Page 85 of Blood and Fate

He rested his forehead on hers. “I’m going to work on our problem; you sleep well.” He pulled back and kissed her forehead, leaving her alone.

Kais stepped into the tent and stopped as the flap closed behind him. Teague sat on his cot, a book in his hand, eyebrows raised in expectancy. Kais let out a puff of air, shaking his head.

Teague snapped his book closed. “You were really only supposed to show her where the pool was.”

“I wanted to convince her to stay?”

Teague produced an expression of mock shock, glancing down briefly. “Someone thinks very highly of himself.”

“Shut up,” Kais sneered. “Don’t make me pull rank.”

Teague raised his hands, palms out, in front of him, though still rather insincerely. “I meant no offense, and I beg your pardon, Your Majesty.”

Just the sound of the title made him want to groan. He threw his head back, gazing at the tent ceiling as he sat.

Teague continued, his expression turning a bit sympathetic, “She doesn’t know about that yet, does she?”

Kais looked at his friend. “No. And I’m honestly surprised, being here in the village.”

Teague chuckled. “These people are like family. I doubt they even remember you are the Prince.”

“Lucky for me.”

“You are going to tell her, though.” It was a question phrased as a statement.

Of course he was going to tell her. “Yes.”

“Look, Kay, I know you already know this, but I’m going to say it anyway . . . You need to tell her sooner rather than later. You’ve already waited too long.”

He wanted to snap at the man, but he held his tongue because Teague was right. Helias! How had he let this go on so long?

He blew out a breath, his shoulders sagging. “Yes.”

“It may work out in your favor,” Teague said. “She’s being urged to marry, you’re eligible. Not only that, but the alliance will make your countries much stronger.”

“Eligible?” Kais scoffed, running a hand across his scruff. “A letter sits on her father’s desk even now petitioning him for her hand.”

Teague placed his hands behind him, leaning back. “I wasn’t going to bring it up.”

Kais couldn’t sit any longer, he stood and began pacing the small space. An easy thing since two strides covered the distance.

“For all I know, the letter from my father at camp contains news of her father’s response.” He barked a bitter laugh. “Which is probably a large no since no doubt they think I’ve kidnapped her.“ He tossed a hand in the direction of Satori’s tent.

“I suppose we’ll know tomorrow.” Teague’s eyes followed Kais as he made two more laps across the tent. “Kay, you can do nothing about any of it tonight. Why don’t you sleep? It’s been a long day, and another waits for us tomorrow.”

Kais stopped, propping his hands on his hips, staring into nothing. “You’re right.” He seated himself once more on his cot. “And I’ll tell her tomorrow.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

SATORI

She lay on her cot, staring at the canvas ceiling—the memory of Kais’ touch playing repeatedly in her mind. The way the leaves swirled and the water danced. She laughed and then laughed some more, throwing a hand over her forehead. She stopped laughing—she was an idiot. What had she been thinking? She never should have let him touch her, never should have touched him.

Tomorrow they would meet back up with Kais’ men and send a message to her father to let him know that she was well and safe and on her way home. Home. Then what? Then absolutely nothing. Nothing. She would go home to her father and her castle and marry either someone she didn’t know or, worse, someone she did. Kais would go back to leading his men without a woman in tow. They would go on with their lives and never see each other again.

Something like actual pain burned inside her. What had Shala and Miram been thinking? There were no two people less suited for a blood mate bond than she and Kais. A Princess promised to another, and a soldier, the enemy of her land.

“Helias!”

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