“Bodyguard?”
Herod hauled on the rope. “My father wants to make sure you arrive safely in Syria.”
“He could not want it too badly, since he sent you.” Nathan stepped aside, narrowly escaping the gusher of water whizzing past his ear. “Alexandra will be making the trip with us,” he said.
His friend frowned and handed the empty pitcher back. “Are you sure that’s wise? What if Judas or Hezekiah make trouble for you?”
“Of all the foolish...” Nathan rolled his eyes. “They’d never do real harm to me.” Annoyed at the skeptical grin that earned, he pointed a warning finger. “Your father is the one who had better start paying attention to the rebels.”
Herod’s smile vanished. “He’s got bigger problems. The treason charge has Father worried.”
Antipater had backed Pompey against Julius Caesar in the latest go-around of civil wars plaguing Rome. Many Israelites hoped Caesar was going to strip Antipater of power, or, better yet, execute him.
Nathan wasn’t convinced it would happen. “Yes, but Antipater’s soldiers fought alongside Caesar’s army in Egypt. That has to count for something.”
“You would think so.” Herod shook his head with disgust. “But Hasmond has come out of hiding. Again. He’s in Syria already, speaking lies against my father. The damnable snake.”
“Watch your mouth around the children,” Nathan growled. But the majority of his displeasure was for John Hycranus and his nephew, Hasmond, and their never-ending bickering over which worthless member of the Maccabeus family would sit as high priest.
Herod rolled his thick shoulders. “There is a bright side to the trip to Syria. The governor has some amusements planned.”
Nathan narrowed his eyes at Herod. “I’m not going to find myself in a line with the jesters, dwarves, and lions, am I?”
Herod threw his head back and laughed. “No, but I’d pay to see it. The governor is going to hold some tournaments. Wrestling, swordsmanship, horse races, and the like. I’m in the mood for some bruising competition. Plan on going up against me. I want to see how soft you’ve become.”
Nathan snorted. “If anyone’s soft, it’s you.”
Herod clapped him on the back. “You must be brave as ever.” He nodded toward Alexandra, who was just entering the yard. “Or you wouldn’t consider bringing Simeon Onias’s daughter to live in a two-room hovel.”
Nathan took a deep breath and went to meet Alexandra.
***
Alexandra stood aside as the travelers swarmed over the farmyard and got to work setting up camp. She eyed the stone and mud house at the center of the activity. Despite Nathan’s repeated warnings about the size of the house, she was still taken aback by how small it was. The rolling hills surrounding the home had a quiet beauty she liked. She couldn’t wait to explore the depths of the ancient olive orchard. But the house.
“You didn’t faint. That’s something.”
She turned at the sound of Nathan’s voice. He walked toward her as though headed to his doom.
She put on a smile. “You have the whole valley to yourself. How lovely.” The last farm they’d passed was several miles behind them.
He raised a brow. “The next time I see your father I will have to ask him if the scriptures say anything about a tactful wife being a blessing to her husband. If not, they should.”
Her smile became real. Since they were at the center of a whirlwind of activity, and she was anxious to fit in and be helpful, she spread her hands. “What can I do?”
The tension went out of Nathan’s shoulders. “I have to go set up tents.” He backed up a few steps. “But, I’m sure Rhoda could use help preparing the Shabbat meal. I’ll be along shortly to give you the grand tour of the house.” He winked and spun away.
The sinking sun at her back, Alexander hurried to the home’s open door and peeked inside. Nobody was around. A round, tan mat was laid out on a hard-packed dirt floor. Smaller, matching woven mats circled it. Loaves of bread jutted out of a large basket sitting in the middle of the table.
She stepped inside. Tools of all shapes and sizes filled one corner. She crossed the room. Rhoda came rushing out the back room and crashed into her, dislodging the pitcher the older woman was carrying. Water splashed everywhere.
Alexandra gasped. “I’m so sorry. Where are the rags? I’ll dry the floor. Or I can go for more water.”
