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“On my honor.”
Jesse’s honor was the best he could hope for, but if any heard their conversation he’d receive endless taunts from the rest of his brothers.
If Mira had heard?
Then it would save him the effort of trying to find the words himself. Although the thought of never telling her the truth of his feelings left him reacting as if he’d taken a blow to the stomach.
Maybe they’d stay at Manna for only a day. Then four days to Jerusalem. They could be back to her father in a little over a week.
If only they could leave immediately. However, he’d seen the dark circles beneath Mira’s eyes, and her terseness was a testament to how frayed her nerves were. If aught else, she needed her rest. And he needed her strength if they were going to make it through this ordeal.
Chapter Seventeen
The silent darkness plagued her with each step as tiny furry creatures scurried across her toes. It took all her reserve not to scream in fright with each passing, their sharp claws the only sound echoing off the tunnel walls.
Before they had left the well-lit cavern, the men had agreed it best if they travel without a lamp to guide them. They had emphasized the necessity for quiet lest their enemies came upon them. Her only comforts were Ari trailing behind her and Joash’s small hand wrapped in hers.
The child squeezed her hand, and for a moment some of her anxiousness disappeared. Not much in her life had caused her fear. Wild dogs were one. Tama losing her babe had been another. At least with the dogs she knew how to behave.
With Tama, there had been nothing she could do. She had felt so useless, so helpless. And even though oil lamps had flickered, it had been the darkest night of them all. It had seemed as if the stars would never yield to the light of the day. Much like now. It had seemed as if the darkness would continue for everlasting. It was enough to make her weep.
Another animal ran over her foot. She swallowed her scream and squeezed Joash’s fingers. Once again, as he’d done several times since their departure, he patted her hand. She wished she could give him her thanks, but then if she could do such, she’d scream down the mountain they currently traversed.
Why, Lord? Why must I be forced to endure my fears?
Silence clung outside the thundering of her ears. She hadn’t expected a response.
One ray of light to rest her weary eyes from the darkness would have been welcomed even more than an answer. Enough, Mira. You should be grateful in your circumstances, she chastised herself as she closed her eyes. It was not as if she could see with them open. But then another critter scurried over her feet, and she flung her eyes open.
A sliver of light pierced the darkness. Her heart slammed into her chest. Were they about to be attacked again? Had her longing for light somehow cursed them to their deaths? Even though she couldn’t detect tension from those around her, she removed her hand from Joash’s and wrapped her arm around his shoulders.
The ray became wider with each step forward. The air changed from cool dankness to warmth and salt and... She bowed her head and gave thanks to the Lord, for He had heard her prayer. Perhaps, He had even answered her question as to why she must endure her fears. Where she sought comfort, God sought her trust.
She stepped into the opening of yet another cave, but this time natural light filled the entire area. Heat from the midday sun radiated through the opening. Ari’s father, one of his uncles, his mother, sister-in-laws and one of his brothers were already there. The older men sat on the plaster benches deep in prayer. Ari’s brother Melchiah carried an earthen jug, as the women readied the area for a meal.
She released Joash and watched him as he neared the elders. Sitting beside them, he, too, bowed his head. Assured that the boy was well, she began helping with the meal. As she had done the night before, she untied the strap around the leather tables and laid them out.
In under a day’s time with Ari’s family, she had come to understand a great deal about them. They loved each other deeply, and they were not above teasing one another—they actually took pleasure in it.
Ishiah poured grain onto what looked like an altar. Ari’s family also took their vows seriously, which she could only reason that Ari would do so as well, even if he had kept his priestly identity a secret from her and her family for many years.
She understood the circumstances required secrecy. It was vital for the good of Judah. She only wished there was another way. Wished Ari had been what he had pretended to be. Wished she weren’t deformed and below Ari’s status. But as she listened to the prayers of this family she knew there could never be anything between her and Ari. Just as God required perfect livestock for sacrifice, so, too, would Ari’s family require him to marry a perfect, unblemished wife. It was decreed by the temple elders.
