The Stonecutter: A Herod Chronicles Novella by Wanda Ann Thomas Read Free Book Online Page A

for comforting me amid my pains. I drew on your strength.”
    Still weak-kneed, Mary hadn’t felt strong at all. “Are you sure you are well?”
    Nathan brushed a hand through Alexandra's dark hair. “You heard Gada assure us Alexandra would improve and feel better now the babe has come.” Eyes bright with joy, Nathan traced his finger over Anna's cheek. “She is beautiful as her mother, don't you think?”
    She’d been so terrified for Alexandra's life, Mary hadn't paid much attention to the baby. Anna's delicate fingers cupped her tiny chin. “She looks sweet.”
    Nathan grinned. “That's it. We shall call her Sweet Anna.” Then he winked at Mary. “You won't mind giving up the endearment, seeing you have outgrown it?”
    Alexandra jabbed Nathan lightly. “Stop teasing. Mary's had a long night.” Alexandra turned her smile on Mary. “Go get some rest, dear. We will be fine.”
    Uneasy, Mary fingered the seam of her tunic. “Call for me if you start to feel ill again.”
    “I will,” Alexandra promised.
    Mary slipped out the room, eager to escape to the privacy of her own bedchamber.
    Seated on the cold stone floor opposite the door, Cephas jumped to his feet. “How are you?” He asked, crowding her.
    The darkened walls and floor of the long narrow hall closed around her. Chest tight, she sidestepped Cephas and fled in the direction of her room.
    “Wait,” he called. Catching up with her outside her bedchamber, he grabbed her wrist. “Talk to me.”
    She pulled her arm free and whirled on him. She felt fragile and vulnerable to the point of breaking. “Don't touch me!”
    Cephas backed up a step. Confusion filled his eyes. “Don't be angry. I was worried about you. I wanted to make sure you weren't upset or afraid.”
    Her heart pulsed lightning-fast. The shadows swallowed her labored breaths. Sweat beaded her forehead. One thought pounded through her mind, insistent and urgent. “I can't marry,” she said on a gasp.
    Cephas's brow furrowed. “We can wait.”
    “No, you don't understand, I can't marry...ever.”
    Cephas advanced on her. “You don't mean that.”
    Cornered, she pressed against the solid wooden door and warded Cephas off with outstretched arms. “I don't want to marry.”
    “You are upset.”
    “Of course, I'm upset. Alexandra almost died.”
    Eyes cautious, Cephas stared at her for a long moment. “Your mother told me Alexandra fainted.”
    Mary saw Tabitha's body draped in grave clothes. “But she could have died.”
    “You are tired. We can talk tomorrow.”
    The screeching fear wouldn't quiet. “You can't force me to marry.”
    Cephas captured her arms. “Shh... shh... no one will force you to do anything you don't want to do.”
    She pushed against his chest. “Go away.”
    “Why, Mary? Why can't you marry?”
    “I don't know. I just can't.”
    “You are afraid. Because of Alexandra.”
    “I can't breathe,” she cried. I can't think!”
    His fingers caressed her jaw. “You're not afraid of marriage. You fear you will die in childbirth. That's why you have been avoiding marriage.”
    She stilled. “That’s absurd.” But Cephas’s words rang true. She, and Tabitha, and Alya had danced together in the orchard. They swore to be friends forever and ever. What if she was fated to die in childbirth too?
    “You have every right to be afraid.”
    Having Cephas’s good opinion was vitally important. “I'm not a coward.”
    “I didn't say you were. But the prospect of bearing a child must be chilling after watching Tabitha die in childbirth and losing Alya the same way.”
    She covered her ears. “I can’t talk about Tabitha and Alya. Not now.”
    “Mary, don't allow your fears to rule you. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. A stone could topple on me and crush me while I labor, but I don't let it stop me from doing what I love.”
    “That would be an accident. Would you deliberately stand in the way of a pillar as it tumbled over? Would you?”
    A look of