The careworn woman continued to frown. “You can help me by sitting down over there, out of the way.” She pointed to the opposite corner. Then she rushed outside.
Alexandra winced and wiped her hand over her wet tunic. She was so anxious to please Rhoda, but Nathan’s stepmother remained standoffish. This small accident wouldn’t help.
Mary and Timothy burst through the door and skidded to a stop in front of Alexandra.
“Did you hear the news?” Timothy asked breathlessly, pushing his hair out of his face.
Alexandra bit her lip to keep from smiling. “Did Bartholomew’s donkey bite someone again?”
Brother and sister shook their heads.
Mary clapped. “There’s not enough time to put up all the tents, so Pinhas and his family are going to sleep with us. You will love it. Pinhas and Nathan tell funny stories about when they were boys. They make us laugh and laugh.”
The house already felt cramped. More people would soon crowd inside. The walls of the small home seemed to press closer. Alexandra swallowed and filled her lungs with air, while there was some still to spare.
A short while later eleven people sat around the mat table. Herod had been invited to spend the night, too.
Rhoda leaned forward and lit a simple clay lamp. The smell of warm olive oil filled the air.
Joseph spoke the words of the Psalms. “Seek the Lord, and his strength, seek his face evermore.”
A chorus of approval went up. Olives, dates, bread, and wine were passed around the table. Everyone fell to talking.
Alexandra started to relax. Nathan touched her arm and leaned closer. “How are you?”
Her legs were starting to go numb from sitting on them. “I’m fine,” she said.
He offered her a dubious look.
Pinhas called for everyone’s attention. He reached behind his back, grabbed up a woven bag, handed it to Alexandra, and offered her a sheepish smile. “A wedding gift.”
Whatever it held was heavy. Alexandra peeked inside and pulled out a pair of stone-hewn cups and plates.
The others watched her expectantly.
“I carved them myself.” Pinhas shrugged. “I’m sure they’re not as fine as the ones your father uses.”
Alexandra ran her hand over the polished rim of the cup. She’d lived surrounded in luxury, but without the happiness and love abounding here. If anyone had been deprived, it was her. She offered Pinhas a smile. “They are beautiful. Thank you.”
Her blessing given, the rest of the family felt free to exclaim over them.
Mary asked to see the dishes.
Herod stood and walked across the room. “Your roof’s leaking.”
Nathan and Pinhas jumped to their feet. Nathan grabbed up a lamp and inspected the wall and poked it with his finger. “We must have had some heavy rain while we were away. A fair amount of mud has washed away.”
Everyone looked up at the ceiling.
Nathan lowered the lamp. “The roof needs rolling. I was going to wait until after Shabbat, but I don’t think it will keep.” He turned and headed toward the door. “I’ll be right back.” Another moment and creaking came from overhead.
“Awww,” Timothy said disappointed. “Nathan’s feet didn’t come through the roof. Alexandra won’t get the chance to hear Nathan say bad words. My brother is funny when he’s angry,” the boy informed her helpfully.
Alexandra tipped her head back. “This occurs regularly? Err...what is the matter...if you don’t mind my asking?”
“It’s a mere inconvenience,” Joseph assured her.
“It would be eas
ier to list what’s not wrong with the house,” Pinhas said, earning laughter from the others. “A tile roof would solve the problem, but it costs too much to bring tile to Galilee, so the roofs in these parts are made of timbers, packed with clay. Heavy rain wreaks havoc with them. Nathan is using a stone roller to repack the clay.”
“Did the rain weaken the wall?” Joseph asked.
Pinhas squinted up at the corner. “I’m not sure. It’s too dark to tell. A thorough inspection will have to wait until daylight.”
“Daughter?”
It took Alexandra a moment to realize Joseph was addressing her and another moment to make herself look away from the ceiling. “Yes?”
A small, unassuming man, Joseph of Rumah would be easy to overlook, that was until he smiled. Like the sun rising over Temple, his joyful face brightened the room. “The Lord has brought you here to bless us.”
