A male servant immediately brought a chair for my father. I admired the king’s thoughtfulness toward my father, even if his words were quite direct.
King Ephrem continued. “I’m indebted to your desert generosity, man of Nephish. It was the will of God that Kadesh live and eventually return home. Although . . .” He paused, glancing between his nephew and me. “It took him a year before I received any messages of comfort—when I feared he was lost to a pit of quicksand or an enemy’s sword.”
My father cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t let a man go hungry or thirsty, whether he’s a follower of Abraham’s God or not. It is the custom of the desert.”
“Then you have no bias or prejudice.”
“If God loves all his children then who am I to begrudge a morsel of food or safe passage?”
“But there was an attack against my nephew. An enemy’s sword nearly killed him. Your daughter Jayden braved the desert to find him and bring him back home.”
“Your nephew has filled your ear with tales,” my father conceded. “But I won’t speak badly of my heritage, lineage, or tribe. Especially not in times of strife and battle.”
“I’m not asking you to—but here we are. And an army is on its way to make war with the kingdom of Sariba. A war we never invoked, nor sought, nor deserve.”
A pained expression crossed my father’s features. “Unfortunately, that’s true. If you want me to ride out into the desert to stop them I will do so, King Ephrem.”
“The danger is unthinkable,” I said, speaking out of turn.
“I wouldn’t send you to your death, Pharez,” Ephrem added, agreeing with me.
“I don’t believe my own nephew would kill me.”
Ephrem pursed his lips. “No, but the Assyrians would kill first and identify you later.”
My father’s chin jerked up. I’m not sure that fact had crossed his mind. He was so eager to have Horeb found innocent of any wrongdoing his heart wouldn’t allow him to see the pride Horeb cultivated and his determination to see the Sariba heir dead.
“Your daughter’s soul is as generous as her father’s,” King Ephrem went on. “I’m sure she has her mother’s beauty and gentle heart. I can see why Kadesh fell in love with her. I can also see why your would-be Nephish king wants her back.”
“She belongs to him.”
“Does she?”
The air filled with a cloud of tension. I clenched my fists together, wondering if my father would openly challenge the king of Sariba.
“I’d hoped to sign a marriage contract with you today, Pharez,” the king went on. “I approve their marriage and Kadesh needs to marry quickly so he can be crowned upon my death.”
“But surely that’s many years from now,” Pharez said with diplomacy.
“You needn’t humor me. My death is only a few months away, if not weeks. There are problems in Sariba. Forces who wish to change our land into something else. I don’t possess the energy or skills to fix this. Kadesh is the only one who can and he needs a strong queen at his side.” King Ephrem glanced up at Kadesh. “And I believe he has found her.”
“I have,” Kadesh said, his eyes on my face.
“Please go to my desk and retrieve the packet, Son,” Uncle Ephrem directed.
Instead of marriage contract papers, Kadesh spread several stone tablets on a low table next to the king.
“Pharez, come closer,” the king invited. “I have something very important to show you. You need to see with your own eyes a letter I received from your cousin-brother—the previous Nephish King Abimelech. Many months ago.”
The color drained from my father’s face. “Why would Abimelech correspond with you?”
“Abimelech had a story to tell me. And a proposition to make. It seems Horeb was not the first-born son. Zenos was his eldest, an heir whose nature and will was to make peace with the surrounding tribes. Indeed, he and his father were already working toward treaties with the local warring tribes to bring about a lasting truce. Using the means of trade.”
“I had no idea,” my father said hoarsely.
“But this eldest son, Zenos, was killed in one of those very raids he was hoping to stop.”
My father put a hand to his head. “His death was a terrible loss. He had been betrothed to my oldest daughter, Leila.”
King Ephrem motioned to Kadesh, who picked up one of the polished tablets and handed it to Pharez. “After Abimelech met Kadesh at the oasis in Tadmur, they had several confidential talks together, unbeknownst to you or Horeb. Please, read.”
My father studied the correspondence then glanced up in astonishment. “This is Abimelech’s handwriting. The symbols of his name. I recognize it.”
