Part 5 (2/2)
The accused will stand quiet,” Collins instructed. ”Answer the question, young woman.”
”I did not dare tell anyone, sir. Judah - Judah said that if I ever told he would kill me.”
”I tell you - she is lying! I refused to marry her and she is trying to punish me for it! Miranda, you do not know what you are doing!”
Shaking, Miranda looked at the judges. Amadeus nodded, and she ran from the room into the corridor where Aaron waited. He held her tightly, feeling the tremors that shook her as he listened to the judge order the blind-fold removed.13.
”Judah Zachary, it is the decision of this tribunal that you are guilty of practicing witchcraft. Although the usual punishment for this crime is death by hanging, it has come to our attention that it might not be effective in your case.”
Judah heard a voice inside his head. A voice not his own. Aaron's voice. How did Elsbeth die, Judah? How?
Collins voice brought Judah back to the courtroom. ”You will be beheaded, Judah Zachary. Your head will be placed on public display in the square as a warning to others of their fate if they follow your example. Your body will be buried in a secret location - along with the Mask of Baal.”
At the realization that the Mask was in their hands, Judah's fury broke its bonds. He screamed, ”MIRANDA!!” She had done more than testify against him, she had delivered him unto his enemies. ”You will pay, Miranda! You will ALL pay!” His dark gaze swept the judges. ”I set a curse on all of you. You will regret your decision of this day. You AND your families.”
Aaron hurried Miranda from the building, straight to his cabin on the Sea Witch. There, he poured her a brandy and told her to lay down in his berth to rest. He drew the curtains and sat across the cabin, a watchful eye on her. He would not believe her safe until Judah was dead and the s.h.i.+p underway for Martinique. Aaron had no doubt that Judah would order retribution--but if he could get Miranda to Martinique, he was sure she would be safe. He still wondered at his instant attraction to her. A memory came, unbidden of Marie reading the cards long ago, revealing a past life about which Aaron could recall only bits and pieces. But Marie had seen a blonde woman in that life, he recalled now. Could it have been Miranda in another life as well?
”Aaron?”
Her soft voice brought him back to her, and he knelt beside the berth, taking her hand. ”I am here, my love.”
”Is it - truly finished?”
”It will be soon. We will set sail tomorrow morning.”
”Must we stay?”
”I have to be certain that it is done, Miranda. You will stay here,” he began.
”No. I would rather be at your side.”
”That is where you belong,” he told her, kissing her. She clung to him. ”Oh, Miranda.”
”Hold me. Never let me go.”
”Never. You are mine, Miranda. You will always be mine.” He pulled away slightly to look at her face. ”I have something for you.”
”What?”
”Stay there.” He went across to open a cupboard door and removed a wooden box from inside. Raising the lid, he looked inside. ”I bought this from a man who had just returned from the Orient. I did not know why I bought it. Perhaps I knew that I would meet you.” He lifted a necklace of sapphires into the candlelight.
”Oh, Aaron. They are lovely.”
”They match your eyes. Allow me to put them on.” Even with her simple dress of rough cotton, the blue stones made her look like a queen. ”When we reach Martinique, I will buy you silks and satins. No more cotton gowns for the woman I love.”
She smiled at him. ”Tell me again about your home there.”
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