Page 33 of Blood and Fate

“Feel free to take your time.” He indicated to her plate, though she was almost finished.

Satori scooped the last bite of oatmeal from the bowl and picked up the final sausage link. “I’m through.”

The look Kais gave her was mildly amused, and she offered him a slight shrug as she stood. “Why are you going into town?”

She didn’t mean to pry, but he was giving her the strangest look and she wanted to divert the attention.

Kais began walking and Satori followed. “We’re trading some of our older horses for fresh ones, also picking up a few extra supplies. I would offer to let you take Luna but I’ve seen you ride. I have no doubt you can handle an unfamiliar horse or two.”

The comment gave her a warm feeling in her chest. It was nice to be praised for something she did well, but she schooled her features, refusing to let it show. Though, as she held Kais’ gaze and his eyes flitted over her face, before his features softened, she was fairly certain he already knew the effect his words had. Blast this connection to Helias.

Kais let out a laugh and tried to cover it with a cough, but because Satori was desperate for the moment to pass, she did not call him out.

“Saddle another horse.” Kais’ shouted words startled Satori out of her thoughts and she looked up to find they were approaching Teague. She noticed right away the absence of his long coat.

Teague looked up from where he stood with a group of horses. “Princess, will you be joining us?”

“I suppose I am.” She stepped up to one of the horses, rubbing its face softly. The horse responded with a soft whinny.

“I guess you can ride that one.” Kais smiled. “Just don’t get too attached.”

Satori looked around, Kais had disappeared somewhere. “Why does he do this himself? Surely he has men who could do this task.”

Teague tossed a blanket on the horse’s back and then lifted the saddle on top of it. “He likes to go into the towns and see things for himself when he gets the chance.” She didn’t miss the surreptitious look Teague stole in her direction as he buckled the saddles. “The taxes hit some towns harder than others.”

Taxes? This town must be very poor indeed to have a problem with the taxes. Last she’d known, her father’s taxes were more than fair. Though she had to admit, she didn’t actually know much about the fiscal state of the country. She suspected Henrik had something to do with that. She voiced none of her thoughts, though, choosing instead to see for herself.

Warmth flowed over her and she turned to find Kais approaching with what looked like a blanket flung over his arm.

“I found a cloak for you. It’ll keep you warm and you can wear the hood if you’d like. I would hate for someone to recognize you and kidnap you again,” Kais spoke as Teague stepped up beside him and took one of the cloaks from his arm so that Kais could hold the other one out for Satori.

Unease brushed through her again. Was he trying to keep her safe or keep her to himself should any of her father’s men be around?

Kais’ brow dipped slightly as he stood, holding out the cloak and waiting. Something like sadness hit her before he spoke again, “You’re safe here, Princess. Teague will be there as well.”

Did Kais know she felt the most secure with Teague? If he could feel things the same as she did, he was most likely aware of that fact. She pulled in a breath and stepped toward him, turning so he could rest the cloak over her shoulders. She reached up and pulled it close, securing the clasp.

Teague handed the other cloak back to Kais and he flung the dark fabric around and over his own shoulders, fastening it at his collar. The cloak replaced the coat he normally wore.

He moved to his horse, patting it gently on the shoulder. “Ready when you are.”

Teague handed a set of reins to Satori and waited as she mounted the horse before he climbed onto his own. Kais seated himself atop his and they began moving. A few of the men called out to them as they passed, five more riderless horses following along behind them.

They rode in silence for much of the journey, horses’ hooves crunching on fallen leaves the only sound. Then Satori started to see what looked like little rugged huts set up haphazardly among the trees.

“There are more than last time.” Teague’s quiet observation drew her attention.

“It’s worse.” Kais’ answer was laced with anger that Satori thought she would have picked up even if she couldn’t feel it dripping off him.

“What’s worse?”

She was now noticing people around. They were thin and dirty, some eyeing their small group with unease, others with clear expectation. Some even came to the side of the road, little children by their sides with their hands outstretched.

Teague reached into a pouch and drew out some coins, tossing them at the people who scrambled to scoop up the scattered funds. Kais did something similar, although he tossed small pouches of what looked like dried meats and nuts.

They were begging.

She nudged her horse until she was nearly even with Teague and Kais. “Why do they live out here and starve when the town is right there?”

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