His father's perpetual scowl deepened. "She's a disgrace to this family. Send her away, Nehonya, do you hear me?"
"I need time to arrange matters," Cousin Nehonya choked out.
The color drained from Elizabeth's face.
Gabriel rose, stood over Simeon and pointed at the door. "Go!" he bellowed.
Wilted as a plucked rose, Chloe reached for Elizabeth's hand. "Tell all of Jerusalem of my husband's sins. But don't take my daughter from me."
Cousin Nehonya exhaled heavily, and directed his gaze to Simeon. "I refuse to send Elizabeth away. Do what you must."
"I will do what I must." Simeon's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Cooperate or I will make sure your Samaritan mistress is stoned to death for adultery. Then I'll have you declared an unfit judge and see you stripped of your wealth and property."
Ashen-faced, Cousin Nehonya sagged in his seat.
Adorned in courage and strength, Elizabeth's back stiffened. "I'll leave Jerusalem by the end of the week."
James felt something snap. He went and stood behind Elizabeth, laid his hand on her shoulder, and stared defiantly at his father. "Enough victims have been sacrificed on the altar of your ambition."
Elizabeth flinched. "What? Why are you—?"
"Don't touch her," his father scolded. "She's unclean."
"Not in my eyes."
"The witch has beguiled you, has she?" His father shook his head in disgust. "Your own stepmother."
Desperate to spare Elizabeth from suffering more of his father's hatefulness, James took a deep breath and did the unthinkable. "I will become the obedient son you've always wished for, but only if you allow Elizabeth to remain in Jerusalem."
He felt a tremble go through Elizabeth. "James, you don't have to do this."
But he did. He couldn't make amends for his father's many sins, for the plundering of Jerusalem, for Talitha's death, for the evil done John Hycranus, but he could stop this wrong. "Do we have a deal, Father?"
A grotesque smile spread across his father's face. "I will expect unquestioning loyalty from you, or I'll send the unclean witch to Outer Gaul."
Elizabeth grabbed James's hand. "What can I do to repay you?"
He stared into sad, lovely eyes. "When all of Jerusalem comes to hate me, promise me you will still think kindly of me."
"I promise," she whispered.
"Son, come and swear your fealty."
James pulled his hand free and circled the table. Hate poisoning every bone in his body, he fell on one knee before Simeon Onias.
CHAPTER 42
One Day Later
The midday sun beamed down on the quiet camp spread over the hillsides west of Jerusalem. After several weeks spent on the march, the soldiers were taking advantage of the lull to rest, repair equipment, sharpen weapons. Herod had sent his family to Samaria and set his sights on the arduous task of besieging a walled city.
Obodas and Herod marched toward the tent with grim-faced James Onias walking close behind. Kadar and Lydia stood. Kadar hated subjecting Lydia to the depravity and deprivations of an active army camp, but she hadn't blinked an eye at any of it. Full of amusing observations, keen questions, and ready laughter, she seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself. Aside from wanting to punch every man in the camp for lusting after her, Kadar couldn't be prouder.
Herod and Obodas hung back.
After many long talks about their future, Kadar and Lydia had formed plans contingent upon what they learned from James.
Lydia gave her brother a quick hug. "James, you don't look well. Are you ill?"
James's lips pursed. "Speaking with father always sickens me."
"Forgive me for burdening you with my problems," Lydia said. "Was father overly angry with you when you presented my request?"
"He turned an interesting shade of purple," James remarked, a little too flippantly. "I agreed to move back home. I—"
Lydia gasped. "What's happened?"
James waved a dismissive hand. "I badgered the man for half the night, pleading your cause. I'll spare you the foul invectives and accusations we are both thoroughly acquainted with, but the gist of the matter...our loving father will have you killed before he sees you marry a barbarian, circumcised or not."
Kadar swallowed the crude oath on the tip of his tongue.
The color drained from Lydia's face. "Father threatened to kill me?"
Kadar touched his hand to the small of her back. "We don't need to hear more. Your sister and I wanted to give your father the opportunity to make things right between us."
