Warring Desires (The Herod Chronicles Book 3)

by Wanda Ann Thomas

  Surrounded by the carnage of still bodies and damaged buildings, Gabriel hoped he never found himself on the opposite end of Herod’s fearsome rage.

  CHAPTER 32

  Herod’s opulent wedding at the royal palace was jarring after three weeks spent laying waste to multiple towns and killing hundreds of his countrymen.

  Ready now to turn his attention to retaking Jerusalem, Herod had paused in Samaria long enough to marry the Hasmonean princess Mariamne. No one watching Herod laughing and cordially greeting wedding guests would guess that just days ago, he had cut the head off the man responsible for killing his brother Joseph and sent the man’s head to his last surviving brother, Pheroras, as a bloody tribute.

  The whiplash change in Herod’s demeanor fed Gabriel’s misgivings. But what was the alternative? High Priest Hasmond had sliced the ears off his uncle’s head when he came to power. Gabriel had the bloodlines to stake a claim to the office of High Priest, but the single-minded viciousness required to seize power and crush resistance left a foul taste in his mouth. As did the merriment of a wedding.

  Colorfully dressed guests dripping in gold and jewels mingled and chatted. Waiting for the wedding feast to get underway so he could make his escape, Gabriel sought shelter next to a group of potted palms guarding the wall-sized mural of a pagan god looming over the brightly lit reception hall.

  In spite of being in Samaria for several days now, he’d spent precious little time with Shoshana. Herod had kept him busy from dawn to midnight with prenuptial celebrations and banquets.

  A whiff of cloying perfume assaulted Gabriel’s nose and a scarlet-lipped maiden joined him among the potted palms. One of Herod’s mother’s giggly nieces, Kitra made eyes at him every time their paths crossed.

  “My cousins are jealous of my new gown,” Kitra gushed. Her tinkling laugh drew lingering stares, thanks to the sheer, clingy fabric molding her curvaceous body.

  Mother of mercy, the girl was brazen. He edged back and bumped up against a fan of palm leaves. “You should rejoin your cousins.”

  “I’d rather hide in the palms with you,” she said, undulating closer with sultry eyes and pouting lips.

  He backed away and bumped up against the plaster wall. Soft breasts molded his chest. “Holy hellfire, Woman. What are—”

  “Kitra, leave the man alone,” a firm voice said.

  Kitra squeaked in surprise and spun around to face Physician Hama. Recovering quickly, she frowned. “My father wants me to become better acquainted with Gabriel.”

  “Your charms won’t work on him,” Physician Hama said with a pitying look in his eyes. “Save your tricks for James Onias.”

  Kitra pouted her red lips. “Gabriel and I were getting along splendidly until you spoiled it.”

  Physician Hama expelled an exasperated breath. “Go take your seat at the banquet. And expect to hear more on the matter from me later.”

  Kitra brushed past Physician Hama and flounced off, bracelets jangling with every swing of her hips.

  “The poor thing,” Physician Hama said.

  Gabriel righted his tunic. “Poor thing? She almost had me for supper. The person responsible for watching over her failed miserably.”

  Physician Hama pointed. “Her father observed the whole episode.”

  Alarmed, Gabriel expected to see Kitra’s outraged father charging at him, but the dark-skinned Nabatean ruler was scolding his daughter instead. “Why isn’t he threatening to kill me?”

  “The unconscionable man sent Kitra to seduce you.”

  “He wouldn’t.”

  “Oh, yes, he would. He wants you for a son-in-law. He hopes to ingratiate himself with Herod by marrying his daughters off to the most important men in Jerusalem.”

  “What about the match between James and Kitra?

  “James is scarred. He can’t be High Priest.” Physician Hama said.

  “But I can?” Gabriel shook his head at the unconscionable scramble for power and influence. “Tell him he is wasting his time on me. I plan to marry elsewhere.”

  Physician Hama shifted in place. “You should know Herod’s entire household is laying bets on whether you will marry Kitra or the Samaritan woman.”

  Fear that Shoshana would be accused of adultery pulsed to life. The gossiping fools meant no harm, but someone had whispered in their ears. Herod or Rahm must have instigated the gossip in a bid to manipulate Gabriel. He struggled to hold onto his anger. “Thank you for the warning, Hama.”

