Warrior

by Joanne Wadsworth

  He extended his hand to Faith and she shook it. “Nice to meet the mysterious Faith Wincrest.”

  “Mysterious no more.” She smiled. “Nice meeting you.”

  Maslin glanced at me. “You’ve been waiting for this. How are you feeling?”

  “Incredible. Like my heart wants to soar from my chest.” I pressed my closed hand to it, my gaze returning to Faith’s. “Maslin knows all about us and the protectors. He’s also distantly related to you and me through the Sol family line.”

  “You mean through Elizara?”

  “Yes.” I wet my lips, my thirst having increased. “They’re all part of the same tribe.”

  Maslin nodded his head toward Faith. “Elizara will want to meet you. She won’t wish to wait.”

  She lifted onto her toes and jiggled about. “Neither do I. Could we go now?”

  “Whenever you’d like.” He looked to Goldie. “Does now suit you?”

  “Absolutely.” Her cheeks puffed out as she bubbled with excitement.

  Faith snagged my hands and twirled me around. Goldie laughed and joined us. Maslin linked in and grinned. “Ladies, Elizara’s it is,” he said.

  I held my breath. I couldn’t be any happier. My sister and Goldie had met, and now we were going to see Elizara.

  Travelling through the dark took no time at all, and then we were there and my feet sank into the orange desert sands of No-Man’s Land. Next to us, the bright yellow of Elizara’s canvas awning rippled in the breeze.

  Faith rubbed her chest, looking about in all directions. “My heart’s beating so fast.”

  “Me too.”

  Maslin lifted the flap and called out to Elizara. “I’ve brought visitors. Both your nieces.”

  A squeal sounded from inside. There’d be no more waiting. In the past twenty-four hours, my life had taken on new meaning. This was all too much. My mouth dried completely out.

  “My nieces.” Elizara erupted from the tent in a blur of white, almost knocking us all to the ground. “Look at you.” She cupped my face, and then Faith’s. “Both of you. Welcome.” A beaming smile for Goldie and Maslin. “We have so much to speak about. Come inside.”

  Maslin lifted the flap higher as Elizara yanked Faith in and Goldie laughed as she followed. I stood, grinning as sheer pleasure coursed through me.

  “You need to go in, Hope.” Maslin still held the flap.

  “I feel too happy.” I tapped my dry throat. “I’ve never imagined such bliss.” I coughed and thumped my chest and wheezed. Oh, so thirsty.

  “When was the last time you drank?”

  “Yesterday afternoon, no, morning. I’ve got to drink. It feels like all the moisture is draining right out of the air.”

  “Those with the water skill can’t go without it for any long length of time. It’s worse for us than any other. You must drink constantly throughout the day.”

  My sight dimmed to one singular pinprick of light, and I swayed.

  “I’ve got you.” His arms came around me.

  “Hope?” Silas’s muffled voice resounded in my head. “I can feel your accelerated heartbeat. What’s going on? Where are you?”

  So much heat.

  It blazed through me, like fire, singing my throat.

  “Water,” I croaked to Maslin as my entire world spun. Then nothing. Darkness enveloped me.

  * * * *

  “I didn’t have forewarning. She has to be all right.” Faith’s voice echoed inside my head.

  “Those with the water skill must drink water continuously.” Liquid dribbled into my mouth and down my throat. “Nice and slow, Hope.”

  I dragged my eyelids open. Maslin held a cup to my lips and my head to his shoulder.

  Elizara stroked my arm. “Maslin will take you to the oasis. You’ll need skin-to-skin replenishment for full recharging.”

  I gulped the water, desperate to get more.

  “You had me so worried.” Goldie squeezed my hand.

  Faith had the other. “You have to drink. All the time. Elizara and Maslin said so.”

  “I’ll take her now. We won’t be long.” Maslin set the cup down.

  “Go quickly,” Elizara urged.

  Dark replaced the brightness of her tent as he ’ported us. At the edge of the oasis, he removed my boots then carried me in until the blessed water rose over my hips and to my chest. I swam free and dunked to my shoulders.

