Page 74 of The Guardian's Promise

Mira did not say another word as he forced her along a slippery path with jagged rocks that cut into her feet. She bit her lip with each stab of pain. She lifted up her eyes to the heavens, even as they continued to rain. Thanks be to You, Lord of creation, for the blessed rain.

She stumbled over a rock, landing on her hip. Elam did not wait for her to gain her footing before he tugged on the rope. They climbed farther up the jagged mountain. The last place she desired to be was within the dark confines of yet another cave, and something told her Elam would not risk lighting a fire to dry their clothing, if he even knew how to do so.

If only Ari were with them.... If Ari were here, Elam would not be, or at least she would not be the one bound. Elam shoved her into the mouth of a cave. “Are there any creatures in there?”

She tightened her hands into fists. “If there be, it has not eaten me alive yet,” she returned.

“You show disrespect to your elders, girl. Ariel should thank me for doing away with his intended bride,” he said, entering the cave behind her. He yanked a small lamp and oil from a bag tied at his waist. He poured the oil and lit it. The soft glow danced upon the walls.

“Sit, there.” He pointed to a small space away from the entrance. She obeyed and fought against the fears creeping along her limbs. Fought against the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She focused on what Elam had said. “Your nephew never intended to take me to wife.”

“Foolish girl,” he said. “He brought you to his home in Manna. And he brought you to his home in Jerusalem.”

“Only to protect me from those who would seek to harm me and his king.” She refrained from using Elam’s name or the fact that it was his betrayal that had led to the danger.

“Why would he care for a cripple such as you? You are dispensable for the greater good of God’s kingdom.” Elam sat and rummaged through his pack. He pulled out a chunk of bread and began to eat.

“You do not know your nephew well,” Mira argued.

“I know him. I know him well.”

“You love him?”

Elam looked at her with a startled expression. “Of course, I love Ariel. I love him as my own son.”

Mira pinched the bridge of her nose, confused at the man’s confession. “Then why did you betray him?”

“I. Did. Not. Betray. Him,” he emphasized. “It was Jehoiada. You and that—that child were nothing but pawns. Everything I did I did for Ariel.” He broke off another chunk of bread and stuffed it into his mouth. Mira’s stomach growled as he chewed.

He uncorked the stopper of a bladder skin and drank. It was obvious he did not intend to share with her so she waited patiently for him to speak again. “I have no sons of my own. Daughters, a quiver full of daughters, none of whom married well. Ariel was like a son. My only son. The day after the massacres I went to the temple to speak with him. He was gone.

“Ariel had worked hard for his position. He would not disappear without speaking to me. He held much promise.

“I had my suspicions. There had been rumors, and I had many of the villages searched.” He glared at her. “Even yours. No, do not look surprised. If Jehoiada was to hide the boy, he’d send him to your mother. The child was not there, but my nephew was. The men I hired tormented him, seeking information. My stupid nephew said nothing. We left him for dead. I figured the child was nothing but a rumor since Ari hadn’t given him up.”

Mira remembered well the broken and beaten body. If she’d not found him, he would have died.

“A few moons ago I overheard Jehoiada speaking with his wife about the child. It was a ruse. It had to be. None of the heirs survived. None. Jehoiada had taken the high priesthood from me. He took my Jehosheba, too.” His eyes glazed over as if he were remembering, and Mira wondered how that was possible. “It was then I discovered Ari had survived. Jehoiada had intended on making a fool of me by using Ari.”

Elam turned his gaze full on her, his hatred evident in the blackness of his eyes even with only the small glow of his lamp. “Then he brought you to Manna. No priest brings a stranger into our midst without making his intentions clear.”

Elam was wrong. Ari had no choice but to bring her. “But you betrayed him before he brought us to Manna.”

“Yes. I had not seen my nephew in many years. My brother refused to share with me. Their lack of trust wounded me. I was the one who taught Ari the law while Ishiah taught him the sword. When I discovered Joash’s existence, and that Ari survived, it did not take me long to reconsider the connection between Jehoiada and Joash’s nurse. That would make you her cousin, yes?”

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