Page 60 of The Guardian's Promise

Elam’s words bounced around in her head. Had she coddled Joash too much? Had she done so because she felt a kindred with him? He was alone in this world with no parents and no one to love him but her, Tama and Ari.

She blew out a breath of air.

Were they the only ones who truly loved this child beyond what he offered Judah? The thought left her saddened for the child. How could she leave him in Jerusalem, returning to her loving family, when he had no one to truly care for him? Of course, Ari and Tama would remain close by, of this she had no doubt, but would it be enough? Could she stay with Ari if he asked her to and care for the child, too? Her father would forgive her, give his blessing, even if she were to follow Ari to Jerusalem as his wife.

Could she leave her father with no sons to care for his land? Pain gripped her fingers, reminding her of all the reasons she could never spend the rest of her life with the man she loved. There would be many more men, such as Elam, who would not hide their scorn of her and her disfigurement. Although he had not spoken them aloud, she knew he did not approve of her. It was always there in his eyes.

The ground began to shake beneath her feet. She laid the palms of her hands on either side of her, thinking that the earth was about to split in two.

“Mira!” Joash cried.

She rushed to him and gathered him in her arms. She twisted around hoping to catch sight of Elam but he was nowhere to be seen. She turned back. A score of horses with menacing riders bore down on them. Curved swords rose. Her scream caught in her throat, refusing to break loose.

She should have listened to Joash and returned to camp. She should have heeded her own instincts. But she had not trusted them.

They stood in the middle of the stream when she first saw them kicking up the desert sand. Frantically she glanced around for a hiding place. Brush, reeds, anything. Not even a blade of grass poked from the riverbanks.

She twisted and turned, holding on to Joash. Where had Elam gone? Instinct roared at her to shout for Ari, but she couldn’t utter a word. Not with the sight of twenty of the queen’s guard barreling down on her with their swords raised.

How was she to deny fear when terror dogged her footsteps? She dropped to her knees beside Joash, circling him within the folds of her tunic, her face buried in the crook of his neck. Father God, please protect us from our enemies.

The thumping of horses hooves pounded in her ears. Tears slid down her cheeks.

She was going to die a coward, and she hadn’t once told Ari what was in her heart. He would never know that she loved him.

The smell of horse and man reached her and she tightened her grip on Joash. If she could not tell Ari of her love, she would tell this young child. “Joash, my brother,” she whispered against his ear. “I love you, brother.”

“And I you, Sh’mira.” His small childlike voice held a slight quiver and she couldn’t help but think what a wonderful king he would have made.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ari watched as the last firebrand arched across the sky, propelling downward until it crashed near the bank where it exploded and roared to life. Ianatos dismounted. “At my command.” He held up his hand and then sliced it down.

Ari crossed his arms over his chest and listened with satisfaction as the multitude of sinews moved against the air, releasing their deadly weapons. The queen’s guard had not a chance against the Philistine mercenaries’ superior warfare, especially given the guard’s swords glinted off the firelight, revealing their positions.

Pops, as the arrows pierced the leather armor followed by their grunts, sliced through the crackling of the fire. The queen’s men were dead before they’d even laid eyes on the future king of Judah.

Ianatos tucked his helmet beneath his arm and issued a command to his fellow warriors. The mercenaries swung their bows upon their backs and headed toward Jerusalem where Ari knew they’d spread out along the walls and keep a watchful eye for any who’d wish the boy harm.

Ari approached Ianantos and held out his hand. “My thanks, friend.”

“It had been fortunate I’d been at the Hebrew camp when the messenger arrived with news of the child. Fortunate I was able to leave unnoticed and contact my companions.”

“No matter, I owe you a great debt.” Ari shook his hand.

“My vow is to my ancestors and their vow to protect the line of King David. Nothing more.” Ianatos sat his helmet on his head and laced the strap beneath his chin. He mounted his horse. “I’ll wait for word in Jerusalem.”

Ari mounted a horse given to him by the Philistine. Jesse, he and his father rode toward the stream where Mira hunched in the middle of the spring, fire lined either side of the banks, encompassing her and the child wrapped in her arms.

---