Page 70 of Blood and Fate

Adalyn’s face scrunched up, wrinkling her tiny nose, and she spoke ever so seriously, “Oh, no, he’s very strong.”

“I am very strong.” Kais shrugged.

“I think I’d like to keep my feet on the ground, if you don’t mind. Thank you, though.”

“Very well, Princess.” Kais turned toward Adalyn. “She said no, do you want to go again?”

The girl bounced on her feet. “Yes, yes, yes!”

Kais snatched her up and tossed her into the air again, catching her easily.

CHAPTER THIRTY

KAIS

She stayed for hours. She played with Adalyn, the two of them taking turns cracking their whips. He stepped in to offer help when he was needed but eventually they were both getting consistent cracks every time.

Adalyn had set up her own pinecones and was ceaselessly trying to knock them off. Occasionally she made it, occasionally she didn’t; none of it was due to aim, all due to luck. She talked Satori into trying as well. The results were much the same, but the laughter was nonstop.

He spent too much time staring at Satori. He knew, so everyone else surely knew it, as well.

“Kay!”

He pulled his attention from Adalyn and Satori to look at Teague.

Teague stopped beside him, his eyes dancing between Satori and Kais, a knowing smirk on his face.

Kais rolled his eyes. “What?”

Teague raised his hands defensively. “I didn’t say anything.”

“Yeah. You were thinking it,” Kais said, unimpressed but knowing the other man was only teasing. “What are you doing here?”

“A few of us are going to do some hunting.” Teague indicated over his shoulder with a backward nod of his head. “Thought we could try replenishing some of the supplies they used on us. Interested?”

He was interested, of course; he wanted to help. But as his eyes drifted to Satori, he realized just as much he wanted to stay right where he was and observe.

Teague reached out with an elbow and knocked into Kais’ arm. “Ask her to come along.”

Kais swiveled his attention to Teague. “Hunting?”

“Why not?” Teague laughed. “It’s not dangerous. Since you’re in the teaching mood, you could show her how to use a bow. She’d probably be excited to learn.”

Kais let his gaze wander back to Satori. Why not? She was eager to learn the whip.

“Princess?”

Teague spoke just above a whisper, “There ya go.”

Kais shot him an annoyed look, and the other man laughed quietly, walking away.

Satori made her way to Kais, followed closely by Adalyn. “Yes?”

“We’re about to go hunting, and I was wondering if you’d like to go along?”

Satori’s brow rose as skepticism bloomed in her features, and mild excitement bubbled below the surface. “Hunting?”

“Sure.” Kais shrugged, smiling because he knew she wanted to. “Have you ever been?”

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