Page 99 of Sands of Atonement

“It’s a scratch, and I don’t need it now. I had plenty. If you need sleep, you can sleep on the ride. Gabriel will most likely be back around the area with more warriors.”

Eshe nodded and wrapped another linen tightly around my core. I couldn’t help realizing that if she hadn’t been here, I’d be having an entirely different night. Her body brushed against mine, and I thought of all the things I hated once more.

Chapter 25

Eshe

Ezra’s arms were around me as we rode off to God knows where. All I knew was that we were heading east, further and further away from Zyriah. We had been traveling for four days and nights, barely getting sleep. When we did sleep, Ezra now slept on the other side of the tent and kept his weapons inside within reach. I suppose he trusted me as much as I trusted him, which was little, but still said a lot. We hated each other. We still did. Most definitely.

His gash had stopped bleeding the next morning, but with a brooding fit for a child, he let me help clean it twice a day. I swear it was as if my touch irritated him.

We spoke once about Gabriel. With reluctance, Ezra explained what he knew of him. Rumors were that he was unwell in the mind, that it didn’t work the way it should. He ruthlessly but quietly made his way to become the General of Brestan, a position only suitable for royalty and men of power. Ezra didn’t know where Gabriel came from—no one did. And no one would go against him, not with the string of deaths that lay behind his wake. Ezra told me he was known for how little his thought processes or hesitations were when it came to his kills. He gave no sign of emotion or anger or bloodlust. That was what made him so unpredictable. But what did he want with Norrah? Why was he so obsessed with securing a marriage with her? The thought of that man being near Norrah sent a shudder down my spine.

Besides the informative conversation, there were few words spoken between the two of us. To be honest, I barely felt like talking. I was so lost in my search for vengeance. I was back to square one, but I never had square one because I always believed Ezra and his family were to blame. But now that they weren’t, I was more confused than ever.

Who killed my family?

Why did Ezra keep insinuating that I should not trust my brother? What does he know?

I wondered now if it was worth it to leave my home with Salazar. It was safe and peaceful.

I was more lost than before. I was disappointed in myself.

Now, I was taken hostage, and my life was in Ezra’s hands to do as he pleased. I just wanted answers, and I could feel them slipping from me the further I got from Zyriah.

The robe I wore was stuffy, hot, and heavy, and every time I readjusted, Ezra would tense up and raise his voice at me.

He was controlling, rude, and, worst of all, no fun with absolutely no sense of humor. He was drier than the desert.

I could tell he hated riding with me as much as I hated riding with him. And the more commonality I found between us, the more I hated him.

I was going crazy.

Literally.

My eyes caught a silver reflection of the sky in the distance and a sliver of green in the distance.

Oh no.

I’d been out in the desert for too long. I imagined a mirage.

My heart pounded.

“What is it?” Ezra asked me.

How could he read me like that?

“I think I’m seeing things.” I swallowed.

I felt the rumble of his laugh behind me. “No, it’s real.”

“Where are we?” I breathed.

The closer we got, the bigger the oasis became. I couldn’t count the number of trees and shrubs near the shallow, crystal-green lake. It was so beautiful and clear, I would drink it all up if I could.

“Tranah. It’s a private oasis that my family goes to and that we permit some other families to use. It’s too far from civilization for enemies to find and expect royalty to be here, so only a few people know about it.”

“It’s beautiful,” I said under my breath.