Page 55 of Blood and Fate

She was going to need time to process the events of the evening. “Don’t tell him.”

“What?” Teague turned his attention on her from where he still knelt beside Kais. “Why?”

She tossed around for words, for a reason she didn’t want him to know.

“He has to take me home. I have to go back; my country is depending on me.” Tears edged her words. “This will only make it harder. Teague, please?”

She knew it was asking so much of him. He and Kais shared everything.

Turmoil swirled in Teague’s eyes, his head shaking ever so slightly until he finally pulled in a deep inhale. He glanced once at Kais and then met her eyes again. “Very well.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

KAIS

His head was pounding as he blinked open his eyes and groaned. Movement beside him caught his eye and he turned his head to find Teague leaning forward in his seat.

“Hey.”

Slowly Kais pushed himself up to a sitting position, groaning as his muscles protested. “What happened?”

“You don’t remember?” Teague’s brows were drawn into a deep V. The expression was a bit disconcerting for someone as easygoing as Teague.

Kais rolled his eyes, moving his feet off the side of the cot. “If I remembered, I wouldn’t ask, would I?”

A long stream of air issued from Teague’s lips. “What do you remember?”

Kais took a moment to sift through the fog currently filling his head. They were crossing the river. Everyone had made it across. No. Not everyone. Sawyer. His eyes shot to Teague’s waiting gaze.

“Sawyer.”

Teague’s eyes closed, his head lowering, and Kais knew.

“No.” He shook his head, sending another stab of pain through his temples. “Please.”

Even he didn’t know what he was asking for. He just needed to hear that Sawyer was well and safe.

“He was taken by the current,” Teague sighed. “You tried, you hit your head, but Bram... he took care of it.”

That explained the headache.

“So Sawyer is . . .” He couldn’t form the words to finish the question.

Teague sat in silence for a few moments before answering the unspoken question. “We tried. You tried. There was nothing we could do.” He wiped a hand over his face as though brushing away the images in his mind before changing the subject. “How do you feel? Do you want me to get Bram? Get you a drink?”

“I don’t need Bram. But I won’t turn down a drink.”

Teague nodded. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

Teague left and, true to his word, returned a short time later with a glass filled with a touch too much liquor. He didn’t stay, and Kais was grateful. He just wanted to be alone for a few moments. Sawyer . . .

Kais held the drink in one hand as he ran the other back through his hair. It was odd having a piece of your memory missing. Though, maybe it was a mercy. Did he want to recall Sawyer’s last moments? Sawyer. He had argued with Sawyer only days before about the dangers of the crossing. Sawyer hadn’t wanted to take it. He’d said it was too dangerous. Of course, Kais knew better. Kais knew they needed to take the crossing. Kais was in charge. Kais was right. No matter who argued with him about the route, he’d made up his mind.

And Sawyer had paid the price.

Kais was alive, with only a headache to show for it, and Sawyer was gone. Not even a body to properly bury. Nothing. Simply washed away by the unforgiving current. All because Kais’ decision had forced him.

Swept away by the river. Kais clenched his jaw together. Sadness and absolute fury churned inside him. His fault.

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