Page 33 of The Guardian's Promise

For a moment, he thought she had been serious. He knew he must look like a wild animal, especially since he had pushed Caleb homeward and then raced to the spring. Not to mention their frantic escape through the tunnels.

“I see you have fared our travels well.”

She bowed her head a little. “I have also rested.” Mira raised her brow.

Ari rolled his shoulders before settling his fists on his hips. Restlessness consumed him. He feared it would continue to do so until all was well within Judah. “You,” he said, glancing around the room encompassing his father, uncles and Mira, “do not understand. It is obvious Athaliah knows of his existence or her guards would not now be searching the area as we speak. Until the child is in Jerusalem where he belongs, I cannot, and will not be at rest.”

* * *

Delight curled her toes when Ari had looked at her with such great emotion, yet his scrutiny made her uncomfortable. Especially in full view of his family, which left her searching for a way to ease the tension building in the air. But when he turned serious, when he clung to his stubborn tendency and mentioned his duties it left her reeling.

It was as if he had tossed her words of affection to the ground and trampled them beneath his sandals. Of course, she had not uttered any such words for fear he would do just that.

He was not a man who would ever belong to her. There was no use in offering what would never be accepted or returned. She did not blame him. Nor did she blame the Lord for what seemed cruelty. Ari was a man loyal to his duties, not his heart. Instead, she would embrace the blessing of having known a man as great and honorable as Ari. And she would do all she could to help him in his quest.

“I overheard the guards. They talked of killing Joash.”

Ari’s gaze narrowed. “Why did you not tell me this before?”

She twisted her hands into the folds of her tunic.

“Mira, you have had a difficult day,” Anna said, exiting the makeshift chamber behind her. “Why don’t you sit and rest?”

Ari’s mother wrapped her soft fingers around hers and squeezed. She offered her strength and courage in the face of adversity. Mira would take both. However, she would not sit by with idle hands.

“My thanks, Anna. I would prefer to help in any way I can. First, I must tell Ari what I know.” Mira smiled at the kind woman and then glanced once again at the man who remained as still as a statue, the only evidence of life was the rise and fall of his chest and the slight ticking of his jaw. She’d angered him. Albeit unintentionally. It was just as well. The more distance between them, physically and emotionally, the better.

“Very well then, my daughter,” Anna responded. “There are two tables by the earthen jars. If you would lay them out over there.” She pointed to the east side of the fire. “You’ll find all you need once you are finished speaking with my son.”

Anna turned her piercing gaze on her son before leaving them to tend to her chores.

“What is it you know, Mira?”

She felt the men’s eyes on her and she swallowed. “On—only what I heard. The captain believed it to only be a rumor.”

“But?” He clenched his jaw, his nostrils flared. If spears could shoot from his eyes—she fought back the tears threatening.

“One of my father’s servants added suspicion by telling him of Tama’s arrival with an infant. I know—” She lifted her chin and held her head high. “One of the soldiers saw us. I know he did. He was in the cave. He saw Joash.”

Ari gripped the back of his neck and rolled his shoulders before reaching out with the pad of his thumb to wipe a tear from her cheek. “That is not your doing, Mira. You had no way of knowing they would follow you and Joash.”

No, she did not. She hadn’t even known where they were. But if it hadn’t taken Joash so long to coax her into the water, would they have been followed?

She turned away, found the tables and carried them to where they would eat their meal. She untied the strap and pulled it through the loops that edged the round leather fabric. In the center were a stack of bowls and utensils. She set them out and then laid out the second leather table. Its center contained seasoned spices as well as several more bowls and cups. With the setting of the dishes done, she searched the earthen jars for one that held wine. When she found none she remembered whom she was dining with and grabbed the water jar.

She had just begun to pour water into the first cup when a booming voice sounded from one of the tunnels. Startled, she dropped the jar and rushed to Joash and enfolded him in her arms.

It was then that she glanced at Ari. His face radiated with fierce pride. And for a moment she thought it was directed at her, until a rather tall, muscular man ducked through one of the entrances.

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