  “I’d want someone to do the same for me. My family and Herod’s have long ties, but I would slit my throat before marrying into his family.”

  Noting that Physician Hama was one of the few retainers who didn’t refer to Herod as king, Gabriel respected and trusted him more for it. “Commander Obodas looked stronger when I visited this morning.”

  “His body is healing, but—” Physician Hama shook his head. “Career soldiers who are able-bodied have a difficult enough time adjusting to retirement. Commander Obodas had it thrust upon him.”

  Gabriel hated the thought of Commander Obodas languishing in poverty and despair. “I’d like to help.”

  “Herod will see that Obodas has enough land and coins for his needs. As for the rest...I hope he marries. The married ones do better.”

  A line of household slaves walked past carrying trays heaped with steaming beef, fish, and lamb.

  Gabriel glanced toward the archway leading to the gardens, then back at Physician Hama. “If the king asks where I went, please tell him I fell ill.”

  “Here, take my cloak,” Physician Hama said, reaching for the metal clasp at his shoulder. “You won’t stand out so much in this.”

  Gabriel glanced down at his meadow green robe and groaned. He had almost purchased a more practical tunic. But his skin had sighed at the touch of such silky smoothness. And his eyes had delighted in the jewel-like color after months of wearing nothing but drab gray. “I swear on my life, this will be the absolutely last time I dress like a peacock.”

  Physician Hama chuckled and handed over his brown cloak. “You can return it the next time you visit Commander Obodas.”

  “The Lord’s blessings,” Gabriel said in farewell. Leaving the palms behind, he strode out a side entrance and hurried through a rambling statuary garden. He rounded a corner dominated by a nude statue of some Roman or Greek god and came face-to-face with Rahm.

  Gabriel strode closer. “You snake.”

  The insufferable man flashed his gap-toothed smile. “How convenient. I hoped to have a word with you.”

  Gabriel punched Rahm in the mouth.

  Rahm grunted and fell back.

  Gabriel rubbed his sore knuckles. “If you accuse Shoshana of adultery again, I will knock your teeth out.”

  “There’s no need to get violent,” Rahm said, dabbing at the blood trickling from his split lip.

  Black anger roiled through Gabriel. “How many coins do you want for the bill of divorce?”

  Rahm massaged his jaw. “You still don’t know a mule from a horse when it comes to driving a bargain.”

  Gabriel flexed his stinging knuckles. “My fists are begging to negotiate for me.”

  “Is that any way to treat your future brother-in-law?”

  “My brother-in-law?” The meaning of words registered past the buzzing in Gabriel’s ears. His stomach sickened. “I would never give my sister to a cretin like you.”

  Rahm pointed at the nude marble statue looming overhead and wagged his brows. “That’s quite the set of stones and pillars. Makes a man feel inadequate.”

  “This isn’t about my manhood,” Gabriel spit out. “My sister is dearer to me than life. I will not trade or negotiate away her happiness.”

  Rahm shrugged and pulled out a sheet of parchment from his tunic. “Have it your way.” He held the bill of divorce under Gabriel’s nose and tore the top edge down the middle.

  Watching his future with Shoshana slipping away, Gabriel snatched the document from Rahm’s h
ands. “Don’t!”

  “Shoshana could be yours today,” Rahm cooed. “You could marry her before leaving for Jerusalem. She could be in your bed by tomorrow night.”

  Hating that he was tempted, Gabriel gripped the thick parchment smelling of Rahm’s sweat. “Do you plan to abandon your second wife like you abandoned Shoshana?”

  “It’s my right.”

  Gabriel’s hand curled into a fist. “You are allowed multiple wives, but you must provide for them.”

  “They aren’t going hungry,” Rahm said smiling smugly.

  Gabriel glared back. “What do you hope to gain by marrying my sister?”

  “Influence with Herod and the aristocracy, of course.”

  Gabriel couldn’t believe his ears. “You hope to break bread with Herod and the High Priest of Israel?”

