Captive Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions) Read Online Free PDF Page A

lonely testament to the power of Rome as the captives marched from their midst. Other than that, only a portion of the west wall remained to greet those who would try to prove themselves mightier than the Roman war machine. Soon, even the three massive towers would be destroyed, not a stone left on another. The tenth legion that Caesar had left to guard the city stood at attention while the others passed through their ranks.
    In his train, Titus led the most beautiful and youngest of the remainder of the Jews. Many had died of starvation, others were sent to the mines in Egypt, and still others were sold as slaves.
    Samah realized that she was more fortunate than most. She traveled with Cassius as his personal slave, and though she was looked at with hatred by the other Jews and covetousness by the other soldiers, she maintained her dignity and pride.
    She glanced behind her now as the last vestiges of the holy city of Jerusalem disappeared from view. The once beautiful land around the city was nothing more than a wasteland. The soldiers had done their work remarkably well, and the demoralized Jews marched with their heads hung low. Although the Jews greatly outnumbered the Romans, any thought of rebellion had been crushed.
    Vultures swarmed the ruins, and it was only as they finally reached a great distance that the smell of blood was once and for all eliminated from the air.
    Sentinel walked at her side, head and ears alert. In the past three weeks the dog had had time to heal, and though he walked with a limp, there was no denying that he was ready for action.
    Samah wondered again at Jehovah’s having used an animal, and a dog at that, to save her life. Since dogs were flesh eaters, the Jews looked upon them with hatred. She marveled again at Jehovah’s wonderful love and protection.
    Each day she prayed for her family, for the church, and even for Cassius. She knew that everything that happened in life was for Jehovah’s glory, and even with a heavy heart at her forced captivity, she knew she would always trust Him.
    After three days, the rain began to fall. While soldiers and Jews alike suffered with the cold wetness, Titus ensconced himself in his tent. Though the soldiers had blankets to warm them and food to fill their bellies, the captives did not. Many became ill and died.
    Samah stood at the entrance to Cassius’s tent and watched the huddled mass of people across the way. She longed to go to them, to offer them comfort, if not with food, then with the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. But she knew she would be rejected. Already many considered her Cassius’s concubine. Only a few soldiers knew the truth. Cassius stayed with another tribune and left his tent to her and Sentinel. He chose not to let the others know, for Samah’s protection. Why he should be so considerate she didn’t know; she just accepted it as another blessing from Jehovah.
    She saw Cassius coming towards her now through the misting rain. As always, his handsome form left her feeling slightly breathless. He was indeed a fine representative of what a man should be.
    Sentinel got quickly to his feet and met Cassius at the doorway of the tent. Long tail swishing backwards and forwards, he stared in open adoration of his master.
    Grinning, Cassius bent to him, rubbing him roughly across his body. He spoke gently to the dog before turning his attention to Samah.
    “You’ve eaten?”
    She shook her head. “No. I was waiting for you to eat first.”
    Frowning, he rose to his feet. “That’s not necessary.”
    Samah bent her gaze to her fingers twisting the belt on her tunic. “I. . .I wasn’t very hungry.”
    Reaching around to loosen his armor, Cassius lifted a dubious brow. Although Samah had been allowed more food than the others, she was still little more than skin and bones. He dropped his chest piece onto the rug.
    “I saw you watching the others,” he told her softly.
    Her anguished eyes met his. “They have so little, Tribune.