Dark hate burned in James's eyes. "Are you going to kill him?"
Kadar shook his head. "I no longer have any desire to slay the man. I'll admit, if your father was standing in front of me now, flapping his evil lips, I might need someone to restrain me." Kadar pulled Lydia closer. "The Law of Moses says you shall not kill. Tell your father I will abide by the Lord's commandments. He'd be well advised to do the same. And tell him he should be ashamed that a converted heathen needs to remind of his own Laws."
James's shoulders sagged. "He will find a way to justify murdering both of you."
"We don't plan to give him the opportunity," Kadar said.
Lydia stood taller. "We are leaving. We are going to live far, far from here."
"You're running away?" James looked incredulous.
Kadar felt no shame. Northmen didn't walk away from an insult or a threat. Men like his half brother Jokul would call him a coward. Let them. Turning his back on blatant offenses would prove to himself and the world he was, at heart, a Jew. The tension in Kadar's bunched muscles eased. "We choose to go. Though we didn't hold much hope of receiving your father's blessing, we had to try."
Smiling a smile that would send a pack of ferocious dogs scurrying for safety, James said, "So you won't kill my father, but you will steal my sister from him. At least I'll have the immense satisfaction of regularly reminding my father of his barbarian son-in-law."
"James," Lydia said, sounding more sad than annoyed. "Promise me you won't antagonize father. I'd rather have him forget I exist than have him hate me for the rest of his life."
Kadar wasn't insulted. There was enough of the Northman left in him to rob from the weak and unworthy. His conscience was clear—a father who inspired a daughter to say such things deserved what he got. "You may never see Lydia again. Are these the last words you have to say to her?"
James sobered. "Forgive me, Sister. Anything to do with Father has a way of bringing out the worst in me."
Lydia broke away from Kadar and gave James a quick hug. "I know there's goodness and love in you. Promise you will work at heeding your better side instead of lashing out. Try to find some happiness."
Her brother's gaze slid away. "Joyful James. That will be my new name." He smoothed his hands over his black robe, making him look the image of Simeon Onias.
Lydia frowned. "Why are you clothed like a Pharisee?"
The color drained from James's face. He shoved his hand into his robe, pulled out a furled parchment secured with a scarlet cord, and handed it to Lydia. "My wedding gift."
"Wedding gift?" Lydia asked.
"Open it," James said.
Lydia untied the red bow and unrolled the scroll. Her brows arched. "A marriage contract signed by Father. But I thought—"
James looked over his shoulder, then back at them. "Don't ask any questions."
Kadar scanned the black marks on parchment. The only area in which he envied Simeon and James Onias was their ability to read and write. "There had better not be any trickery hidden in the words, forged or not."
"I'm not my father," James said through clenched teeth.
Lydia studied the document. A beautiful smile lit her face. "The dowry and mohar and espousal period have been set aside." She kissed Kadar on the cheek. "Once you add your mark, we will be husband and wife." Lydia hugged James again, crushing the parchment between them. "Bless you. How can I ever repay you?"
James's lips curved upward,
and he set his sister at arm's length. "Don't get too excited. The document won't do you any good in this part of the world."
Kadar nodded. "We understand, and are prepared to do what we must."
The light in Lydia's eyes dimmed. "I hope this is not our last farewell. But if it is, know that wherever I am, dear James, you will be in my thoughts and prayers."
James stared past them toward Jerusalem. "The knowledge you and Alexandra are safe and happy will be consolation enough for me."
Kadar squeezed James's surprisingly sturdy shoulder. "I promise to take good care of your sister."
"Of course you will, Brother-in-Law." James met Kadar's eyes and held out his arm. "Our tradition calls for me to kiss you."
Kadar hesitated, not sure if he was being mocked.
James stepped forward, cupped Kadar's face, and kissed one cheek, and then the other. "Welcome into the family, Kadar the Righteous Proselyte."
Moved by the realization he belonged to a family, even one including Simeon Onias, Kadar slapped James on the back.
James winced. "Go careful there, Goliath."
