Ch. 17~ Bon Voyage
The trip back to Cairo was a quiet, tense journey. Jeweli stayed as far away from Ardeth as she could, keeping her hood and veil up the whole way. Not once did she look up from the saddle of the camel she rode, or the piece of weaving she had in her hands. All he wanted was one look, a small glance, just to show that she still cared. But, she seemed to have shut down. Jeweli didn't speak to anyone, nor did anyone approach her. When they reached Cairo, she loaded all the luggage onto the boat by herself before anyone could help her. They had decided to take the long, leisurly way home, which was a steamboat that would travel from Cairo to Alexandria, then to various ports until they reached London. For Jeweli, that just meant longer for her to have nothing to keep her busy except thinking.
Ardeth was saying his final goodbyes to the family, promising to keep in touch, giving Alex a neat little amulet for luck. He reached Jeweli, but she refused to look at him. The saying goes that actions speak louder than words. So, he didn't need to speak. Instead, Ardeth put his arms around her and just held her. She stiffened hp, but then relaxed into him. He could feel the new tears dampening his robes, and he kissed her hair.
"I will never forget you, Jeweliandra, not will I ever turn you away should you need me." He pulled away, but put his hands on her cheeks, then down to the back of her neck under her hair. "You will always be in my heart, never forget that." He leaned down to kiss her lips one more time
Jeweli sighed, then turned and went up the gangplank to the ship. There was no way she could say anything without breaking down. She couldn't even look him in the eye, because, if she had, how could she leave? The ship pulled from the dock. She stood at the back, watching Ardeth atop his horse.
"Goodbye, Ardeth Bay." She balled up her hands and raised them to her chest, but there was something there. Pulling it up, she saw that he had somehow managed to slip his amulet back on her. So, that's what he'd been doing with his hands on her neck. Sneaky little bugger. "Goodbye, my almost lover."