moment.”
Jessamine was stunned into silence by the harsh need in his voice. She gazed up into his face, saw the tension around his eyes, in his jaw, and knew what it cost him to hold himself back.
She found herself at a loss, uncertain what to do or how to proceed. It would be so easy to forget about the world outside this chamber, to step back into Alan’s arms and let whatever was supposed to happen next happen. Was that part of what the prophecy demanded of her? Was that what her newfound freedom allowed? Or was she giving in to her own wants and desires? Jessamine dropped her gaze to the stone floor as her swirling senses began to return to reality.
“What do we do next?” she asked. When she felt more in control of her emotions, she brought her gaze back to his. The shadows had returned to his eyes and his rigid stance made her heart ache. He appeared lonely somehow.
“Let’s return to the horse,” Alan said. “I didn’t plan anything beyond the treasury. I was certain we’d find the ark here.”
She nodded sympathetically. “Where else could we look? Petra appears to have many places where the ark could be hidden.”
He straightened, and any hint of vulnerability vanished. “I want to consult the Templar letters. There might be a clue there.” He bent down beside the wooden chest and carefully picked up each stone, placing them into a small leather pouch attached to his belt. When he’d gathered all the stones, he replaced the lid on thechest. Standing, he returned the chest to its former resting place.
“It would be best if we left the chest behind. The stones will be safe here with me.” His hand moved to cover the pouch at his belt.
“Agreed,” Jessamine replied as he once again extended his hand to her. She braced herself for the flare of warmth, and there it was as she curled her fingers in his.
“Ready?” The tension in his body vanished, and his expression became heated once more.
She inhaled sharply at the realization that she wanted to kiss him again, just as strongly as before. She moistened her lips and nodded, not trusting her voice. Perhaps the cold, dark passageway would help her get her senses under control. But was it even possible to keep her head clear in the presence of this man? As she followed him back into the long dark void, she was starting to wonder.
After what seemed like forever, they emerged from the back of the chamber, then retraced their steps through the maze they’d traveled until they’d reached the tomb’s entrance.
They stepped outside. The hot afternoon air stole her breath as the sun’s rays beat down mercilessly. Alan released her hand, and she stood there for a long moment, torn between her desire to step back into the cool tomb and their need to continue the journey.
Alan seemed unaffected by the shift in temperature as he made his way to the horse and stroked the animal’s neck. Jessamine steeled her resolve and started forward, but a sudden fierce wind whipped up the dust of the valley floor, making the horse whinny and forcing Jessamine to cover her face with the crook of her arm. Hot, dry sand stung her eyes anyway. In the hazeof dust, an eerie, unearthly sound rose to a high keening pitch. In the bizarre cacophony of noise, Jessamine stumbled forward.
“Hold on!” Alan shouted from somewhere nearby. A heartbeat later, she found herself pulled against the solid wall of his chest. His arms sheltered her. His cheek rested against the top of her head. He pulled his robe up around their faces to protect them.
He held her there until the wind subsided, and the noise ceased as suddenly as it had begun. The world stilled as the sand settled. Alan lifted his head and looked down at her. “Are you all right?”
She nodded and glanced up at the towering edifice of the treasury with its staring statues. A carved eagle with a fiery orb over its head seemed poised for flight, its outstretched wings lifelike in the shimmering air. “What was
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