Lydia's affectionate laugh swirled around them.
Herod and Obodas grinned from a distance.
Kadar waved his friends over. "Come, give your best wishes to my wife."
Herod wagged his bushy brows. "Wife?"
Kadar shared a smile with Lydia. "James obtained a wedding contract."
Herod charged over, grasped Kadar's head, and planted a robust kiss on each side of his face. Obodas repeated the gesture.
Resisting the urge to wipe his cheeks—the whole kissing thing would take some getting used to—Kadar slapped each of them on the back.
Herod turned his attention to James Onias. "We need to talk. I hope to procure your help."
James made sour face. "There's no need to tiptoe. You want me to spy for you. Correct?"
"Keep your voice down," Herod said.
James hitched his shoulders. "It will be our little secret."
"I'll pay you well."
"Money," James scoffed. "Kill my father. That will be payment enough."
"James," Lydia begged.
Herod shot James an impatient look. "Meet me at my tent, and we'll talk in private."
Looking sad enough for ten men, James turned and tramped off.
"James," Lydia called out. "Be sure to come say farewell before you return to the city."
Heedless, he trudged on.
Feeling protective of James, while also wanting to strangle his reckless-mouthed brother-in-law, Kadar narrowed his eyes at Herod. "Leave James out of your dangerous games."
"The boy is already up to his hips in danger. Besides, he'll have you watching over him if he steps into trouble."
Kadar pulled Lydia close. "No he won't. Lydia and I are leaving the country."
Herod crossed his arms and widened his stance. "I told you I'd find a role for you. Obodas wants to put you in charge of provisioning us and the Romans."
Kadar hated the thought of not seeing the war through, but it would kill him if Herod and Obodas were in a battle and he was sitting off to the side. His soldiering days were behind him. Amazingly, it wasn't the scary, unfathomable prospect he'd imagined. "I'm not staying, but I might be able to help from a distance. If you will lend the trireme to me."
"My ship?" Herod grinned. "Don't tell me you plan to become a pirate."
Kadar smiled and shook his head. "There's money to be made trading and shipping goods. Your share of the profit will help fill your depleted coffers, and if you become desperate for supplies I can bring what you need from abroad."
"A merchant?" Obodas asked, clearly astounded.
Lydia patted Kadar's back, but he didn't need consoling. He was ready to move on, and would do so gladly with her at his side.
Herod studied him for a long moment. "The boat's yours."
"You'll earn your money back the first year," Kadar promised.
White teeth flashing, Herod gave Kadar's arm a friendly punch. "Let's see if we can scrounge up a proper wedding feast before sending you off to your bride's tent."
Kadar swallowed. "An army camp is hardly the place for—"
"I don't want to wait," Lydia said, her voice adamant.
His loins tightened. "But—"
She stared up at him with those irresistible doe eyes. Long lashes swept over rose-colored cheeks. "We will marry tonight."
Obodas and Herod's rumbling laughter barely registered past the blood roaring through his ears.
***
Soft lamplight danced over the tent walls. Air infused with the fragrance of sandalwood stroked Lydia's bare skin. Standing belly-to-belly with her beautiful warrior husband, his light blue eyes drinking her in, as they had all through the wedding feast, Lydia reached around Kadar's muscled neck and loosed the leather tie binding his golden-blond hair. Silky strands brushed her over her collarbone, sending a shiver spiraling down her spine.
"Kiss me," he whispered.
She skimmed her lips over his wide, firm mouth. A wave of heat spread through her. She pressed her lips more firmly to his, and nipped at his lower lip, pulling a groan from him.
A ravenous hunger gripped her. "Touch me," she urged.
Roughened fingers slid over the curve of her hips and along her sides. Prickles of pleasure danced over sensitive flesh. "More," she demanded, wanting his hands everywhere.
He kissed her back, but remained frustratingly gentle. His powerful muscles quaked beneath her hands. She'd experienced tastes of his keen desire. She wanted to be swept up in a whirlwind of his full, manly strength.
"I don't want to hurt you," he said his voice raspy.
