“I’ve been followed before, Atretes. I know how to hide.” She knew immediately it was the wrong thing to say.
Atretes’ eyes narrowed in suspicion. “So,” he said with dangerous softness, “if you’re so good at hiding, how will I find you?” Sneering, he laughed. “You almost had me convinced. I’m not a fool. You think I’ll just hand my son over to you and watch you walk away?”
“Atretes, I give you my word—”
“Your word doesn’t mean dung to me!” He turned away, rubbing the back of his neck in agitation.
She let out her breath, struggling with frustration. He wasn’t going to trust her just because she assured him he could. Trust had to be earned, and there was no time. “Perhaps there’s another way,” she said flatly.
“There’d better be.”
“What if you went to this feast and appeared to enjoy yourself.”
He turned sharply.
Her exasperation grew. “Or you could go grudgingly, glower at everyone the way you’re glowering at me, and insult this Roman official to his face! That would salve your pride, wouldn’t it? And accomplish everything Sertes has planned for you!”
A muscle jerked in his jaw.
She came toward him, desperate in her appeal. “Atretes, please,” she said. “Set aside your anger for the sake of your son. Think before you do anything.”
Atretes gave a cynical laugh. “Perhaps I’ll tell Sertes I tire of being out here on this mountain and want to live in Ephesus where all the excitement is,” he said sarcastically. “That would please him.” He felt like one of the lions being prodded into the arena. No way back. No escape. Somehow, some way, Sertes would get what he wanted—and he wouldn’t care what he did or who he used to accomplish it!
“Let me go to John,” Rizpah said softly. “He’ll help us.” Atretes said nothing. She came closer and put her hand lightly on his arm. His muscles tensed. She took her hand away. “Please. I’ll learn what I can and send word. I promise, on my life!”
“It would appear I have little choice,” he said grimly.
“I should go as soon as possible,” she said, turning toward the door. “I’ll take enough to make it appear you’ve cast me out.”
Atretes caught hold of her. Whipping her around with one hand, he grasped her neck with the other. “Know this, woman. If I hear nothing from you in two days’ time, I’ll come looking for you. Don’t try to run away with the boy, because if you do, I swear by all the gods in the universe, I’ll use any means, even Sertes, to find you again! And when I do,” he said, his hand tightening slowly, “you’ll wish you’d never been born!” He let go of her as though merely touching her angered him.
Rizpah put a hand to her throat, her breath coming shakily. Tears of reaction filled her eyes. “I know you don’t trust me now, but perhaps when we’ve come through this together, you’ll know you can.”
Frowning, he watched her walk to the door. “Two days,” he repeated.
She went out, closing the door behind her. Heart beating fast, she hurried along the corridor to the bedchamber.
“Is everything all right, my lady?” Hilde said when she entered. “You’re so pale.”
“Nothing is all right,” Rizpah said truthfully. “I must leave.” She took up her shawl and wrapped Caleb into it, tying it securely around her shoulders.
“He’s casting you out? Where will you go?”
“I have friends in the city. I’ll go to them.” She looked at the small trunk of possessions and shook her head. “I have Caleb. That’s all that matters.”
“He’ll never let you leave with his son!”
“Caleb is my son, and Atretes will make no effort to keep me from taking what belongs to me,” she said. She could still feel where his fingers had pressed in on her throat.
As she went out the door, her heart jumped at the sight of Atretes in the corridor. O Lord, God of mercy, don’t let him change his mind! He looked uncertain and oddly vulnerable.
“Remember what I said,” he muttered as she passed by him.
She paused and looked back at him, her eyes swimming in tears. “Remember what I said as well.” She went down the stairs quickly. She crossed the barren yard to the gate where Gallus stood at his duty station.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he said, stepping into her path.
“Let her pass,” Atretes commanded, coming down the front steps and striding across the yard toward them. “I told her to get out.”