Two spots of pink flared on Aliyah’s smooth cheeks. I watched her take a calming breath, and then lean forward to inhale the scent of jasmine into her nostrils.
My heart raced at her closeness. Her flawless skin was mesmerizing. I found myself coveting everything about her. I wanted to flee, but her eyes never left mine. The sofa seemed to have me in its grip, the downy cushions closing in on me.
“I’m here to confide in you, Jayden, not argue about Leila. We’re both women now. We can talk and learn from each other. I thought you should be aware of Kadesh’s past. You should know who you’re marrying. After all, he’s still a stranger to you in many ways.”
I balked at her insinuations, wanting to deny her words. Kadesh used to be a stranger, but we had come so far in our relationship. He had confided in me. We’d learned to trust each other.
The air was saturated in the scent of the flowers. Aliyah’s perfume smelled hypnotic as it wafted into my lungs. A hint of frankincense everywhere. I stared at the winding river of water circling the couches and flowers, feeling overcome. I was stuck in an endless circle, too, with no way to escape the High Priestess. “How did you know we’re marrying soon?” I finally managed to say. “Not even my maids know of it yet.”
She waved a hand as though I’d asked a silly question. “I’m the High Priestess of Sariba. I know everything that goes on, my dear. Do not fear on that score.”
“It sounds like something very much to be feared if you’re spying on the royal family.”
“Who else would I spy on?” she said with a laugh. “I’m a member of the royal family.”
There was something about her voice that was making me sleepy and disoriented. I had to get off this sofa and get some fresh air.
“Poor darling Jayden. You’ve learned so much over the past few days, haven’t you? Devastating information. That Kadesh was supposed to marry me. Promised since our royal births. We were brought up with the same royal language, the same tutoring to become leaders of our countries. We were raised to unite the entire coastline and the interior deserts—the kingdoms of Sheba and Sariba—into one powerful country.”
“That’s not . . . what King Ephrem . . . said—”
Her slender wrist moved through the air. Bracelets of silver embedded with green jade stones tinkled around her hands, sweeping away my protest like a cobweb. “King Ephrem is a sick old man. Delusional. Don’t pay attention to anything he says.”
I was shocked at her belittling words—and the words of her sister, the Queen of Sheba, kept rising in my mind. “I can assure you I’m paying attention to a great many things since leaving my homeland.”
Aliyah gave a sigh and batted her eyelashes. “Unlike your betrothal to Horeb, prince of the Nephish, Kadesh and I were in love,” she continued, as if I hadn’t spoken. “We wanted to marry. But you, Jayden. You have nothing to offer him or the Kingdom of Sariba. No dowry, no jewels, no powerful tribe to unite. Your life is quite . . . unexceptional.”
“That’s not true! Ephrem received a letter from my King Abimelech who wanted to join our tribes together.” I knew I was grasping, wanting to prove myself to her, but why did I care so much?
She laughed derisively. “A letter from a dead king—to another king who is about to expire!”
My insecurities flared stronger than ever. This girl’s beauty and wit were unmatched, but all I could do was worry about what her relationship with Kadesh had been like. Had Kadesh been in love with her? Did she still have a hold on him? Perhaps I was merely a passing fancy. An exotic toy from a foreign tribe.
I was uneducated, without wealth. She was right. I didn’t have anything to offer Kadesh or the lands of Sariba.
Aliyah leaned in closer and I felt her skin against mine. “You’re wondering if Kadesh played you for a fool?” she whispered. “You worry he’ll only wed you after he marries me first—and you’ll be second choice. I still have my marriage contract. Jayden, daughter of an obscure tribe, will be second wife to the most powerful woman of the land. Second to the High Priestess. Second in name and wealth and popularity.”
I couldn’t breathe. I was suffocating.
“There is one thing of value you bring to our marriage. Three tribes from the north are on their way here and getting closer every day. Once we conquer them, Kadesh and I will truly rule the world. It’s all lovely and brilliant. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Stop!” I cried, but my voice sounded weak.
