Page 64 of Sands of Atonement

Before I had time to respond, my brother stepped through the gate into the arena. The sun had risen more, and I could hear the commotion of the guards behind the wall. The desert was waking up.

“Eshe, Ezra.” Casimir nodded his greeting.

“Good morning,” Eshe said, her voice suddenly lighter than before. I wondered if I had to train with her more in order for her to sound like this more often.

Casimir’s eyes dimmed as he darted from Eshe to me. “I have news. Kavid is here. He just arrived last night.”

My eyes snapped to Eshe.

“Keep her away while I talk to him,” I told Casimir.

Eshe took a step back. Her eyes grew wide.

“Ezra,” she hissed as she took a step toward me. “You can’t keep him from me. You told me you’d let me see him.”

I matched her step forward.

The moment of peace we had briefly shared completely vanished, and nothing but hatred and rage stood between us now. Much better. I liked this much better. This is what I could handle.

“You did not hold up your end of the bargain. I choose when and where you’ll see him. If I allow it,” I kept my voice cold and hard.

“I haven’t seen him in. Eight. Years.” Her body was beginning to tremble with rage. “Are you really going to keep him from me?”

“That’s not my problem. That’s yours. And yes. I can, and I will, until I decide to do so otherwise.”

Casimir trudged his way toward Eshe, who kept backing away, shaking her head in disbelief. She kept her lethal glare on me.

My eyes narrowed at her chin. I could have sworn I saw a slight tremor. But she tightened it just as quickly, her lips pursed.

“You are cruel, Ezra,” she whispered so that only I could hear. “I wish I had never met you.”

A bird flew between us, the only movement in the arena right now.

“How strange. I wish the very same thing every night.”

Chapter 17

Eshe

Since Ezra took the choice away from me, I decided then that I would see Kavid. I realized he deserved to know I was alive, just like I deserved to see him.

A few days ago, I wouldn’t have doubted Ezra’s brutal hold on me, but this morning cracked that narrative, if only for a moment. I thought we had an understanding, maybe even respect for each other. I was thoroughly wrong. He thought I was his property to do with as he pleased.

He reminded me just now how likely he was to be the murderer.

Casimir walked beside me with a hand wrapped around my elbow. It was adorable how he thought that would prevent me from doing anything. I glanced up at Casimir while he guided me to the back of the palace.

As soon as we passed the threshold where Ezra couldn’t see us anymore, I rammed my elbow into Casimir’s side. To my shock, he tightened his hold on me.

“You think I didn’t expect this, love?” he grunted as he towered over me for a moment. “You will listen to Ezra. There are no games to be played here.”

“You’re sorely mistaken, Cas. I don’t think we’re playing games at all. This is my brother we’re talking about,” I spat as he continued to pull me through the hallways of the main palace.

“It doesn’t matter.” Casimir shook his head, and for a moment—of weakness—he seemed to understand. “Ezra is doing what he thinks—knows—is best.”

I attempted to wriggle my elbow from his iron hold, but he just pressed his fingers deeper. “He doesn’t know what’s best for me or my brother.” I scoffed.

Casimir refused to look at me. I could see the silent battle in his head. “You don’t know what’s best for you.”