The Peasant King by Tessa Afshar

Author:Tessa Afshar [Afshar, Tessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Christian / Biblical, FICTION / Romance / Historical / Ancient World
ISBN: 9781496458292
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Published: 2023-10-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

TWENTY-TWO

Vengeance is mine, and recompense,

for the time when their foot shall slip;

for the day of their calamity is at hand,

and their doom comes swiftly.

Deuteronomy 32:35

Jemmah huddled in her cloak next to Zarina and watched her sister’s chest rise and fall in a reassuring rhythm. Why would she not open her eyes? Jemmah had managed to drip a bit of water through her sister’s chapped lips before Zarina had choked, forcing Jemmah to give up trying.

A slight rustle nearby made her turn her head. Asher crouched next to her. “I will watch her for a few hours. You must sleep.”

“I can’t.”

“You can. Leave her to me. I will wake you if I see any change.”

“I need to stay with her,” she whispered.

“Then lie down next to her and close your eyes. You can hold her hand while you rest.”

She opened her mouth to argue. He held up his palm, forestalling her objections. “This is not a request, Jemmah. I am in charge of our safe passage. It is my responsibility to deliver you and your family to Babylonia, preferably in one piece. Or at least no more pieces than we already have. To succeed, I need you physically strong. Once we resume our journey, you and I have to help your mother and sister navigate this hard terrain. You will not be able to do that if you are staggering with exhaustion. I will get us to safety, Jemmah. But I cannot do it alone. I need you.”

Jemmah knew he was right. She caressed Zarina’s cheek. “Don’t sleep too long, lazybones,” she whispered. “I’ll see you soon.”

A narrow spot lay cold and hard between Zarina’s blanket-covered figure and the bluff. She stretched out tiredly. Turning to Asher, she said, “Are you certain you can bear the deprivation of my scintillating conversation?”

His teeth flashed white in the dark. “I will endeavor to survive it.”

In spite of the bitter cold that nipped at her chilled flesh and her concern for Zarina, Jemmah fell almost instantly into a dreamless sleep. She snapped awake when Asher whispered her name.

“She woke up briefly!” he said with a grin. “I think the sight of my handsome face must have proven too much for her, though.” He scratched his scruffy beard. “She seems to have fallen asleep again.”

Jemmah rolled up so quickly, she almost strangled herself by stepping on the hem of her tunic. “Did she speak?”

“No. But she waved at me.”

In the predawn light, a tinge of color tinted Zarina’s cheeks. “Zarina?” Jemmah called softly, tapping the side of her face.

Thick eyelashes fluttered. “What?”

Jemmah sighed with relief. “How do you feel?”

“Fine.”

Jemmah shook her head. “The truth. How do you feel?”

“Like I was hit on the head.”

Jemmah laughed. “You were. By a big boulder.”

Zarina opened her eyes. “Poor boulder.”

“Can you remember what happened?”

Zarina frowned. “Bits and pieces.”

“You’ve been asleep since before lunch yesterday. Had me worried.”

“You always worry.” Gingerly she felt the bandage around her head. “Did you have to sew it up?”

“I lost my needle. Went over the side with the pack.

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