  I shuddered with need, pushing my hands through the water and spreading my fingers out. The water swirled like liquid silk, a lavish sensation I wanted to curl into and be absorbed by. I kicked away, diving and tumbling below the surface, desperate for more.

  As I came up, I slicked my hair back and treaded water. “This is perfect.”

  “Water is your lifeline.” Maslin swam beside me.

  “Where are you? I’ve searched your bedroom and you’re not there.”

  Silas’s voice pounded down our link.

  “I’m swimming. I’m fine.”

  He sighed, almighty loud. “What aren’t you telling me? I couldn’t get through to you and you weren’t blocking. It’s like you blacked out.”

  “I did. Apparently, I can’t go without drinking water.”

  “You lost consciousness because you didn’t drink?” His tone was incredulous.

  Swirling his hands through the water as he treaded, Maslin said, “Carver?”

  “Uh-huh.” “I’m fine now, Silas, and you shouldn’t worry. I have to return to Faith and Goldie.”

  “No more blacking out or I’ll chain you to my bed so you can never sneak away again.”

  “I’d like to see you try. Later.” I laughed.

  Maslin eyed me. “He cares for you, but that doesn’t mean your soul-bound match is a good one. I’m here if you need me. I have sworn my allegiance to the Wincrest family, and to the people of Dralion, and I swear it personally to you. Whatever you need, I will give.”

  His words were a deep promise, one that touched my heart.

  I blinked, barely holding back tears. “You’re my friend.”

  “That’s a good start.” He dove with a grin, his feet coming up into the air before he disappeared below the water’s surface.

  Palm tree fronds rustled in the breeze. Maslin tugged on my leg, and yanked me under.

  Chapter 11

  Sitting on the end of Faith’s bed in Dralion late that afternoon, I was not surprised to see she’d been given the bedroom next to mine on the third floor of Dad’s wing. Faith had snuck me in after we’d left the Sol compound. She’d ’ported us both after promising me she’d see any problems with her forethought, and that our mother was elsewhere and wouldn’t spot us. It was just us. Goldie and Maslin had returned to the station.

  “How does this look? We’re twins. We should at least dress alike occasionally since we missed out as kids.” She wandered to the freestanding full-length oval mirror and turned side to side in front of it. Her blond hair swung around her shoulders. Even the long length of our hair was the same, and now with her dressed as I was in a pair of white shorts and tank top, no one would likely tell us apart.

  “I have a feeling your motives for dressing the same run deeper than that.” Pressing my hands to her violet silk bedspread, I pushed myself up, and joined her. “What’s ticking through that mind of yours, my tricky sister?”

  “A plan of intrigue. You took me to meet Goldie and Elizara. Now it’s my turn to bring you to Mum. That’s my plan, and I’m sticking to it. Sorry for the subterfuge.” She sidled closer. “Now, spill on what’s going on with you and Maslin? He’s most attentive. I was surprised.”

  “He’s a warrior and family. We’re linked through our Sol line.”

  She slowly stroked her jaw. “I felt a touch of the blood-bond with him too. What about Silas?”

  “Silas and I are soul-bound. I never want to be separated from him.”

  “I understand. I can’t survive without Davio, mind-merge skill or not.”

  I blew out a breath.
“As much I want Silas, I still understand the danger which lurks with him being a protector. At this moment, those warriors who know of our relationship protect me by keeping my secret, as they will with you. But that doesn’t change the fact our countries are at war.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut, and then opened them. “Why can’t our lives be easy? We need to think of our future. We have to find a way to bring peace between our nations.”

  “I’ve thought the same, but we have one major obstacle ahead of us. Donaldo. He’ll never tolerate us being mated with Peacians, let alone protectors. Dad only does because he reveres the bond and wouldn’t take from us what Donaldo took from him.” Rubbing my arms, I stared out the window. “We have each other, and we’ll work on the rest, but it will take time.”

  “I’ll keep a watch with my forethought. Perhaps I’ll see something in our future which may help.” She dabbed the corners of her eyes. “Which reminds me, I used my forethought when Elizara showed me the album and the portraits of Katerin and Nathwer. I tried to get a fix on them.”

