Page 72 of The Guardian's Promise

The woman fell at Mira’s feet. “Forgive me,” she cried.

Mira knelt beside her, cupping her hand beneath her chin, she lifted the distraught woman’s face to meet her eyes. “It is not I from whom you should seek forgiveness, but the Almighty God of Israel.”

“Sh’mira,” his voice, a mere whisper, echoed over her flesh. She swiveled and rose. Her heart swelled like a bladder of water near to bursting.

“Ari, you have come.”

Afraid her eyes played tricks, her feet refused to move. And then he smiled. She ran across the distance, flung herself into his arms and pressed her lips to his.

Settling her on his left side, he buried his nose into her hair. “I have missed you, Sh’mira.” He dropped a kiss to her brow, and then grabbed a hold of her hand. “Come, we must go.”

“What of Athaliah?” Mira asked.

“She will not escape.”

“It is over, then?”

“Yes. We may now go home.” He dropped another kiss to her brow.

Home. Back to her father’s. A blessing and a curse.

Ari drew her out into the palace courtyard. Slain men clothed in palace attire lay in various places. They exited through the gate facing the temple of God. Tears pricked her eyes as her gaze fell upon a crowned Joash in the center of the temple court. She leaned her head against Ari’s shoulder. God, anoint Joash the King of Judah with Your wisdom. And Your mercy.

As if he heard her prayer, Joash turned his eyes upon her and Ari, giving them a slight bow. “My soul is filled with joy that all is as it should be. Yet, it is filled with sadness for I will never see the child again.”

Ari looked down upon her, his eyes soft, filled with emotion mirroring her own heart. “If God wills it, you will see him again.”

“Not as the child who lived among us,” she said with solemnity.

“No, not as that child.” He tugged her down the steps and into the streets. “Perhaps, the Lord will bless you with a bevy of sons. If you are truly blessed, perhaps He will grant you daughters, as well, Sh’mira daughter of Caleb.”

Even though his words tore at her heart, she smiled. If she were truly blessed, God would grant her an eternity with Ari. Children created of their union     would be a double portion, whether they be sons or daughters for she would have none without Ari.

Chapter Thirty-One

Ari handed his spear to the first temple guard he came across and wished him well. His cheeks hurt from the permanent smile on his face.

The people of Jerusalem crowded the streets, destroying the queen’s man-made gods. They were more than ready for Joash to lead them with Jehoiada at his side and God at the command.

Seeing with his own eyes that his prayers had come to fruition was a soothing balm to his soul. A shadow moved across the sky and Ari looked up to find white puffy clouds moving over the city of Jerusalem. A drop of rain landed on his lips. He licked the salty sweetness.

Mira’s fingers clenched into his hand and he glanced at her. She, too, looked up, and her face glowed. She wiped a drop from her cheek, and then another. Then the clouds opened upon them. The people of Jerusalem danced in circles singing praises to God, their arms raised in worship.

“Ari, God is pleased.”

He pulled her into his arms and danced her around in circles, just as those around them were doing. She laughed, her pleasure contagious. “I believe you are correct, Mira,” he said, spinning her around. Their feet splashed in the puddles soaking their sandals.

“Come, let us go home and wait out the rest of Shabbat with my family. Then we will leave for your father’s house.”

The smile fell from her face, and she pulled from him. He reached for her, but she slipped from his touch. Ari watched helplessly as she pushed through the throng. Away from his home.

He gave chase, shoving the revelers out of his path. What had he said? His thoughts tumbled over in his head searching for any insensitivities, but he could not imagine...he thought she’d be happy to return home. Did she wish to stay in Jerusalem?

“Sh’mira!”

The woman did not know the curved and twisted streets. This was not her village where she could roam at will. Dangers lurked in the shadows, especially for an innocent such as her. He searched the streets, the shadowed alcoves and the marketplace but to no avail. He was about to turn home when Ianatos blocked his path. Ari glared at the giant.

“I have word,” he said.

Stretching to his full height, Ari peered around the man’s shoulder and over the heads of those crowded around him. “I do not have the time. I need to find Sh’mira.”

“Your uncle has taken her.”

Ari grabbed the man’s tunic at his neck and pressed his face close to his and then released him. He had no reason to distrust this Philistine. “How do you know this?”

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