Captive Bride

Chapter Eighteen

IT seemed to Christina that she had been running for an eternity. The miles flew by, she reached no destination. All she could see was sand—everywhere she looked, just sand and a monstrous sun beating down on her. But behind her was death, and she had to escape. Her legs ached terribly, and they felt apart from her body. Her chest hurt with every gasp, but death still chased her. She had to run faster—she had to get awayl She heard death call her name. She looked back, and fear engulfed her, for he was getting closer. The sweat of fear broke out on her body. He called her name again and again, but she kept running, praying for some miracle to save her. The man's voice was getting louder as he kept calling her name. She looked back again. Dear God, he was right behind her, his hands reaching out, and then she saw his face. He was that horrible man who'd beaten her, and now he was going to kill her. Philip! Where are you I

"Christina!"

She sat up suddenly, her eyes wide open and frantic. But she relaxed when she saw the familiar surroundings of the tent.

A dream, she laughed—a stupid dream. She wiped the perspiration from her forehead. Damn, but it's going to be hot today.

"You stupid fool. You should have known better than to trust her."

Christina wondered whom Philip was talking to. She quickly got up and walked to the bedroom. When she opened the curtains she saw Philip sitting on the side of the bed, trying with great difficulty to put his pants on.

"What the devil do you think you are doing, Philip? You shouldn't be sitting up yet," Christina scolded him. She glanced about the room, but saw no one. "And whom were you talking to just now?"

Philip stared at her with surprise written all over his face, than it changed to anger. "Where the hell have you been?"

"What?"

"Where have you been, damn it? I have been calling you for the last ten minutes. Where were you?" he stormed.

"So—you were talking to yourself just now. Well, you're a stupid fool if you can't find a little trust in your heart for me. I was on the couch sleeping. I told you I wouldn't leave, and my word is just as good as yours is."

"Then why didn't you answer me?"

"I was having a nightmare, Philip. I dreamed I was being chased through the desert by that man who beat me. The dream was so intense—I thought he was calling my name. When I finally woke up, all I heard was you mumbling to yourself."

"All right, I'm sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion."

Philip eased himself off the bed and tried to fasten his pants.

"Philip, you shouldn't be up," she said quickly when she saw the pain on his face.

"I intend to stay in bed, Tina, but it's too damn hot in this tent for that heavy cover. And for modesty's sake, I would like something on."

Christina came to him and fastened his trousers, then helped him to lie back down on the bed. "Can I get you some food, Philip?"

"That's why I called you in the first place. I'm famished."

Christina started to leave the room, then turned back. "After I feed you, will you tell me how you were burned?" "I will tell you one thing now. There's no need to have any more nightmares about that man—he's dead." "Deadl" she gasped. "But how?" "I killed him."

"Philip! Why did you have to kill him? Because of me?"

"I thought you wanted him dead!" "I would have seen him horsewhipped, not murdered." She felt sick to her stomach that he would kill a man for her.

"The man also shot Ahmad, and I promised Syed he would pay. I'm not happy now with my deed, but the man would have died anyway for disobeying orders. He was awaiting execution when I arrived at that camp. At least I gave him a fair fight, Tina—we were both armed." "But why did you have to do it?"

"Damn it, Tina! I was filled with rage when I saw how he'd hurt you. And when I found out he was the same man who'd shot Ahmad—I had to do it. The man would have died anyway and without a chance. Besides, I was already told I was to die a slower death, so if the man had won, he would have saved me from that."

"What do you mean, you were supposed to die? Is that how you were burned—you were to be roasted alive?"

"Yes."

"But why?"

"As I said last night, Tina, it's a long story. Could I please have some food first?"

She nodded without saying any more, and left the room. But she didn't have to leave the tent, for there was a large tray of food awaiting her on the table. That Amine, Christina smiled, she's always one step ahead of me. Christina brought the food into the bedroom and insisted on feeding Philip herself. She knew it hurt him to move his arms.

She ate also and waited until he was satisfied before saying anything more. There were so many questions to be answered. Why would anybody want to kill Philip? And how could she have forgotten a whole day?

When they were through eating, Christina took the tray out, then came back and hurriedly donned a skirt and blouse. Philip watched her without saying anything. When she finished, she sat down on the bed beside him.

"Are you ready now?" she asked.

