CHAPTER 5

Ali woke to the sound of the men breaking down their camp. For a moment she was terrified, thinking she was still being held captive. Then she heard Ardeth's voice outside the tent. Instantly she felt a calm come over her.

She was still sitting there marveling at how just the sound of his voice calmed her when he opened the flap of the tent.

"Ah, you are awake." He said and then rewarded her with the most beautiful smile.

All she could do was nod.

"I will leave you for a moment so that you may dress."

Again Ali just nodded. As Ardeth turned to leave Ali stood up and something caught his eye. He was not prepared to see all the marks on her body. There were several sets of bruise marks around her arms. The there were the rope burn around her wrist and ankles. There were other small marks on her back that he could not make out. Possibly cigarette burns.

Ardeth grabbed the side of the tent in his fist. He felt anger welling up inside him. He so badly wanted to find this Hudson person and end his miserable life with his own bare hands.

A noise from outside brought Ardeth back from his murderous thoughts. He quietly slipped out of the tent. Vowing to never let anyone harm Ali again. And vowing to seek out Hudson and make him pay for the abuse he handed out to her.

After almost half a day of riding, Ardeth could see it starting to take its toll on Ali. Although he and his men could have rode hard and made it back to their village much quicker, Ardeth decided to stop at small oasis to let Ali rest. As they came up to the oasis, Ardeth dismounted his horse and quickly made it to the side of the one Ali was riding.

"Let me help you" he said as he stretched his arms out to her.

Ali was so grateful for his thoughtfulness. "Thank you Ardeth, I am very tired."

Ardeth did not let go of Ali's arm. He gently guided her to a large rock beside the crystal pool. "Sit here while I get you some water." Ardeth reached down into the water and then turned back to Ali with cupped hands. "Here, drink."

Ali closed her eyes as the cold water made its way across her parched lips. It was such a cool contrast to the heat she felt as Ardeth ran his finger across her bottom lip. Ali opened her eyes to find smoldering brown ones looking back at her. She caught her breathe at the site and the feel of Ardeth being that close to her. At the same time she felt the need to move back away from him. She knew he would not hurt her, but he was just too close.

Ardeth watched as Ali subconsciously tried to move away from him. He stood abruptly "I am sorry Ali. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable."

Ali then realized that she must have visibly shown how she was feeling. "No Ardeth I'm sorry. It's just that...." not knowing how to finish she looked away.

Ardeth stood for a moment just staring at her profile. Kneeling again, he reached out and gently turned her face to him. "It is alright Ali. I understand. I should not have crossed the line. I am genuinely sorry." Ardeth let his hand fall from her face and gently laid it on her arm.

Ali looked into his eyes "No Ardeth it's not that all. I won't lie, I felt a spark when you touched me, it's just that well I've never known anything but .....well I mean I've never been with .....not until.....I've never ......."

Ardeth sat there just staring at her, trying to comprehend what she was saying. "Ali, are you trying to say that you had never been with a man until that night that Hudson.....". Ardeth didn't know quite how to finish.

Noting that his grip was becoming more intense on her hand, she placed her hand over his. Not being able to look him in the eyes, she focused on their hands and quietly answered "Yes Ardeth, that's what I'm trying to say."

Ali eyes shot up to take in the look on Ardeth's face as he spouted a stream of Arabic.

He let go of her arm, stood and turned from her. He did not want her to see the look on his face. He was sure it would betray the horrid thoughts that were running through his head.

Ali stood and walked up beside him "Ardeth?" she said as she placed her hand on his arm.

He turned to look at her while trying to calm himself "I am sorry, Ali" he said as he took her hand in his.

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because I cannot find that pig Hudson at this very moment and slowly torture him until he begs for death". Realizing what he had said he turned from her again. Besides dealing with the murderous feelings he had toward Hudson, Ardeth was also dealing with just why he felt such a connection, why he felt so protective of Ali. Of course he did not want any woman to be harmed, but each time he found out about some other horrendous thing that they had done to her, he felt as if it touched his very being.

"Ardeth, that doesn't matter now. Thanks to you I'm safe. That's all that matters." Again Ali reached out for him. As she touched his arm they could both feel the electricity between them. Ardeth took her hand from his arm and gently kissed her palm "Know this kalila, I will protect you always. You will never again know such brutal treatment. If any man ever so much as lays a hand on you, they will have to answer to me."

Ali felt a tremendous surge go through her as Ardeth spoke. The depth and emotion in his voice shocked her. Finally she whispered "Thank you"

"You're very welcome, habibi." Trying to compose himself he added "Now let us ride for my village. It is only a few hours out. We can be there by night fall."

Ali nodded and quietly followed him to the horses. She could use some time to think. To think about all that had happened to her in the last 6 months, but especially all that had taken place in the last 24 hours. And how the handsome desert warrior riding beside her fit into it all.