An Echo in the Darkness(153)
“It’s nothing,” he said and gave a laugh as she swayed slightly. “Does the sight of blood bother you?”
Only the sight of your blood, she wanted to say. “Not usually, my lord.” She came closer, trembling as she looked at the slash along his ribs. “How did this happen?”
“An Arab, I think. God knows why.”
She drew back as though stunned. Lavinnia arrived with a pan of water and bandages. He sucked in his breath as Hadassah began to cleanse the wound. “Let Iulius see to it,” he said, seeing how her hands shook. He laughed softly. “I think I know why you left that physician,” he said, amused.
“A little lower and he might have struck a vital organ,” Iulius said, taking over.
Feeling faint, Hadassah left the room.
43
Alexander knew something was wrong the moment Hadassah was ushered into his atrium. She was greatly agitated.
“Where is Rashid?”
“He’s not here,” he said, alarmed. “What’s happened?”
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know. Why do you ask?”
“Because an Arab attacked Marcus this evening, and I must know if it was him.”
Alexander made no attempt to suggest it was someone other than Rashid. The Arab had made no secret that he thought Marcus Valerian was a threat to Hadassah’s life and should be killed. Rashid was nothing if not single-minded in his loyalty to Hadassah, whether she wanted it so or not.
“He went to find out how Julia’s illness was progressing. . . .”
“Progressing?” Hadassah said in dismay, knowing full well that Rashid wished for Julia’s swift demise.
Alexander’s mouth tightened. “He learned from Prometheus that she had been taken to her brother’s villa. He also informed Rashid that you went with her.”
“By my own choice. What is he thinking?”
“He wouldn’t have done anything unless he saw Marcus Valerian as a threat to your life.”
Alexander’s evasiveness only served to convince her. “Marcus is no threat to me. None of the Valerians are a threat to me.”
“Rashid thinks otherwise.”
“Then correct his thinking!”
Alexander was surprised. “I’ve never heard you speak in that tone. Do you think I condone Rashid’s behavior? Don’t blame me for his bloodthirsty nature. You were the one who chose him from all those left on the temple steps. Remember?”
“God chose him.”
“Then it’s God who is directing his steps.”
“God does not direct a man’s path to murder!”
Rashid entered the chamber, effectively silencing them both. As he threw off his cloak, Hadassah saw the hilt of a knife tucked expertly into his belt. Rashid’s face darkened, his eyes blazing. “Valerian?”
She shuddered, her fears confirmed. “Alive, thank God,” Hadassah said.
“Next time he will not be so fortunate,” Rashid said with dark promise.
Hadassah came to him. “If you hold me in any esteem at all, Rashid, you will make no further attempts on Marcus’ life.”
His face hardened.
She put her hand on his arm. “Please, Rashid. I beg of you. I would rather God strike me dead now than that you take the life of another.”
“I told you I would protect you, and I will.”
“At what cost to me, Rashid?”
“His blood be on my head, not yours.”
“If you kill Marcus, it will cost my heart.”
Rashid frowned, not understanding. “Your heart?”
Alexander stood, staring at her. “You love him,” he said in amazement.
“You love him?” Rashid said, astounded.
“Yes, I love him,” she said softly. “Since before the arena. And afterward. For as long as I live.”
Alexander turned away, pain washing over him at her fervent words.
Rashid shook her hand off his arm and stepped away. He looked back at her, eyes dark with contempt. “Only a fool woman could love a man who tried to have her killed!”
“I don’t know that Marcus had anything to do with it. It was Julia.”
“The woman you now serve,” Rashid said in disdain.
“Yes,” she said.
“How can you?” he demanded, filled with wrath at what had happened to her, and at her for not wanting retribution.
“Christ loved us in the same way. While we were yet sinners, he died for us that we might be saved. How can I do less?”
“Ah, then you speak of another kind of love.”
“I speak of a woman’s love for a man as well, Rashid,” she said. “Please. Do nothing to harm Marcus Valerian.”
Alexander stood on the far side of the room beneath the archway. “Do as Hadassah asks, Rashid,” he said tonelessly, looking out over the city. “Trust in God to take his own vengeance.”