by Renee Ryan
“Shall I call for Galen?”
He glanced out her. Creases formed between his eyebrows.
“You promised him you would show him the ships.”
Nicolaus uncrossed his arms. “Ay, that I did. However, I have something of great import I must speak with you about, and I’d prefer not to do it here among listening ears.”
Ada’s gaze shifted around the courtyard, and she recalled with embarrassment how she’d overheard the argument between Nicolaus and his father. “Of course.”
He motioned with his hand for her to come alongside him. They walked along the paved path for several long minutes in silence. As soon as she heard the gurgling of a creek he halted, parted some foliage and motioned for her to step beneath the canopy of greenery. “We oft times came here as children. I thought you would like to see it.”
Ada took a few steps and then gasped at the beautiful scenery. Sunlight danced as the wind breezed over the canopy of leaves. Various flowers with different colored leaves dotted the banks of the small spring. “It is beautiful.”
“I thought you would like it.”
She turned toward him. “We have a spring flowing near our village but very few trees and even fewer flowers. Everything back home is…desolate.” Guilt pricked her nape at betraying her home. “Do not mistake me, even though my home is rugged it is still beautiful. This is—” She held her hands out wide. “Is beyond anything I have ever seen, even more beautiful than the islands I saw as we made port.”
“It was one of my sister’s favorite spots.” He paused and then cleared his throat. “I thought it would give us a bit of privacy to speak.”
“What is it you would speak, Nicolaus?”
“Come, let us sit.” He started to reach for her hand, but she pulled away and rushed to the other side of the creek. She didn’t need any more reminders of how much she loved him, especially in the midst of his sister’s favorite spot. He needed to search for Desma, and she did not need to feel the jealousy raging in her heart at his feelings for his sibling. And as much as she wished to bring healing to Nicolaus’s heart she did not wish her heart to be a sacrifice for his guilt.
She sat on a patch of green ground and ran her fingers along the top of its softness. Nicolaus sat on a rock and plucked a flower from its stem, causing her to blink. How could he destroy such a delicate plant without thought? Much the way he sought to destroy her heart. That was not fair to Nicolaus. He had no knowledge of her feelings for him. He rested his elbows on his knees and tilted his chin to look at her. The soft curls falling across his brow gave him a boyish charm, and she quickly forgave him for tearing the petals from their mooring.
“Ada…” He hesitated, seeming to consider his words. “If you could do anything at this moment, if you had the freedom to choose, what would it be?”
To love you.
She felt her eyes grow wide at the words clinging to her tongue. It was a confession she could never speak. She bowed her head and stared at the grass, the earthy scent as foreign to her as the sea had been, yet she had grown to love the sea, long for it, even. If her heart did not ache at the sight of him she would stay with his mother where she was treated better than a daughter in her father’s household. And if Jasen did not look just like Nicolaus she would choose to be his slave, but the daily reminder of a love she could never have would be torment.
“To go home.” She didn’t lie exactly. If she couldn’t spend her days with him as his wife, she would not be able to serve in his mother’s household. She could only wish for home.
His gaze warmed her and she brought her head up to look him in the eye. For a moment, she thought she witnessed the pain in her heart in his eyes, but it could not be for her. Could it? No, perhaps it was only this place that reminded him of the sister he’d lost that caused such an emotion.
He flicked the flower into the water; the petals swirled around and then glided away. Standing, he crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze focused somewhere in the distance. If they had not been sheltered by the trees she would have thought he gazed upon the waters he loved. Nicolaus twisted his lips and then cleared his throat. “It is not my nature to purchase humans, Ada.”
Hardness etched his tone. She stood and crossed over the water. Her hand hovered over his forearm before she dropped it to her side. “Nicolaus, I do not blame you for my plight.”
He dropped his gaze to hers. The blackness of his eyes swirled like the storm they encountered when at sea.
“I thank you for rescuing me from a fate much worse than this.”
One corner of his mouth curved upward as he ran his fingers over the top of her ear, tucking a piece of hair back. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Her ear nestled against his heartbeat. Every bit of her being oozed like warm honey, yet her muscles screamed to run far from him. How could she finally feel as if she belonged? Belonged with him, only to know in her mind that she did not?
The warmth of his mouth pressed against the top of her head as his hand smoothed down her back. “I would keep you with me always if I could.”
She stiffened. There were too many things keeping them apart. As long as she was his slave, she could never freely love him. The scars on her mother’s heart had encompassed Ada’s, as well. Even if she was not his slave, he could never marry a woman who was not Greek, just as her father could never marry a woman who was not a Philistine. Just as no man would ever be free to marry her because she was neither Hebrew nor Philistine. As if those barriers were not enough, she would not keep him from searching for his sister. Desma was too important to him and to his family.
She stepped from the comfort of his arms and turned from him. Her gaze caught site of the ships bobbing in the port through a break in the trees. “I would not have you keep me to appease your guilt, Nicolaus.”
“That is not—”
She held up her hand. “I overheard you speaking with your father, and I know why you purchased me. And it does not matter. What does matter is that you now have a dilemma. Your conscience will not allow you to remain my master.” She turned toward him and smiled. “Truth be told, although my captivity has not been oppressive, I do not wish to be any man’s slave.”