It was her turn to say something. She couldn’t very well dismiss the praise, as it was directed at Lord God. She agreed with the most modest reply she could think of. “Amen.”
“Amen,” Nathan added, coming into the room and closing the door.
Though it obviously caused him pain, her father-in-law sat up straighter and offered Alexandra more wine. “After trying my patience all these years with a fieldstone and mud house...” a wry smile crossed his lips “...the good Lord has given us means to improve our circumstances. Nathan, Rhoda and I think it’s time to build a new house. We want to hire Pinhas to make a sturdy limestone-block house. What do you say, Daughter?”
“Ahhh...” Alexandra stammered. Job’s bones, he wasn’t teasing. Her father-in-law wanted to know what she thought. Or was he asking her permission? And what would her father say to that? A giddy laugh bubbled up.
The earnest faces staring at her sobered her. She didn’t want these good people to feel beholden to her because of the dowry. There was no question about it, they needed a new house, especially with mud-smeared walls threatening to slide down onto the hard-packed, dirt floor.
She managed a small nod.
Cheers went up.
Joseph pointed his face toward heaven. “Bless the Lord.”
Nathan sat down. His mat was nearer to Alexandra’s than before, thanks, no doubt, to Mary pushing it closer. He spoke in her ear. “My father’s great faith puts me to shame.”
“Amen,” she whispered back.
Nathan threw his head back and laughed and laughed. She clapped her hand over her mouth.
“What did she say?” everyone asked.
Alexandra knitted her hands together. She couldn’t remember ever celebrating a more enjoyable Shabbat. “I said, ‘Bless the Lord, for he has given me a wonderful new home and family.”
***
A short while later, Nathan stretched his arms and yawned. “I don’t know about everybody else, but I’m exhausted.”
The suggestion had everyone moving to get ready for bed. Everyone except Alexandra, who stood in the middle of the room looking confused and tense.
Nathan touched his hand to her elbow. “Can you stand one more night of sleeping out in the open?”
A look of relief crossed her pretty face. “Yes.”
Pinhas stopped beside them and handed the Shabbat lamp to Nathan. “I hate to chase you out of your own house.”
Nathan patted his friend’s arm. “You’re not.”
When a cool mass of air moved through the house, Nathan looked up in time to see the door closing behind Herod. “Where is he going?”
Pinhas shuffled in place. “He told me to tell you he’ll be back in a couple days. He’s going to Sepphoris to retrieve a wedding present for you.”
Nathan frowned at the door.
Pinhas read his mind. “It’s a long way to travel on Shabbat.”
The Law said, six days you shall work, and on the seventh day you shall rest that your ox and your ass may rest, and the son of your handmaid, and the stranger may be refreshed. The problem was the Laws of Moses were interpreted as many different ways as there were men calling themselves Israelites. Nathan tried to be lenient in his judgment of others. But Herod always had pushed things to the limit.
Nathan exhaled heavily. “Are you going to gainsay the pigheaded man? Because I’m not.”
Pinhas’ brows shot up. “No. Not even if Goliath and his five oversized brothers were backing me up.”
Nathan laughed and slapped Pinhas on the back. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Alexandra returned with the blankets. Nathan led her to the door and opened it.
A week had passed since they’d lain together as man and wife. He couldn’t help wondering if she would come to him as eagerly as the first few times.
They went outside. “Where are we going?” she asked, examining the stars shining overhead.
He pointed to the ladder leaning against the side of the house. “Up there.”
She stopped abruptly. He bumped into her.
“On the roof? Truly?” She couldn’t have sounded more delighted. “When it is especially hot, James and father sleep on the roof. Lydia and I are always envious.”
He kissed the top of her head. “You seem an easy woman to please.”
Alexandra’s soft laugh warmed his belly. “The subject of nagging wives came up quite often among my father and his friends. I vowed my husband would have no reason to speak thus about me.”
