Page 35 of Blood and Fate

KAIS

“Wife?” One of the men stepped back, hands raised, away from the reach of the sword’s blade. “Apologies sir, we thought she was someone else. Rafe, let her go.”

The man with his hands on Satori released her, and she fled his grasp directly into Teague’s waiting arms.

Kais let out the breath he had been holding. Relief poured through him, his own as well as Satori’s. The men backed off and Teague wrapped both arms around Satori as she buried her face in his tunic.

Kais swallowed the bitter taste in the back of his throat. It was ridiculous to feel any sort of jealousy at Teague for saving her, especially when Kais had been the one to send him to do it.

He and Teague had been bargaining for horses when he’d felt her sudden spike of fear. He’d barely had time to shout for Teague, and by the time they found her, that man was already reaching out to take her. Panic hit Kais—his own—and he barely held himself from flying to her side. But she still didn’t trust him. She was afraid of the strange men, but was she still afraid of him, too? He had only to motion to Teague, and the other man was moving.

Kais approached Teague, who was still holding Satori. Even from his place, he could see that she was trembling. He could feel the thunder of her heart.

“They’re gone, Satori,” Teague soothed, running a palm over her back. “You’re safe.”

Satori turned her head in Teague’s arms and met Kais’ eyes. Her voice was so quiet when she spoke, “They weren’t taking me back to my father.”

Kais had assumed as much. Even if they had told her they were taking her home, she was intelligent enough to know men lie.

“They’re not taking you anywhere, but we will. I promise we’ll get you home. Safely.”

He wished there was some way he could infuse his words with sincerity. She didn’t trust him, and that didn’t surprise him. Not really. What did surprise him was that if she could sense him the way he sensed her, why didn’t she believe him?

Teague looked at him with a question in his eyes.

She was safe. Kais allowed himself one full, deep breath before he spoke, “Alright then. We should get back to the horses so we can get back to camp.”

Satori nodded, fully disentangling herself from Teague’s hold and looking him in the eye. “Thank you.”

“Kais is the one who knew you were in trouble. I told you, you’re safe with us.”

She nodded again at Teague’s words as confusion pooled inside her.

Teague extended an arm toward her and a small mischievous smile, unique to Teague, turned up the corner of his mouth. “Wife?”

She laughed, and the sound danced straight into Kais’ chest. Her face lit up as she threaded her arm into Teague’s, and they began to walk back toward the horses. Kais let out a sigh. What was this woman doing to him?

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

SATORI

They had returned to the camp, and with nothing else to do, Satori wandered through the collection of tents, taking in the bustle of lives. The men were occupied with various tasks, sharpening swords, washing horses and saddles, and repairing clothes, tents, or shoes. Some sparred with each other, practicing their skills with blades and even fists.

She came across a group who seemed to be taking inventory of several wagons and paused when she heard their conversation. She ducked behind a wagon to listen without being seen.

“He gave up a lot for that Princess, blankets especially. But there’s still a decent amount here. It should be helpful,” one man said, marking some numbers onto a piece of paper.

“For sure. He gave them far more than I expected he would,” another answered. “Princess, indeed. Think he’s hoping for some gratitude?”

The way the man said the word made Satori’s skin crawl.

“From the King or the girl?” the other man asked.

“I don’t think Kais’ predilection runs in favor of kings.”

Both men laughed, and Satori moved away, not wanting to hear any more of their vulgar discussions. Did they really believe Kais had saved her just to get a chance to sleep with her? If he had, he was sorely mistaken. He could just be one more suitor on the list of men that were horrible for her.

She weaved around a few more tents, growing bored.