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

Every day more of them die.”
    His own eyes sparked dangerously. “Well, if you plan on joining them, you can forget it. Bring something for both of us to eat.”
    Although the army usually traveled with light provisions, having Titus with them had increased the availability of supplies. Samah brought a plate of fruit and bread and placed it before Cassius where he reclined.
    “Sit,” he commanded, and reluctantly, Samah obeyed.
    Sentinel came and curled himself behind Cassius’s outstretched legs.
    Cassius broke the loaf in half and handed a portion to Samah. She took it from him and nibbled at the crusty edges.
    “Samah, many of your people die because of their own stubborn pride. They refuse the portions given to them by Roman hands.”
    She lifted dark lashes to expose large eyes gilded by grief. “And what of the others? Those who are refused food because they are too old or too sick?”
    Cassius shifted uncomfortably, dropping his gaze to the plate in front of him. He took a pomegranate and rubbed it on the side of his tunic. He handed it to Samah and then took another for himself.
    “There isn’t enough food for all the captives,” he told her roughly. “It needs to be given to those certain to survive.”
    Cassius realized his words sounded hollow even to his own ears. Growing angry, he threw the pomegranate back to the plate and sat up. “Enough of this discussion.”
    Samah remained silent as he got up and restlessly wandered around the tent. He looked at her over his shoulder. Some-thing in his eyes set her heart to pounding. For three weeks she had been in his presence almost every day, and each day saw her fear of him decrease to be replaced by a growing attraction. She wasn’t certain which she feared most.
    “Tell me about yourself.”
    Dropping her look away from his, she lifted one shoulder. “What would you like to know?” she asked, and he didn’t miss the hesitancy in her voice.
    Sentinel crawled to her side from where he had been lying, and Samah gave the dog what was left of her piece of bread.
    Seeing her reluctance, Cassius’s eyes narrowed. He came back to where she sat and seated himself across from her. The intensity of his look unnerved Samah. She had never been reticent about sharing her story with anyone, but the fact that the man across from her represented all the power of Rome made her hesitate. Romans hated Christians, of that she was certain. But perhaps it was for this very reason that Jehovah had brought her to this position. She would be careful with what she said, but she would be honest.
    “I’m a Christian, Tribune.”
    His eyes widened in amazement. He said nothing for some time, and Samah could see him trying to digest what she had revealed and how it would affect him.
    “I’m surprised that you would admit it,” he told her finally. “Surely you know that that religion has been forbidden by the emperor.”
    Samah smiled slightly. “Which emperor? I know of Nero, but I have heard nothing of Vespasian’s thoughts on the matter.”
    “Then let me apprize you of his feelings,” he told her dryly. “Should you happen to mention it to him he will most likely have you burned, if not crucified.”
    She opened her mouth, but the words dried up in her throat when he reached across the space between them, cupping her chin in his palm. His eyes were dark with anger.
    “You will say nothing of this to anyone; do I make myself clear?”
    Although she knew that the apostle Paul had said that one must obey one’s master, she also knew that he had said to obey God above all else. She finally managed to push the words out of her mouth.
    “I will not lie.”
    She saw his eyes darken further. “You will if I command you to.”
    It took every ounce of strength she possessed to shake her head negatively. She was more than a little frightened by his rigid stance. His nostrils flared outwards, and he released her.
    “If you are foolish enough to admit to such a religion, I