Page 73 of Sands of Atonement

“Eshe.” Kavid lifted a hand, silencing her. My blood began to warm, and I shifted in my seat. Kavid faced me. “I… I think that’s an option I’d be willing to consider, Ezra.”

“Kavid! You can’t be serious! You can’t possibly agree to this! Kavid!” Eshe pleaded with wide eyes. “I just found you!”

Her shaking hand pulled Kavid’s arm back, and he turned, placing a hand on her forearm, settling her. Controlling her. He mouthed to her to sit down.

My jaw ticked.

“If I agree to this, I’d want the whole of the land I ask for. Not partial. Eshe’s my sister we’re speaking of. I won’t be negotiating anything that is not of equal importance.”

The blood simmering within began to boil, but on the outside, I remained calm.

Eshe’s head snapped at Kavid, brows furrowed.

“Oh?” Boredom filled my voice.

“It’s best we finalize our agreement on paper, of course,” Kavid spoke with authority.

But he was wrong. He had no authority over Eshe. The only person who could tell Eshe what to do was me. He just didn’t know that yet.

“I won’t marry,” Eshe said, withdrawing her arm from Kavid’s hand. “I can’t believe this. After only having you for two days!”

“Eshe, this is what’s best. You trust me, don’t you?” Kavid spoke in a soft but firm voice.

Her face fell, eyes slowly dimming in submission with every blink. This was new and unfamiliar. Something in my chest tightened.

There was one thing I understood from watching that moment: I didn’t like it.

“You’ll come back home with me.” Kavid touched Eshe’s cheek in reassurance. My entire body tensed at his words. “We’ll figure out the arrangement for matrimony afterward. We’ll spend the time we didn’t have together and⁠—”

Right when I was about to interfere with Kavid’s statements, negating what I was attempting to do, Casimir charged into the room at the most convenient time. He threw a glare at Eshe—no doubt as annoyed with her as I am—and nodded at Kavid as he passed by. Casimir dropped into the chair near me, but I wanted nothing more than to crush his head against the wall for not keeping a better eye on Eshe while Kavid’s been visiting. When Eshe and Kavid found each other, I exploded on Casimir more than was appropriate. He was annoyingly suspicious.

“I’ve agreed to continue with the marriage, Casimir, upon your brother’s wishes,” Kavid spoke calmly.

Interesting choice of words, but I kept quiet.

Casimir straightened his spine and uncrossed his legs. He gave out a breathy chuckle, “What—what do you mean?”

He glanced at me and back at Kavid. He swallowed nervously.

He didn’t want this either, but there was no other choice.

“We’ll unite this family once and for all, as our fathers wanted. Technically, you and Eshe are still betrothed, and the act of breaking it would be cause for war. I don’t plan on doing so. Not when I just got my sister back. I’ll keep her by my side until it’s settled.”

Casimir’s eyes widened.

I glanced at my brother, not now.

He nodded, understanding. He leaned into the hardwood chair behind him. I knew my brother didn’t want this marriage, but it was what our father wanted. It was the plan. A good one.

“I don’t think it’s necessary for you to bring her all the way back to Zyriah, is it? With her betrothal?” I asked, shrugging, but really, I felt like I was walking on eggshells. “She’ll be part of this family now. It’s best she stays with us.”

I could feel Kavid tense from where he sat. “Like my sister said, we just found each other. Zyriah will be in full celebration for her life and⁠—”

“You’re more than welcome to stay as well, here, where she belongs, and reconnect with all the time you need. I’m sure after the wedding, a visit to Zyriah will be expected.” I tried to maintain a cool tone in my voice.

Eshe remained still, gazing into the distance.

“No.” Kavid lifted himself a bit higher, trying to compensate for the authority of my voice. “My sister will join me back in Zyriah. I will have some time with her before we talk about the details of this marriage. That’s the only way I’ll agree to this.”