Page 26 of The Guardian's Promise

Chapter Twelve

Ari couldn’t leave Mira’s presence fast enough. When he’d seen her, seen that she was unharmed, all he could think about was holding her. But then Joash’s words sunk through his fogged brain. And once he’d gotten past the vision of Mira, he understood what had occurred. Her knowledge of Joash’s existence could have her killed.

Of course, she could have easily been killed when the soldiers came upon her the other day, and she had not known the secret then. It did not matter, she now knew some of the truth, a truth that could be used against her if she were to be captured by the queen’s men. He could not return her to her home. Not until the child was back in Jehoiada’s care.

Besides, not knowing if she was safe was like no other anguish he’d ever known. The travel to Jerusalem would take days and he’d prefer not to have Mira out of his sight for that long.

But now he was unsure if he had made the right decision. Something had shifted in the alcove. Something in Mira. As if she were a part of his sword arm, yet veiled behind a stone wall. And that alone scared him more than the idea of facing Athaliah’s guards. At least with them he could fight with his sword. He knew the kinks in their armor.

He halted in the tunnel leading to the outer cave and leaned against the cool rough rock. How was he supposed to breach Mira’s defenses?

With patience. He nodded, agreeing with the voice in his mind. Ari pushed away from the wall and rounded the corner.

“You are doing good, my friend,” he said.

Joash sat in front of the fireless pit, mixing dough. “I like adding the honey. It makes it sticky.”

“And it makes it taste good.”

Joash giggled.

“When I return I’ll begin the fire, and then we can make cakes.”

Ari stepped out onto the ledge, the bright sun streamed through the curtain of water. The magnificence of God’s artistry left him in awe. Even with all the chaotic emotions ambushing him he felt the peace of the Lord raining down upon him. He must remember the Lord’s will was at work. He must trust that, in the end, all would be well.

There really was no need to check the pool. Unless someone had seen him slip beneath the water no one would know of the hidden cove. But he’d needed time to gain his composure after his encounter with Mira. Which shouldn’t have bothered him considering he wasn’t free to take her as his wife. At least until his duties to the king were fulfilled.

He raked his hand through his hair. Somewhere between the time Nathan had announced Mira’s disappearance and the moment he’d laid eyes on her, he knew she belonged to him. Only to him. He had within his possession the contracts to prove it, all they needed was his mark.

He only hoped she would warm to him before he told her about her father’s offer. Perhaps there would be time during their travels to Jerusalem.

He knew the moment she stood on the ledge. Knew because his heart began to beat faster.

Mira moved to stand beside him, her shoulder only inches away. Not for the first time had he noticed that her hair flowed freely. He clenched his hands to keep from touching the silklike layers gracing her shoulder.

“Have you lost your veil?” He shouldn’t take her to his parents unveiled. Not that they would mind, but he didn’t want his brothers to see the treasure he chose to take as his wife, lest they try to steal her from him.

“No. Although it is quite filthy.” She wrinkled her nose.

He loosened his fingers and gave in to his desire to touch her hair. He rubbed a few wayward strands between his thumb and index finger. Her breath hitched as if she felt his touch. She turned her eyes toward him with wide innocence. Her perfect bow-shaped lips offered a gift he could not take until he pledged his troth. “I will purchase you a new one.”

Shadows crossed into her eyes. “I cannot go with you, Ari.”

He grasped her arms and stared down into her eyes the color of polished Lebanon cedar.

“You have no choice, Mira.” He wanted to force the issue, to claim her as his wife at this very moment if only to gain her obedience. Her life depended on her coming with him.

She released a breath of air and pulled from him before burying her disjointed fingers in her tunic. It was a gesture she often performed when nervous. “If you will leave, I will bathe now.”

“Of course.” He relented, although he was reluctant to let things stand as they were.

She maneuvered the natural rock stairway until she sat with her arms wrapped around her legs on the last stone. She glanced at him. His heart swelled with an emotion unknown to him. An emotion he’d seen in his father’s eyes when he looked upon his mother. An emotion that left him feeling vulnerable.

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