Esther’s fingers squeezed hers. Kasia drew in a long breath. “Yes. We did.”
He leveled an accusing finger at her. “You—you swore you would never play at intrigue. But you manipulated me for your own purposes.”
A dozen defenses sprang to her tongue—that he had told her to pick the next queen, and she had chosen wisely. That he had done far worse to her, and she had forgiven him.
Every time, she had forgiven him.
But if he were to forgive her, it could not be because he owed it to her.
She bit back all but one truth. “Not for my own purposes, my love. For the Lord’s.”
“She only went along with what Mordecai and I decided.” Esther squared her shoulders and intercepted their husband’s gaze. Quiet strength pulsed from her.
Xerxes frowned. “What does Mordecai have to do with this?”
“He is my cousin—my guardian.”
He turned his back on them, mumbling something Kasia could not make out as he paced the length of the room. When he stomped back, his face was set in a rare emotionless
mask. “And you will not even apologize?”
Esther lifted her chin. “I am sorry, my husband. Sorry this was necessary. Sorry I had to deceive you to assure the safety of my people. Sorry if it hurt you.”
“But not sorry you did it.” He turned his gaze on Kasia. “And you?”
Tears stung her eyes. “You have known all along I will obey Jehovah above you—even when that comes between us. But I hope you will forgive me. And Esther, especially—she
made the decision before she knew you. I am the one who did it knowing full well how it would hurt you.”
He blinked rapidly, drew in a hard breath.
“Master,” Zethar said from the doorway, “Mordecai the Jew is here. Shall I show him in?”
Xerxes muttered a mild oath. “Why not? It seems he played quite a role in this as well.”
A second later, Mordecai entered. “I saw them drag Haman toward the gallows he—Kasia. You are well.” Relief saturated his tone, but no surprise.
She offered a tight smile. “I imagine you prayed for me, as you always do. Thank you.”
Her husband’s jaw ticked. “You are more concerned for her health than whether your daughter has been forgiven? It begs a question I have done my best to ignore all these
years—why it is always our friend Mordecai that Jehovah asks to pray for Kasia?”
Kasia drew in a deep breath.
Mordecai smiled. Whatever his answer, he seemed at peace with it. “Perhaps because I love her. Or perhaps I love her so that I could pray her through these years with
dedication. Either way, there is no need to be jealous—Jehovah also ordained that she be yours. I never held her heart.”
“It is true.” Esther grinned and patted Kasia’s hand. “From the moment we first saw you at the river, you were the only one she loved.”
Xerxes’ eyes went wide. “We? You were the one with her?” He hissed out a breath and folded his arms again. “It seems the bunch of you are one tightly knit lot. Bound
together against me.”
“Not against you.” Kasia stood, silently praising the Lord when her legs carried her to him without argument. “We were bound together for you, my love, to strengthen you.
” She reached out and laced her fingers through his. “Still. Punish me if you must.”
He held her gaze for a long moment—so much passed between them, hard times and perfect moments both. All the pain, all the betrayal. All the faith and love. His face
softened as he lifted her hand to his lips. “You know I cannot. I might as well rip my own heart out.”
Adoration sang through her at the feel of his mouth on her fingers. “Then I ask you again to choose to forgive me. To forgive us.”
He gazed long into her eyes, and then turned his face to Esther. He motioned toward his servants. “Let it be written that on this day, the king gives the house of Haman
over to Queen Esther.”
Esther blinked back tears. “Thank you. I will put my cousin in charge of it. But . . . it is not enough.”
Xerxes lifted a brow. “Not enough? Will you finally ask for a city to go along with it?”
Instead of seizing the jest, Esther fell to her knees at his feet. Tears streamed onto her cheeks. “Hanging Haman, giving me his belongings will not undo the damage he has
done. He sealed the decree against my people with your signet. Please—please, find a way to undo the evil he devised.”
Kasia’s gaze fell onto the scepter sitting on the table beside her. She picked it up and handed it to Xerxes.
A decision that would save a nation called for ceremony.
He gave her a lopsided smile in exchange for the length of gold and held it out above Esther. “Rise, my queen.”
She stood and wiped the moisture from her eyes. “If it pleases you, let a new law be written to counteract the letter of Haman. Otherwise, forgiving me means nothing.”
Xerxes nodded and glanced over his shoulder. “Mordecai. Come forward.”
Kasia turned to watch her old friend obey his king.