“You have no scribe in your tribe?”
“Our tribal leaders read and write a bit, although we don’t have a need very often.”
King Ephrem softened his deep voice. “Abimelech knew Horeb’s secret—or at least guessed it. He’d killed his brother Zenos so he could one day take the throne instead. I was deeply troubled to learn of Abimelech’s death so soon after he sent me this letter. I also know the Nephish tribal council blackmailed and then stoned Jayden for the murder.”
My father groaned and crossed the room to stare out the windows. The king of Sariba was very direct. He’d spoken facts about Horeb my father hadn’t wanted to admit. And proof was now, literally, in his hands.
I stood up and placed my hand on top of his. He shouldn’t have been forced in this way. “I hope you’ll forgive me, Jayden,” my father said quietly.
“There’s nothing to forgive, Father. You didn’t know. Nobody did.”
“The most important thing now, for us, is also stated in Abimelech’s letter,” Ephrem told us. “He wanted to create an alliance with the Sariba tribe. He feared King Hammurabi’s eagerness to spread his kingdom across the western deserts. He feared cruel taxation was coming, and with it, oppression. His son’s ambitions could lead to annihilation. Meeting Kadesh was a most propitious answer to his problems.”
“Did you ever write back to him?”
“I was still pondering the proposition when word of his death arrived. Before I made such a crucial decision I wanted to speak with Kadesh and learn firsthand about the Nephish. I wanted to know why this solicitation was put forth from your king. But even if I had agreed to form the alliance, the letter wouldn’t have returned in time. In fact, now I’m grateful I didn’t respond. It would have fallen into Horeb’s hands and he would have destroyed it—or used it as blackmail.”
“What do we do now?” My father seemed overwhelmed.
“Today I want to officially make an alliance with you and your daughter. Kadesh and Jayden will arrange for their wedding to take place soon. The contract will also state Jayden will be crowned queen when Kadesh is crowned as king.”
King Ephrem rose on unsteady legs. His servant walked quickly to his side, allowing the king to lean on him. He stood regally before me and my father. “Never can I align with Horeb. He is coming with the biggest armies of the world to destroy me. Now my kingdom faces annihilation. My people. And my family. The audacity of Horeb is breathtaking.”
The ominous silence coming after his words was tangible.
“My dear, Jayden,” he said solemnly. “You won’t like hearing what I’m about to say next.”
“What is it, my king?”
“There is only one way to stop this madness descending upon the lands of Sariba. And you are the only one who can do it. You must kill Horeb. It’s the only way.”
30
Alarm shot through my belly. “I don’t understand. Won’t Horeb be defeated by the Sariba and Edomite armies? The professional soldiers can kill him. I never want to see Horeb again. He’ll try to kidnap me.”
Putting his fingers together, King Ephrem listened to my concerns. “Even if Horeb were to die during the battle, his generals will never admit he’s dead. They’ll continue to fight. I’m certain he’ll be kept away from the front lines in a
safe place. There are many places to hide in Sariba. There is also his widowed mother. She will never concede his passing.”
“How do you know that?” I asked, astonished.
He raised his gray eyebrows. “I’ve lived a long time. And King Abimelech alluded to many obstacles.”
“But—why me? Kadesh can . . . Chemish . . .”
“The only way this war can end is through Horeb’s demise. And only you can know for certain when he is dead. Someone might disguise themselves as Horeb just to trick our army. The Maachathites are hungry for our wealth. Killing him yourself is the only way they cannot hide his death. There must be absolute proof to our warriors, and to his fighters. I’m sorry.”
“I see your wisdom,” I said, terror coursing through my veins. Never had I expected to hear this. How could I possibly kill Horeb myself? He’d be surrounded by well-armed soldiers.
“Come here, my son,” the king said. “You as well, Jayden.”
King Ephrem brought his withered palms to Kadesh’s face. Slowly, he ran a finger down the jagged scar. Tears filled his eyes when he touched the black eye patch and studied Kadesh’s scarred eye socket. Then, reaching for my hand, he placed it in Kadesh’s, as though we were kneeling at the marriage dais.
