Page 98 of Blood and Fate

“Thank you, Tessa.”

Henrik moved and seated himself again on the chair he had vacated earlier, and hatred burned in Satori’s chest as he leaned back, unabashedly watching her.

“Satori . . .” Tessa whispered.

“It’s fine, Tessa.” Satori tried to keep the shake out of her voice. “Will you please help me dress?”

With another glance at Henrik, Tessa retrieved the dress and began helping Satori out of the robe and into her clothes. Henrik never took his eyes off of her. Tessa tried to remain in his line of sight, but she was smaller than Satori, and her petite frame only blocked so much.

Satori did her best to ignore Henrik’s leering gaze, a task that was much easier said than done. After dressing she worked her hair into a braid, not willing to waste anymore time. When she was finally finished, she turned toward him. “If it’s alright with you, I’d like to see my father now.”

Henrik stood, covering the space between them in two strides of his long legs. He stopped in front of her, running a finger down her jaw. “I appreciate that you’ve acknowledged the fact that it is indeed my authority that allows you to do anything.”

She pulled her head away, doing nothing to hide the hatred that simmered in her gaze.

Henrik laughed deep in his throat. “I’ll enjoy breaking that.”

“You can try,” she countered.

Then his fingers were wrapped roughly around her jaw as he squeezed, pulling her face closer to his. “My dear Satori, as evidenced by my presence in your chambers and our upcoming union, I never fail when I set out to accomplish something.”

He released her, and she refrained from rubbing her sore jaw, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. Henrik took a step back and offered his arm to Satori. She ignored it, stepping past him toward the door. But in a moment, he had blocked her way, once again offering his arm, one brow quirked up.

She had to pick her battles. Defying him in everything for the rest of their lives would grow tedious quickly. So, instead of fighting on this trivial point, she reached up and slid her hand through the crook of his elbow.

His brow relaxed, and his head tilted. “Was that so hard?”

Satori ignored him as Tessa pulled the door open, and they exited the room.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

SATORI

Satori held her breath as the door to the small dining room, which she and her father enjoyed sharing, was pulled open. Across the room, one wall was actually a set of large windowed doors that looked out over the gardens. In front of the doors, gazing out, her father sat, one leg crossed over the other, an elbow perched on the arm of his chair, his chin resting on his knuckles.

“It looks as though it may snow tonight, Henrik.” Her father’s voice sounded disjointed, as though he spoke because it was expected, but his words held no conviction. “Must tell the servants to bring in extra wood for the fires.”

Satori moved to rush to him, but Henrik’s hold on her arm tightened, keeping her firmly by his side.

“Please?” She was not above begging at that moment.

Henrik gave her a sideways look before he spoke, “Your Majesty, I’ve found something we had thought lost.”

“What’s that?” her father asked the question before slowly turning his head. When his eyes met Satori’s, his hands fell to his lap, his gaze going wide with shock. “Satori.” Her name was but a breath on his lips.

“Father.”

She didn’t wait for Henrik to release her. She gave a firm tug, jerking her arm from his grasp. She rushed to her father, hitting her knees before his chair. Her head rested on his lap as he leaned down, closing his arms around her.

“Satori, my sweet, darling girl.” His hands ran over her back and hair as though he didn’t quite believe she was there. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”

She stayed there, holding him, letting him hold her.

“Oh, Henrik, my girl is back,” her father’s words were muffled where his face was buried in her hair.

“Indeed.” Henrik’s smooth voice sounded from directly behind her. “And the news is even better than that. She’s agreed to be my wife. We will all be family as we were meant to be.”

Satori ignored the turn of her stomach.

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