Page 69 of The Love Position

‘Sophia, I’m not going to do or say anything if you don’t want me to, but please tell me what happened.’

She took a shaky breath. ‘I think Grace pushed me. She must have been mad about her karma yoga being changed and lashed out because she thought I was being slow and holding everyone up. But everything after that was my fault as I’m not the most coordinated at the best of times, and when I’m tired and it’s dark, I’m even more unsteady on my feet.’

Isaac’s eyes closed briefly, then opened, searing into hers. ‘You’re not clumsy.’

‘Oh, I am. Really I am.’

Tension lined his face. ‘Would you have fallen and injured yourself this badly if she hadn’t pushed you?’

Sophia hesitated, not wanting to acknowledge the truth in Isaac’s question.

The boat hit a wave and lifted for a second before thumping back down.

She winced with pain.

Isaac wiped more blood from her face. ‘It won’t be long. I know it’s not very comfortable, but try to rest if you can.’

Utterly exhausted, she nodded, then closed her eyes.

The water became choppier, and Isaac braced against the seats to absorb as much of the impact from the boat as he could.

Sophia had fallen asleep again, her body curled in the cradle of his arms.

Despite his mind’s constant rationalisation of the situation, his heart still thumped in his chest.

Sophia on the temple floor. Her cry of pain. The sight of her now.

Each memory slashed his skin until he was bleeding emotion and didn’t know how to stem the flow.

You’ve done this. This is your fault. It’s just like with Daniella.

It’s not the same.

Physical or mental, pain is still pain.

If he hadn’t told Guruji about Sophia, her karma yoga wouldn’t have been changed. Grace wouldn’t have pushed her and she wouldn’t be here now. He’d got her into this situation and he would make sure he helped her recover from it in any way he could.

He carefully wiped a new trickle of blood from her forehead. He’d bandaged the wound to the best of his ability, but it was deep. Shiva’s hands were beaten from a sheet of metal, and the edges were razor sharp. Moving the statue to the side of the temple would be one of the first things he did when they got back.

Cash, ashram credit card, phone, passport, water.

Isaac had the essentials. However, Sophia’s uniform was trashed, and she was barefoot. Should he ring Anisha and get Sophia’s next of kin details?

Wait.

She was alive, and Isaac knew he’d give up his own life to make sure she remained that way.

The boat slowed, and tall masts came into view beyond the edge of the speedboat.

Sophia stirred in his arms.

‘Don’t try to move. Mohan’s just mooring the boat, then he’s going to get a taxi.’

She nodded. ‘What time is it?’

‘A little after seven. Can I get you some water?’

‘Yes, please.’

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