Behind the Scenes
An Unwanted Protector
Before she could finish the thought, she saw Tavian coming toward her. His stride was so purposeful that she wavered in her own progress. Wondering at his intentions, she could only stare at him.
“I’ve been waiting for you.” Something in his turquoise eyes caught her attention. They were charged like the lightning in a stormy sky, only this kind of storm made her stomach do flips. “Is anything the matter?”
“Come on, let’s go.” He pulled her hand into his own and began tugging her behind him. She had no clue where he was taking them, and said as much. “You will soon see.” His hand tightened its grip on hers when they passed through the side doors. Had he thought someone would stop them? Perhaps she ought to be more alarmed at his strange behavior, but could not get herself to become so. They passed through the hallway that had just been her reprieve. Only it did not seem as dark as it was just moments ago. Somehow the man beside her saw his way enough to lead them forward.
~Excerpt from An Unwanted Protector~
This scene is more from memory than imagination. An image of Jesus coming toward me in a worship service I attended a couple of years back. I distinctly remember the look in His eyes, and though mine were closed at the time, I can still recall the overwhelming sense of love and joy at the thought that He had come just for me that night.
This book was the one I looked forward to the most. In fact, as I was composing its prequels, I had a hard time not skipping ahead. I even kept several pages of notes from all the details, images, and scenes that kept coming to my mind about Elisabeta and what her story would be. For me, that’s what makes writing stories so much fun, the way you get to watch it all come together from beginning to end.
Elisabeta, in every way, was the cheerful and carefree youth whose brokenness made the need for her redemption all the more clear. Her character in the first two books was joy itself, but as we often learn, true and abiding joy only comes after a night of sorrow. And that’s how I knew I would need an equally compelling lead male character to match her spirit and bolster the radical change that comes when we receive the hope that Jesus brings.
Tavian, in his truest sense, is a reflection of Christ’s unrelenting love for us. A true Protector and Friend to any who would seek Him out. In the darkest seasons of my life, and in places where I have felt like hope was scarce or fleeting, the love of Jesus always brought me light and gently led me forward. Not only does this book tie together a grand finale for all the mysteries woven throughout, but for me, it also completes the picture of who Jesus has been to me and the three things that always remain: faith, HOPE, and above all love!
