Page 99 of Blood and Fate

“Satori, Satori, this is truly a wonderful day.”

The smile in her father’s voice made her chest ache. He was so relieved to have her back, and she was happy to be reunited with him, as well. But how her father could think that marriage to Henrik was for the best, she had no idea. She couldn’t comprehend a life of being subjected to that man. How long would she last before she felt she had no choice but to do something drastic? Helias, she missed Kais.

“Let’s eat, let’s eat.” Her father patted her excitedly on the back. “I feel my appetite returned for the first time in weeks.”

Satori ate very little at dinner and contributed almost nothing to the conversation as it was monopolized by Henrik and her father, making plans for her future. Her stomach rolled as she listened to them, as her father agreed with every suggestion and plan Henrik put forth. Despair pressed in on her like the walls of a cage, visions of life with Henrik playing in her mind. All the while the idea of Kais was standing by, his image like a ghost in the corner of the room. Hollowness filled her, the nothingness there almost a thing itself.

Her chest and throat ached with the tears she held back. Finally, she could bear it no longer. She stood.

Henrik’s hand closed around her wrist. “My darling, where are you off to? You’ve hardly touched your meal.”

She pulled her arm away, trying to dislodge it from his grasp, but his grip tightened, keeping her in place. She forced a pleasant sound into her voice for her father’s benefit.

“I apologize. I’m just very tired, it’s been a long day.” The sounds of Kais’ men shouting echoed in her head, and she fought to keep her voice even. “I’m just going to go to bed.”

With a swift jerk of her arm, she dislodged herself from Henrik’s grasp. With a look, daring him to manhandle her in front of her father, she moved away from him to embrace the King. “Good night, father. It’s so good to see you.”

“I’m so relieved to have you home, my sweet girl,” her father said. “Rest well, I’ll see you in the morning.”

She exited the room, feeling Henrik’s gaze on her the entire time. She had no doubt she would pay for that bit of defiance. But at that point, defiance was all she had.

She entered her room to find Tessa waiting. The other girl rushed to her as soon as the door closed behind her.

“Satori, Satori, I’m so sorry.”

Tears poured down Tessa’s face as Satori reached out and pulled her into an embrace. “Don’t cry, Tessa. We can only go on from here.”

“He made us move his things.” A look of panic lit Tessa’s face as she spoke. “Everything. He’s moved everything in here.”

Nothing about that surprised Satori. Another stab of pain hit her that it was Henrik and not Kais. Kais was supposed to be the one to share her bed and her life. The sob she’d been holding in for hours finally broke free as her knees crumbled beneath her, and she landed in a heap on the plush carpet.

She allowed herself a few moments to grieve, but the threat of Henrik’s return loomed heavy like a cloud about to burst. She had to compose herself. But as she sat there on the floor, remembering Kais so clearly she could nearly feel his arms around her, she had a thought. It was probably ridiculous and certainly pointless, and no doubt it would cause her more pain, but still, she had to make the request. She pulled in a breath, composing herself as she grabbed Tessa by the upper arms.

“Tessa, I need you to do something for me.”

Tessa’s eyes went wide. “Anything, Satori. Anything. What is it?”

“It’s going to sound ridiculous. I need you to go to the market and buy something for me. But you can’t let anyone know what you’re doing. No one can know.” Tessa’s head nodded vigorously. “I need you to find me a whip.”

“A what?” Tessa’s brow knit with confusion.

“Go to the tanner and tell him you need a whip. Six feet, eight feet. I don’t care.” She didn’t know why she wanted the whip or what she would do with it. She would certainly have to hide it. Henrik could never know about it. “Pay whatever it costs.”

“Of course,” Tessa said, drying her own tears.

Satori pulled in a fortifying breath, letting it out slowly. She stood, brushing a hand over her skirts. Her timing was perfect as the door behind her opened, and Henrik stepped into the room.

He leveled his gaze on her, glancing once at Tessa. “Get out.”

Then, his attention was back on Satori.

Satori turned to her friend, forcing the best smile she could manage. “Good night, Tessa.”

“Satori?”

Henrik’s attention snapped fully to Tessa. “Do you have trouble hearing, insolent girl? I said leave.”

Tessa jumped at his tone, and with an apologetic look and a quick curtsey, she was out the door.

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