Philip told her the whole story. She was angry at first— when she learned that she had been used to bring Philip to his death. But then she felt sorry for Hejaz, who had lived all those years filled with hate. Perhaps it was better that she had been drugged through everything. She couldn't have borne seeing Philip suffer.

When he told her how he'd escaped, she thanked God that Amair had had the courage to help him. She knew Philip hadn't mentioned the anguish and pain he must have suffered beneath the burning sun. The only thing was, she couldn't thank Philip for rescuing her. That would be admitting she'd rather stay with him, because her captors would have sent her back to John. And she just couldn't tell him she loved him, when he didn't love her.

Christina looked at Philip with great tenderness. He had suffered so much for coming to rescue her. She saw new hope—maybe he did love her! "Philip, why did you come after me?" she asked.

"You're mine, Tina. Nobody takes what is mine."

Christina stiffened. She got oft the bed and walked slowly from the room. So that was all she was to him. She was property to be used until he tired of her, but nobody could take her away. She'd been a fool. What had she expected him to say—that he had come after her because he loved her? That he couldn't bear to lose her?

But then she halted. She had no right to be angry at his answer. She was expecting too much. At least Philip had said she was his, and that was what she wanted to be. She only needed time—time to make him love her, time to give him a child to bind them together.

Christina needed something to do to take her mind off Philip. She went over to the cabinet and took out one of the books he had given her, then she settled down on her temporary bed and began to read.

After a few moments, Rashid walked into the tent. When he saw Christina, his mouth fell open in surprise. Christina was equally surprised, for Rashid didn't usually just walk into their tent, not after Philip had warned him against it.

"What—what are you doing here?" Rashid asked after an unusually long silence.

"I live here—where else would I be?" she laughed.

"But you were. . . . How did you get here?"

"What's the matter with you, Rashid? Has no one told you what happened? I was abducted and Philip was nearly killed by your uncle, but he escaped and brought me back."

"Is he here?"

"Of course he's here. You're acting very oddly, Rashid. Don't you feel well?"

"Rashid!" Philip called from the bedroom.

"There, you see?" Christma said, for she had a funny feeling that Rashid didn't believe her. "You had better go in, for he can't come out."

"What is the matter with him?"

"He is badly burned, so it's better for him to stay in bed for a while," Christina returned.

Rashid hesitated a moment and then walked into the bedroom. Christina followed and sat down on the bed beside Philip.

"Where have you been, Rashid?" Philip asked calmly.

"Why—I have been searching the desert for Christina. I came back the night she was taken, and Syed told me what had happened."

"And didn't Christina just tell you what happened?"

"She mentioned my uncle."

"Tell me something, Rashid. Didn't you know of the hatred your uncle had for our father?"

"Yes, but my uncle is an old man. I did not think he would try to do something about it," Rashid answered, a bit nervously.

"When you told Ali Hejaz that our father had died, he then directed his hate to mel"

"I did not know that," Rashid whispered.

"As a result of your loose tongue, Christina was used to lure me to your uncle's camp. She was beaten by one of his tribesmen, and your uncle almost succeeded in frilling me." Philip paused and regarded Rashid intently. "In the future, Rashid, I would be grateful if you'd refrain from mentioning my name or anything that concerns me to your uncle—or anyone else, for that matter. If anything should happen again to disrupt my life as a result of you, I won't take it kindly. Is that clear?"

"Yes," Rashid answered nervously.

"Then you may go. I need rest."

Christina watched as Rashid left the room, then she turned to look at Philip. "Don't you think you were a bit hard on him? It wasn't really his fault."

"Must you always defend Rashid? The blame could fall on many—Amair, who set me free, but abducted you in the first place; Amair's father, who agreed to the abduction; Hejaz, for his hate; and Rashid, for innocently giving out information about me. Let the blame fall where it will as long as nothing like this ever happens again. Will you not agree to that, Tina?"

"Yes," Christina smiled meekly.

"Good, let's talk of it no more. Now, would you kindly bring me two full skins of wine? After I fall into a drunken stupor, you can do me the service of removing this damn grease."

"But you need that to take away the pain."

"I can think of a few things I need, but this grease isn't one of them. The pain isn't as bad as it was, but the grease is driving me mad."

"Oh, well, I could remove it now if you'd like," she ventured innocently.

"Nol I will take the wine first. The pain has lessened, but it has not disappeared."

"Yes, master, whatever you say," she teased, and quickly left the room. Well, at least his disposition is getting better, she thought