The Crimson Cord: Rahab's Story by Jill Eileen Smith

She stiffened.
    He pulled back and held her at arm’s length.
    “I am sorry about Gamal,” he said. She startled at this sudden turn of thought and met his gaze, saw the sorrow in his dark eyes. Was he lying just to force her to melt in his arms?
    “You are kind to say so, my lord.” She could not so easily accept such words.
    He searched her face, slowly letting his gaze take in the rest of her. “Dabir was right. You are indeed very beautiful.”
    She shivered again at his touch, felt his fingers slide over her shoulder once more. His kiss gentled as he drew her closer.
    “If you but say the word, I will purchase you from Dabir.”
    She blinked, stared into his earnest dark eyes. “Purchase me, my lord?” If he’d wanted her so badly, why did he allow Dabir to claim her in the first place? Dabir’s face flitted in her mind’s eye, purpled with rage. She was his investment. This is for us, Rahab. Together we will build a great fortune. But at what cost to her?
    “I would pay what is owed to Dabir in order for you to give me an heir.” He twisted a strand of her hair, then carefully released the combs, letting the full length of it tumble about her shoulders. He leaned in, his hot breath on her face, his lips claiming hers, possessive, determined. Was he serious?
    She caught her breath as he drew back to search her face. “Does this please you?” he asked.
    That he should care to please her at all made no sense. “Forgive me, my lord, but how can the child of a slave be of any importance to you? Would not your other sons hate him and try to destroy him?” She had heard tales of such things happening in other kingdoms from Cala.
    He leaned against the couch again, pulling away from her.“I am the son of a slave woman, Rahab. Did you not know this?”
    She lifted a brow, surprised at the revelation. “No, my lord. I was not aware.” A thousand questions filled her mind. If his mother was a slave, how did he hold such a place of prominence in the kingdom? Awareness suddenly dawned as she recalled Cala’s comments to her one afternoon.
    “You have only sisters.” She looked at him. Saw his face darken, followed by a curt nod.
    He stood abruptly and walked to the window but did not part the curtains. She sat where she was, uncertain what to do next. He turned but did not move toward her, extending his hand instead. She rose and came to him.
    “I never sleep with the virgins,” he said with greater emphasis this time, “at these festivals. It is always expected, but I refuse to put these unsuspecting young girls into a harem to be forgotten as my mother was.” He paused. “Despite the fact that she produced a male heir when my father’s wives could not, he dared not give her the favor she deserved, lest he anger the kings of the nations of his wives.” His smile grew thoughtful, and he sifted his hands through her undone hair. “When the feast ends, I quietly send the virgins home.”
    Rahab processed his words. “But you cannot send me home.”
    He shook his head. “But I can take you from Dabir. I would treat you kindly.”
    “I don’t know what to say, my lord.” Did he know Dabir’s plans for her? She bowed at his feet. “I am my lord’s servant.”
    His arms came around her and he pulled her to him. His kiss lingered. A soft groan escaped him as he led her to his canopied bed. But her mind could not focus on thelove he wanted from her, despite his kind words. At least she had preserved Adara’s innocence, for hers could never be regained.

    Dabir watched Rahab from across the room later that evening, after the marriage between herself and King Keret. He covered a smile with his linen napkin as his gaze caught the prince’s satisfied look. Rahab had surely pleased him most thoroughly, if Dabir knew the prince at all. And who better than he understood the prince’s mind? With the prince’s endorsement, Rahab might just be the most lucrative investment he had yet made.
    He leaned against