Page 86 of Blood and Fate

For a long time she lay awake, contemplating the turn her life had taken. She must have eventually fallen asleep because, at some point, she became aware of the now familiar warm honey feeling, and then the spark of contact.

Unconcerned by his presence, she opened her eyes slowly and found Kais kneeling beside her bed, one hand gently brushing the hair away from her face.

“Good morning, Princess.”

Morning. She had spent half the night dreading morning. But with Kais’ rough palm in her hair, the dread seemed to lessen.

“Morning.”

“It’s time to pack up. I’m afraid we need your tent.”

“Of course.”

A yawn pushed out, and she covered her mouth as she sat up.

Kais nodded to the small table in the tent. “Marta heard about yesterday and sent you a fresh set of clothes. She assures me they will fit.”

Satori looked to where Kais indicated. A white shirt, black corset, and maroon pants rested on the table. She returned her attention to Kais, still kneeling beside her cot.

“I’ll be out in a minute.”

He rested both hands on her knees, where she sat with her legs crossed, staring up at her.

After a few moments of silence, he smiled softly. “I’ll be waiting.”

The clothes from Marta fit perfectly, and Satori made her way directly to the woman to thank her. She found Marta dishing out pre-rolled breakfast pies, and instead of interrupting, Satori slid in beside the woman and began helping her distribute food.

“Thank you so much for these clothes, they fit perfectly. And they’re beautiful.”

“Ohhhh.” The other woman waved a hand, as if dismissing Satori’s thanks. “After your ordeal yesterday, you deserve them. Only the best for our Princess.”

Satori’s hand was halfway to a man’s plate when she paused. Our Princess? She wasn’t their Princess. She wasn’t even sure exactly whose land she was in. King Lexon, she thought. She’d never met the man and only knew what she was told, mainly that he was interested in overthrowing her father. Though, after having met Kais and his men, she was beginning to question everything she’d been told. She was pulled from her thoughts when the man she had been handing the wrapped breakfast to finally reached out and took it.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright, Your Highness.”

“Alright, grab your gear!”

Satori turned toward the voice she had come to know so well. Kais, Adalyn riding atop his shoulders, grinning, and Teague beside them, were walking toward them.

“We leave in ten minutes.”

The last of the men made their way through the line, and Satori began to clean up the leftover bits.

Marta’s hand closed on hers as she worked. “Please, Princess, let me do that.”

“Marta.” Kais stopped beside the woman. “What would we do without you?”

“Starve,” Marta answered, unimpressed.

Laughter danced around the group as Kais lifted Adalyn off his shoulders and turned to wrap his arms around Marta. “We appreciate you.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“None of that.” Kais turned to Teague. “I need all the sustenance to keep this one in line.”

“Indeed.” Teague’s voice dripped sarcasm, and Satori smiled.

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