  “And...”

  “Nothing. I know we don’t physically age, but is there a possibility they could’ve altered their appearance in some way?”

  “If they disguised themselves, maybe, but I can’t imagine why they’d think to do that. Katerin was banished and the sentence had already been handed down.”

  “So, if there’s no reason for a disguise then it doesn’t look good. I doubt they live.”

  “I’d hoped…” I dragged in a deep breath.

  “Hey.” Faith touched my quivering chin. “I keep making you sad. I never look this down and Mum will notice.”

  “I can’t meet her.”

  “Oh yes, you can.” She slung an arm over my shoulder.

  “Is there any way I can change your mind?”

  “Huh, hardly. You’ll come to learn that fairly soon.”

  I groaned. “What’s your plan?”

  “You’re going to spend some time with Mum, and I’ll be there.”

  “Girls.”

  We swung around as Dad strode into the room. Dressed in a midnight silk shirt and black pants, the colors enhanced the equally dark look on his face. “This isn’t going to happen. You’re not meeting your mother, Hope.”

  “Why?” Faith edged in front of me. “I know you delayed my meeting with Hope because you saw I’d tell Mum about her. Well, too bad. Mum has to know.”

  “Do I need to repeat myself?” His gaze flicked between the two of us and his frown deepened. “Hell.” He stared, then his chest heaved and he dragged us both to him. “You two are finally together. I’ve been watching with my forethought, but being– Look at you.”

  Faith wrinkled her nose. “Aw, c’mon, Dad. We’re eighteen.” She speared me a look. “Hope, please, we should be able to work out some kind of guilty parental angle with this. What you got?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve always done what he’s said.”

  He huffed, continuing to squish us. “I can hear you both.”

  Faith nodded at me. “We could ignore him and just go with my plan. That would work.”

  “I’m still listening,” he growled.

  “I will if you will,” I added, going for it.

  “No one’s will but mine will be obeyed.” He released us and paced the room. “I don’t know what to do. Every time I run a scenario, my forewarning blares with the same problem. Kate finds out she had a child she’s never met, and no matter that you died, Hope, she sees her actions as no different than her own mother’s. It destroys her to know she gave her own child away and never acknowledged you. Not even to Faith. She didn’t grieve. She blocked you from her mind, which includes your birth, your death. It all.”

  “I didn’t die.”

  “It doesn’t matter. After she finds she struck you from her heart, it tears her apart. I can’t see that happen.”

  “I want to meet my mother. Even under the ruse of acting as Faith. What about that scenario?”

  He halted his pacing and tapped one foot on the polished wooden flooring. “I’ve never thought to work that angle.”

  “We should.” Faith closed her eyes. “Found her. She’s outside with Jilly. She looks like she’s about to go riding.”

  Dad crossed to the glass doors overlooking the balcony and peered toward the stables. “Kate and I were about to head out when I had forewarning about you two. She enjoys riding.”

  Faith gripped my arm. “Good. So does Hope. She’s going to join Mum and you...as me.” Without warning, everything darkened and Faith and I arrived inside a clean stall, the scent of the hay strong in the air and the ladies’ voices close by. Faith tugged me to my knees behind the half-height door.

  Dad flashed in beside us and hunkered down. “I’ll pull you out, Hope, if anything goes wrong.” His whispered warning was clear, as was the grave look on his face. “I will not allow your mother to have a breakdown.”

  “Of course you won’t.” Faith peeked over the top of the swing door. “How about you guys just go saddle a thingy and stop over-analyzing everything.”

  “A thingy? You mean a horse?”

  She gave me a snide look. “Don’t be a smarty pants. A thingy, a horse. Who cares.”

  “First–” Dad urged her down. “I cannot believe I’m hiding out like this. Second, you stay here. Hope and I will go.”

  He took my hand and flashed us outside. “Wait here.” He strode away and asked the lad who held the reins of the two horses to ready another. “Kate, our daughter is coming along with us.”

  Oh my goodness. My heart fluttered within my chest. My mother was maybe ten feet away, a horse the only obstacle between us.

