Page 41 of Blood and Fate

“Not like that.” Kais laughed. “Nothing like that. She’s still afraid of what I might do. It’s just been an accidental brush of fingers, or when we danced. There’s something like a spark that passes between us. Everything inside me seems to buzz. Like the sound of a beehive, but in my veins.” He smiled and shook his head. “I know I’m sitting here trying to explain it but I’m not really doing it justice. I wish I could show you what it’s like. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. It’s ridiculous to say this, but I think I know why it’s called blood mate. It’s because when she touches me it’s like my blood is singing.”

Teague had remained quiet, but at those words, he smiled. “I don’t know what’s going on or what the future holds, no matter what Kezia might say. But I changed my mind.”

“How’s that?”

“Don’t get rid of her. Keep her. I’ve never seen you like this. Not ever. I wish you all the best with this girl.” Teague rose from his seat, downed the last of his drink, placed the glass back down with a thunk, and planted both hands on Kais’ desk, leaning in toward the other man. “I won’t let death take you so easily, my friend. You deserve to be happy.” He picked up his coat. “And now, I’m going to bed.”

Kais laughed. “Goodnight. Thank you.”

The next morning Kais did his best to ignore Satori. Not because he didn’t want to see her, or talk to her, or be around her; he stayed away to give her some space. He hated the fear he felt from her sometimes when she looked at him. He would do what he could to avoid that. And if that meant staying out of her vicinity, he would do it.

Of course, he could still feel her around, especially in her tent. She slept fitfully but didn’t have any real nightmares. Kais slept very little, distracted by her array of emotions. He’d lain on his cot, staring at the fabric of his tent ceiling, wishing he could do something for her. But his presence only seemed to make it worse. Well, his presence when she was aware of it. There had been the night she’d had the nightmare that woke him. When he had stepped into the tent and touched her, her body had stilled, her breathing evening out.

Kais’ chest tightened at the memory. What was it that a young, sheltered Princess had to cause those kinds of terrors as she slept? He thought he knew. That man, that advisor who had tried to cut in on their dance. He’d felt something from Satori then, but it was such a new sensation to him that he hadn’t known what to make of it. Now, looking back, he thought it might have been fear.

His body tensed as anger rose inside him. A sweeping wave of territorial protectiveness washed over him at the thought of that man laying a hand on Satori. Kais had been with women; he expected she’d been with men. It wasn’t jealousy that bothered him. It was the idea that that man had touched her in a way that caused her fear and nightmares.

Kais’ stomach turned over as thoughts and images crowded his mind. Surely what he imagined was worse than what actually happened. He swallowed hard and sent a prayer to Shala and Miram that his imaginings were worse than truth.

After a quick breakfast, they packed up the camp. They traveled all day, only stopping when necessary for the horses and men, or for a quick lunch and were back on the road. Kais had a point in mind that he wanted to get to. They’d camped there before. It was close to the water with enough space for everyone without tents. Then the next day, they would arrive at the crossing.

Kais turned his attention to Satori, where she rode beside Bram. She was far enough in front of him that her presence wasn’t overwhelming physically. It didn’t matter, though; he was still painfully aware of her. As he watched, someone around her must have said something funny. She threw her head back, her long blonde braid that had been slung over her shoulder fell down her back, and she laughed.

He’d never heard her laugh before, not a real, genuine laugh. The sound stole his breath away, knocking it completely from his lungs. She turned to look at the man on the horse behind her, and her smile lit her entire face, transforming it from the fear and mistrust Kais was used to into pure delight.

Jealousy hit him. Again. Helias, he’d never been the jealous type. Yet he was jealous of Sawyer, who had made her laugh, and he was jealous that her bright smile was only for him. Guilt followed quickly. He was jealous of Sawyer because Satori smiled at him? He nearly growled in frustration.

He swallowed hard and, with great effort, tore his gaze away from her, focusing instead on the back of the man that rode in front of him.

“I’ve never heard her laugh.”

Go away. Kais thought as Teague guided his horse alongside him.

“She’s beautiful,” Teague continued. “I never really looked before.”

“Why are you looking now?” Kais shot, twisting his neck toward Teague.

Teague raised both hands in front of him. He looked like he was trying to hide a smile. That annoyed Kais more. Ugh, why was he having this reaction?

“I’m sorry,” Kais said quickly, ashamed at the way he’d snapped at his friend. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Didn’t he know?

“I just meant,” Teague continued, though it appeared he was choosing his words a bit more carefully, “that after our conversation, I’m paying closer attention to her. If she’s special to you, I want to know her too. And I want to make sure she stays safe.”

Kais’ annoyance quickly morphed into gratitude as he looked at Teague. “Thank you.”

“So, tell me,” Teague began, looking from Kais to Satori and back, “why are you here if she’s there?”

Kais let out a small sigh, glancing sideways at Teague. “You know why.”

“Because she’s afraid of you.” Teague’s blue eyes flashed with his smile. “She’ll always be afraid of you if you don’t do something to change her mind.”

Kais chuckled. “Yesterday, you wanted me to drop her at the next town and never think of her again.”

Teague’s smile softened into a more serious, contemplative expression. “I was wrong. You give and give, and you deserve happiness.” He leaned in conspiratorially. “If you want, I’ll go talk you up.”

Kais laughed again. He almost wanted to allow Teague to talk him up. But he could handle it himself. With a nod at Teague, he nudged his horse forward and moved beside her.

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