Captive Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions) (15 page)

“He asked me to stay with him. I told him I couldn’t.”

“Ah.” Trajan relaxed back in his seat, eyeing Samah seriously. “And I take it he said nothing about marriage.”

She shook her head, not able to look at him.

“Perhaps you misunderstood each other. Maybe you should give him another chance.”

She glared at him. “You of all people should understand. Cassius is not a believer.”

“Not yet,” he said smoothly.

She studied him. “Do you really think there’s a chance?”

“I know there is. He was asking me about baptism only this morning.”

Samah felt suddenly lightheaded. It would be an answer to her prayers if Cassius could indeed believe, but she suddenly wondered if that would truly have any effect on their relationship. She remembered the hurtful resignation in his eyes when she had denied him. Could he ever really forgive her for that?

They finished their meal and Trajan got to his feet. “Come, let me walk you home. I have a meeting with the solicitor this afternoon, or I would spend more time with you.”

She took his hand and allowed him to help her stand. They walked in silence back to Jonah’s flat.

Trajan took her hand at the door, lifting it to his lips and kissing it. “Have patience, Samah.”

She knew what he meant. She watched him walk away, her heart suddenly light for the first time in days.

❧

Cassius strode along the streets of Rome feeling as though he were walking on air. Trajan had baptized him this morning, and he felt a great sense of coming home. Sentinel walked at his side, his alert ears twitching at the sounds around him.

They had been right, all of them—Anticus, Trajan, Samah, his mother. Accepting on faith that there was one true God and that He had sent His Son to die for the remission of all mankind was easier than he had expected. For the first time in his life, the empty spot within him was filled—filled with a wonderful presence.

Releasing all the pain from past hurts, he had reached out and grasped the hope offered to him. Now, he felt free for the first time in years. Free to love his mother. Free to accept Trajan. Free to marry Samah! It had been three long weeks since he had seen her, and thinking of her now brought that familiar rush of feeling.

He headed for the palace of the Palatine. Emperor Vespasian had requested his presence, and he was in a hurry to see him.
He hoped the emperor would allow him to relinquish his com
mand.

He wanted to find Samah and return with her to Samaria. He knew she grieved for her parents, and he was determined that she return as his wife so that there could be no argument against them.

Having been expected, he was quickly ushered into the emperor’s presence. Vespasian reclined on a couch, the gold laurel leaf crown on his head reflecting prisms of sunlight when he turned.

He lifted the jewel-studded goblet he was drinking from. “Commander Cassius. Come forth. Join me in a drink.”

Cassius hit his breastplate in salute, taking the goblet a servant offered him.

“Your majesty,” he said, bowing low.

“Have a seat, Cassius. No need to stand on formality.” He motioned to the couch next to him. “My son, Titus, has in-formed me of your valiant exploits in Palestine. That is why I have summoned you. I want you to return and help Flavius Silva overcome a band of rebel Jews that have barricaded themselves inside the fortress at Masada.”

Cassius’s heart sank. “But, Your Majesty, I was hoping to be relieved of my command.”

Vespasian lifted a supercilious brow. “At the mere age of twenty-two? You have not yet served your twenty years.”

“True,” Cassius agreed. “But with my father’s death, I now have two properties to oversee. There are things that I need to do, and I can’t if I am away all the time.”

The emperor placed his goblet on the marble table at his side. He turned slowly.

“I heard about Anticus. I’m sorry. He was a good man.”

Cassius felt the lump of grief rise into his throat. The wounds inflicted by his father’s death were still too raw.

Vespasian considered Cassius quietly for several moments. Finally, he smiled.

“You have done much for Rome, you and Anticus. I will grant you your release from duty.”

Relieved, Cassius got to his feet. “Thank you, Majesty.”

“Cassius.” Vespasian reclined nonchalantly against the cushions of his couch. His dark eyes met Cassius’s, and Cassius felt himself go cold all over at the look. “There is something else you can do for me. I have heard rumors of a sect that I thought Nero had destroyed rising again in Rome. They are called Christians. Keep your eyes and ears open, and if you hear of anything substantial, please report it to me.”

Cassius wasn’t certain exactly what he said, but he found himself dismissed. Hurrying from the palace, he tried to decide his next move.

