Page 91 of Blood and Fate

She hadn’t known if he would say it out loud, and he was just as surprised as she was when he did. With anyone else, she would have questioned the sentiment. After all, they hadn’t known each other all that long. But with him, she had an advantage. Not only did she hear him express his love, but she could feel it emanating outward from within him.

The tears she had been holding onto flowed from her in a rush she hadn’t anticipated. “I love you.”

And she did. She did. Once again, she was shocked at the feeling herself. His arms closed tighter, and he held her. She didn’t know how long they stayed there, but it was until she stopped crying.

“Thank you for sharing with me, for trusting me,” Kais said. “I know it was hard, but it was there, unspoken between us. I didn’t want you to feel like you had to hide it, and I didn’t want you carrying it alone anymore. You never have to carry anything alone again.”

She sniffed and nodded into his chest. She did feel better, lighter, and more at ease knowing he knew. “We should go. If we keep stopping, we’ll never make it.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

KAIS

He saw them before they saw him. Two of the soldiers, seated at their post, watching the perimeter.

The one on the left looked up. Recognition flashed across his face, and he quickly reached over and slapped at the man next to him. They both jumped to their feet, backs straight.

“Sir.”

The sun had begun to sink into the horizon.

“As you were. Where’s Teague?”

“At your tent, sir. Waiting for you.”

“Thank you.”

Kais led Satori into the center of the large camp. Tents were erected in neat rows, torches and fires burning brightly around the space. As they made their way through, men jumped up to salute and then took their seats again when he and Satori passed.

“It’s like you’re important,” Satori teased, and he chuckled.

Teague approached, arms spread wide, his coat flapping at the back of his legs as he walked. “I thought you would never make it!” When he was in front of them, he stood at attention, arms stiff at his side and dipped his head. “Sir. Princess.” Then he was back to Kais’ friend and not his soldier. “You have a letter from your father.” Teague looked at Satori. “And one from hers.”

“A letter from my father?”

Teague nodded. “Also, we’ve heard that there are some soldiers staying at Mooran. So far, they haven’t come this way; they’re just there. And we’re told they’ve been there for some time.”

Mooran was a town barely a half day’s ride from where they now camped.

“And you don’t know why?” Kais asked.

“No idea.” Teague tossed Satori raised brows.

“Well, let me see these letters.” Kais could only imagine what his father or Satori’s father could have to say to him.

Teague stepped to the side and held out an arm, inviting them to go ahead.

They entered Kais’ tent, the familiarity enveloping him. He’d been too long away. He’d missed having a desk. He held an arm toward a chair, inviting Satori to sit. She perched on the edge of the seat, nervous about the letter he now saw on his desk.

He unsnapped the whip at his hip and rested it on the surface of the desk as he rounded to his chair where he sat and reached for the letter from his father.

Breaking the seal, he unfolded the missive. As he expected, the ultimate point of the letter was to let him know that his betrothed had been kidnapped and he was the suspect. He glanced over the top of the letter, meeting Satori’s expectant gaze.

“I kidnapped you. I have not been given permission to contend for your hand.”

“Of course not. If you’ve kidnapped me, you should not be allowed to marry me. That makes sense.”

He smiled as he put the letter down and picked up the next one. He eyed the seal and then looked at Satori, flipping it so she could see.

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