Rome: July 66 A.D.
From his carriage, Thaddaeus Vasillius kept an eye out for soldiers patrolling the streets. Nero had ordered his military to find every believer in Christ in the imperial city. The emperor delighted in entertaining the public with their gruesome deaths in the arena.
He shuddered to think what lions, bears, or a pack of wild starving dogs would do to the beautiful face and form of the woman he loved.
Argos, the Vasillius family’s driver, guided the pair of black mares pulling the carriage through the city. They were getting closer to the district near the Tiber River, where Adelia lived. Numerous soldiers patrolled that area.
He must avoid them and get her out of danger.
Thaddaeus brushed aside a lock of black hair that had fallen on his forehead. “Driver, if you see any guards, take an alternate route to avoid them.”
Argos gave him a questioning look. “Yes, sir.”
Thaddaeus had kept his faith a secret from some of his family members and servants because anyone who turned in a believer would receive a rich reward. The only trustworthy people? Others who shared his belief in Jesus—certainly not Argos.
So far, they’d passed three officers who’d paid no attention to them. Apparently, they regarded his family as above suspicion, but that could change in a moment.
They’d traveled from Thaddaeus’s home in a wealthy area of northern Rome to the impoverished Jewish section near the Tiber River. This district had been bypassed by the flames of the great fire that had burned three-fourths of the imperial city two years ago.
They finally reached the district where Adelia lived in a dilapidated tenement building. He carefully examined the area. No military personnel were in sight. If a soldier asked him to proclaim Nero lord, the test to confirm if someone was a Christian, he wouldn’t do it. Such a declaration meant he honored the emperor above the Creator. Scripture was clear. If he denied Jesus, Christ would deny him before the Father in Heaven and the holy angels. Better to suffer a gory death than wind up in hell forever.
But the prospect of becoming food for wild beasts sent shivers of dread down his spine. Nero wouldn’t stop until he’d executed every believer in Rome. To this ruler, Christ’s followers were the enemies of humanity. He’d even announced they’d burned the city and caused the deaths of thousands.
But believers hadn’t committed arson. The fire may have been an accident, or the potentate himself ordered the inferno to create a much larger and more lavish palace, as he was in the process o f doing.
He and Adelia needed to escape from the capital city. How could he convince her to marry him and move far away?
He slowly inhaled as thoughts of her blocked out all else. Her hair . . . so beautiful. He fought to keep his mind on his surroundings. A movement there to the right. Just a street urchin. Good. No soldiers were in that area.
The carriage passed by Aquila’s and Priscilla’s tent-making shop and upstairs apartment. Somehow, they’d escaped detection and safely moved to Ephesus. What a mercy that the Almighty had led him to their home, where he became a believer. What a fool he’d been to worship pagan deities.
After Adelia’s parents had died in the flames. he drove her to safety. As she prayed for protection, he was so intrigued by her attitudes to life and death that he accepted her invitation to worship at Aquila’s and Priscilla’s residence.
By now, she may have partially recovered from her devastating loss. If only she would return his love.
He needed to work up his courage and ask her to marry him.
After Argos parked the carriage near Adelia’s tenement building, two soldiers appeared from around a corner and headed toward them. Thaddaeus’s heart thumped wildly. He tapped Argos’s shoulder. “Wait here while I complete my errand.”
He tried to act nonchalant so as not to attract attention and walked calmly into Simeon’s jewelry business near Adelia’s apartment. Would the soldiers, who’d probably noticed him, call him back at any moment?
He entered the store, then looked out the window.
Two of Nero’s officers had arrived at the carriage, where Argos waited. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it was obvious they’d given his driver the loyalty test by proclaiming Nero lord. Doubtless he wouldn’t mind showing he worshipped the emperor.
Thaddeus wiped the sweat from his brow. He’d escaped in time. Hopefully, the officers wouldn’t enter the shop.
On the jewelry display table, a gold necklace inlaid with fiery-red carnelian stones, garnets, amethysts, and quartz attracted his eye. What a spectacular gift for Adelia.
He looked out the window again. Had Argus passed the test yet? He gritted his teeth. The soldiers still lingered, talking to the driver. He must remain in the store until they left the area, and it was safe to visit Adelia. He must not lead them to her.
The short, stocky jeweler approached him. “A beautiful necklace, my friend. Unique, too. A one-of-a-kind creation.” He winked. “An exquisite piece for someone special.”
