Page 24 of The Guardian's Promise

The things on his wooden chest had been moved around. His heart threatened to rip apart as he eyed the circle pit where no ember of fire flickered.

Had they been discovered? “Oh, Lord,” he prayed.

His knees threatened to buckle with grief. He rubbed the back of his neck. Where could they be?

A slight whisper echoed off the walls. The hidden cove. How could he have forgotten? In three long strides he rounded the corner.

“Rise, Mira.” Joash’s childlike voice was a little shaky as if he were uncomfortable with making demands of those around him.

Chapter Eleven

Instinct told him to rush into the hidden cove and wrap his arms around Mira, to fuse her so deep inside his soul that he’d never have to worry over her well-being again.

Instead, he tamped down his urges with steely self-control. The fear that had prodded him to race the distance from Caleb’s house refused to be soothed. He continued to shake. No matter what he’d heard with his very ears, no matter that he’d felt Mira’s presence, he still continued to shake.

“They are safe. They are safe,” he chanted to himself. “Thank you, Lord.”

Ari breathed deeply, and then exhaled. One step. Two. Three, and then four. One long stride and he exited the long pathway and stood inside the entrance to the cove. He gazed with awe at this proud woman prostrate before her young king. No wonder Joash sounded bewildered. Even he had no idea who he really was.

A ray of light filtered through the windows carved hundreds of years ago. The light illuminated her beauty as locks of unveiled burnished gold cloaked her frame and Joash’s feet. It reminded him of the first time he’d seen her.

“Mira, I beg of thee, rise,” the child’s voice quavered, then as if he had just become aware of Ari’s presence, Joash turned his dark, frightened gaze to him.

“Ari, you came! I knew you would.” Joash ran to him, leaving Mira where she knelt. The child propelled his small body into Ari’s thighs and wrapped his arms around his legs. Ari lifted him in his arms and hugged him tight, but not once had he taken his eyes from Mira.

“Did you, now?” Ari asked.

“Yes, of course, Ari. You promised, remember?”

He smiled at the boy and dropped a kiss to his head and then set him on his feet. Joash shifted his gaze between Ari and Mira. He shuffled his feet as if he were about to be chastised. At last, Mira turned her head and peered through the tresses hanging around her. Ari grinned as he ruffled Joash’s unruly mop of curls. Mira rose to her knees and pushed back her hair.

“I know I should not have shown Mira the ring, but I wanted to ease her worries.”

A hearty laughter burst from Ari’s gut as he took in the wariness and shock on her face. “And did you?”

Joash stared at Mira for a few long seconds before he answered. “I do not think so, Ari.”

He laughed once again. “No, I do not believe you did either, my young friend.”

“Will you forgive me?” Joash said with genuine concern. “I know I was not to show anyone the map or the ring, but—” Joash dropped his gaze to the floor.

Ari hugged him closer. “There is naught to forgive. You did as you thought necessary.” His eyes fell upon Mira. “Rise, Mira, before your knees become sore.”

* * *

It took longer than she would have liked for her mind to understand all that had occurred in the past few moments. She offered a puzzled look at Ari who seemed amused at her position on the floor before she glanced over at Joash.

The child’s brow furrowed in concern, his eyes held a wealth of worry. Blinking back her bewilderment, she did as commanded and rose.

“I—I...” She wrapped her arms over her stomach.

Ari held up his hand halting further speech from her. “You two must be hungry. I have brought food.”

Of course, she was hungry. Hungry for information on her family. Hungry for answers as to why he had hidden among them for so long. Why he chose her family to hide Judah’s king. Why he never said a word. She was hungry all right. But since his arm draped over Joash’s shoulders in a very protective manner—as if she’d harm the boy—and since he didn’t seem to be forthcoming she would hold her tongue and wait.

Ari tugged on one of Joash’s curls. “I left my bag by the entrance. You may begin the preparations so we can eat,” he said, ruffling the child’s hair. Joash hugged Ari’s legs, and then rushed to the other room.

Her feet were immovable, like the giant stones. Her knees like olive oil. And when Ari raked his hand through his hair as he did now, her thoughts became muddied. She near forgot she was angry at him.

“He does not know,” he said, his deep timbre raked down her spine. She swallowed past the knot in her throat. How could she have ever thought to be mad at him? Because he endangered your family. Possibly even caused their deaths.

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