The Gaze of a King

Chapter Thirty -Four | Shattered Rubies

The rubies around my throat grew heavier with every quickened breath I inhaled. I touched them, adjusting them slightly, to allow me to breathe. They were constricting- suffocating with the icy metal and weighty rubies pressing against my throat. The matching red silk adorning my hair and draping my body began to stuck to every curvature of my skin. My palms felt like they were melting with the amount of sweat beading from them.

I let out a croak, ordering the guards to allow me entrance. Where they had rejected Abigail before, they dared not give me the same treatment. Unquestioningly, they sheathed their spears and opened the grand doors to the King's chamber. I gulped down my trepidation and jutted my chin high. I was determined not to let my pounding heart and erratic breath show.

Michal looked at the open door in shock. Then, when she eyed me, rage began to boil in her eyes. King David immediately grasped my eyes with his, ignoring the woman leaning over him in a seductive stance.

"Michal, leave."

She grumbled a protest and tried to regain his focus. With a swift flick of his hand he silently re-ordered her departure.

She released a mouthful of hot air and whispered something indiscernible in my direction. Then she readjusted her sleeves, where they had slipped off her shoulders and stormed out of the chambers.

King David lifted himself from his chair. I began to lose control of my breathing.

"I did not mean to interrupt, My Lord."

"Oh? What did you intend for, then," he asked emphasizing every word with a heavy footstep.

"Truthfully?"

He nodded his head. His green eyes shimmered with a burning desire.

"To distract you from Michal," I admitted.

He cocked his head curiously.

"Bathsheba, why would you want to distract me from Michal?"

He was towering over me. His eyes peering down into the depths of my soul. He had said to me recently that no one saw him as I did.

"A favor for a friend..."

Perhaps the same was true for me too.

"All I want is you. My sole desire of my heart, body, and soul is for you. You need not ever fear that my eye will wander. I promised you I would wait. I meant it. Although I love what I see before me, it was unnecessary. I would take you covered is sackcloth over any queen or concubine in the finest jewels."

I was speechless. The only sound I could utter was the breath escaping my body at his words. His intense stare finally broke, falling to the ground.

"Although, I must ask you to leave now."

"What?"

"I made you a promise... but the longer you stand here in that dress the harder it becomes to keep it."

A fire ignited inside my belly. A fire I didn't recognize. A flame that terrified me.

"I shouldn't have come. This was a mistake."

A tear spilled onto my cheek.

His eyes found me again. The desire was still burning in them but had softened. Something else was there also... concern. His thumb swept across my cheek, swiping at the tear.

"You do not understand me. I am not rejecting you, my dearest. I want you... but I made a promise I intend to honor."

I pushed his hand away. His touch was scorching. The rubies constricted harder against my throat, restricting my breath.

"It's not that," I gasped out.

I yanked at the rubies.

"I'll take my leave, Sire."

I dipped into a shallow, hasty bow. Then, I tore myself from his gaze. I heard him call out after me, like an echo that chased me down the corridors. When I finally reached the safety of my chambers, the solitude enveloped me like a cold embrace.

The fire inside my simmered and slowed. I ripped the rubies off my neck and flung them to the floor. The clasp had shattered on the hard surface. My chest widened as I inhaled deeply. I clutched my throat, savoring the chilled air. I had completed my duty to Abigail, but I would never ever approach the King's chambers again.