Captive Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions) by Darlene Mindrup Page B

relief.
    Pulling a chair next to the table, Samah picked a peach from the wooden bowl resting there. She munched on the fruit while she watched the dog. Glancing down at her foot, she smiled softly.
    She thought again of the generosity behind Cassius’s gesture. Already she was growing accustomed to the false foot, and it did, indeed, give her more freedom. It was like having a new life. If only her parents could see. A familiar pang of loneliness ran through her.
    When Cassius had knelt before her to promise her that he meant her no harm, she had noticed something lurking in his dark eyes that left her vaguely unsettled. Could she trust him to mean what he said? Could she trust herself? There was that in his look that sent her heart thrumming in response. Was it truly fear she felt, or something else?
    After Sentinel finished eating, she took his plate and washed it, returning it to its place on the shelf by the door. She stood in the kitchen and turned in a complete circle, making certain that nothing was out of place. Satisfied, she held out her hand to the dog.
    “I suppose you are to stay with me,” she told him, smiling. “Well, then, let us go to my room so that we may retire for the night.”
    Since she had no lamp for light, she used the bright light of the moon to prepare herself for the night. She replaced her tunic with a softer, lighter one meant for sleeping. Climbing onto her couch, she pulled a sheet over her and settled down for the night. Sentinel came and lay on the floor at her feet. Sighing, he placed his head on his paws.
    Samah turned her look to the moon, visible outside her bedroom window. Its brightness added shadows to the interior of her compartment, giving the room an oddly menacing appearance. Reaching down to where Sentinel lay, she stroked his head, feeling suddenly protected.
    Lord , she prayed. Why am I here? What do you want me to do?
    When she thought of the fate of her people, she could only be thankful that Jehovah had spared her. But why? What did the Almighty want her to do in this heathen city, among this heathen people?
    Words her parents frequently spoke came to her mind now. We must seek and save the lost.
    There were certainly enough of those in this evil city, but what could one person do? Then, as if the Lord spoke clearly to her mind, she remembered story after story about the apostle Paul. He had reached out to the Gentile people, and they had responded by the thousands. The world was truly hungry for a savior. Hadn’t Jesus Himself said so?
    The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
    She must be an open vessel that the Lord could use for his own purpose. She must be ready to speak when the opportunity arose. And above all, she must stifle this mind-numbing fear that gripped her when she thought about those who had been martyred before her.
    Her eyes closed, and sleep came. She was unaware of Cassius coming into her chamber and staring down at her or of his commanding Sentinel to stay. For a long time the commander watched her sleeping. He reached out a hand and lightly traced her soft lips, causing her to stir restlessly.
    Pulling his hand away, he turned and left the room.

eight
    For the next several weeks, Cassius left Samah entirely alone. Any demands he had on her time he relayed through Democri-tus. Though the Greek slave was ambiguous in his feelings towards Samah, he was meticulous in her care. Since Cassius thought so highly of the girl, the slave would do his duty by her.
    Daily, Samah walked stiffly along the streets of Rome, her unusual gait causing many eyes to turn her way. Still, it was her flawless beauty that made them turn a second time, their eyes following her progress through the busy streets. Only the huge beast ambling at her side kept many from approaching her.
    Unmindful of the speculative looks she was receiving, Samah enjoyed the days of leisure with Sentinel as her companion. She was fascinated by the vast array of goods offered in the