Nine years ago, Cassian witnessed the assassination of his father, which left him to lead the desert clan. Growing up, he had relied on help from those around him; now an adult, Cassian wants to prove his own worth. His first task -- securing the love of his bodyguard, Yashiv. Though the two have been inseparable since Cassian’s childhood, he fears Yashiv won’t let down his walls of propriety. Then Cassian finds a child, the only survivor of the king’s caravan procession. Wen claims to be the bride for Prince Manoel, the ruler of the nearby city, but underlying currents of her story raise Cassian’s suspicions. Cassian and Yashiv must find where Wen belongs, before rival clans, the city’s guards, or Cassian’s own people decide the child’s fate. Can Cassian and Yashiv find out where Wen belongs before her fate is decided by rival clans or Cassian’s own people? And can Cassian show Yashiv he’s now a man, as well as Master of his clan?

Shifting Sand

Of course, Cassian was on him a second later, patting his shoulder, rubbing his arms, making sure he was okay. It felt good to be fussed over, but it also grated. He should be worrying about Master, not the other way around.


“I’m fine, I’m fine,” he said, struggling to his feet. He had to lean on Cassian to do so


The traders rolled up the rugs and loaded them back into the cart. Beside them, Keane had the team of horses ready to head back to camp.


“Master,” Lachlan said with a bow. “We will return to the city now. We’ll enter by another gate and no one will suspect we just left.”


The rest mounted their horses, Wen settling with Cassian on Feray. Yashiv pulled his mare beside them as they headed home.


“Master,” Wen said after they’d rode a few minutes. “What’s going to happen to me now? Will you send me back to Hashir?”


“Is that what you want?” Cassian asked.


Chapter 57