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“What is it, Mira?” he asked, staring at the reflection of the moon upon the choppy waters, the image, a mirror of his emotions.
If she were to invite him, he’d kiss her. Her hand slid off his shoulder. He turned and captured her in his arms before she could walk away.
He leaned his brow against hers. Their noses touched. “When this is over—”
She placed her fingertips against his lips. An unexpected pleasure at her simple gesture rocked him back on his heels, silencing the promise of love clinging to his tongue.
Chapter Twenty-Three
It had taken two days for the elders to be gathered, which had given Mira time to explore more of the small city. The only place she hadn’t seen was the inside of the temple. According to Ari it was much smaller and built of humbler means than the one in Jerusalem. The adoration in his eyes when he spoke of the temple affirmed her decision to keep her distance from him.
While Ari spent his time preparing for their journey, she visited the market with Anna and Ari’s sister. It contained breads and fruits she had never before seen. Pottery with intricate artwork. Cloth fit for a queen, veils that would trail behind her in the dust made of the finest fabrics with hand embroidered designs, such that a farmer’s daughter like her would never have occasion to wear. The detailed craftsmanship of items amazed her. All made by the people of Manna.
Several rocks slid down the cliff. She gripped the donkey’s mane and refocused her efforts on staying on the narrow path.
They had traveled over the mountains along the passes for the past three days instead of through the tunnels, the large sea their constant companion. With the steep, unstable terrain, she often longed to travel in the valley below. She understood traveling in the open plain would place their entourage in greater danger and so she pushed her fear aside.
The donkey in front of her struggled to climb a slight incline. The woman on its back swayed, and Mira held her breath until the beast found its footing and moved along. She would not like to see anyone perish. The only true comfort she had during their journey was that Ari’s brothers, as well as over half of the occupants of Manna, men, women and children traveled with them. According to Anna, the elders thought it best to hide among travelers, and with the great Jubilee only days away, what better excuse.
The woman in front of her disappeared as she descended. The path widened, opening into a valley. Mira glanced over her shoulder and took one last look at the rugged hills. If only she could see Manna one last time. To brand it in her memory. She would miss it.
Ari never asked her to keep its secret, but she knew she would take it to her death. Never would she be able to share the majestic fortress with her mother or her father. Instead, she would create a new song on the lyre.
“You look tired.” Lydia maneuvered her donkey next to Mira’s.
“Although I am grateful to not be walking, I am weary from holding so tightly,” Mira responded.
Ari’s sister laughed. “You are not used to riding?”
“The occasion rarely occurs. My father owns several donkeys, but whenever we ventured to Hebron, it was not far. There was no need to ride.”
“I see. You should have told my brother.”
He had enough on his mind. She did not wish to add to his worries. “What could he have done? I would only slow us down by walking.”
“My brother, he loves you.”
Mira grappled for her balance as she flung her gaze to Ari’s young sister. “What makes you speak such nonsense, Lydia?”
“Anyone with eyes can see the way he looks at you.” She smiled. “Besides, I heard him speaking with my father. Not about love. Men do not speak of such things.”
“It does not matter.” She sighed. Her fingers ached with the effort to hold her seat. “As much as I had hoped...there can never be a match between us.”
“Why ever not?” Lydia asked.
Once, Mira thought things were as simple as just believing, but now she knew better. Ari’s hopes and dreams of resuming his temple duties could never be realized if they were to become man and wife.
“It is not possible, Lydia.” She firmed her lips and kept her eyes on the tunic directly in front of her. Thankfully, Lydia had taken the hint and had not said another word. Having his sister mention the possibility of Ari’s love tore a chasm in her chest, especially knowing they could never be together.
She sought his position ahead of her. His body swayed back and forth with the motion of the donkey, Joash sat in front of him. Ari bent his head whenever the child spoke. At times he would point to an object in the distance. He was ever the teacher and would make a wonderful father someday. Just not the father of the children she had desired.