  Rahm’s chest puffed. “Herod and I are made from similar stuff. We could go far together. I just have to make sure he understands that.”

  Rahm was either deranged or blind with self-importance to think he was Herod’s equal. Or that the aristocracy would welcome him into their company. “You’re mistaken.”

  “Don’t underestimate me.”

  “Herod will have your head if he learns you are a double spy.”

  “Is that supposed to be a threat?” Amusement twinkled in Rahm’s sly eyes. “I know Shoshana and Noach flapped their lips. Told you my secrets. So what? If you had proof, you’d have already gone to Herod.”

  “I don’t need to make accusations. Your lies and schemes will trip you up one day.”

  “You won’t allow me to fail or fall.”

  A sinking feeling filled Gabriel. “Because you would take Shoshana down with you?”

  “Which direction will you turn?”

  Rahm was tightening his hold on Gabriel like a snake, crushing and crushing his resistance. “Noach was a wise man, but you trapped him into doing your bidding. Just like you’re trying to pull me in.”

  “Noach was too kind for his own good,” Rahm said, and took back the bill of divorce. “You can’t save both women. Which will it be?”

  How could Gabriel choose between Shoshana and Elizabeth? Either decision would tear his heart out. He couldn’t walk away from Shoshana. And Elizabeth had already been betrayed when their father gave her in marriage to Simeon Onias in order to keep his affair with Anina a secret. “I will die before I allow my sister to marry you.”

  Rahm grinned. “I can arrange that. I have a witness who will testify that he saw you kissing my wife. A very credible witness...a close acquaintance of the family.”

  Gabriel’s blood iced. He needed time to think. “Nothing can be done until I speak to my father.”

  “I’m a patient man.”

  Hell and crucifixion, Gabriel wanted to strangle the fiend.

  Rahm laughed. “Tempting isn’t it? Think of the problems you could solve if you killed me. But you’re a good man. Too high-minded and righteous to kill me and take what’s mine, aren’t you?

  A priest could marry a widow without the censure and penalties that came with marrying a divorced woman. Gabriel’s hand went to where his sword normally rested, then fisted. “You are the most miserable creature I’ve ever met. You enjoy watching others suffer.”

  “We all have our weaknesses.”

  Polluted to his depth by Rahm’s ugliness, Gabriel turned around and strode away.

  “Give my best wishes to Shoshana,” Rahm called after him in an amused voice.

  Frustration roiling his stomach, Gabriel marched past the sightless stares of stone statues, mocking him with their display of naked manliness. Rahm was correct—Gabriel wouldn’t kill for selfish purposes, but he would find a way to destroy the damnable man.

  CHAPTER 33

  Shoshana sat knee to knee with Gabriel next to the warmth of the brick oven, the cave home quiet around them. The rest of her family had retired to their bedchambers to give them some privacy. He continued to hold her hands, hardly releasing his grip since he’d walked through the door three hours ago, ruddy-faced and brimming with anger and frustration after his confrontation with Rahm. She shouldn’t be surprised by Rahm’s latest ploy for more prestige and riches, but his demand to marry Gabriel’s sister was audacious even by his standards of greed.

  “We need to be more guarded from now on,” Gabriel said.

  Shoshana pressed her fingers against Gabriel’s palms. “I should have known Herod would intercept your letters.” She and her grandfather had already apologized for not telling him sooner about being forced to cheat Herod out of coins and supplies. Gabriel assured them he placed the blame for the scheme on Rahm, but her conscience was still uneasy. “But my only thought was for removing every secret between us. I know and hate the poisonous nature of lies.”

  Gabriel squeezed her hands. “I should have warned you, but the realm of spies and treachery was foreign to me. My eyes are open now. I won’t make the same mistakes.”

  The outside door opened, carrying a cold draft. Big Lev ducked under the lintel and shut the door with a quick snap. “It’s cold as a snake’s belly tonight. You’d never know it’s spring.”

  “Come warm yourself by the fire,” Shoshana said.

  “There’s plenty of warm spiced wine,” Gabriel added.

  Big Lev waved off the offers. “My bed is calling me. I will be asleep before my head hits my pillow.”

