Page 72 of Sands of Atonement

“What is it that you want, Kavid?” Eshe strolled through the room, hands around a steaming mug of what smelled like kava, not giving an ounce of care to Kavid’s warnings.

“I told you already. Matters of politics.”

Eshe crossed her arms at that. “And?”

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with.” Kavid kept his voice soft but firm. “I’ll be over with my meetings in an hour, then I’ll see you at dinner.” He slid his eyes back at me. “Listen, I’d like to get this proposal going sooner rather than later. What do you want or need in order for me to get this land?”

The scoff that came from me was uncontrollable. This man wasn’t just dismissing Eshe’s words but mine as well.

I composed myself when I realized there was one thing I wanted more than anything.

“For part of the land you want, I’d be willing to continue the marriage as planned eight years ago.”

The mug of kava slipped from Eshe’s fingers, meeting the marbled ground and shattering into a hundred pieces. One piece even reached my feet.

I lifted my eyes and met hers. No doubt she was rattled to her core, out wondering which of the Navon brothers I was proposing she marry.

“I would never marry⁠—”

“Eshe!” Kavid whirled toward her, seemingly rebuking her with his facial expression, and her mouth gaped open. And I wonder who she would never marry. Me or Casimir? Kavid continued, “I see what you’re asking. It makes sense since this is what our fathers had planned, but I’ve only just gotten my sister back.”

A single sigh of relief came out of Eshe.

“Suit yourself.” I gritted my teeth.

“She’s not up for trade,” Kavid pressed.

My lips twitched. “I heard you the first time, Kavid.” It was working.

“Eshe, I need to speak to my advisers. You’ll be all right here⁠—”

“Don’t patronize me.” Her face was flushed. “I’ve been living and traveling on my own. I don’t need you to take care of me.”

“Very well, then, but that’s not how it will be from here on out,” Kavid warned her. “I’m going to take care of you because you don’t have to anymore. Because that’s my duty. Because I’m your brother and always will be.”

Eshe opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it once more.

Words had escaped her. First time for everything.

“I have a meeting with them now. I’ll see you both at dinner.”

With that, Kavid left my study to have a mysterious meeting with his one adviser, whom he brought with him. The man couldn’t make any decisions by himself.

Pathetic.

Eshe glared at me momentarily before she followed him out.

Dinner was held, but instead of my mother, Kavid joined us around the dinner table with Eshe. Our mother had been unavailable due to caring for my father’s illness. Casimir wasn’t here. He was late—as usual.

Eshe’s spine seemed more tense the more I stared at her. I refocused on the fresh-cut steaming chicken in front of me before Kavid began one of the most awkward conversations of my life.

“I have spoken with my advisers, and we decided that it is best to move forward.”

Eshe wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “With what?”

Kavid audibly swallowed before continuing. “The marriage… is something that we’d be willing to fulfill.”

The fork fell on her plate as she sprang up from her chair, darting daggers with her eyes. “You cannot possibly be thinking of agreeing with Ezra’s stupid proposition!” she thundered. Her rage was pouring out of her body.