“A true warrior king is not afraid to fight for the people he loves or to save his kingdom. You’ve both shown that love for each other. Willingly ready to sacrifice your own lives. That is loyalty. That is strength with a deep abiding love. Nurture it and never let it go. It will sustain you through the coming months and beyond.”
A royal scribe brought a tray of writing tools to the king’s desk. An official betrothal contract had already been drafted and lay on the polished wood waiting for us.
“Pharez of Nephish,” the king said. “This is the agreement of betrothal between my nephew, Kadesh, and your daughter Jayden. The dowry and gifts will be exchanged. On the day of the wedding we will sign the marriage contract, making this legal and binding for the rest of their lives.”
King Ephrem sat heavily in his chair and picked up the pen stylus. He signed the agreement first, and then my father added his signature. With shaking hands, I stamped my name below Kadesh’s at the bottom of the covenant. To have my signature on the betrothal contract was highly unusual, but these were extraordinary circumstances. A royal union with large and weighty consequences.
My father and Ephrem shook hands and then they embraced, kissing each other briefly on both cheeks as tribal brothers did. The sight made my heart happy, but my mind continued to be troubled. My father couldn’t possibly return to the Nephish people and live among them now. I was hated and despised, and now he would be as well.
He would have to live out the remainder of his life right here in Sariba. If Kadesh and I could defeat Horeb’s armies and destroy Aliyah’s power, we could bring a more lasting peace to this beautiful land on the borders of the ocean.
I bowed to kiss Uncle Ephrem’s hand, pressing my lips against his royal ring. It was a stunning band of gold and bronze with a stamp of the frankincense tree, the sea, and halo of sun. The elderly king pulled me close, his beard tickling my chin. “Let the wedding preparations begin,” he said into my ear. “And quickly! I don’t want to miss it.”
Kadesh caught my eye and laughed. I blushed and turned away. Then Kadesh kissed me, right in front of everyone. Uncle Ephrem clapped his hands, smiling broadly. Bubbles of joy rose into my throat. It was done. It was real. Happiness spilled out of me. Now I truly would be Kadesh’s bride.
A servant brought trays of food. Steamed fish and warm bread, tea, honeyed pastries, and fruit. When we finished eating, King Ephrem’s tremors grew worse, and he began to cough more frequently.
“I must put His Majesty to bed now,” the servant said with a bow.
The king protested, but he looked exhausted. Wrinkles deepened around his mouth, clustering at his eyes and sinking into dark hollows.
He bade us good night and then used a cane to walk to his private room while his personal manservant followed. The doors shut behind them, and Kadesh and I accompanied my father back to his room.
“Tonight will be a quiet family dinner,” Kadesh told us. “No entertainment. No dignitaries or diplomats. I want you to meet my aunts and uncles on a more informal basis. My mother’s sister and her husband have a dining room in their suite. Aunt Naomi likes to entertain. I’ll come to your rooms in a few hours to retrieve you. Until then, I have a battle to plan.”
He smiled, trying to lighten the mood, but dread filled my heart. When Horeb appeared on the desert, people would die. Soldiers, captains, Edomites. Perhaps even ordinary citizens. There was no doubt in my mind.
After Kadesh departed, I couldn’t bring myself to go back to my own solitary quiet. The fussing of Tijah and the silence of Jasmine. I needed to go somewhere private so I could ponder what King Ephrem had just told me. I also needed to figure out how I was going to bring Leila here to us.
“Do you want to join me in the gardens for a walk, Father?”
“I’d like to rest before dinner so I can attempt to be less grumpy.”
“You are never grumpy.”
He smiled. “That’s debatable.”
I kissed his bristly cheek and then moved down the hall.
I was beginning to learn my way. The palace was laid out in a series of hallways formed into two bisecting rectangles. Private suites weren’t marked, but I easily figured that out by the closed, quiet doors. The public rooms had enormous arched openings. I knew there were at least two dining halls, a ballroom, government meeting rooms, and an entrance foyer with vast ceilings and splendid furnishings and columns.