  “Goodnight,” they called as Big Lev disappeared behind the curtained passageway to the back chambers.

  “How long has Big Lev worked for your grandfather?” Nathan asked.

  Shoshana smiled. “Since I was a little girl.”

  Gabriel pulled his hands free and scrubbed his face. “Herod and Rahm knew about our kiss. Rahm claims to have a witness who will testify against us. He said the witness was a close acquaintance of the family. Big Lev was outside that night, tending to the mules.”

  The mere thought made Shoshana feel like a traitor. “Big Lev wouldn’t spy on us.”

  Gabriel wrapped comforting arms around her. He smelled of rich spices. “I shouldn’t have said anything. Herod, Rahm, or likely both of them, set spies on me.”

  She pressed her face to his solid chest. “I would have to catch Big Lev conferring with Rahm in secret before I could believe he was capable of doing such a thing.”

  Gabriel’s hand paused from stroking her back. “What about Anina? Rahm learned about the trap you were setting for him from someone. She was one of the few people who knew. Anina helped you write your letters.”

  Shoshana frowned. “Why would Anina align with Rahm?”

  “Maybe she needs the coins. Or maybe she is secretly bitter because my father never married her and is seeking revenge.”

  Shoshana sighed. “I don’t know Anina overly well. So it’s possible. But...”

  “But your inner sense says no?”

  “So who could the spy be?”

  Gabriel brushed a kiss across her cheek. “I don’t know, but we need to be extra cautious from now on.” Muscles turning taut, he twisted around. “Who’s there?”

  Jacob stepped from behind the curtain guarding the inner chambers, holding his stomach. “I don’t feel well, Aunt Shosha.”

  Shoshana pulled away from Gabriel’s warmth and stood. “Do you want a mug of rose petal wine?”

  Jacob stared dolefully down his beak nose. “No. I know you’d rather spend time with him.”

  Embarrassed by Jacob’s continued hostility toward Gabriel, but remembering her wildly erratic moods when she was that age, she squeezed Gabriel’s hand, then went to Jacob. “Return to your bed and I will bring you some rose petal wine to sip. It always helps your belly settle.”

  Misery shining in his eyes, Jacob retreated behind the curtain.

  Gabriel climbed to his feet. “I’ll go.”

  She stepped into his embrace. “He will grow used to you.”

  “I’m not offended.”

  “I will be glad when we have this trouble behind us
and you don’t have to leave.”

  He smoothed his hands over her back. “The war will be over by autumn at the latest, then we will marry.”

  A shiver went through her at the thought of him returning to battle. “You sound so sure.”

  “We start the siege of Jerusalem within the month. Herod is confident the city will his by the end of summer.”

  She pressed closer to Gabriel. “What about Rahm?”

  “My father and I will offer a bribe the fiend will find too tempting to resist.”

  “You plan to reconcile with your father?” She loved that Gabriel had a forgiving heart.

  Sadness dimmed his amber-flecked eyes. “My anger has been scrubbed away.”

  “Promise me you will be careful. I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

  He tilted her chin and his mouth slid over her lips. “You won’t.”

  “I’m holding you to your word, Gabriel Onias,” she whispered, and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

  CHAPTER 34

  Three months after encamping outside of Jerusalem, Gabriel and Leonidas and a close circle of Herod’s advisers and commanders pushed away from the tables holding the remains of the evening meal. Clay vessels lined the shelves of an abandoned potter’s shop located outside the walls of the city. The structure’s chief charm was that it was beyond the reach of the Hasmond’s makeshift catapults.

  Gabriel and Leonidas exited the ramshackle mud and brick house, followed by Herod and the others. In the hills above them Herod’s hungry army was crouched, ready to pounce. Below, the smoke from the Evening Sacrifice wreathed the Temple.

  Conferring with his new commander, Herod pointed to the city wall and the guards standing watch at the Fish Gate. “We’ll move the new battering ram into place tomorrow.”

  Commander Tavi nodded. The veteran Idumean soldier who had taken Commander Obodas’s place was swarthy-skinned and black-haired like Herod, and just as ruthless. “Their defenses are softening.”

  “The city will fall within the week,” Herod said confidently.