An Echo in the Darkness(154)

Rashid drew himself up, the blood of the warrior pounding in his veins. “Have you not said yourself that I was chosen to protect her?”

Alexander turned. “You know as well as I that God has set his hand upon the mother and daughter. Be assured, Rashid. The son is in God’s hand as well.”

Rashid stood silent, dark eyes enigmatic.

Hadassah limped near again. “Please, my friend,” she whispered. “Give me your promise.”

Rashid swept the veils up from her face and studied the terrible scars openly. “You plead mercy for those who did this to you?”

She blushed. “Yes.”

He let go of the veils as though they burned him. “You are a fool!”

“That may be, but promise me anyway, Rashid. I know if you give me your word, you will never break it.”

Her words of confidence and trust in him gave him pause. He glanced at Alexander and saw the rueful look on the physician’s face. Alexander thought he knew him better. Rashid’s face hardened as he looked down again at the diminutive woman who stood before him, crippled and scarred. Her eyes were clear, confident. Against his will, his heart softened. It didn’t seem to matter that he would never understand her. She understood him.

“I promise to withhold my hand from him until he raises his against you.”

Hadassah took his hand. “I wished for more, but will be content with that.” She smiled, her eyes softening with affection. “God will have his way with you, my friend.” She drew the veils down over her face again.

Alexander gave her the herbs she needed to treat Marcus Valerian’s wound. He instructed her to cauterize the wound before applying a poultice and binding it. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”

“I know what to do.”

He walked with her to the litter and lifted her in. “Take care,” he said, afraid for her. She took his hand in hers and pressed it to her veiled cheek. When she released him, he drew the curtains closed and stepped back. The servants lifted her and bore her away. Alexander had never felt more lonely in his life.

He found Rashid cleaning his knife. “Will you keep your word?”

Rashid’s hand stilled. He lifted his head slowly and looked at him. Alexander felt chilled by the dark depths of those eyes. Without a word, Rashid returned to cleaning his knife.





44

“Where is she?” Julia said, distressed when Lavinnia came at her summons rather than Azar.

“She left the house, my lady. She didn’t say where she was going.”

“When will she return?”

“She didn’t say, my lady.”

“By the gods, do you know nothing at all? What’s happened that she would leave me?”

“Your brother was attacked, my lady.”

Julia’s eyes went wide. “Attacked?” She started to rise from her couch, but her head swam and she sank down again, a trembling hand to her forehead.

“He will be all right, my lady. Do not distress yourself.”

“How can I not be distressed? Who would dare attack my brother?”

“He said it was an Arab, my lady.”

“Did Marcus know him by name?”

“I don’t think so.”

She wanted to go to Marcus to see for herself that he was all right, but she was too dizzy to do so. Even if she were able to go to him, he would not admit her to his chamber. “Azar said she wouldn’t leave me,” she said plaintively.

“I’m sure she will return, my lady.” Lavinnia straightened the covers for her. “Perhaps she’s gone to the physician.”

“A cool cloth,” Julia said. “My head aches.”

Lavinnia dipped a clean cloth into the basin of water and wrung it before placing it gently over Julia’s forehead and eyes.

“See what you can find out,” Julia said and waved her away.

When Lavinnia didn’t return within a few minutes, Julia became restless and worried. She brushed the cloth aside and sat up slowly, clutching the edge of the sleeping couch until her head stopped spinning. Once it did, she rose and walked unsteadily to the doorway. The house was very quiet. Had Marcus’ wound been more serious than Lavinnia said? Had Marcus died?

Julia went out into the open corridor. She leaned heavily against the wall. The marble was cold. She wished she had put on her wrap, but would not waste strength now to go back for it. She had to find out about Marcus.

Sliding her hand along the wall, Julia walked shakily down the corridor toward Marcus’ chambers. She could hear voices. She reached the doorway and looked in. Iulius was leaning over the sleeping couch. She saw Marcus’ leg, half-raised. On the floor was a discarded tunic stained with blood.