Page 96 of Sands of Atonement

Chapter 24

Ezra

The moon was a sliver in the sky, but I could still see their silhouettes on the faint desert horizon.

I whispered encouraging words to my horse, and he charged faster.

My veins flooded with rage. If it had just been me, I know I would have thought twice about what I was doing—charging toward three Brestians—but this was about Eshe. No one was going to look at her like that and get away with it.

No one.

The beast beneath me moved her large muscles, her fur barely glimmering under the moonlight. I was just above the saddle as my chest kept low on her neck.

“Come on, baby,” I whispered for her speed.

She charged forward, the sounds of her hooves muffled by the soft sands. I jerked one of my scarves from the bag on the saddle and placed it around my head. Even though it was dark, I didn’t want to risk it anymore.

The moment I was close enough, I flung the dagger pressed in my palm at the man who was closest to Eshe. The one whose eyes I wanted to gouge out and shove them so far in his mouth that he would swallow every ounce.

The dagger landed in the man’s spine. I heard the split happen in his body. He dropped to the ground, howling from the pain but unable to do anything about it. He wasn’t getting up anytime soon, or ever. I had aimed precisely so that I could maim his ability to move from the neck down. He won’t be looking at any woman like that again.

I took the sword from my back now that my presence was known.

Gabriel and the third man remained on their horses. Swords now in their hands. I glared at the new General of Brestan. He has been their general for some years and took over the last general’s place, but I’d never met him until now. Thank God it was dark, and I shaved my head only a couple of days ago, or else he might have recognized me from the royal family of Tehara paintings when he traveled in Crahst. His name grew some concern among the desert countries around because he had killed the last general in cold blood and stolen his place. He was known for his ruthless ambition as he murdered his way up to a title only passed down through noble blood.

His light eyes, even in the darkness, showed no evidence of emotion.

“I knew that was all a lie,” Gabriel said calmly.

I shrugged, slowing my horse down. “Should have trusted your instinct.”

Gabriel and the other split ways, circling me.

“So, you are Atrovian.”

“One in the flesh.” I pointed the sword toward Gabriel. “And you have been a thorn in my side for some time now.”

Gabriel barely scoffed, as if he couldn’t care less. “So, who is the woman you had in your arms? I know she’s not your wife. And you Atrovians are too self-righteous for her to be your lover. The question is: is she another woman you stole from a man’s wedding? And why?”

I laughed, knowing he wasn’t too far from the truth about Eshe.

“We didn’t steal Norrah, Gabriel.”

Gabriel’s spine lifted a bit higher. Now he knew I knew who he was. The cards were out in the open.

“Norrah came to me, asking for protection against you. It’s not my fault she doesn’t want anything to do with you,” I spat.

His voice was controlled and eerily… calm. “Norrah doesn’t know what is best for her.”

But his horse became restless, unlike his owner, who didn’t look the least bit worried.

“I would argue that you don’t know anything about her, let alone what’s best for her. You met her once—and I’m assuming that didn’t go well, did it?” I was antagonizing him. I felt my muscles tense just thinking of Eshe, and the wool blanket wrapped over her naked body. I knew they didn’t see anything, but the thought was still in their minds, and I wanted to permanently stop them from ever thinking about Eshe again. I knew I didn’t have much of a choice but to cover our identities, but I hated going to that extreme.

With my free hand, I grabbed another dagger from my belt as I tugged my reins, circling Gabriel. One moment we were glaring at each other, and the next I flung the dagger toward his chest.

He deflected it with his sword, and the dagger went flying in the opposite direction. Before it hit the sands, I charged my horse forward, lifting my sword, and clashing against his. The sound of metal striking and sliding against each other pierced the night air.

On my other side, the third man swung his sword toward my torso, and I met his sword with my own. I pushed against it with all my strength, and the man was too weak, causing him to plunge from his horse and into the sands. That gave me enough time to save myself from the next strike.