I didn’t know where the kitchens, storage rooms, and servants’ quarters were. Probably located down another invisible hallway I couldn’t begin to find on my own.
I slipped out a side door that took me to a patio with a breathtaking view of the Qara Mountains. The garden overflowed with palm trees, weeping willows, and stone pathways. On a side path, I spied a canopy and headed for it.
A domed four-sided tent had been erected in one of the far corners. On three sides the tent panels were staked, but the fourth wall—the entrance—was loose, created out of a flowing, almost sheer material, flapping charmingly in a slight breeze.
Stealing inside, I discovered the gazebo boasted its own cozy furniture. A small fountain was in the center, surrounded by irises.
Deep, comfortable sofas were positioned around the perimeter of the fountain and plump pillows layered the couches. I pictured myself lounging here for an afternoon with scrolls of Sariba’s history to read. Perhaps a harpist for entertainment. Except desert girls like me didn’t know how to read. I could only recognize the cuneiform symbols for names and places. A deficiency I would need to remedy. I’d have to speak with Kadesh about getting a tutor. As his wife I’d need to be able to read orders, menus, and send my own personal correspondence.
I lifted my eyes to see a beautiful lamp hanging from the ceiling, its orb of patterned light reflecting against the walls.
“What a gorgeous room,” I said aloud. “I wonder why Kadesh hasn’t brought me here.”
“I wonder why he hasn’t either,” a female voice said behind me.
I whirled around and my heart instantly began to pound.
Aliyah, the High Priestess of the Sariba Temple, stood before me. An amused smile flickered across her face. “It’s such a romantic location. The perfect spot to woo the girl you love.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Oh, Jayden,” she said through deep red lips. “Come, darling girl. Let’s sit over here and have a little chat. I think we should get to know each other better.”
I glanced at the silken drapery doors, racking my mind for an excuse to escape. I didn’t want to purposely antagonize her though. Her magnetism was powerful, already putting some sort of enchantment on me. I felt woozy, my head cloudy, and I found myself drawn to her, wanting her approval.
Aliyah
slipped her long, cool fingers into mine, locking us together as she pulled me toward the arrangement of sofas and pillows. I sank into the downy softness while Aliyah tucked her bare feet underneath her. Even her toenails were painted a bloodred color.
She sat sideways on the couch, smiling charmingly, reaching out to wind a lock of my hair around her finger. “How do you like Sariba?”
I swallowed, trying to remain composed. “It’s absolutely beautiful, of course.”
“You fit in very well here. Prince Kadesh has always liked beautiful girls.”
I bit my tongue, swallowing any comment. Reason told me to flee, but I found myself unable to move. I was bound to the couch while the fountain drizzled and the scent of jasmine filled the air.
Aliyah lowered her dark lashes, her voice sultry. “Men are all the same. They want beautiful faces and beautiful bodies. That’s why they come to the temple. To watch us dance before the Goddess, and then make love to the Goddess so their families are blessed.”
“I thought it was to make a connection to the Divine,” I managed to say. “Isn’t that what the Sacred Marriage Rite is all about?”
She clapped her hands together. “I knew you were familiar with temple worship. I could see it in the way your body moves. In the look of your entrancing eyes.”
“If you’re trying to lure me into dancing at the temple, you’re wasting your time.”
“I’m not trying to lure you at all. I have your sister Leila for that. She’s simply captivating. Always the first to be chosen by our priests or Sariba’s citizens.”
Now she was purposely trying to irritate me. “Let me see my sister. My father and I have a right to see her.”
“All in good time, my darling girl. When the Sariba Goddess deems it. Your sister is still adjusting. She’s quite busy choosing her favorite harem of men to create the divine worship experience. It’s spring, you know.”
“I’m quite aware of that.” I was also aware she was probably lying. “You won’t let us see her because you’re afraid Leila will remember us. And if she remembers her family you’re afraid she’ll want to live with us here at the palace. You can’t allow that, can you?”