He must warn the Christian believers somehow. But how? He had no idea where they met.

He would go to Samah. She would know. The fruit vendor, Jonah, was one of the Way. The last he had heard, Samah and her brother Ramoth were staying with him.

Remembering the last time he had seen her, he paused. What if she didn’t believe him? What if her reasons for rejecting him were more than his being an unbeliever? After all, he had slain many of her people and helped to destroy the holy city of Jerusalem. There had even been times when he had been unkind to her. She had reason to fear him. Could he convince her otherwise?

He now understood the power of her faith. When you became a believer, it filled your whole being. You wanted only to please the Father who had sent His Son to die alone on a cross. Would she believe that he had actually come to that point in his life?

When he neared the area where Jonah had his block of flats, Sentinel became more alert. Giving a loud
woof
, the dog ran ahead of him. Realizing that he could smell Samah’s presence, Cassius smiled.

Cassius climbed the steps to the apartment above. With some reservation, he knocked on the door.

When the door opened, Cassius recognized Jonah’s sister. She stared at him in stunned amazement.

“I wish to see Samah.”

Her mouth parted in surprise. Cassius was suddenly filled with unease at her look.

“She and Ramoth left for Palestine yesterday.”

The trip to Palestine took several weeks. First the ship went by way of Alexandria in Egypt, and then backtracked northward through Sinai towards Palestine. Often they were held up by winter storms rocking the sea, and Samah began to despair of ever reaching home.

After landing in Palestine, they would then have a long overland trek through Galilee and into Samaria. Though Samah knew she was free, she found herself constantly looking around her for trouble of some sort.

Ramoth had been quiet most of the voyage, and surprisingly, he had learned to finally quell his reckless personality. When accused of taking another man’s spot on the deck of the ship, Ramoth had held his hands out to his sides and told the other man to take it. Samah had been amazed.

The sky was darkening as the sun sank below the horizon. Ramoth found her leaning against the ship’s bulwark, her face pressed into the blowing wind.

“I need to ask your forgiveness,” he told her quietly.

“For what?” she asked, surprised.

He sighed heavily, turning and facing out towards the ocean. Seagulls dipped and swayed with the wind, a good omen, according to the captain. As the sky darkened with approaching night, they rapidly disappeared from sight.

“How many times did you warn me about spending my time with Ahab and the others? I didn’t listen, and for three years you had to suffer because of my stupidity.” He assessed her now, noting the rough wool tunic she had purchased before they left Rome. “And then you suffered through months of slavery. . .”

She stopped him with a hand raised to cover his mouth. “Shhh. It is forgiven.”

He pulled her hand away, his expression tense. “You have forgiven me, and I know Jehovah has, also, but I am having a hard time forgiving myself.”

Samah smiled. “I have seen a great change in you, my brother. Isn’t that what it means to truly repent? You are gentler, more forgiving. I can see that you are honestly trying to turn your life around and make up for past hurts.”

He took both of her hands into his. “Samah, if something happens to me and I don’t reach Samaria, I want you to promise me that you will go on.”

A cold chill passed through her. “Nothing is going to happen to you. Besides, even if it did, then it’s likely that something will happen to me, also.”

He shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. Jehovah has plans for you.”

She felt a cloud of doom settle heavily around her. His words had an almost prophetic cadence to them.

“Ramoth. . .”

He placed a finger over her lips. “Just promise me. I want Mother and Father to know that I. . .that I changed.”

Staring into his dark brown eyes, she pressed her lips against his finger in a kiss. When he removed his finger, she told him, “I promise.”

Satisfied, he nodded. “Now come back to the mat. We need to get some rest before tomorrow.”

They settled down among the other passengers. There were few on board since it was winter and traveling was more dangerous. Samah crossed her hands behind her head and stared up at the sky above her. The stars were hidden behind a fast-moving cloud mass.

Her mind refused to relax, and she once again focused on the words Ramoth had said to her. She felt decidedly chilled and not only from the blowing winds. Pulling her blanket around her tightly, she curled on her side into a ball.

Long after she could hear her brother’s deep breathing, she lay awake. If anything did happen to Ramoth, how did he suppose she could make it to Samaria on her own? Even if she could find the way, brigands roamed the hills all through Palestine.

