Philip felt excruciating pain with every movement of the horse, but the salve began to help after a while. Oddly enough, he could not hate Ali Hejaz. He pitied the man for living with his own hatred for so many years.
Philip thanked God he was still alive. He would heal soon, and he had Christina back. Yes, he had everything to be thankful for.
If only Christina would grow to love him, he would be the happiest man alive. But he couldn’t push her. If he declared his love now, she would only laugh. No, he must win her love slowly. He would be patient now that she was with him again.
Christina’s mind slowly cleared, and she realized that she was on a moving horse.
It was daylight. She could see the horse’s neck and the desert before her. She remembered a desert camp, a meal, and drinking some wine, but nothing more. How did she get on this horse? Where was she being taken now?
She had to escape. She had to get back to Philip. Christina threw her leg over the horse’s neck and fell forward onto the sand. The man groaned when she pushed against him, but she didn’t care. She scrambled to her feet and started to run.
“Christina!”
Christina stopped. She couldn’t believe it. Philip had come for her and was taking her home. She screamed his name and swung around.
“Oh, my God!” She gasped when she saw his blistered face.
“That’s exactly what I said when I first saw you, but I don’t want to explain now. Please get back on the horse, Tina, I’m anxious to get home.”
“But Philip, your face is—”
“I can imagine what I must look like,” Philip interrupted her. “But have you seen your own face yet? Neither of us is quite—ah—recognizable, but we will heal. Come on, Tina.”
Christina managed to mount in front of Philip without any help. She was confused and worried about his condition. How had he been burned so badly? At least they were together, and she thanked God for it.
An hour later, they rode into camp and were greeted by an assortment of surprised and shocked faces. Christina and Philip were helped down from the horse. Amine rushed forward crying and embraced Christina tenderly.
“I thought you were dead—we all did. And when Sheik Abu did not return, we thought that he had been killed trying to save you. But your face—oh, Christina, does it hurt? How did this happen?” Amine asked. She clasped Christina’s hands tightly. “And Sheik Abu—he is burned so badly.”
“I was beaten by an Arab from some desert tribe, and then I was taken to their camp. But I don’t know why. That is all I can remember. I don’t even know how Philip rescued me, or how he got so burned.” She turned to see Syed helping Philip into their tent. She looked back at her friend. “Amine, I am so sorry about Ahmad.”
“Ahmad will be all right, but I must help Maidi look after Sheik Abu.”
“Ahmad is alive!” Christina exclaimed happily.
“Yes, he will be well in a few days. A rib stopped the bullet, and his wound is healing nicely. I must get Maidi now.”
“Of course. We’ll talk later,” Christina said. She went into the tent.
Syed was taking Philip’s robe off when she came into the bedroom. She stopped short when she saw his burns.
“Oh, Philip. Your chest, too?” she winced.
“I’m afraid so, Tina. But don’t fret so. It’s not as bad as it looks. A week or so, and the pain will be gone and the peeling will begin. I do not intend to remain two colors forever.”
“Oh, Philip! How can you jest about it?” She came forward and viewed his chest and arms closely. She frowned at the sight of the horrible, dark-red skin. “Does it hurt badly? How did this happen?” she demanded.
“Settle down, my sweet. This is nothing for you to get angry about. I am the injured party.” Philip moaned as he lay down on the bed very slowly.
“But how could this happen, Philip?” Christina asked again, completely perplexed.
“It’s a long story, Tina, and my throat is still too parched to tell you now. I am tired, sore, and hungry as a wolf. Why don’t you see about getting us some food?”
“Oh, damn you!” she stormed, and stalked from the tent.
Amine was by the fire, filling two bowls with a delicious-smelling stew. Christina was furious as she walked over to her.
“He’s impossible! He won’t answer any of my questions. He just asks for food!” Christina raged.
