Shuffling feet sounded down the hall and Lina appeared. “Ready?”

Bri’s mouth fell open as she scanned up Lina’s body. She’d never get used to the sight of her, equally enrapturing in gowns and battle garb. Lina wore the same clothing she had on the day they trained in Swifthill. A new axe was strapped to her back, the same bronzed cord and vicious teeth lashed below the curving blades. The buckles of her leather harness crossed over her chest, her fitted top smoothing her generous curves. Leather sandals laced up her muscled calves to her knee and she wore a thick skirt of braided leather that revealed her thick thighs.

Rubbing her hand down her face, Bri groaned.

“What?” Lina asked, raising her brow.

“Why do you have to look like that?” Bri took a steadying breath. She was ready to rip Lina’s clothes off right then and there.

Lina chuckled but didn’t answer. Her eyes twinkling, Lina headed toward the stairs as Bri eyed the battle-axe strapped to her back. No wonder she had those legs, carrying such a heavy weapon all the time.

Bri stood. “Are you sure you want to bring your axe?”

Lina’s eyes dropped to the knives and daggers strapped to Bri’s belt and thighs. “Would you leave your weapons behind?”

Bri grinned wickedly. “Never.”

“Nor would I,” Lina said in that husky voice of hers that made Bri’s toes curl.

She was completely possessed by this Princess. Carys was right; Lina didn’t even need Bri to defend her. She didn’t need her at all. So why? Bri mindlessly shook her head, drunk on the sight of this goddess before her. She was glad Carys wasn’t there to see the foolish look on her face.

*   *   *

They trekked the thin trail along the western cliffs of Silver Sands Harbor out toward the point. The thick canopy of lush trees cast cool shadows in the predawn light. The air was more humid there at the southern edge of the Western Court. The earth wasn’t as dusty, the plants less jagged and drought-resistant. Here the savanna turned into jungle; another day’s trek into the Southern Court and they’d be in the heart of the rainforest.

The soft song of waking birds drifted down from the towering canopy and leaves rustled from the gentle breeze bustling up from the harbor. Every few paces they’d hear another creature scuttling just beyond their sight through the underbrush. Traversing small dips and valleys, the path was never flat. Bri spent much of the hike looking for gnarling roots bisecting the trail. Lina took the lead, moving at a steady, unyielding clip.

The Princess called over her shoulder, “We’ll break at the waterfall. We’re almost there.”

“Thank the Gods.” Bri mopped her sweaty brow with her tunic. “If we break, we’ll miss the sunrise, though.”