Page 46 of The Guardian's Promise

Lydia sat beside her and waited for the next few cakes to be finished. “I would prefer to stay here,” she murmured.

“What is this Manna?” Mira asked, having never heard of it, which puzzled her since they couldn’t be that far from her father’s house.

“It is a secret fortress,” Lydia answered.

“For the priests?” Mira asked, turning the cake.

“In a way, but not all know of its existence. Only a select few.”

“Our position has already been infiltrated by the enemy. We take a risk staying here,” one of Ari’s brothers said.

“You are right, but I think the risk is equal,” Seth, Ari’s blind uncle, added.

“But no one knows of our destination,” Jesse argued.

“And the obvious direction would be Jerusalem. It is why I chose to come this way first.” Ari took another bite of his cake.

“Do you think he knows he is eating charred food?” Lydia giggled.

Mira blushed. Had everyone noticed the burned cake? “I hope not.” She lifted another cake off the fire and checked both sides to ensure it was perfect before placing it on Lydia’s plate. “What is this Manna like? Is it another cave?” she asked wanting to change the subject.

Lydia giggled once again. “Oh, yes. But much grander. I suppose it can be overwhelming, but I’ve grown up there.”

“It is your home, then? I assumed you lived in Jerusalem.”

The girl shook her head. “We visit Jerusalem often, but Manna is home.”

“Then why would you wish to stay here?”

“I do not wish to marry. And Abba says I must at least try to find a man I’m willing to live my life with.”

“You do not wish to marry a priest?”

“Oh, that is not it at all,” Lydia said a little too quickly. Her cheeks pinkened and Mira wondered if the girl already knew who she wanted to marry. “It is just...”

“You have found him elsewhere? Somewhere other than where your father has dictated?” It had been like that with her when she had come of age, her father had said much the same thing, but she knew her husband would never be found in the market place of Hebron, or anywhere else.

Lydia bowed her head. “Besides Jerusalem, we don’t travel outside Manna for me to meet another. I have not found a man I could hold affection for, not like the kind of affection my parents hold for each other, or that you hold for Ari.”

Mira sucked in a sharp breath. “You think I care for your brother?”

“It is obvious.” She nodded. “I want to love my husband, and I want him to adore me.”

She chose to ignore Lydia’s observations. “From all that I’ve seen, your father is a kind and gentle man. Ari is much like him.” She wrapped her arms around the girl’s shoulders. “You should tell him how you feel.”

Ari’s sister looked her in the eyes. They were dark as night, much like Ari’s. “Father would think me silly to expect a man to return feelings.”

Mira’s heart ached, both for her and for Lydia. It was their lot in life to marry and accept what affections their husbands chose to give. Most men believed marriage to begin with mutual respect, not love. Her father held a different opinion, and she believed Lydia’s father did as well if the looks he tossed Ari’s mother were any indication. “You must speak with your father.”

Ari slapped his hands together, drawing her attention. “That was the most delicious meal I believe I have partaken of in a very long while,” he said, wiping the crumbs from his face.

The cave filled with the song of laughter. Only Ari sat in silence, his brow furrowed in confusion.

* * *

Nobody had ever told him what they had found so funny, but from the redness of Mira’s cheeks he had a feeling she had had something to do with it. At the first opportunity to get her alone he would ask her.

After much debate, they had decided to pack up camp and head to Manna. They sent Jesse and Isa ahead of them to scout the path, while Melchiah and Elam watched their backs. He wiped the sweat dripping from his brow, his clothes were near soaked, and his feet were caked with the dust of the road.

Only another mile to go, and he could order a bath. Of all the things he had missed over the years it had been his own cleansing tub. Not that he wasn’t thankful for the spring the Lord had provided. It had its uses, but in his tub he could relax. And he was far from relaxed with the constant pricking at his nape, which had him continually looking over his shoulder.

He picked up pace, the faster they got to Manna the sooner they would be safe. The sooner Mira would be safe from his enemies and the temptations plaguing his mind. If he continued on with such thoughts, he’d never make it back to her father a sane man. And then he’d not only be denied the right to be called her husband, but he’d rot in a tomb with his ancestors for not keeping his focus on Joash and the mission given him.

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