Page 20 of Blood and Fate

“No.” He stood. “It’s on the other side of the camp.”

Unfurling his hands toward the door, he invited her to go ahead of him.

Slowly she stood, reminded once again of how much bigger he was than her. Not just taller, but broader. A nervous breath puffed out of her. She would stand no chance in a fight against him.

He moved to the heavy tent flap and pushed it open, allowing her to exit in front of him. “Teague.”

A group of soldiers stood around a fire and one of them turned when Kais called, he wore a long dark coat that swung just above his ankles. He looked familiar, and Satori wondered if he had been at the castle.

“Please show our guest to her tent.”

Teague dipped his head. “Of course, Sir. This way, Your Highness.”

Satori glanced from Kais to Teague, surprised she was being passed off, though it was preferable to spending the night in Kais’ tent. She stepped toward Teague, following him when he began walking.

“Goodnight.” Kais’ voice behind her was soft. “Princess.”

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, but didn’t acknowledge him. She was grateful for every step. The farther she moved from him the more the hot honey feeling receded. She had almost grown used to it in his tent, and now that it was gone, she felt the chill.

CHAPTER EIGHT

SATORI

Satori followed Teague through the camp, aware she was being scrutinized by everyone they passed. Soldiers whispered to each other as their eyes followed her. Apprehension crawled over her but instead of shrinking into herself like she wanted, she straightened, lifting her chin into the air. She may be weak but she had no desire to put that weakness on display.

Finally, Teague stopped just outside a small tent. He held a hand out toward it, as though welcoming her in. “Your Highness.”

Your Highness. She turned an unamused look on him. “Are you making fun of me because I’m your prisoner?”

He looked genuinely surprised at her question as his brows dipped together to form a V in his lightly tanned forehead. He shook his head slightly, sending his blonde hair waving. “I wasn’t aware you were our prisoner.”

“No?” He had to be joking, playing with her.

“No.” From his tone he sounded sincere, and his eyes met hers in a way that seemed as though he was willing her to understand. “Kais will return you home, and you will be safe here until that time.”

She wrapped her arms around herself and looked away from him, feeling anything but safe.

“Your Highness... Princess?”

She blinked back at him when his voice softened on her title.

He met her eyes. “By Shala, you will be safe here and if anyone touches you they will answer to me. Do you understand?”

She nodded once, glancing toward the tent entrance, wishing she was already inside.

Teague’s eyes followed her gaze and he stepped up to the tent, grasping the flap and pulling it open.

“Your Highness.” He gestured with his free hand for her to enter.

She moved past him, ducking inside.

When she turned he still held the flap open. “Goodnight, Your Highness.”

“Goodnight.”

The entrance fell back into place with a dull slap and she turned to examine the small space. The floor was covered with a woven cloth reaching to the edges of the walls. To her right sat a small cot, and to her left a table with a pitcher and bowl and a few cloths. When she stepped closer she could see water already in the pitcher. Beside the cot and along the back of the tent sat an oil lamp, a box of matches resting on the table beside it.

Now what? She moved to the cot and sat, blowing out a long breath. A twig snapped somewhere outside followed by laughter and she jumped nearly off the bed. Teague had promised she was safe, but how could he possibly guarantee that? She pressed her eyes closed and pulled in a fortifying breath. This was nothing new. She was just as safe here as she was at home. Thanks to Henrik. She hoped he was dead in that ditch he’d been knocked into. Though she didn’t expect it. He hadn’t looked dead, and she wasn’t that lucky.