Thaddaeus paused, trying to remember if he’d brought enough coins, then nodded. “I’ll take it. Do you have a box?”
“Yes.” The craftsman reached for a wooden container. “Will this do?”
Thaddaeus picked up the gleaming cedar container and ran his hand over the top. “How much?”
When the jeweler named the price of both items, Thaddaeus pulled several coins from the pouch on the leather strap around his shoulder. Simeon handed him his purchases, and he slipped them into the bag.
He glanced out the window again. Good. No sign of the soldiers, but they might lurk nearby, ready to pounce. He opened the jeweler’s door and looked left and right. The street appeared safe.
Outside the shop, he strode past several stores and ran up a narrow flight of creaking steps. He knocked on the flimsy wooden door in front of the apartment Adelia had leased with the small inheritance from her deceased parents. His brow furrowed as he glanced at the peeling paint on the wall around the stairs. What an awful place for such a lovely woman to live.
Her faith in Christ had given her a deep peace that caused her to rise above her humble circumstances.
In a few moments, the door opened. The woman he loved with more intensity than he’d ever dreamed possible stood before him. He longed to hold her in his arms, but she’d not yet shown she would reciprocate his passion.
He inhaled the lilac fragrance that enveloped her. Her black silky tresses hung down her shoulders in glistening waves lit by the sun shining through her narrow window. He restrained himself from stroking her shining curls.
He could barely resist the desire to pull her toward himself and show the love he’d held back ever since the fire. “I have a surprise for you.” He slid the wooden box from his pouch and handed it to her.
She blushed. “You shouldn’t have bought this.”
“Please open it.”
She gasped as she lifted the lid. “Oh, how beautiful. But this necklace and box must have cost a fortune. I can’t take it. It’s too expensive.”
“Keep it. I won’t return it.”
“I shouldn’t accept your gift. However, to please you, I will.” She picked up the necklace and adjusted the clasp behind her neck. “Thank you so much for this spectacular present.”
“You’re very welcome.”
Perspiration beaded on his forehead. Here was the opportunity for which he’d waited so long. “Please come with me and leave Rome before Nero finds out we’re Christians.”
“I never asked if you’re hungry. I’ve made some peach pastries.”
He sat and gripped the arms of the chair. She’d paid no attention to what he’d said. He restrained himself from revealing his disappointment and instead murmured, “Sounds tempting.”
She stepped toward the kitchen, picked up a tray of pastries, brought them into the living area, and set them on a low wooden table. Then she returned to the kitchen and brought back two cups of steaming honeyed drink and handed one to him.
“This is the best pastry I’ve ever tasted.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you like it.”
After he finished his dessert, he leaned toward her. “By now, you should have left Rome. Since you haven’t, I trust you’re avoiding public places where soldiers might discover you’re a believer.”
“I rarely leave my apartment.”
He steeled himself to make another attempt to win her. “It’s dangerous remaining in Rome while Nero sends soldiers everywhere to catch followers of Christ.”
“Thaddaeus, you ought to move away from Rome too. It’s risky to remain here. One of Nero’s soldiers might ask you to declare your worship of the emperor. If he does, will you?”
“I want the Almighty to give me the grace to refuse.”
Thaddaeus’s heart beat faster. “Adelia, please come away with me as my wife.”
She lowered her eyes, the rosy glow on her cheeks deepening.
“Adelia, I love you. Let’s start a new life far from Rome. Maybe in Ephesus where we can become a part of Aquila’s and Priscilla’s church that meets in their tent-making shop.” Perhaps if he tried harder to convince her, someday she would return his love.
Or was he a fool to keep hoping?
She smiled and gazed into his eyes. “Dear Thaddaeus, I love you too, and my answer is yes—with all my heart.”
Could it be? He felt like shouting hallelujah!
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps tramping up the stairs outside penetrated her apartment. Someone banged on the door.
Thaddaeus’s heart sank. Had the soldiers come for them?
Whoever it was yelled, “Adelia, it’s not the military! I’m your next-door neighbor.”
She opened the door. “Jacobus, what’s the matter?”
“Soldiers are coming this way. I suspect you’re a Christ follower. You must get out of here before it’s too late. No time to take anything with you.”
Thaddaeus grabbed her arm. “Thank you for the warning.”
He led her from the apartment, and they both climbed into his carriage. “Argos, please drive us back home.”
He breathed a sigh of relief when they safely traveled out of the most dangerous area of Rome.
If all went well, a promising future awaited them.
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