Nathan rubbed her arm. “Telling me what you like or don’t like is not nagging. You have left behind an easy life for a hard one. Sleeping with a roof over your head, albeit a leaky one, is not too much to ask.” He directed her to the ladder. “Climb slowly, and make sure your tunic doesn’t get caught underfoot.”
He stepped up onto the rung behind her.
Halfway up, she paused and looked down at him. “It was not always an easy life.” Though barely discernible, her words were filled with aching sadness. “You don’t need to worry over me so. I am not as fragile as you think.”
Nathan put his hand on her calf and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “It has been given to me to worry over you.”
She slipped away from him. “And it has been given to me to obey you.”
Reaching the roof a few steps behind her, he set the lamp and bedrolls aside and wrapped his arms around his wife. “Why do I feel like I am losing this argument?”
Her soft breath filled his ear. “Why are you are letting me win?”
“Because winning at all costs is not always the wisest course.” Being a soldier had not all been for naught. He’d learned a helpful thing or two.
He felt her shiver. Though reluctant to release her, he set about righting the bed mats and covers atop a mound of straw.
Alexandra bent to help. “The straw looks fresh.”
“I managed to find time to carry some up here.” He placed the burning lamp next to the ladder. “Whether inside or out, we are going to be sleeping on a clay floor. At least we have some privacy up here.”
“Bless heaven,” Alexandra replied.
He smiled. “I didn’t think I’d ever be attracted to a religious woman, but you are proving me wrong.” He held out his hand. “Come lay with me.”
They stretched out on the hay and turned to each other.
“What fault do you find with religious women?” she whispered.
“They are usually very strict about observing the Law.” He stroked his hand over the curve of her hip. If he didn’t have a yard full of guests he would be tempted to strip her bare.
She pressed closer to him. Her soft fingers slid over his face. Her mouth found his. Warm lips trailed down his neck. She ignited a fire deep within him.
He promised himself he would treat her with respect. Be gentle with her, he reminded himself, straining to remain still.
Her slim leg slid over his thigh. Her breasts brushed against his chest.
He sucked in a breath. “I come undone with you in my arms.”
She went still. The dim moonlight glowed in her eyes. “Is tha
t bad?’
“No.” He traced his finger up the curve of her spine and brushed her lips with his. “Making love with you makes me a holier man, especially during Shabbat,” he said, his voice hoarse with need.
She smiled against his mouth. “Shabbat?”
He kissed her nose. “Shabbat is a day for enjoying what the Lord has supplied and for meditating on his commands.”
Her warm breath spilled down his neck. “And, which of the commands are you meditating on presently?” Her tongue circled over-sensitized skin.
“Umm...let me think...it is not good for man to be alone...that’s one.” Another moment and he would have trouble remembering his name, never mind the commands. “I seem to recall something along the lines of ‘be fruitful and multiply.’”
She laughed low. Her teeth nipped at his chin.
He groaned. She sat up and twisted her way out of her tunic.
Pale moonlight glowed on her unbound hair and ivory skin. Her beauty made him want to weep. What had he done to deserve so precious a gift?
He reached for her.
She pushed him back and stretched out on top of him. “Shabbat is a day for enjoying and not doing.” The warmth of her breath brushed over his chest, raising his flesh. “Let me pleasure you.”
He moaned. “Lex. Have mercy...If you go on like this I might not be able to hold back. I am an untamed brute. Please...I will hate myself if I hurt you.”
She held his face. “You are not a brute.”
Her faith in him was heartening.
She pressed her mouth to his and blew a teasing ticklish blast of air. She smiled at his spluttering surprise. “I am not a girl who must be protected.”
He sobered. “I am a man. And men are...” Did he really want to explain the workings of a man’s body to his new bride? “Just go carefully,” he warned.
She shackled his hands and pushed them over his head. Her warm, wet mouth brushed over his lips. “I promise to go slowly, if it is what you wish.”
He closed his eyes and groaned a silent prayer. Good angels above, save me!
***
Hours later a voice woke Nathan out of a sound sleep.
The Warrior (The Herod Chronicles Book 1) Page 10