Warrior (18 page)

Elizara plopped down beside me. “I think I caught you five times,” she teased.

With one cheek in the sand, I eyed her. “It was more like fifty-five. I see you have the water skill too.” It hadn’t taken me long to work out who did. I’d even seen some disappear below the water for several minutes at a time. Far more than humanly possible, something Maslin had never done.

“How many minutes can you survive down there? Maslin can’t do that.” If he could, I would have quizzed him so I could document it.

A glimmer in her eye confirmed my thoughts. “My affinity for the water is strong. My parents were mated, and because of that, I carry the full strength of the skill. It runs strongly in the Sol line. Having it is paramount in the desert.”

“Where there’s no water?”

“No. Because we have so little water. We use our skill to find it, collect it and hold onto it.”

“Tell me about it. Maslin’s parents aren’t mated and he can’t hold his breath like that.” I elbowed up.

“You likely know water is made up of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen to every molecule. I can remain submerged for several minutes because I draw the hydrogen away with my water skill, and form a protective bubble of it around the oxygen. It is done with a flick of my hand and a thought and I simply breathe the pocket of air in. Only those with the full strength can do so. There are twenty-three of us altogether, while Maslin and two others are at half strength and cannot breathe below water.”

I nodded, taking in all her words. “Thank you for speaking to me of this.”

“Of course. Bring your sister as soon as you’ve met her. Missing out isn’t good and she should be here.”

In the privacy of her tent this morning, we’d spoken at length about Faith, of what I knew about her and Kate. It was a sad story, and tears had come to her eyes during the telling.

Elizara leaned in and brushed the sand from my cheek. “This is sticky.” She flicked her fingers toward the pond and a wash of water flew at me. Like a missile, it splattered and drenched.

I spluttered, and then smiled.

“Sorry.” She laughed. “I can fling water for some distance, more so than the ones who don’t hold the full strength.”

“If you ever wish to visit me at the station then come. We could use you.”

“Absolutely. I have decided to travel to meet my nieces and my mate in a week as they make the return journey, but after that, yes, I’ll be there. Let’s head to bed.” She rose and tugged me up.

We returned with the other women to camp. I would be on my own. No Silas.

Did he think of me this much?

Was he well?

At the tent flap, I hugged Elizara. “I can’t imagine not knowing you. I wish I’d known Katerin too.”

“So do I.” She squeezed me tight. “Use whatever clothing you’d like from the pile I left. I’ll see you in the morning. Sleep well.”

I changed for bed into a short pink nightie with a teddy bear imprint on the pocket then spread a thin white sheet over top of the pelts and slid in.

An ache behind my eyes made me close them, and I opened my telepathic link with Silas. “
It’s just me.
I need the merge.
”

No answer, but we were connected.

Great. He must be mad, or hate me, or both. What a mess I’d made of things. With a sigh, I focused on the pinprick of golden thread in my mind. I channeled my mind-merge along it, weaving and letting it go as it disappeared from my mind to travel along the divide to his. After a few minutes, I was falling into his mind, rolling around in the soft spot which was all mine.

At least I’d always have this.

Mmm. I smoothed the pelt.

So good. I adored his mind.

Only, my five minutes was up way too soon.

Probably should withdraw.

Ten minutes, and I let out a slow breath.

Fifteen and I choked up. Best to let go.

Taking a great gulp of air, I forced my withdrawal, pulling away until I’d fully released him and only the telepathic connection remained. “
Hey, Silas. Um, thanks.
”

No answer.

I twiddled my fingers.

Should I tell him of my day? He hadn’t broken the connection.

No.

“
Elizara has the water skill.
” I couldn’t help myself. “
I only found out today. There’s this oasis. It’s a magical spot. You would like it, or at least I think you would.
”

I stilled for his response.

Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

My heart sank somewhere even deeper inside my chest.

I should stop and break the link. “
Elizara loaned me some clothes. She likes prints of teddy bears. There’s even one on this nightie of hers. It’s pink, by the way.
” Right. I babbled but couldn’t help it. “
She can hold her breath underwater for several minutes, and send water flying some distance with only the flick of her hand and a thought.
”

I closed my eyes as a spasm of pain throbbed in my chest. He still didn’t answer.

I missed him, so badly. This was sheer torture, not having him speak to me.

“
Ooo-kay. Night then. Sleep well.
”

Best to end it, quick, which I did.

Hell, that was awful.

Rolling to my side, I wiped at my cheeks. The moon’s glow illuminated the sides of the tent. Silas had carried me across the desert to this place. He had cared for me and made sure I’d gotten here. I had so much to thank him for.

I would never forget.

The compound went quiet as the hours passed.

By dawn, the heat of the rising sun turned the tent sides radiant yellow. Sleep. I needed the oblivion of it.

I yawned, finally succumbing as my eyelids slid shut.

* * * *

A heavy presence of desert heat covered my back.

Stretching and uncurling, I bumped into warm skin.

What the...

I jerked around and scrambled to my knees. “Silas?” This had to be an illusion. I rocked on my knees, and rubbed my eyes. It was definitely him, lying with his cheek on my pillow. On the floor lay his sword, as always close at hand. I touched the shadows under his eyes, so dark they appeared bruised. “What have you done to yourself?”

