Page 56 of The Guardian's Promise

Ari touched his lips to the child’s locks. Even if Ari did not wish to return to his temple duties, how could he walk away from Joash? He cared for him deeply. Surely he would want to stay near and keep watch over him.

Green spiked hedges appeared. An open clearing near a small spring rose before her eyes.

“This will be our last night of travel. Tomorrow we reach Jerusalem,” Lydia told her as the riders ahead of them began to dismount.

“You have traveled this path many times?”

“Of course. We visited Ari quite often when he lived there.”

“Come.” Lydia slid from her donkey’s back. “We must help ready the evening meal while the men set up camp.”

Mira looked to the ground, and although the drop was not overly far, it was far enough. Before she could protest or garner up her courage, Ari was there lifting her down. Her breath caught, and her heart swelled. If she had been any other woman, other than her father’s daughter, her father’s disfigured daughter, she would take everything Ari’s eyes promised. But she was not any other woman. She would be expected to marry a man who would take care of her father’s land—as Ari had done for the past several years—and Ari did not belong in the wilderness tending sheep and pruning vines.

“You are well?” he asked, massaging her fingers.

“I am well,” she responded. He should not pity her. Mira pulled her hand from his, and sidestepped. “I must tend my duties.” She bowed her head and walked away.

* * *

She scurried away like a frightened hare, although he did not know what he had done or said to scare her. He pulled on the donkey’s lead and dragged him over to a corral built long ago by his grandfather. He removed the blankets and untied the rolled mats. Ari carried them to where they would make their camp.

If he had his way they would have pushed on to Jerusalem, especially since the city was only mere miles away. But he had to send word to Jehoiada, and he would attend Jehoiada himself, the only problem was that he would have to leave Mira and Joash in the care of his kin. The idea did not sit well with him, but he really did not have a choice. Jehoiada would not trust words from another’s lips.

He searched for his father and Jesse but could not find them. Instead he found Elam, who was preparing an offering. “Uncle, I must enter Jerusalem.”

“You worry for the girl?” Elam rose, his robes flowed around his ankles. His face was hard like stone, and his eyes betrayed no emotion.

Wariness rode across Ari’s shoulders and he gripped the back of his neck. “My concern lies with Joash and Mira, yes?”

“They will be well cared for,” Elam said.

“My thanks.” Ari bowed. “If anything should happen to me...if I do not return...”

Elam laid a hand on his shoulder. “My brother’s son, have faith. Contact Jehoiada. If you do not return to us, I will send us out in groups of seven. Your woman and the child will be amongst us. I will keep vigilance, and your brothers and cousins will guard them with their lives.”

Ari kissed his uncle’s cheeks. “My thanks.”

“All will be well, Ariel. You will see.”

God’s plans were mightier than man’s, even that of Queen Athaliah. If ever he needed to trust God, it was now. He shook off the uneasiness pricking his nape.

He found Mira near the fire once again cooking cakes. “I see my mother has entrusted you with our cakes.”

She jerked her head toward him. “I did not think you had noticed the burned cake.”

“I had not. It was only later when Jesse had asked me how I could have stomached the taste.” He smiled. “Imagine his surprise when I told him it had tasted of the sweetest of honey.”

She giggled.

“I do not lie,” he added.

He knelt beside her. He wanted to take her hand but feared she would once again shy from him. He did not wish to make the cakes if she were to run away. “Mira, I must enter Jerusalem this night.”

“Oh,” she said. “When will we leave?”

“It is only I that will go,” he said.

Shadows flickered into her golden eyes. “Alone?”

“Yes.”

“What if you are recognized?” She lifted her hand, placing it on his smooth cheek. The contact stopped the beat of his heart.

“It is a risk I must take,” he said, laying his hand upon hers. He turned his face and pressed his lips to the palm of her hand. The bustle of activity disappeared over the pounding of his life’s blood in his ears. If he could, he would take her to wife this very moment, but he would wait out of respect for her father. “My brothers will guard you. I need you to stay with Joash. Help Tama watch over him. Can you do that for me?”

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