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

watching the scene with mixed feelings. What was there about this woman that could so instantly bring someone under her spell? In truth, he had thought of seeking out a soothsayer to see if by divination the woman was truly some kind of witch. The things he had heard about Christians left him little doubt that there was something odd in these people.
    He worried about Samah’s continued influence over Sentinel. Would she one day be able to make the dog attack and perhaps kill him? And for that matter, what about his own feelings where the woman was concerned? He was beginning to look for reasons to be near her, and when he was away from her, she so often intruded into his thoughts that he was distracted from his work.
    Anticus looked up. “Come join us, Cassius.”
    Cassius crossed to them, seating himself on the edge of the fountain. Lifting a dry flower petal from the ground, he began to crumple it into a thousand pieces, trying to think of some way to broach the subject closest to his heart.
    “Father, you are not well.” Cassius’s voice was rough with his feelings. He didn’t know what else to say, what else to ask.
    “Crastus told you, no doubt,” his father agreed heavily.
    “Only. . .only that you have so little time.” Cassius went down on one knee before his father. Anxiety radiated from his dark eyes, so like the older man’s looking back at him.
    Anticus took his son’s hand between his two smaller ones. His concerned face mirrored his son’s love.
    “Cassius, we all have to die some time. I have had a good life, the best that a man could have. That a man could have two chances at happiness in the same lifetime is beyond comprehension. Both my wife, Drusilla, and you have made that possible.” His voice grew ragged. “I have been truly blessed.”
    Samah felt a lump come to her throat. Seeing the love between the two men left her yearning for her own family. Her heart ached with the longing to be held in her father’s arms again, to feel her mother’s gentle goodnight kiss. It had been over three years since the beginning siege of Jerusalem, and she had been trapped in the city without her family. Save Ramoth. And he had been arrested soon after their arrival.
    “We’ll get you the finest physicians available,” Cassius told him sharply. “I have never been that impressed with Phlegon.”
    Anticus smiled sadly. “Nothing will change the will of God.”
    Surprised, Cassius looked up. “Which god?”
    Anticus looked at his son, a closed expression coming over his face. He turned away from Cassius’s probing gaze.
    “Cassius, regardless of incantations or potions, I am going to die. I have accepted that. Now you must, also.”
    Cassius got to his feet, angrily brushing a hand back through his hair. “I refuse to accept that.” His voice grew scathing. “And you should, also. One of Rome’s finest giving up without even a fight!”
    Samah watched the two men warily. Though Anticus was not Cassius’s true father, it didn’t show in their attitudes. Both were stubborn to a fault.
    She caught Anticus’s eye, and frowned. There was a look in his eyes that left her feeling suddenly defenseless.
    “Cassius,” he said, “why don’t you find Hector for me. I sent him to Castor’s house next door.”
    Cassius frowned, glancing from his father to Samah. That his father wanted him out of the way went without saying, but he refused to go quietly.
    “Send one of the servants,” he argued stubbornly.
    “They are busy,” Anticus answered smoothly. His pleading eyes lifted to his son’s. Sighing with resignation, Cassius strode from the garden, Sentinel trotting after him.
    Anticus waited until his son was out of earshot before turning to Samah.
    “Cassius tells me that you are a Christian.”
    There was something in his voice that caused Samah’s heart to start pounding. This man was a general of Rome. Though he was retired, he obviously still held much power. Yet, there was something