Especially to one she loved.
He clenched his teeth and a muscle at the corner of his jaw ticked. “If you were to return home you risk your sisters selling you once again.”
“You speak a great truth.” She sighed. “Nicolaus, you would know your sister is alive and well just as I would know if my father wished such a fate upon me.”
“If he does?”
She squeezed her eyes shut, and then opened them. “Then I would have been better off here as your slave.”
He growled. “Not once have I treated you as such.”
“No, you have not, but the fact remains that is what I am.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I understand that as a woman I have little to nothing to say. As a daughter I am ruled by my father. If I were to marry I would be ruled by my husband, as a slave I am ruled by you. My worth is not dependent on how I care for your household. It is dependent on the price you paid for me.”
“Then I would set you free.”
*
Ada blinked up at him. He couldn’t discern what she was feeling. At first he thought she’d been pleased, and then he saw a hint of sadness before she veiled her eyes from him. She bowed her head. “My thanks, Nicolaus.” Turning from him, she wrapped her arms around her midsection. The tension in her muscles returned and her shoulders stiffened. She seemed to place a barrier between them. It was as if she’d donned a man’s armor. “How will I repay you for the coin you have lost?”
Her words were no more than a whisper above the rustling leaves and the water flowing down the mountain. She should be celebrating her freedom. He raked his hand through his hair. He should feel the peace he’d hoped to obtain by granting her freedom. However, a sense of loss bore down upon his shoulders. “It is a gift, Ada.”
Her spine s
traightened a little more, but she did not say another word. He never should have mentioned her freedom until after he’d spoken with her father. What if the man wanted nothing to do with her, leaving Ada without the protection she needed to keep her from another master? What if her father only desired more money?
He would have gladly given it, but now, because of his rash speech, she was free to do as she wished. Free to stay, free to go. If only the guilt plaguing him over his part in her captivity had not been so great, especially in the face of her confession…she needed to know she was worth more than the price he’d paid for her, more than all the riches contained on this island. Worthy of a thousand men’s hearts. Worthy of his. If only he was worthy of hers. “I would escort you back to my mother.”
“Nicolaus.” His name whispered from her lips. The longing in her voice tied his stomach into a large knot. He waited for her to say more, to tell him she did not wish for freedom but to remain with him.
He neared her and placed his palms upon her shoulders. The scent of lavender water combined with the heady fragrance of the flowers surrounding them left him feeling light-headed A feeling he hadn’t known since before his own captivity. He leaned closer and inhaled. The tip of her ear called to his lips. “Ada, I would keep you with me. I would grant you the protection of my name. Tell me that is what you wish and I’ll make it happen.”
How, he did not know. At least, not until he spoke with her father. But one thing was for certain, he’d move mountains to marry her, if only she would grant him permission. She tilted her head as if she would look at him. Her hair, piled around her head, danced at her shoulders. He could not see her eyes or even the soft curve of her cheek. He gave in to the desire to press his lips to the flesh peeking through her hair. “Ada.”
Pulling from him, she shook her head. “I cannot, Nicolaus.” She turned toward him. Tears shimmered in her eyes. It was like a blade to the gut. Their time together neared its end. He saw it in the way her eyes pleaded with him. “I cannot.”
She hugged her arms tighter around her waist and bowed her head.
“Come, I will take you back to the house.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I would stay here a moment.”
“Although this is my home, it is not safe for you to be alone.” His tone was sharper than he intended, but he would not see her harmed in any way. Or stolen from him before he had to let her go.
“I understand your concern.” Her gaze rose to his. “I am now free to do as I please, am I not? Or have you decided to go back on your word?”
He clenched his teeth, nodded and then swiveled on his heel. He shoved the branches aside and stepped out onto the path. He should count his blessings that Ada had the wits about her to know she could not stay with him. She drove his emotions to confusion. He shook his head. If she stayed with him he’d no doubt lose all his teeth from gnashing them together.
He was tempted to return to the storehouse and leave her truly alone. However, the port was active and he would not wish Ada to wander toward the ships where an unsavory fellow could happen upon Ada, or any man for that matter. One look upon her beauty and even the most good-hearted and compassionate of men could lose their heads.
Plopping down onto the pathway, Nicolaus plucked a blade of grass from between the stones and twirled it between his fingers. An image of Ada’s tears forced its way into his thoughts. He’d seen the longing in her eyes. Had that longing been only for her freedom? Then why did she look pained at the mention of their parting, of her returning home?
He dropped the blade of grass and rested his elbows against his knees. Why did he not tell her of his love for her and his wish to marry her? Because she needed the freedom to choose her own will, and he needed to know that choice was made without the binding of his words.
Voices mumbled from the twist of the path, and Nicolaus rose. Crossing his arms over his chest, he waited for the men to round the bend. When they did, he wasn’t surprised. However, it seemed as if they were.
The men halted their steps. Both were large and imposing. The younger, who seemed to be a few summers shy of Nicolaus’s age, clasped his finger around the hilt of his dagger and allowed his gaze to travel over Nicolaus.
