Counted With the Stars (Out From Egypt, #1)

by Connilyn Cossette

house, second only to their mistress. Sleeping

smile. “Eben . . . Oh Kiya, he was so rude to you.

seek. “We will have to wait,” I whispered back.

of course, Elohim heard the devoted mother’s

decided

only

who had made our country great among the nations

my

Eben pronounced this name. My pulse raced,

of

searching mine. “What is your plan?”

“Tekurah?” “She told her to go back to her home and

voice tugged at my compassion. I lay back on my mat, once again happily fettered to my bed, nested in my blankets and waiting for oblivion to take me under its wing. Yet I was unable to forget the desperate panic in Latikah’s voice as she clung to me. Perhaps I should have stayed with her until she calmed. What mysterious

on a pedestal by the door. He washed my face with tender strokes, wincing when I reacted to the sharp stabs of pain that even his gentle

satisfied. “I am sorry that I ever did this, Kiya. My only thought was to protect you and your

in the

chill crept up the skin of my arms. “Did that keep

fugitives would no doubt disappear once they were free of the most populated areas and return

Shira, wearing a shift in the water. I didn’t see

in town knew Father insisted on the finest of

permanently ripped apart, I jumped at the chance. You

and our families were close, but his mother was

another. As did I.” “You didn’t love my father?” “I did. Well, in a way, I loved him. He adored me and pampered me, treated me like a queen. But not the way I loved Shefu. Shefu was my morning sun and my evening star.” “Tekurah always knew?” She closed her eyes. “No. I am sure she had heard rumors of affection between me and Shefu, but he never told her.” “Then how did she find out? She surely knows. I dealt with the results of her knowledge every day.” Her expression was tortured. “I know, my dear. I’m so sorry. I was told how awful she was to you. I was helpless to do anything, but I knew you were strong. I knew you would endure.” “Yes.” My tone was brittle as anger began to burn in my chest. “I endured. I endured daily humiliation, shame on every level, and complete lack of dignity.” Her eyes welled with tears, and her chin wobbled. “Please. My beautiful girl. Forgive my weakness. When I came home that day and you were already gone, I should have gone after you. Begged Shefu to reconsider. My heart splintered into a thousand pieces that day. If it weren’t for Jumo, I would have come. I promise. I would have come.” What would I have done, in her place? Caught between love for her son and love for her daughter. I knew the answer. Jumo would not have survived slavery, and there was nothing I would not do to save him, even now. A thought struck me. “But Tekurah—why was she so vengeful? It was not simple jealousy, Mother. The way she beat me that day . . . there must be anot...

go.” Tears stung my eyes.

by the wagon wheel, using every blanket, linen,

the connection that had seemed to vibrate between