Jewel of Persia Read Online Free PDF Page A

price for it.
    When she opened her eyes, Abba’s face was mottled red. “Is this how I raised you, Kasia? To play the harlot for a Persian dog?”
    Haman spun around, jerked her with him. “Watch your tongue, swine.”
    Abba ignored Haman and glared at her. “You have shamed us all. Why would you accept such a mark from our oppressors? Do you think they give without asking something in return?”
    Tears stung her eyes. “I am sorry, Abba. I tried to refuse it, but—”
    “Enough of this.” Haman released her arm and motioned the other man forward. “This is Hegai, the custodian of the women. He will instruct you on what you may bring to the palace. I suppose you have no dowry?”
    Abba’s fingers curled into his palm. “Even if she did, I would not give it to you. No daughter of mine weds a Persian, even Xerxes himself. Especially Xerxes himself.”
    Haman look unfazed. “Then I suppose you are officially one daughter less. This girl is coming with me. Fight me, and you will lose.”
    Abba looked like he might try anyway. Kasia ran to him and threw her arms around his waist. “I am sorry, Abba. I did not mean for this to happen.”
    “I know.” His voice went soft and low, a mere murmur against her hair as his arms closed around her. “I know not what to do, daughter. I do not want to lose you, but how does a lowly Jewish man fight the king of kings?”
    She buried her face in his chest. It smelled of wood and Abba. “You do not, or the family will suffer.”
    He held her tighter for a moment, then eased up again. “It will be like burying you, child. You will be in another world, another life. They will make you Persian. Strip you of your heritage.”
    “They cannot strip my soul of its love for Jehovah.”
    “They will try.” He pulled away and touched his knuckle to her chin. “I will spare your siblings the truth of this. I am sorry to do it, sweet one, but it is better they think you in the bosom of Abraham than another wife to the tyrant.”
    A few tears splashed onto her cheeks. “You will tell them I am dead?”
    “I see little choice.”
    “Abba!”
    Ima bit back a sob. Kasia shook her head as a wash of numbness swept over her. Anger and pain, as cathartic as they would be, would change nothing. But perhaps logic could. “People will have seen them come in here. They will see me leave.”
    “I will tell them the Persians came inquiring on a price for carving. They have done so before, even if they rarely deign to give me their business.”
    Haman snorted. “I imagine if your daughter pleases the king, he will gladly have a few pieces commissioned.”
    Abba’s nostrils flared. She was unsure what he thought about that suggestion, but it made her knees go weak. How, exactly, was a girl to please a king? “What of my leaving with them?”
    “You will not.” Abba straightened his spine, rolled back his shoulders, and stared down the Persians. “You will leave separately, head to the river where you met them before. ”
    Haman waved a hand as if such details were of no concern to him. “As you please. Hegai, instruct her on her possessions while I settle the contract.”
    The other man gave her a gentle smile. “You will receive new garments and jewelry, perfumes and oils. Bring only a few small items of sentimental value. With all respect to your father, you seem to have nothing else worthy to be seen in the king’s household.”
    Kasia swallowed back her dismay. She would have nothing familiar, then. Nothing of home, since they never had enough money to spare for trinkets, and she had given all her childhood treasures to her sisters. “I . . . I can think of nothing to bring.”
    The sorrow in his eyes said he understood. “Very well. Eat with your family one last time, then go to the river. We will be waiting there.”
    She managed a nod, kept her back straight as the two men left. But the moment they were gone, her knees buckled and she fell to the floor. Ima’s arms encircled her