And then her mind wandered into forbidden territory. Images of Cassius attacked her mind with a ruthless disregard for her attempts to thwart them.

Had Trajan been able to convince him of Jehovah’s truth? Would he finally be able to lay to rest the demons of his past and move on to a bright future?

Her heart ached with longing. How ironic that Cassius had taken her freedom, given it back, and then taken her heart captive again. As long as it belonged to him, she would never be able to love another. Was this what Jehovah had intended after all?

I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.

Jesus’ words settled into her mind, bringing with it an assurance that her life would be everything the Lord meant for it to be. Someday perhaps Jehovah would see fit to send her another man to love—a gentle man, who loved the Lord with the depth of passion that her own father did.

The rocking of the ship finally lulled her into a dreamless sleep.

In the morning, the clouds had gathered en masse, and the wind began to pick up in velocity. The captain stared with worried eyes at the darkening horizon.

“This doesn’t look good,” he muttered to no one in particular.

“We should make for land,” one of the passengers suggested.

The captain nodded. “Aye, I would do so, but there is nowhere safe along this coast. Our only chance is to try and run ahead enough to reach a safe harbor before the storm hits.”

The storm approached quickly, and it soon became apparent that they would not be able to outrun it. The captain gave orders to prepare the ship. The passengers huddled near the main sail, uncertain of what to do.

Samah watched the gathering darkness, offering up prayers for their safety. Several others had their eyes closed, petitioning whatever deities they worshiped.

Ramoth helped the sailors fasten down amphoras and crates of goods. Samah watched him and felt proud. He had grown in wisdom and caring so much over the last several weeks, and she knew he had finally found a personal savior. She had never seen him look more relaxed, while others scurried around him in fear. His very serenity had others seeking his counsel, even the surly captain.

When the storm finally hit, it hit with breathtaking intensity. The cargo ship lifted on the waves, crashing to the hollows of the sea. Those on deck screamed in fear as they were thrown about like pieces of straw.

Ramoth crawled across the ship to Samah’s side, dragging a rope behind him. Tying the rope around her waist, he then fastened it to the mast.

It soon became apparent that the ship would not survive the storm. Passengers and crew alike fought mindlessly for places in the ship’s boat that was bobbing on the sea behind the ship.

Ramoth held his sister close. She buried her face into his chest when she saw one man brutally murder another to get his place in the boat.

“I think we’ll be safer if we stay with the ship,” he yelled above the wind. Then she heard him mumbling and realized that he was praying. She added her prayers to his.

Wind tore at the small aft sail, ripping it from its mooring and flinging it towards them. Samah screamed as she was suddenly engulfed by the fabric. Ramoth helped her fight her way clear, shoving the sail away. It blew across the deck and into the water.

Those who had not made it onto the ship’s boat now ran frantically about the deck seeking some means of escape. When the ship fell into a trough, a wave rose on their side, crashing over the deck in a raging tide. The main sail snapped beneath the onslaught.

Moving with the power of the water, Samah was suddenly lifted from the deck, her waist still tied to the mast. The long wooden arm plunged into the sea. The last thing Samah heard was her brother screaming her name. Her one thought was that it was not Ramoth who would not make it to Samaria, but herself. Lifting her thoughts in one final prayer, she begged Jehovah for Ramoth’s life and for his ability to tell their parents just how much she loved them.

❧

Cassius stood at the prow of the Roman warship and breathed deeply of the salt air. He willed the ship to go faster, his anxious thoughts with the woman he loved.

It had taken him weeks before he had been able to get a ship to take him to Palestine. None of the cargo ships would sail in the winter, and it was only because more Roman troops were needed at the fortress of Masada that he had been able to finagle this ride.

Sailors scurried up lines and rigging trying to repair the damages after yesterday’s storm. The ship had taken a severe pounding, but it had survived the raging tempest.

While the centurion in charge offered a sacrifice to Jupiter, Cassius offered his own thanks for their survival. Frankly, he wouldn’t have been surprised had the Almighty chosen to destroy them all. Though his faith in God was growing, he still questioned the reasoning behind the destruction of the Jews.