"You won't."
"You deserve to be worshipped."
She nipped his lip. "I'd prefer to be ravaged."
He laughed, then groaned. "I don't know how a highborn woman should be treated."
"I'm not a delicate flower, or a frightened virgin."
"I'm a barbarian. Whores have been my only partners. I will hate myself if I use you like I want to."
Her insides contracted. She had suffered at the grasping hands of a deranged bandit and cringed at the touch of her uncle's pudgy pawing. Kadar's touch would never be ugly to her. "You are more lovely than a thousand sunsets, your touch is more precious than rare gemstones, your mouth is sweeter than golden honeycomb. Make me forget the misery of too many dark days and lonely nights. Fill all my senses until I am empty of everything except your exquisiteness."
His eyes became liquid blue pools. "I tried, but I never could deny what was between us. It was always there, wasn't it?"
"Our love for each other?"
"You felt it too?"
"From the very first."
"You deserve—"
She fisted his blond hair and yanked. "Are you going to talk all night or make me your woman?"
A gloriously untamed look flashed across his face. He crushed his lips to hers.
Feeling wholly alive for the first time, she drank of his open-mouthed kisses.
CHAPTER 43
Upper Galilee - Three Days Later
Lydia sat behind Kadar, resting her head on his back, as his noble brown steed, Valiant, crested the rock-strewn hill overlooking Nathan and Elizabeth's olive farm.
He gave Lydia's knee a light squeeze. "I've been thinking about where we should live."
"You're afraid I won't be happy with what you're about to propose?"
Amazed how well she could read him, he pulled Valiant to a stop, dismounted, and caught Lydia as she slid off the horse's back. "That's my valkyrie, not a cautious bone in your body."
She laughed and kissed his cheek. "Tell me."
He exhaled heavily. "If Nathan and his olive grower friends give the selling of their olive oil over to me, I'll be spending most of my time in Rome."
"You hate Rome."
"It's too large and crowded for my liking, but it is the ideal place to trade and sell goods." He traced her dusky-rose
cheek. "I'll pay for a Roman marriage contract. Our union will be legal in the eyes of Rome."
"I doubt my father will give us a single thought," sadness underpinned her voice.
Jokul and Gerta had probably long since forgotten him, if they were even still alive. These days he viewed their betrayal in a new light. If the pair hadn't dealt treacherously with him, he'd never have met Lydia. Likewise, her father's failings were his gain. He drew Lydia into his arms. "The pain will ease."
"I feel sorry for my father, not myself. He'll never know what an honorable, good man I married."
He kissed her forehead. "We should go. Alexandra and Brynhild won't stop worrying until we arrive." He'd sent Old John ahead a few days ago to tell Nathan and Alexandria to expect them.
"I can't wait to see Bryn," Lydia said.
Kadar had paid to free Brynhild. The sturdy woman's broken arm had mended quickly. He had sent her on to Galilee before leaving Egypt, as her greatest wish was to be reunited with her darling kitten.
Lydia pulled back. "Will we have enough money to bring Brynhild and John to Rome too?"
"No, but I'll work something out. We will have to live simply."
"I am a good seamstress. And Bryn can take in mending." She reached over and patted the brown steed's long nose. "And Valiant, we have to take him with us too."
The brown steed whinnied. Kadar smiled, then smoothed his hand over Lydia's flat stomach, anticipating the day when she would cradle their child. Their child. He hadn’t known this much happiness existed. "You will have enough to do watching over our babes. And I promise to see you are always provided for."
"Of course you will."
Her utter trust in him was a gift he would cherish until he breathed his last breath. "Your sister and Nathan might not look so kindly on our marriage."
"Alexandra and Nathan defied Father's wishes. We will have their sympathies. Rest assured they will welcome you to the family with glad hearts."
At peace with their chosen path, despite what others might say, he nodded. "Your sister and Brynhild will be very glad to see you."
Lydia smiled wide. "I plan to hug them till the sun goes down."
CHAPTER 44
The Barbarian (The Herod Chronicles Book 2) Page 29
