Beloved Protector (Heartsong Presents) Read Online Free Page B

the entrance. He could hear Titus’s raised voice speaking to someone inside, and he didn’t envy the person who had incurred his wrath.
    When he ducked inside, he found out what all the tumult was about. Arius was standing at Titus’s side and Tapat was kneeling before Titus’s feet, eyes focused on the rug she was kneeling upon. Andronicus felt his heart cease momentarily then drum at the speed of a racing chariot. His eyes sought the general’s face, and his breathing almost stopped at the intense look of rage there.
    “I will not repeat myself again, woman. Answer me!”
    It took great courage for Tapat to lift her face and, with great deliberation, shake her head at the general’s command.
    “I have told you the truth. I am no spy.”
    When Titus lifted his hand to strike her, Andronicus, knowing the power behind that arm, was released from the shocked stupor Tapat’s sudden appearance had generated. He quickly stepped forward and stayed the general’s hand by gripping his wrist. Surprised, Titus glared at Andronicus.
    “My lord, I know this woman.”
    Although the anger never left Titus’s face, he relaxed somewhat at Andronicus’s statement. But the eyes that met his held a warning, and the pointed look he gave Andronicus’s hand gripping his brought his instant release.
    “She was found hiding in a cave near here,” Titus growled. “What do you know of this?”
    “He knows nothing,” Tapat interjected quickly.
    “Silence, woman,” Titus bellowed. He turned back to Andronicus, his look one of suspicion. It was not surprising that he would be doubtful knowing that there were spies among them, and Titus was not known for showing mercy to spies.
    “This woman saved my life and the life of my men. I owe her.” He met the general’s look head-on without flinching. He was a soldier of Rome, but he would not back down on this issue regardless of the threatening looks thrown his way.
    Titus glared at him for several long seconds before he motioned around the tent.
    “Leave us.”
    Surprised at the command but conditioned to obey, the others left quickly. Only Titus, Andronicus and Tapat, still kneeling at the general’s feet, remained.
    Titus leaned against the table displaying the map of Jerusalem. He folded his muscled arms across his broad chest and glared at his tribune and then his captive.
    “Explain.”
    The very softness of the command warned of feelings held tightly in check.
    Andronicus did so in as few words as possible. When he had finished, Titus gave him a peculiar look.
    “I see. And what exactly would you have me do with her?”
    Andronicus took a deep breath before meeting the general’s eyes. “I would like to see that she gets safely to Pella, just north of here.”
    Titus glanced from Tapat to Andronicus. “Perhaps...if she is willing to give us some helpful information.”
    Tapat looked up at him, the fear in her eyes evident, yet her voice was firm when she answered him. “I have already told you. I know nothing.”
    Andronicus willed himself to appear unconcerned. “My lord, she is after all but a woman.”
    He ignored the flash of anger that darkened Tapat’s eyes, his lips twitching as he hid a grin. If not for Titus’s presence, he had no doubt that she would let him know in no uncertain terms what she thought of such a statement.
    Titus stared at Tapat for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “Don’t forget, Andronicus, that Rome was built on the backs of treacherous women.”
    Although that was indeed true, Andronicus thought it wise to remain silent. He wasn’t certain what Titus saw when searching Tapat’s features so diligently, but the air suddenly left him in a rush.
    The general looked at Andronicus, but he couldn’t begin to interpret what he saw on his commander’s face. “A soldier always honors a debt,” he agreed.
    Andronicus didn’t even realize that he had been silently petitioning Tapat’s God for His intervention until he fervently