But Saba was loyal to Rami.
“Herod will know that you have betrayed him,” he said. “Rami cannot afford to have an enemy in both Aretas and Herod, who speaks for Rome. It is treacherous ground you tread.”
I crossed my arms and walked to the window, then spoke, looking out at the night.
“True. Which is why we must be forced by Phasa, under her demands for our obedience.”
I turned back to them.
“Phasa, you will leave a letter for Malcheus, explaining that you have discovered Herod’s intention to marry Herodias.”
“Malcheus will never stand with me now!”
“It won’t matter. We will be too far gone by the time he sees the letter. I ask only that you claim to have taken me by force to ensure my slaves’ aid in your escape. Ten of your most loyal warriors are no match for Judah and Saba.”
They stared as one, uncertain.
“He will accept this. Don’t you see? Even Malcheus knows that neither Judah nor Saba would threaten the life of Aretas’s daughter. This you will explain in the letter.”
“This was your thinking?” Saba said.
“Tell me it is flawed.”
He could not.
“It is brilliant,” Phasa said, eyes now fierce. “To see the look on that oaf’s face when he learns…” She headed toward her inner chambers. “Saba, come! We must leave immediately.”
“Leave by way of your chambers?”
Phasa spun back and shoved a finger toward her door. “My entire life is in that chamber! That beast can have his palace but I will not leave without my jewelry.”
She turned back, cloak swirling, and marched into her chambers. “Come, Saba!”
Saba. The black stallion so accustomed to freedom and respect in the deepest sands, now caged by Phasa.
“Go with her, Saba,” I said.
With one last glance at Judah, he dutifully followed, then stopped and regarded me.
“Aretas is no fool. Herod is but a child next to him. You court a dangerous storm.”
“And you, Saba, will keep me safe!”
He hesitated, offered a shallow bow and walked into Phasa’s chamber, leaving me alone with Judah.
I had spoken with far more courage than I could feel, and the strength was gone from me. But what I had started, I had to see through.
For a moment neither of us spoke. And yet, by the forlorn frown upon his face, I already knew that Judah was courting remorse.
“Maviah…”
“It is well, Judah.”
He rushed up to me and fell to one knee, grasping my hand.
“Forgive me, my queen. My place is with you. I lost my mind in thinking that I would leave you for Yeshua.”
“No, Judah, there’s nothing to forgive. Please, don’t kneel before me.” If he only knew the depths of my worry.
“I long for what my elders have spoken of all my life. But I can’t possibly leave you. I will be your lion to Petra and beyond, I swear it by the sun and the moon.”
“There’s no need to swear.”
He rose to his feet, soft eyes swimming. “Forgive me, Maviah. Forgive this Jew who—”
I impulsively leaned forward and kissed him on his lips, cutting him short. I did it more for my comfort than his and I knew that he could feel the tremble in me as I pressed close to him.
I knew what a sacrifice he was making, abandoning his great obsession for an unknown future. But in truth, I could not bear the thought of continuing without him at my side.
I would be lost without Judah.
“It is I who thank you,” I said, pulling back. “Never leave me, Judah.”
“Never.”
“Stay with me always.”
“Always.”
“Swear it.”
“There is no need to—”
“Swear it!”
His eyes were bright. “I swear by the heavens and the stars and the moon and the sun… I will stay by you always.”
“Thank you, Judah.” I swallowed a knot that had formed in my throat. “Thank you. We will find Yeshua again when the time comes.”
“Together,” he said. “And soon.”
But Judah was no prophet.
PETRA
“The eye is the lamp of the body.
If your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.
But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.”
Yeshua
CHAPTER NINETEEN
LIKE A STORM in the desert, the events surrounding our departure from Sepphoris were full of flurry and motion.
In her letter, carefully crafted with my help, Phasa made her claims explicit. She had no choice but to find safety with her father, King Aretas of the Nabataeans, until all rumors of marriage to Herodias were settled, because she feared for her life. Distrusting any Roman or palace guard, she had forced Maviah, daughter of Rami bin Malik of Dumah, to accompany her. Upon reaching Petra safely, she would send the slaves back for Herod to deal with as he wished, for they were of no concern to her.