“I can’t sleep without you.” He snuck out a hand, encircled my wrist and yanked.

I lost my breath as I landed on him. “Me either.”

“You shouldn’t have spoken to me last night. It was the last straw.”

“I couldn’t help it.” He was here. With me. That’s all I’d wanted for the past day and two nights. I kissed his chin, his nose, his cheeks, nibbling all the way over his drop-dead gorgeous face. “I missed you. I thought you’d hate me.”

He took my shoulders between his hands. “I’ve longed for our arguments. I am such a lost fool.”

“An idiot for sure. I shall get the stamp made.”

“I’m falling for you.”

“Ooo-kay.” My whole body shook.

“They’ll be no more talk of separation.” He kissed me. “We spend every night together, that’s when you’re on Earth and not in Dralion.”

“What kind of spending the night are you talking about?”

“Nothing more than wanting you close.” He rubbed his forehead against mine. “Merge, now. I’ve the worst craving for it, like an addiction.”

I sent my mind soaring into his.

Oh yeah. Blisss.

Wriggling around, I sank deep into his mind, making myself completely at home. “Your head is so big, we can both fit in there.”

He chuckled. “I’m sure it is. I brought you something.” From the pocket of his tan pants, he removed a necklace and dangled the thin chain in front of me. A tiny white rose was masterfully painted on the silver charm.

“Oh, you didn’t?”

“Last night I visited Silvie’s favorite Earth shopping mall.” He swept my hair over my shoulder and fastened the gift around my neck. “You said a white rose signifies the beginning of time, and that’s what I want for us.”

I played with the charm, so cool between my fingers. Tears welled in my eyes and Silas tipped up my chin.

“Hey, no crying. It’s only a gift.”

“You have a good memory.”

“It’s the big head. It holds a ton of information.” His gaze softened. “Will you spend the day with me?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Since I intend to have you sleep over from now on, I’m not raiding my sister’s closet again. We’re going shopping.” His smile was smoldering.

“I could pack a bag.”

“I’m buying you clothes. There’ll be no overnight bag.”

“Hope.” The door of the tent flapped open and a rush of sunlight burst in as Elizara entered. She glanced from Silas to me, a slow grin forming. “Ah, you didn’t turn up at breakfast, and I was worried. Obviously no need.”

“Silas is here.” I gripped the pendant, the most precious gift I’d ever received. “We’re going shopping.” I couldn’t keep the giddiness from my words.

“Then I won’t keep you.” She kissed my cheek and set a hand on Silas’s arm. “Look after my niece. That’s an order.”

“Yes. You have my word I will.” He walked her to the door and held the flap for her as she left.

“Let’s go.” He returned and held me in his arms and flashed us away.

We arrived in his room. “Wow. Silas, I’m actually happy to be in Peacio. Weird. That’s something I’d never thought I’d say.”

“You can’t wear that pink nightie to the shops, as cute as that teddy bear on the pocket is.” He sighed. “I’ll go sneak one last change of clothes from Silvie. I won’t be long.” He zapped away.

I skipped to his bathroom and searched his drawers for a toothbrush. After washing up, I gazed into his mirror. My face glowed. Being back with Silas was so right.

With the pendant in hand, I stroked it. A white rose. I loved it. The beginning of time.

“Silas, I’m preparing a special dinner tonight.”

I jumped as a woman’s voice came from the direction of his bedroom.

“Silas, you there?” She appeared in the opened bathroom doorway, a mass of red-gold spiral curls bouncing around her shoulders. Her gaze popped wide and she checked over her shoulder then stared back at me. “Faith, ah, this is my brother’s room. What the heck are you doing in here?”

Crap.

“Ah, Silvie?” It must be her, Silas’s sister. They had the same blue eyes and red-gold hair, only she was dressed in a short yellow denim skirt and red t-shirt.

“Yeah, of course. What’s wrong with you?”

“I-I.” You have a voice. Find it. Use it. You are now Faith. “Ah, I’m here because I’m hiding from Loveria.”

Oops. No. Faith wouldn’t hide from her mate.

Her eyebrow arched to a staggering height. “Whatever for? And why’d you just call him Loveria? Have you two had an argument or something?”

“Yes.” I nodded frantically, going with that. “He’s being a prick. An idiot. I can’t stand him.”

Okay, pull it back a bit.

“Uh-huh. So that’s why you’re in here? Why didn’t you come to my room?” She stepped into the bathroom.

Sweat trickled down my spine. “I have no idea. That would have been the better choice. Gosh, it’s hot in here” I fanned my face.

“Not really.” She pressed her hand to my forehead, and then knocked her knuckles on it. “Yeah, it’s empty in there. Your brain cells have gone on holiday.”

“It’s from the mind-merge. My mate’s head is like a vacuum sucking all the good stuff away.”

She laughed “Oh, that’s good. You’re fine, and to think for a moment I was worried. So, where’s Silas?”

“Grabbing me some of your clothes.” I picked up his hairbrush.

“What for?”

“Um…” I stilled mid-stroke.