Page 100 of Sands of Atonement

“It’s secluded.”

“What for?”

“In case I want to kill you.”

The gasp that came out lifted me slightly from the saddle, and Ezra tightened his hold on me. “I was making a joke. Ever heard of one before?”

Was the universe messing with me?

“I think jokes are supposed to be funny,” I retorted. “You should get some lessons on that before spewing those types of words out.”

“Every person has their own sense of humor. It’s not my job to make sure you understand them.”

I rolled my eyes, wishing he saw how annoying he sounded. “What’s the point in saying it if nobody finds it funny?”

“I think it’s funny. That’s the point.”

I stifled a laugh. And I think Ezra did too.

Goddamn it.

After a few more minutes, Ezra stopped his horse in the middle of the sands and took off his robe from the saddle. He replaced it with a black robe, tossing his white one back into the saddlebag.

“What about me?”

“You’re a woman.”

Right. I was a woman and could never be an Atrovian. No one would suspect… But even if I could be, I would never be one. These white robes washed me out.

A large building, safely hidden in the midst of tall trees, came into view on the left as we continued riding closer. I felt a chill breeze on my face, and my body instantly tingled. I don’t think I’d ever been anywhere so beautiful before. It had a large brown dome on top, and pillars encircled the building. Behind the oasis, I could see a large cliff the color of the sands, casting a shade upon the small valley.

We passed the left side of the emerald waters toward the building, and the sand dipped into the water. Large boulders were in the lake, almost as if they were there for a cool dip in the water as well, soaking up the sun.

I quickly noticed a few more horses tied against a post, and a tall man who looked like Ezra emerged from the building.

My brows lowered.

“Hey brother,” Casimir greeted Ezra. He nodded to me. “Eshe.”

Last time I saw him, Kavid had agreed to marry me off to him. I couldn’t even look at him. My stomach tightened. I didn’t want him.

My entire body tensed. Was Ezra planning on marrying me off to him? Right now? Was that why he had demanded that I stay in Urnaz? Oh God, I was going to be sick.

Was this how Norrah felt?

I knew he would be a good husband, but my body cringed thinking of being close to him in that way.

I gave him a small smile, but remained quiet.

Ezra dismounted and laid his hands around my waist, which I then slapped. Ezra rolled his eyes shamelessly. I swear this man was a conundrum. He wanted to be as far away as possible, but touched me every time he got the chance.

I dismounted gracefully.

A young woman about my age appeared behind Casimir and wrapped her arm around his waist in a possessive manner.

A wave of relief flooded through me. Maybe I had jumped to conclusions. She had an open veil around her loose, dark hair. Her black, catlike eyes were marked with kohl ink.

She gave me a shy smile.