Nicolaus twisted his lips at the young man’s daring. “What business do you have here?”
He didn’t need to ask. He knew who they were as they had the same color eyes as Ada, and their language was that of hers.
The older man nodded his graying beard. “I am Manus of Ashkelon and this is my son Asher.” He held his hand out in front of the younger man. “We are in search for Nicolaus, son of Gavros.”
Nicolaus narrowed his eyes. “You have found him.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ada tilted her head and listened to the familiar voices from the path. The prayer she’d lifted to God only moments ago had been a request for an answer. She loved Nicolaus, there was no doubt in her mind as to that fact, but she would not see him choose between her and searching for his sister. She would do all that she could, even speak with Nicolaus’s father, so he could search for her.
Her heart had rent in two when he’d pleaded with her to stay. Although she knew she couldn’t, she also knew she had no other place to go. Not until now. She tiptoed toward the edge and peeked through the shelter of the branches. She blinked, uncertain if her eyes deceived her. Her father, who was almost as tall as Nicolaus, stood next to her brother Asher, who was just as tall. Their cheeks bore the brunt of days in the sun. Asher’s cheeks and chin, which he normally kept smooth, were now sprinkled with the beginnings of a beard. The change surprised her. He no longer looked like a youth but a grown man.
Her father looked as if he’d aged since she’d last seen him. No longer did he look the giant she always believed him to be. Perhaps it was the wrinkles lining his face or the way his shoulders slumped or even the walking stick he leaned heavily upon. How had her father come to be here so far from home? She parted the foliage and stepped out onto the path. Her gaze darted to Nicolaus. A muscle ticked beneath his beard. She turned toward her father. “Father, Asher.”
The corner of her father’s left eye twitched as he straightened his spine A certain sign he was irritated and on the verge of rage. Asher’s cheeks turned crimson. Wishing she would have stayed hidden, she began to take a step back, but Nicolaus grabbed her arm and thrust her behind him. She fought the urge to kick him in the leg at his arrogance. Why did he always feel the need to move her around as if she were a crate of merchandise? She pressed her fingers against Nicolaus’s side for balance and peered around him to garner her father’s reaction.
The sharp contours of her father’s nose became more prominent when he narrowed his eyes farther. His staying hand on Asher’s arm was the only proof he remained reasonable. “I see the rumors about you and my daughter hold some truth.”
The muscles beneath her fingers quivered in controlled anger. She moved to stand beside him but stopped when a rumble vibrated through him.
“Of what rumors do you speak?”
“Your treatment of my sister.” Asher’s gaze flicked to hers. “And she allows it.”
“I—”
“Ada.” His low command halted any further words from her but it did not halt her movement. “As far as I am concerned she is my slave. My treatment of her is of no consequence, especially since your own daughters sold her into slavery.”
Her father flinched, and her brother paled. She gave in to her urge and stomped on the top of his foot. “You granted me my freedom.”
His nostrils flared. “Not yet, my love. If you recall, I offered but I have yet to grant your freedom.”
Ada gasped at his words.
Asher nudged their father. “You see.”
“Yes, it is a mystery to be solved.” Her father smiled, and then took in Nicolaus.
“I believe there are matters we must discuss between us.” Nicolaus shifted his weight. He did not want to take these men to his father’s
house, yet he did not feel comfortable with Ada walking home, even if the distance was short. What choice did he have? Although he’d sought out his daughter, Nicolaus did not trust her father, nor her brother. “Ada, you can find your way to the house?”
She blinked, her gaze moving from Nicolaus to her father. She was more confused than she had been moments before. “Yes, of course.”
“Then I will take these men to the storehouse where we can have our discussion.”
Her father shook his head. “That will not be necessary, my son. I will not leave my daughter alone to your care, and I have need to speak with your father.”
Nicolaus’s body seemed to expand. “Very well,” he said as he grabbed hold of her hand and stepped aside to allow her father and Asher to go before them.
“His home, where Ada has been staying, is at the end of this path,” Asher informed her father.
“This I know.” Her father took a step forward. Ada laid her fingers against the fabric of his tunic on his forearm. He glanced at her and she immediately bowed her head. “What is it, daughter?”
She swallowed the knot in her throat and risked a glance at him. “Why is it you have come?”
“To see that my daughter is well. After I heard what your sisters had done…I could not believe my own ears. You may be assured they are receiving a just punishment. One fitting their crimes.” Ada shivered as her father sighed and then smiled. “I am overjoyed to see you are better than I could have hoped for.”
She drew her brows together and wondered what it was that he meant. Certainly he did not wish any of his children to endure slavery. Although she had to admit she could have obtained a worse master than Nicolaus. One much more like her father had been. And why he seemed pleased with himself she could not fathom. Had she ever seen him truly smile, like he did now?
“I do not understand.” She wrapped her fingers around her father’s arm, so thin beneath his tunic, and then looked to Asher for answers, but his angry gaze was focused on Nicolaus. They would be fortunate if these two did not draw their weapons. She did not wish for Asher, the only champion she had among her siblings, to be harmed by the hands of the man she’d given her heart to.