For centuries, God had cared for His people. Through rebellions and even when they had committed adultery with other gods, He had taken care of them. Why?

Jonah said that it was so that He would have a people to send His Son through. For centuries the Jews had looked for a savior, then when they finally had one, they rejected Him because He didn’t live up to their expectations.

Cassius was glad that he had been able to warn Jonah and the others about Vespasian’s suspicions. Many were already preparing to leave Rome before a worse persecution than what Nero perpetrated could be instituted.

He prayed for Trajan and his mother. Trajan had decided to marry his mother, surprising both Callista and Cassius. When he had questioned the general, Trajan had told him that he owed it to Callista.

Cassius had reminded him that he didn’t love her, but Trajan had told him that love was a decision. He would love her because he had decided to love her.

Shaking his head at such a thought, Cassius couldn’t imagine a love affair of the mind. The feelings he had for Samah were intense and filled his very being. He yearned for her in so many ways, not least among them the physical. Her very scent made his blood thunder through his veins.

A soft whine brought his thoughts to an abrupt end. Sentinel lay at his feet, his eyes drooping in misery. Sailing was bad enough, but after yesterday’s storm, the dog was truly incapacitated.

Cassius knelt beside him and rubbed his head. “Hang in there, Boy.”

He didn’t know what to do to help the animal’s suffering.

“Captain,” a sailor yelled. “There’s something off the starboard.”

Cassius got to his feet, staring at the floating item in the
distance. Scattered debris from a broken vessel bobbed on the
sea’s swells.

The captain came and stood beside Cassius. “Looks like the
poor devils didn’t make it.”

As they moved closer, they were surrounded by floating casks and crates. All manner of material bobbed on the waves around them.

“Look, Captain! It’s a woman!”

Soldiers left their posts to peer at the woman drifting towards them. She was tied to a ship’s mast, one arm hanging over it, keeping her from sliding into the water. She didn’t move.

“Is she alive?” one soldier shouted.

In the next instant, the post she was attached to turned and
Cassius recognized Samah.

“Samah!”

Throwing off his sandals, he quickly dove into the water. The cold water closed over his head, and he kicked out, surfacing beside the drifting mast. Shaking the water from his head, he pulled himself next to Samah, feeling for a pulse. It beat weakly against his fingertips.

“She’s alive!” he yelled up to the captain. “Help me get her aboard.”

The crew hurried to do as bid. Dozens of soldiers stood nearby as Samah was lifted to the deck. They helped Cassius into the ship, and pushing out of their detaining hands, he quickly knelt beside Samah, the water dripping from his head.

“You know this woman?” the captain asked.

Cassius nodded, but couldn’t speak. He gently pressed the wet hair away from her face. Tracing a path with his finger, he followed the contours of her face across her cheekbones and over her lips.

She stirred, and her eyes fluttered open.

“Cassius?”

Never had Samah seen eyes so tender. “Yes, Beloved. It is I.”

She tried to push herself up. “Ramoth!”

Cassius frowned. “He isn’t here.” He pulled her up until she rested across his lap. “Can you tell us what happened?”

She began to cry. “The storm. And the people went crazy!” She buried her face in her hands. “Oh, Ramoth! Ramoth!”

Cassius looked up at the captain. “See if there are any other survivors.”

Though they searched for hours, they found no sign of other survivors or their bodies. Cassius took Samah below into the captain’s cabin and laid her on the bunk. Her eyes went past him, and she smiled sadly. Reaching out her hand, she called softly, “It’s all right, Sentinel. You can come in.”

The dog didn’t hesitate. He strutted to her side, whining in agitation.

She stroked his fur, unable to look Cassius in the eyes. He sat down on the bunk beside her. His hungry gaze devoured her.

“I thought I might never see you again,” he rasped.

She finally looked him in the eye and was spellbound by the love she saw shining there.

“Thank God, He saved you. I will never cease to sing His praises.”

“Did you say
God
?

He smiled then. “God. Jehovah. Whichever name you choose to call Him. Yes, my little Samaritan dove. I have finally found what I have been seeking. The God who has been seeking me.” He clutched her hand as though he would never let it go. “Will you marry me now, Beloved? Can you love me, despite what I have done to your people and to you?”