly during my first forewarning. Obviously, we can do nothing about the protector. I would never stand in your way as Donaldo stood between your mother and me. We’ll have to hide your relationship with Carver, as we do for Faith.”

Goldie gritted her teeth. “This is such a mess, Alexo.”

“I know.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “But we are keeping the news contained to just a few. Maslin, Lieska and Guy Moyer. Faith searches for Guy’s father and our other captured warriors as she can, provided Guy keeps quiet. Which he will. I too have spoken to him since Lieska did.”

Goldie nodded. “They are all loyal.”

“Although, the less who know, the better.” Dad regarded me. “I would dearly love to know where you disappear to soon, but my forewarning only shows I lose sight of you, along with the strong feeling that it must happen.” He pulled me into his arms. “Take the utmost care.”

“I will,” I said, my words muffled by his shirt.

He eased back, taking my arms. “I see Carver searching for you now, but before I go, you should know your mother still adapts to our world and I can’t be far from her side.”

“Why do you wait to tell her of me?” There must be more, and it frustrated me that I didn’t know.

He exhaled, ever so slowly. “She has gone through so much since her arrival in Dralion. She’s been spellbound and can never return to Earth. Then there’s all that’s happened to Faith, with your sister’s mated bond to Loveria and near death because we were unaware her skill could kill. Kate now knows her mother, Katerin Sol, took her to Earth, abandoning her so far away from her Magioling people. The news shook her.” He paused, rubbing his jaw. “When I first found Kate on Earth she’d just spent eighteen years in an orphanage. All she wanted was a family of her own to love, and I longed to give her that, no matter the length of time we had together.”