Page 57 of The Guardian's Promise

Her eyes widened in fear, but she nodded.

“Call on the name of your Lord God if you should need Him,” he breathed against her palm. “He is faithful. He will protect you. I know this here.” He cupped her hand within his and placed it over his heart. Her palm against his chest heated. It was as if she had branded him. “I,” he stammered. Words clung to his lips. “I will leave as the sun begins to descend. And I will return in the morning.”

The tips of her lashes brushed against the golden hue of her cheeks.

“If for some reason I do not return—” his words were interrupted as a small cry of distress passed her lips.

“You must not go alone,” she pleaded.

“I have no choice, Sh’mira.”

“Allow me to attend you.”

“No, you must help protect Joash. It will be up to you and Tama to return him to Jehoiada if I do not return. Do you understand?” He caught sight of his sister hovering in the distance. He motioned for her to finish the task of cooking cakes, and then he rose with Mira’s hand trapped in his. “Come with me?”

She dug in her heels, and he believed she would refuse. He thanked the Lord when she moved her feet.

They walked a short distance, away from prying eyes and ears. Ari turned toward her. The curve of her lips drew his mouth to hers. He pressed his lips to the corner of her mouth before resting his brow against hers.

“Mira.” He pulled back and gazed into her eyes. “If anything happens while I’m gone, any of my family, Jesse especially, will take you to Jehoiada. He and Elam know how to enter the temple passages.”

“There must be some other way, Ari. You should not go alone.”

He pulled her back into his arms and hugged her. She trembled.

Her worry over his well-being set a smile on lips. It danced in his heart, leaving him filled with joy. He silently praised the Lord for bringing them together for he was beginning to think she was the perfect half to his whole. His intended helpmate.

If he ever doubted God’s will, he would remember the touch of her lips, the thundering of her heart in tandem with his. If he ever doubted God’s will, he would remember how much he wished to marry Sh’mira, daughter of a farmer. If he ever doubted God’s will, he would remember just how much she worried over his safety.

Even though she had never said the words.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“What is wrong with you?” Ari picked up a handful of desert and tossed it into the air. He sat on his rear looking up at the cantankerous donkey with his ears pinned back staring down at him.

“As if I did not have reservations of my own, you have to go and prove stubborn.”

The donkey’s nostrils flared. His sharp squeal rent the cooling air.

“Fine.” Ari stood and pulled on the animal’s reins. The beast brayed as he planted his backside into the ground. Ari rolled his eyes. “I should be halfway to Jerusalem. I’d much rather be sitting next to the fire watching Mira stew than fight with you, you stubborn donkey.”

The donkey pulled back his lips, baring his teeth. Ari had never heard of a donkey hissing, but this one was doing just that. And he didn’t think the donkey was offended as much as to say that Ari was the one being a stubborn fool.

“I should have stayed with Joash and Mira.” It had taken every bit of faith to entrust them with his kin. Even after he had been firm in his decision, after all, he knew he was the only one for this particular mission. Jehoiada would believe no one else. Even then, Ari had still dragged his feet as he left the encampment.

Feeling Mira’s eyes on his back had made it worse. He had known she stood at the edge of camp watching him go until she could see him no more. He had known because he kept glancing over his shoulder looking for any indication that he should stay.

And now he was here, fighting a losing battle with a beast that should be humble. Not full of pride.

He dropped the reins from his hand. “Well, if you will not move, I have no choice but to continue on without you.” Ari scratched the spot between the donkey’s ears hoping a little affection would be enough to entice the animal to move. All he received for his efforts was a baring of teeth and a flattening of the ears.

“So be it,” Ari said as he headed in the direction of Jerusalem. “I hear the great spotted cat prowls the nights. You’ll make a wonderful meal for her family.”

He kept walking, his heart heavy at the thought of leaving this defenseless beast to his own devices. “If the cougar does not get you, the birds will be ready to devour you come morning.”

Nothing.

“It would be in your best interest to at least follow along, you know. I will not make you carry me another step if that is what bothers you.” He sighed and turned around to face the donkey sitting in the sand. The beast twitched his ears. Ari crossed his arms over his chest knowing full well he would not be able to convince the donkey to move. He was as strong-minded as Mira. A vision of her behaving as the donkey lifted the corners of his mouth.

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