Page 57 of Blood and Fate

“Will you do it in the morning?”

Kais heaved a sigh. “Yes, and then we’ll be on our way away from here.”

Satori stood, gathering the items she had used to clean his injury. “I’ll leave you alone. I hope your head feels better.”

“Wait, why were you here? Did you need something?” He suddenly realized she had come in just as he had broken the glass, and they hadn’t spoken of anything besides what had happened.

“No, I was only coming to see if you were well.”

She moved to the tent flap.

His heart fluttered with her words; it felt like some kind of breakthrough. She cared.

“Thank you, Princess.” Kais held up his newly bandaged hand. “And for this. I appreciate it.”

She dipped her head. “You’re welcome.”

She exited quickly, leaving him alone.

He let his head fall back, closing his eyes, allowing his shoulders to drop. What right did he have to speak anything for Sawyer? No doubt others among his men would ask the same question. What could he even say? Maybe he should let Teague speak.

As if summoned by thought, Teague appeared at the door to the tent. “May I come in?”

Kais made a sweeping motion with his hands, beckoning Teague in. “Enter.”

“You look better,” Teague observed with a raised brow before they crashed together at the sight of Kais’ hand. “Except for that. That’s new.”

Kais raised the bandaged appendage. “Clumsy.”

“Uh, huh.” Teague’s response was full of disbelief.

“I broke a glass.”

Teague moved closer, pulling a stool up beside where Kais sat. “Bandaged it yourself?”

“No.” Kais turned his hand over in his lap, examining the knots in the cloth. “Satori was in here.”

Teague leaned forward. “How’d she do it?”

“What?” Odd question. “She cleaned it and wrapped it. How else would she do it?”

Teague shook his head, laughing lightly at himself. “Never mind. Ignore me, it’s been a long few days.”

“Right,” Kais agreed. “Speaking of, tell the men we’ll have a memorial on the bank for Sawyer at sunrise. Then we move out. I’m ready to be away from this water.”

Teague nodded. “He had—has—a sister. I heard him talking about her.”

“I know.” Kais let his gaze drop, scanning the ground. “We’ll have to get word to her. I’ll write a letter. We can dispatch it from Burnell.” He paused for a few moments, both men sitting in silence. “I don’t know what to say. I feel like it’s my fault that he ended up in the water. I gave the order to take the crossing.”

Teague leaned forward, his gaze intent on Kais. “This isn’t your fault, Kais. This was our option. We didn’t have time to go all the way down the river. If you would have left it up to me, I would have ordered we take the crossing. And they all saw what you did to try to save Sawyer. They all saw that. It’s not like these men think you’re indifferent or don’t care. They know you, Kay. They’re not blaming you. The only person blaming you for this is yourself. Knock it off.”

Kais looked at Teague. “You’re very free with your words.”

A glimmer of a smirk appeared on Teague’s face. “You want me to stop?”

Kais leaned forward, placing a hand on Teague’s knee. “Never, my friend. Never. Now go, so I can figure out what to say.”

Teague stood. “You’ll do well. Remember what I said.”