  “Don’t be silly. Faith’s not ridden before. She doesn’t care for horses.”

  “She’s gotten over it. Rather quickly.”

  I looked upward, my heartbeat racing as streaky white clouds hazed the sky. I never wanted to forget this moment.

  “Hope, I swear this heart alignment is making me crazy. What are doing, now?”

  “I’m in Dralion.”

  One loud snort. “I’m buying handcuffs before this day is out.”

  “I’m about to meet my mother, but as Faith. A twin-swap thing.”

  “Right.” Several seconds of silence passed. “I want to see you the moment you’re free. I’m still in Sunider, but I can return in an instant.”

  “I’m so nervous.”

  “You can do this.”

  His solemn words reassured me, and I closed our link and rolled my shoulders.

  “Hey.” Faith’s voice in my head. “Pay attention. She’s coming.”

  “Faith? Where are you?” Kate rounded the horse, smoothing over the animal’s sleek rump with a hand.

  I stared, and my heart thumped like thunder.

  My mother.

  Blond streaks shone through her long chestnut-brown hair. Her eyes were the prettiest shade of brown, her skin smooth, just like that of our people.

  “Faith.” She snapped her fingers in front of me. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

  Her lips moved. Oh boy, my mother spoke to me. For the first time.

  I wobbled and she propped a hand under my elbow. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m nervous.”

  “I’ll be here to help you.” She turned and took the reins from the stable hand as he arrived with my ride. “Hop up, and you’ll be fine. I’ll go slow for you.”

  I propped my foot in the shiny silver stirrup and swung up. I could do this.

  Dad set an arm around her waist. “Faith will be fine. She’s a fast learner.” His smile was tight. “But not too fast.”

  Faith moaned. “You hear that? Not too fast.”

  “Let’s go,” Dad called out as he mounted.

  I snapped the mare’s reins and followed the gravel drive to the main gates.

  “Slow down. And slouch. Some fumbling with those long leather things would be good.”

  “They’re called reins, Fait
h.”

  I nudged the horse’s flanks and trotted in alongside Mum. Dad was two lengths ahead and he veered slightly to the left, taking the forest path.

  Pine trees grew tall and strong either side as we entered the thick tree line. Above the sun was masked by the canopy, but the ocean and its rhythmic crashing reached me on the breeze.

  “Look at you.” My mother chuckled, looking quite amused. “Like a duck to water.”

  “Like you wouldn’t believe.” I licked my lips, finding them dry. Gosh, I had to remember water was now a necessity, something I had to drink every few hours. “This duck needs a drink.”

  I lifted the leather flap on the saddlebag and withdrew a water flask from the supplies which were always well stocked for rides. I took a long swallow.

  “How did school go today?”

  “School? Oh, it was a study day.” “Dad, did you tell Mum about Elizara? You said you would.”

  “I did. She’s aware we sent a team of warriors to the Sol compound for information. I told her what was discovered, only, not by whom. Remember, she is spellbound to Dralion and cannot leave to visit them.”

  “And...” my mother continued.

  “I visited No-Man’s Land. I met Elizara Sol.”

  “You did? What’s she like?”

  “The best. I met Dad’s sister too. Goldie took me to the compound.”

  “She’s in the outback, right? Alexo mentioned her to us a while ago.” Reaching across the small gap between our horses, she squeezed my arm. “Tell me about her and Elizara. Everything.”

  I smiled, because I wanted to speak of this so desperately. “Elizara has the water skill. It’s amazing to see what she can do.”

  “Alexo briefed me on it. He said one of his family members was going to document what she’d discovered. The skill flows through the Sol family line and could turn up within any future children we have.”

  “That’s right.” I glanced ahead to where he rode. “Did he mention more information has come to hand on mind-merge?”

  “No, and I only want to hear it if it’s good news. I’m so sick of the bad stuff. Like death. Ugh.”

  “It’s all good. I’ve discovered if both within the mated bond have a telepathic link, the one with mind-merge can use it to draw the merge along. It removes the whole three-day death sentence.”