“I don’t think you want me to stop. You’re much too curious to know the truth about our past. You want to know if Kadesh and I did wicked things during our betrothal. I’d be glad to give you the details.”
“I won’t listen. Get away from me!” I moved to get up, my anger finally breaking the spell I was under, but her hand clamped down on my arm. I flung her off and pushed myself up from the couch. I tried to breathe normally, but it was almost impossible.
As I staggered to the door of the tent, Aliyah followed me, her voice like a hissing serpent in my ear. “Oh yes, you’ll listen, princess of Nephish. When Leila makes her sacrifice to the Goddess. It’s spring, the time of the Sacred Marriage Rite to show the goddess how much we love her so she’ll pour out her bounty upon us.”
Everything I’d suspected was correct. Aliyah was using Leila to break me. To torture me into fleeing and leaving Kadesh forever.
“Don’t worry,” the High Priestess said, ignoring the horror on my face. “You’ll get an invitation to Leila’s sacrificial ceremony. But I’ve been thinking . . .” she tapped a finger to her chin. “Two sisters would make a very powerful sacrifice.”
“You’re insane.”
“The Sariba Goddess will be more powerful than all others, even the gods of Moloch and Elkenah and Ba’al. She will rule the universe and all eternity.”
“Your sister, the Queen of Sheba, is nothing like you.”
“She’s only my half-sister. Soon she’ll be of no consequence.” Aliyah’s fingers encircled my arm again. “I always get what I want. In fact, I’m already making preparations to purchase another Nephish daughter.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The Goddess loves girls who are young and innocent. A girl who has never kissed a man. Or fallen in love. Because she’s a mere child. Barely past babyhood.”
She can’t be talking about Sahmril. The once lovely garden room now whirled in shades of darkness. As I wavered on my feet, my eyes searched for the opening, but all four walls looked exactly the same now.
“Oh, Jayden, don’t faint yet. Leila told me all about your little sister, Sahmril. And I’ve found her adoptive parents . . . who, unfortunately, may not live much longer. Can you imagine?”
“I’ll kill you before you ever touch—”
The High Priestess cut off my voice, as though her cool fingers were squeezing my neck. I saw a vision of myself strangled right there in the tent gazebo. My body lying on the floor. Nobody knew where I was. No servants were within earshot.
I summoned the little bit of strength I had left and shoved Aliyah away with both hands. I knew it was a weak gesture, but the woman laughed, drifting languidly back to the couch.
Her perfect white teeth glittered like a demon’s smile. “Pleasant dreams, Jayden.”
I fled before she permanently poisoned my thoughts and heart.
31
I ran with shaking legs to my room, then held back my anger while Jasmine and Tijah dressed me for dinner. The entire encounter with Aliyah had taken no more than an hour, but I was exhausted and frightened to the core. It didn’t take long to realize that had been her purpose. She wanted to intimidate me and keep me away from Leila, including casting doubts on my relationship with Kadesh.
The hallway of the palace seemed to close in on me when Kadesh and I made our way to the palace apartment of Uncle Josiah and Aunt Naomi.
“Are you feeling all right?” Kadesh asked, tightening his hand around mine.
The unexpected pressure of his fingers ca
used me to jump. I sagged weakly against the wall and he gathered me up in his arms. My feet left the floor as I buried my face into his neck. A sob whimpered in my throat, but I swallowed it down.
“Who’s hurt you?” he asked.
I didn’t want to tell him the awful things Aliyah had said to me. “Nobody’s hurt me. I’m just nervous about meeting your family.”
“No, it’s more than that.” He lowered me to the carpet and cupped his hand around my chin. “Did Uncle Ephrem frighten you? Do you regret signing the marriage contract?”
“Oh, no, the king is kind and wise. I can see why you’re so devoted to him. Why can’t the physicians help him?” I asked, changing the subject.
“It’s an illness that can’t be treated, but I had no idea he’d made such a turn for the worse while I was gone. The healers say the stress and worry over the impending war brings on stronger attacks. He needs quiet, peace, and that is gone until we deal with Horeb and his army.”
“I’ve asked a horrible thing of your homeland.”
