Page 95 of Of Love and Treason
Her fingers released the handful of tunic she’d gripped at his side and she straightened, looking into his eyes. Her face was so close to his. Wide eyes vulnerable. He swallowed. Shifted back slightly.
“Will God get him out?” she whispered. The tension in her body begged for a word of hope.
He let out a breath and raked his fingers through his hair, turning away from her to face the fountain. “We’re told that all things work together for the good of those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose.” He hesitated. “All thingsmight be good things, and they might be terribly difficult things.”
“That’s not very comforting.” She tilted her face away and shivered as a swirl of wind shot over them.
“Maybe not.” He shrugged. “And yet it is. Because we have the assurance that no matter what happens—good or bad, by our estimation—anything can always be redeemed by God for good if we trust Him.”
Iris continued to shiver.
“Come on.” He rose and tugged her to her feet. “It’s cold and you should be in bed now, anyway.”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t sleep if I wanted to.”
“Then at least let’s go to the culina, where it’s warm.”
She followed him into the kitchen. The holes in the stovetop glowed orange from the embers inside. Iris held her hands over one while Valens added a few sticks of wood to the other and rubbed his hands together over the warmth.
“Where were you?” The flames sent flickering light over the dim walls and the contours of her face.
Valens shrugged, watching the light dance on her dark hair. “I had a meeting.” He forced his gaze back to the fire.
“Another wedding?”
“Two.” He sighed. “And a church meeting.”
She watched him, waiting for him to continue. He knew he should probably tell Bea first, but she was asleep, and he needed to tell someone.
“Considering my situation, the other leaders decided I’m more fit for mission work. They’re sending me somewhere in the Lycian region on the Anatolian coast.”
“So far?”
The note of disappointment in her voice warmed him.
“I’ll have to speak with Marius and see if he can smuggle me aboard when his next ship leaves.”
She pressed her lips together and nodded, tilting her chin toward the fire, no doubt thinking of how she and her father had once had the same plan.
“What happens now?” He crossed his arms, fighting the sudden longing to draw her into an embrace again. “You said the investigator was looking into it?”
Iris dashed the back of her hand over her cheek, squinting. “The investig—oh,Titus? Yes. He said he’d meet me tomorrow afternoon to bring news.”
Alarm spread through him. “He’s cominghere?”
Iris looked at him quickly. “Of course not. We agreed he wouldn’t know where I am—in case they questioned him about Pater. I’m meeting Titus in the sculpture garden of Sallust. Do you know it?”
A popular meeting place for lovers and statuary enthusiasts to wander. He nodded. “I can walk you there.”
She looked at him as if he’d sprouted a third eye. “You’re not even supposed to be in the city. I don’t want you arrested too.” She glanced away. “Anyway, Martha already volunteered Abachum.”
He still wished it were him escorting her, but she would be safe enough with Abachum.
Iris yawned. “It must be close to dawn. I’m sorry I’ve kept you up.”
“I’m not, and you didn’t.” He yawned as well.
Iris excused herself with a murmured “Good night.”
