Page 18 of Blood and Fate

She could feel eyes on her before Kais spoke, “What do you want?”

“We do not ask for much. Supplies, that is all.”

“What kind of supplies?” Kais’ voice was closer, moving toward her and not toward her captor.

“Blankets for me and my man, and our horse. It’s growing cold,” her captor answered. “And enough food for three weeks.”

The last part of his request seemed to end on a hesitantly hopeful tone, as though he didn’t expect Kais to give in. It wasn’t hard to understand. Three weeks worth of food was a lot, especially for people who were camped in the woods in a land closing in on winter.

If Kais refused, would she be taken and traded off to someone more willing to share? Would they just keep her? Where would she be better off—with these men or with Kais and his men? Her heart began to drum quicker, and she shifted in her seat, anxiety pressing in.

“Done.”

Done? He was agreeing? Just like that? Still, was that a good thing or a bad thing? She’d heard stories about the soldiers from Evandor. Maybe she was safer with the two men who took her from Henrik.

Kais continued speaking, “Doran, get these men what they need and see that they resume their journey. Bring the girl to my tent.”

Her next breath stuttered at his words, and she stiffened, desperately wishing she could see what was happening. Whatever he thought he was going to get in that tent, he would need to think again. She might not be a fighter, but she would do her best. He wouldn’t leave unscathed, that was for certain.

The wagon jostled as someone climbed inside, and hands were on her, unlocking her clamps. But then her hands were tied again in front of her. She was helped to her feet and lifted from the wagon, the blindfold and gag still in place. The hand on her arm was firm but gentle in a way she hadn’t expected.

They had only taken two steps when Kais’ voice stopped them. “Doran, when you get there, you can remove the blindfold, but the gag and bonds stay.”

If only they’d removed the gag so she could spit on his boots. A very unprincess-like action, to be sure, but she didn’t care.

Her boots scuffed over the ground, sinking into dirt, crunching on fallen leaves. She tripped once on something, a rock or root, but the hand on her arm kept her upright. They slowed, a heavy tent flap was pushed aside, and she was ushered inside and seated on a cushioned chair.

Her hands were untied briefly only to be rebound to the wooden slats that made up the back of the chair. She flinched as Doran removed the blindfold with a swift tug that took a few strands of her golden hair with it. He said nothing and barely spared her a glance as she glared at him. And then, pausing to let her know a guard was stationed outside, the heavy tent flap fell back into place and he was gone, leaving her in silence.

As if she needed a guard. Where would she go, anyway? She surveyed the space. It was large for a tent but not excessive. Though, she supposed, as the leader of a group this size, Kais warranted some luxuries. She turned her head to the right and found a large cot. A dark blue blanket trimmed in gold thread covered the bed.

Poles held the tent up on either side and slightly in front of where she sat. To her left, a table held a basin, a pitcher, and a few towels. She couldn’t see behind her very well, though when she turned her head from side to side, it looked like there might be a desk and chair.

A chill ran over her as that same feeling of seeping hot honey returned. She was starting to resent it.

“You can go.” Kais’ voice outside the tent flap made her heart skip and she scowled. Her body’s reactions to this man annoyed her. It certainly wasn’t attraction, so what was it?

The flap parted, and Kais ducked inside, placing a bow and quiver of arrows just inside the tent wall while simultaneously unhooking a long coiled whip from his belt. He moved behind her, where she could no longer see him, and she heard him set something, presumably the whip, on the desk.

“You’re expensive.”

People said they could feel when someone was watching them, but she could truly feel it. Could feel the heat of his gaze as it spread across her back, as her hair lifted at the root. She tried to straighten in her seat, but the ropes around her wrist prohibited much movement.

He moved closer, the air growing stifling as she tried to take a breath. He stepped beside her enough so she could see him.

“I’m going to remove this gag. Don’t scream.”

She rolled her eyes at him. What did he think she was, some hysterical maiden? She certainly was not. She was afraid, being alone with him in his camp, in his tent. But she was no stranger to fear and she certainly would do her best not to show it.

He stepped behind her again, and his fingers began to work the knot at the base of her skull, though he never once touched her. Soon the gag was loosened, and he pulled it carefully from her mouth.

She opened her mouth wide, stretching and flexing her cheeks. No doubt the material had left angry red marks. He had stepped back to her side, and she looked up, meeting his gaze, glaring.

“Go to Helias.”

His jaw fell open. “I just saved you. I could have left you with that mongrel and his friend. And by the way they were looking at you, the companion especially, I think he would have rather had you than all the extra food and blankets I gave up.”

She hid the shiver that coursed through her. Were there no kind men in the world? “And I’m to believe that I’m so much better off here with you?”

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