Page 92 of Blood and Fate

“My father.”

“Indeed.” Kais shot Teague a look as he cracked the seal and read the first few lines. “Well, now we know who the men in town are.”

At his words, dread coiled inside Satori; he felt it in his chest, the sinking feeling pulling her under.

He turned his attention to her. “Satori, it’s alright. We’ll clear it up.”

The dread did not quiet, but she still nodded at him. He reached into the drawer in front of him and pulled a pen, a piece of paper, some wax, and his seal. He scribbled a reply on the paper, folded it, and sealed it.

“Have someone run this to the town,” he said, handing it to Teague. “We’ll see them tomorrow.”

Teague nodded as he accepted the letter and disappeared out of the tent. Kais’ eyes found Satori again. Fear still painted her features and her emotions. He stood and moved around to where she sat. Taking her hands, he pulled her to her feet, and with one finger he tipped her chin up so he could look her in the eye.

“Don’t fret. We’ll take care of it. And until then . . .” He dipped his head, capturing her soft lips with his. He took a moment to savor the reaction of their contact before he deepened the kiss.

He’d been waiting for this moment all day.

“Wait right there,” he said with a smile as he moved to the tent flap. He opened it and stepped halfway outside. Two men stood guard. “Have someone bring some food. Leave it outside.”

The man nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“And Reed?”

“Sir?”

“No one comes in this tent. For any reason.”

“Yes, sir.”

Kais stepped back inside, arranging the heavy flaps to fall closed evenly. When he turned, Satori still stood where he’d left her, facing him. He allowed himself to take in her form. The black corset was a definite step up from the brown one. And yet, his fingers still itched to remove it.

He covered the distance between them in three strides, sliding his fingers into her hair and claiming her mouth. She moaned softly and he blew a breath out his nose at the sound.

Walking her backward, he led them to the bed. Satori didn’t hesitate to sit, and then he was laying her down, lifting one knee to kneel over her on the bed, each of them half on and half off the matress.

With his left hand still cradling her head, Kais trailed his right down her jaw, along her neck, and over her chest until he located the laces of the corset. He tugged and worked the laces until it was loose enough for Satori to lean up and pull it off. He cupped her breast, running a finger over the tip the way he knew she liked. She moaned into his mouth, and he nearly came undone at that one small sound.

Her hands came up to pull his tunic from his pants, and he paused what he was doing long enough to pull his shirt over his head. Something lit in Satori’s eyes, and she pushed him up, off of her, but not for long as she followed him, gaining better access.

As he sat on the bed, she knelt one knee between his legs, facing him, her mouth exploring, kissing his temple, his cheek, his jaw, his throat. Shala. She proceeded to kiss down his chest until her hands found his belt. He didn’t wait for her to do it herself; he unlatched the clasp and, lifting slightly, pushed his pants and everything onto the floor. He sat beneath her, at her mercy, as her tongue explored everywhere, traveling down and down until she knelt before him. He let his head hang backward, propping himself up, fighting to keep himself together as she worked.

Finally, when he thought he would burst, she stopped and stepped back. He was simultaneously sad and thrilled. He didn’t want to finish in her mouth, but he did want to finish inside her. He watched as she took two steps back and, holding his gaze, slowly removed her own shirt and pants, leaving her just as bare as he was.

When she stepped back to him, she placed a gentle hand on his chest, and he slid back slightly. She lifted one leg, straddling him, still keeping that eye contact. His breath left him in heavy puffs. Her lips found his and she kissed him as she lifted herself and sank onto him.

“Shala,” he breathed the word.

She pulled away from his mouth just barely, just enough to speak.

“No, Satori,” she corrected.

He laughed as he wrapped an arm around her back, kissing her again. When she began to move, he saw stars, like the very air around him sparkled.

Her hips moved slowly, rhythmically. Stretching his neck up, he took her mouth in his, biting down gently but firmly on her bottom lip.

Her arms rested on his shoulders as she moved, and he watched as she closed her eyes and let her head fall backward. He could feel his own release coming, but he would hold out, if only to watch the scene in front of him.

Satori’s mouth was open, air leaving her lips in soft puffs. Her brow drew together into what was almost a look of pain, but he knew better. Her thighs clenched tighter around his legs, and he tightened his grip on her back just slightly, mesmerized by her beauty.

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