Chapter 21

They’re gone. They’re gone. The refrain played repeatedly in her mind as Emzara ducked around a massive needle tree a good distance from the palace. Immense relief rushed through her at not having the box of serpents close by anymore. The thought of having them as her companions for most of the day caused her to shudder.

Although the thick cloud cover kept her hidden from the moonlight as she wound her way through the streets of Havil, it posed other complications. Let’s see, I’ve passed the big needle tree, so the twisted post is the next landmark. On their way to the palace in the morning, she took note of things that stood out every so often to aid her on the way back. But the darkness made everything look different. As she veered left, the misshapen tree trunk on the corner of the lot came into view. The shadowy form of an oil lantern still perched atop the odd structure, but as she had suspected, it was not being used.

I wonder how successful Noah was in his errand today. He and Tubal-Cain are probably back already and wondering where I am. She trembled with her whole body, feeling very alone in the darkness. After all her actions of the day, would she still feel alone after she returned to Noah? Will he be angry? Or will he understand? Her palpitations continued as she spotted the small grave mound on the edge of someone’s property, showing her she was on the right track. A strange sensation coursed through her. Her whole body vibrated again, but this was different than the shivering. It’s like the whole ground is trembling with me. When the eerie tremors passed Emzara increased her pace.

After what seemed to be the length of a couple night watches, she finally picked her way through the trees and brambles at the edge of the royal beach home. Light from within flickered and danced its way outside the window, giving her a small measure of comfort. Thankful to be back, she also dreaded the explaining that needed to be done. Taking a deep breath, she slowly eased her way through the door and right into a face full of dark textured fabric. She clung to Noah and returned his fervent embrace.

“Are you alright? Where have you been?”

Guilt slithered through her at the fear in her husband’s voice. “I’m fine.” She gulped, hoping to calm her voice with the next sentence. “I had an errand to run with Adah. I didn’t realize it would take so long.”

Noah guided her to the sitting area outside of the kitchen then held her on his lap. Clinging to him, she savored the comfort of his nearness and feared that this might be their last moment of closeness after he found out what she had done. He turned her slightly so she nearly faced him and cupped her face in his strong hands.

“I’ve been so worried about you. Where could you have possibly gone that would have you getting back so long after the deepest dark? And like this too.” He brushed at her cheek and a bit of caked dirt landed in her lap.

His touch stung, and she figured that she probably cut herself on the journey back. Fidgeting, she eased her face from his hold and tucked herself under his chin, nestling against him. “I’ll tell you,” she said just above a whisper, “but please don’t interrupt.”

Slowly she recounted her day, her chin lowering with each revelation. Hearing their plan aloud and in Noah’s presence made her recoil within herself. As penance, she held nothing back, forcing herself to tell him each horrible detail, not even trying to rationalize it as she had before.

“So Lamech is likely dead?” he interrupted for the first time, as she neared the end of her account.

She met his eyes for a moment before dropping her gaze. “I . . .”

She sensed his head turn away. “You murdered the king?”

“What? No, I couldn’t go through with it.” She gripped the front of his tunic. “I was there, crouched behind the tapestry in his room, the box of serpents in my possession. I pulled the lid off and stole out of the room, but then something came over me. I just couldn’t do it, so I snuck back in and covered the box, thankful that the creatures were still in it.” She shuddered, waiting for his verdict.

His eyes flashed with an unreadable expression before he pulled her close, squeezing the breath out of her.

She relaxed in his arms, wishing to stay this way forever.

Finally, he sighed. “I’m so glad you’re back safely. And I can’t tell you how . . . how . . .” He paused and his lower lip quivered. “How glad I am that you didn’t let those serpents loose.”

“Me too.” As she lay there against him, the day’s troubles started to fade away, and she savored the rest that they found in each other.

“What made you stop?” he finally asked.

“Two things.” She toyed with the embroidered edge she had sewn on the folds of cloth by his neck. “No matter how much he hurt us, and no matter how much I think he deserves to die, I was never entirely comfortable with the idea Adah and I came up with. Eventually, I saw how in my anger and desire for retribution, I was willing to become just like Lamech. Obtaining vengeance would probably feel good, like Adah said, but could I really live with myself knowing I’d murdered a man? Would you ever look at me the same way again? Would you even want to see me?”

He brushed a finger softly over her bottom lip. “And the other thing?”

“I — I tried to pray to the Creator, and it was the first time I ever remember Him feeling so distant. I couldn’t seem to reach out to Him. That’s when I caught a glimpse of the future if I carried it out.” She blinked back tears and verbalized the question at the front of her thoughts. “Do you hate me?”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “Never.”

“But what I tried to do was so wrong.”

“Yeah,” he pulled her head close against his chest. “But it wasn’t just you.”

“Adah certainly was willing to help. And little wonder with her life as it is now, plus hearing about Aterre. But. . . .” Her large eyes focused on him. “But it was my idea. She simply gave assistance in carrying it out.” Her cheeks deepened in shame and her words trailed off.

“I love you.”

She looked up, almost shocked.

“Remember, the Creator never treats us how we deserve. Think about Greatfather Adam. Before banishing him from Eden, the Most High offered a sacrifice, allowing our first parents to live instead of instantly carrying out the sentence of death.” He kissed her on the top of the head. “I’m proud of your courage. And I’m glad you thought about what the Creator would think, and that you chose to follow Him instead of your own way.”

Peace washed over her as the last lingering feeling of isolation faded and she lifted her lips to her husband’s.

“Do you really have to do that here?”

Tubal-Cain’s voice snapped her back to reality and caused her to blush.

“Can’t believe you’re still up,” he said.

“We’re just catching up.” Noah grinned as he turned to face their friend.

“Is that what you call it?” He returned a wry smile before scooting up a chair. “Well, as long as we’re all still awake, I may as well tell you the little that I’ve found out about the ceremony.”

Emzara stayed silent, allowing Tubal-Cain to talk. But at the moment she cared nothing for the ceremony or Lamech or anything else. For the moment she was content to just be in Noah’s arms. Still, she couldn’t help but listen as their friend recounted his information.

“It’s supposed to be bigger than ever, so my father definitely lied to the town council — what a surprise. There’ll be a raised platform for invited dignitaries from all over the land, kind of like where you described being seated last time.”

Emzara yawned and reclined against Noah. With her eyes shut, a contented smile crossed her lips as he held her, and before long she lost the fight against the slumber and drifted away.