Page 96 of Blood and Fate

“Princess, your father is resting. He will be just as glad to see you at dinner as he would be now.”

Why would Henrik keep her from her father? No doubt it was based on control alone. “How dare you keep me from him.”

Henrik closed the remaining space between them, snatching her upper arm in his fist and dipping his head slightly to speak quietly in her ear, “I realize you think you’re in charge here, but we both know I’m the one with the power.” Henrik stepped back and took her hand, forcing it through the crook of his arm. “Allow me to show you to your room, Princess.”

Satori shot Tessa a look. She had never told Tessa what had happened with Henrik, and the look of shock on the other girl’s face made that obvious.

“I-I’ll take the Princess to her room to get her ready.”

Henrik turned his head to look at Tessa. “Go and make sure the kitchen knows to have dinner ready in an hour.”

A sick feeling grew in the pit of Satori’s stomach as Tessa’s gaze jumped between her and Henrik. “Sir, I believe you already sent someone to do—“

Henrik cut her off with a barked, “Go!”

Tessa jumped, eyes growing wide, shooting Satori an apologetic look before rushing off.

Henrik began moving, all but dragging Satori along with him, through the entryway and up the large center staircase, branching off to the left and heading up another flight, leading her to her room. He turned the handle, pushed open the door, and shoved her inside. She tripped into the room, nearly falling onto the plush carpet.

He strode toward her, latching onto both of her arms painfully. “You will never disobey me in public again. Or you will regret it.” He released her, stepping back once and smoothing his hands over his tunic. “I suggest you accustom yourself to the idea of a long and happy life with me. Quiet and acquiescing to my plans and,” he ran a finger from her temple to her neck, “wishes. It will be significantly less uncomfortable for you this way.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat, hating how it sounded in her ears. She suspected Henrik noticed because his mouth ticked up at the corner.

There was a quick knock on the door, and it flew open, revealing Tessa, panting heavily. She looked at Henrik, voice shaking. “Dinner will be ready in an hour, your Grace.” She entered the room swiftly, moving past him toward Satori. “I’ll get your bath ready now.”

“Thank you, Tessa.”

Tessa moved swiftly to the bathing chamber to start the bath.

Satori looked at Henrik. “You’re free to go now.”

The smug look remained on Henrik’s face as he sauntered to a chair in Satori’s sitting area and lowered himself into it. “This is my room now.”

Satori’s stomach dropped.

“You’re not my husband yet,” she snapped.

“Technicalities matter little to me, my dear.” He leaned back, resting both arms on the sides of the chair. “Whether now or next week, you’re my wife in practice, at the very least. And I do intend to practice.”

Next week? Satori’s breath caught at the prospect of being wed to Henrik within the week. So soon. Though, why prolong the inevitable? Her lip shook, tears threatening to overtake her again. Life with Henrik and without Kais was nearly unbearable to consider. The chasm in her chest, once filled by Kais, seemed to yawn open wider at the prospect.

A throat cleared behind her and she turned to find Tessa eyeing Henrik nervously.

“Do you need something?” Henrik asked smoothly.

Tessa gave a quick shake of her head. “No, apologies. Princess, your bath is ready.”

Satori closed her eyes, trying to shake off the thoughts in her head and the ache in her heart. “Thank you, Tessa.”

With a last look at Henrik, seated smugly in her room, she entered the bathing chamber. When Tessa entered behind her and shut the door, Satori hissed, “Lock it.”

“Already done,” Tessa assured her. She moved to help Satori out of her clothes, keeping her voice low. “Satori, what’s going on?”

Ignoring her question, Satori posed one of her own, “Tessa, is my father unwell?”

Tessa paused her work for a moment and shrugged slightly. “He hasn’t been entirely himself, but we all assumed it was because you were missing and no one knew what had happened. When we got word that those brutes had kidnaped you—“

Satori turned to take Tessa’s hand, it hurt to know people thought of Kais and Teague and the men that way. “I wasn’t kidnapped. Well, I was, but not by who you think. I was kidnapped in the woods with Henrik. But then Kais and his men, from the ball, rescued me. Tessa, he traded winter supplies to those criminals for me. They kept me safe. They were kind. Tessa, I—“

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