Page 108 of Sands of Atonement

I shook my head again and again.

No, no. It was impossible.

The room spun, and I faced Ezra once more. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing.

“I did. I pulled you out of that bath, Eshe. Not Kavid. He could have, but he didn’t. He stood there, staring at you, and then he left you to die.”

Tears rolled down my face like never before. I hated this. I wanted out. I wanted him to let me out.

I froze in the waters.

My teeth gritted. He knew this. He used this against me. He tied me in my chambers in Urnaz at the palace to make me listen to him. He knew I hated being constricted because of that night.

I twisted against his hold and faced him.

“You knew. You knew, and you tied me up,” I hissed.

A chuckle rumbled the waters. “It was harmless. But effective.”

My jaw dropped, and I realized his hand was still on my throat. I clawed at him, “Get off me.”

“Fine,” he said, letting me go and stepping back.

By instinct, I grabbed onto him again. “NO!” I wrapped my legs around him and slammed my eyes shut.

I felt his smile against my collarbone.

I had jumped on him. I was naked, my breasts pressed against his chest, but I didn’t care.

I wanted to live.

His arms wrapped around my middle, keeping my body pressed against his. “This isn’t funny,” I gritted.

“No, it’s not. You’re right. I’m going to kill Kavid for this. You shouldn’t have to be afraid of a goddamn bath.”

My eyes flew open, and I leaned back, arms still around his neck, and faced Ezra.

“No, you will not. Over my dead body. You’ll have to kill me first.”

A slow, sinister smile appeared on Ezra’s face. “You don’t mean that, do you?”

My heart thumped loudly at what he was implying. “Ezra, please. Don’t. Don’t kill him.”

“He deserves it.” His jaw twitched, and then his face turned stone-cold as he said, “He tried to kill you.”

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m sure he regrets it…”

“Doubt it,” Ezra grunted.

There was silence in the baths. Shamelessly, I was wrapped around Ezra. He was warm against the cool waters. He was strength against my weakness.

“I’ll find the truth,” I whispered.

“I know you will,” Ezra said, and locked his eyes with mine. His arms moved, and his large hands rested against my hips.

My heart picked up.

“I’ll do everything in my power,” I whispered.