“The blame is completely Horeb’s. His lust for you and my murder. Greed for land and wealth and power.” Kadesh twisted a lock of my hair around his finger as we stood close together in the hallway. Despite his gentleness, the gesture reminded me of Aliyah. He frowned. “Something has made you nervous. Has . . . Aliyah been here?”
“Here?” I repeated.
“In the palace.”
I didn’t speak at first, but I couldn’t continue to evade the question. “Yes, she was here. In the tent gazebo on the western side of the palace courtyards. I don’t know how she knew I was there.”
“She has her ways. I’m going to assign you an escort. Perhaps Asher could help. I don’t want you going anywhere alone from now on. What happened? What did Aliyah say to you?”
“We talked—if you can call it that—more than enough. I doubt she’ll be back.”
“Your voice is shaking. She rattled you badly. She said things about you and me. No.” He stopped. “She said things about me and her.”
I dropped my face, unable to look at him.
“Please don’t believe anything she tells you.” He shook his head, drawing my eyes upward to meet his. “She poisoned you with lies. Yes, we were betrothed, but we didn’t have any sort of real friendship. When I began my nineteenth year, she tried to get me to come to the temple. On the night of the Sacred Marriage Rite.”
I took an involuntary step backward. “Did you go to her?”
“No. No! Oh, Jayden, I promise you, no. Aliyah first went there to live under the guise of tutoring the other girls. She talked about educating them, teaching them to read and write. I was ashamed to tell my parents about her invitation to the marriage rites. I pressed her, but she would never tell me the truth about her life at the temple. We all discovered too late what the temple rites actually meant.”
A sick taste was in my mouth. “They appear to be well-kept public secrets.”
“After my father’s death, Uncle Ephrem made arrangements to send me on that caravan journey. He wanted to get me away before Aliyah seduced me with promises and lies that might confuse my loyalties. Before I left, the king contacted the Queen of Sheba and denounced the betrothal.”
“I’m sure Aliyah was furious. If she’s conspiring to put herself on Sariba’s royal throne, can’t you do anything about it?”
“I can’t bring her before the courts until we have proof of treasonous action. She has an army of devoted worshippers who would fight for her. Her charisma and methods of persuasion are very polished. Since my return I’ve learned she’s got most of the city seduced into believing whatever she says. She’s generous with temple funds and the priests of Ba’al help her. They would like to be as powerful as the Egyptian priests are, influential in politics and government and making decisions on taxation and revenue. And the royal family. The Pharaoh of Egypt does nothing without his temple priest advisors. Unfortunately, most of my judges and army captains have gone to the temple.”
“Aliyah has backed you into a corner. No matter what you do she will stay one step ahead of you.”
“A black widow in her web.” Kadesh shook his head. “Just like the Queen of Sheba warned us. At the moment I have to focus on war. Scouts say Horeb is within a week of us. I was hoping for more time. But time can be cruel in many ways.”
“So . . .” I began. “You never went to the temple to see Aliyah dance, then?” Jealousy had me in a cruel grip.
“Yes, I went and watched her dance,” Kadesh said quietly. “But we never shared a bed. I promise you that, Jayden. Please believe me.”
So far, everything Kadesh had ever told me had been the truth. Every promise he’d ever made he had kept. I had to stop letting my stupid fears interfere with my trust.
“If she tries to hurt you or your family, I will tear down every brick and stone of that temple with my bare hands.”
I gave him a small smile. “I will tear it down with you.”
“Jayden, you are my future wife and queen. Believe that until the day you die. Now let’s go eat dinner. I’m ravenous.”
He took my arm, and I laughed as we entered the suite. Stately furniture graced the rooms, but there were the comforts of a family here, too. Scrolls of reading materials and a sewing basket. Soft music coming from an atrium garden where a harpist played.
A glowing lamp hung over the dining table, which had been set with linen napkins, gold-rimmed plates, and brass goblets. The table literally sparkled under the chandelier of candles.
“Uncle Josiah and Aunt Naomi,” Kadesh said, bowing before a middle-aged couple. “May I present my betrothed, Jayden, daughter of Pharez.”
