The small hum of his tender breathing vibrates against my chest. I watch him as he sleeps soundly nestled against my bare skin. I ignore the whispering around me, the covered mouths, and pointed stares. He's all that matters to me.
"Bathsheba."
I l
It is nights like these when the wind sweeps through the dusty streets--coating my thick brown hair--that I ponder over my life.The house is still. There is no pitter patter of tiny footsteps echoing through the house. No deep laughter rumbling from my love's chest. Silence looms all around me. For some this would be welcome tranquility, but not for me. The quietness is a hollow reminder that the man I love is someone far out of my reach fighting enemies instead of sharing these moments with me.As I pad softly across th
The sensation of my chest constricting causes my breath to hitch. My heart sinks with the gnawing realization that something bad is about to happen. My head swirls. I suddenly feel dizzy.Why does the king want to see me?I take a clumsy step backward and
The tears that threaten to spill from my eye line sting excruciatingly. He sighs in satisfaction in my ear then gradually slides off of me. My muscles stiffen as I bite back a shudder of repulsion. I clench the velvety covers beside me and conceal myself quickly. When I look through the slivers breaking apart the strands of my tussled hair, I see the king's chest rising and falling in an easy rhythm. He seems at peace.His lust has been quenched and his sanity has returned to him, but this is no
A sturdy knock rouses me from where I sit. I abandon the afternoon meal that Elisheva had diligently prepared for me and meander toward the source of the persistent rapping. I swing open the door, slightly irritated. My brother's hand, mid- knock, hangs in the air.His deep honey brown eyes comb me over. His gaze burns through me, igniting a fear in me that he will discover all my secrets with those inquisitive eyes.
A finger tenderly sweeps away a thick strand of hair sticking to my face. I clench my stomach and focus on the soothing hand rubbing circles into my shoulder.I gag as the remnants of my breakfast resurfaces. A foul aroma stings the inside of my nose, intensifying lingering nausea. With clammy palms, I push up on my trembling knees and stand. Martha wraps her arm in the crook of my elbow to hold me up while I try to walk.
"How could this have happened?!"I look at him with disbelief. He paces across the length of his chamber, his sandals clicking against the tiles. A flame of anger ignites within me.Tightening my grip around my arms, I reply scornfully, "I can't be
The violet silk draping from my head down my back encompasses my arms and hides my growing stomach. I stare uneasily out the window wondering, waiting, and hoping that the rumors my ladies overheard while they were in the marketplace are true.The King has summoned Uriah home. When I first heard the report from my ladies I was filled with sheer terror mingled with longing. I miss him so much. For months at a time I have thought of nothing but him. Every night I worried over his safety and wondered if he was still alive.
I storm past the guards and clip around the corner. They don't try to stop me. I don't blame them. I must look horrifying. The anger pulsing through my face radiates from my cheeks as it carves deep crevices in my forehead.I am beyond furious. I'm not exactly sure what I will do once I see him. I hadn't planned that far ahead. As soon as I heard what he had done I hastened toward the palace, leaving any reason at home.