Uncle Josiah was a stout man with a salt-and-pepper beard and a hearty voice. “Is it official, then?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. “Or just a young and hopeful couple?”
Kadesh embraced his uncle. “The contract was signed a few hours ago between Ephrem and Jayden’s father.”
Aunt Naomi stepped forward, kissing Kadesh on both cheeks and then me as well. “Congratulations, my dears. You must bring him joy, Jayden. I’ve never seen my nephew looking so happy.”
Naomi was an elegant woman. Her hair was pinned into exquisite loops about her head and studded with jewels. Her smile was sincere and youthful. I liked her immediately.
Servants placed dishes of seasoned meat and mounds of rice on the table along with trays of melons and berries, jugs of red wine, baskets of hot bread and garlic butter, and bowls of sweetened yogurt.
“A heavenly banquet,” I said.
“I hope you’ll indulge us,” Naomi said with a lift of her eyebrows. “These are all my husband’s favorite foods. Now sit! I can tell Kadesh is ready to eat an entire camel.”
Kadesh helped me to one of the wide, soft cushions. He poured wine into my goblet and I sipped at the sweetness.
Uncle Josiah raised his glass. “To Kadesh and Jayden and the good news of a royal wedding.”
One by one we clinked our glasses together, and the sound of Naomi’s warm laughter filled the room.
“I was glad to have our meeting with the king,” I said to Naomi. “I can hardly believe we’re betrothed now.”
“Your time has finally come,” the older woman said. “Don’t be bashful around us, Kadesh, even if we haven’t seen you in a year. The food will get cold if you wait much longer. You have a lifetime to gaze at your bride.”
No sooner had I scooped salad greens and yogurt onto my plate than the doors to the suite burst open. Kadesh was on his feet at once.
Chemish stood there, breathing hard as if he’d been running. “One of our scouts just arrived at the palace gates. He rode so hard to bring us news his horse is nearly dead. The other scout, Japheth, is dead. Struck through by one of Horeb’s scouts.”
Kadesh’s dark eyes flamed and his palm slammed down on the table. “Where is Japheth now? Do they have his body?”
Chemish glanced at the family sitting at the dinner table and incli
ned his head. “I’m sorry to bring this bad news here. My apologies, my lord.”
“Speak, my friend,” Kadesh encouraged. “We all need to know what has happened.”
“The enemy cut our scout into ribbons and burned the pieces. The smoke followed the others all the way to our borders.”
“How much time do we have?”
“The armies are more than halfway between the Kingdom of Sheba and us. We haven’t much more than a week.”
Uncle Josiah’s expression turned grave as he rose from the table. Aunt Naomi closed her eyes, her lips going white. Their young daughter, Naria, had suddenly appeared and Naomi held the girl in her lap, shushing at her nursemaid to take her back to bed.
Kadesh paced the carpeted floor, then he turned to me. “Jayden,” he said. “I think we need to heed my uncle’s advice. We’ll marry in three days. Can you prepare that quickly? I don’t want to go into battle without being married to you.”
“Of course,” I said. “But is it wise to take time away from the army’s preparations?”
“The Sariba Kingdom is well armed. The battle won’t last long. Because of our secret groves of valuable frankincense, we’re on alert at all times.”
My mind whirled. My wedding. Everything to prepare in just days. Just as the Queen of Sheba had warned. We needed to marry before Horeb arrived, and we needed a huge royal wedding so there could be no misconstrued messages.
“Kadesh,” I said. “I want to visit Leila and deliver a wedding invitation, but I fear Aliyah will never allow me to see my sister without making me grovel for the privilege.”
“Surely an engraved wedding invitation from the palace cannot be refused?” Naomi said, lifting her eyebrows.
“Stranger things have happened at the temple,” was all Kadesh replied. Uncle Josiah cleared his throat and I got the impression he knew the unspoken sentiments in the cryptic conversation.
My eyes met Kadesh’s. He knew what I was thinking. Our wedding invitation would make Aliyah furious. Would she take it out on Leila?