When I awoke the next morning, the first thing my eyes caught a glimpse of was the ruby necklace I had broken the night before. The clasped had been fixed. I lifted it from my pillow to examine it further. It was good as new. King David was nowhere to be seen. He did not leave even a trace that he had spent the night here before. Before I even had the chance to rub the sleep from my eyes my maidservant entered the room announcing I had a visitor. My grandfather rushed in without even a proper greeting.
"I have heard reports that King David spent the night here with you. Is it true child?"
I slipped out from my blankets, my feet bracing against the cool tiles. My grandfather's hands were clasped in front of him, fidgeting as he awaited my reply.
"Why does it matter, Grandfather?"
He scoffed incredulously.
"Do not play these games, Bathsheba. Your beauty will not last forever. It will not save you when Michal's heir takes the throne, and she plots for your exile or worse your execution! The only thing that will guarantee your survival is an heir."
"I had an heir!"
Rage and grief boiled to the surface unchecked. My fists tightened into balls.
"Do not speak to me as if my son was just a pawn in some game of power you all play. I have no stake in these games. I did not choose this life; it was chosen for me! Spare me the pretense you scheme to spare my life, the life you scheme for is your own. Now, leave."
He stuttered, eyes widened in shock at my unabashed candor, searching for a response. When he could not find one, he stormed out of my chambers, sandles shuffling against the tiled floor. When he was gone, I unclenched my fists. I winced at the sight of my palms. They were bleeding from where my nails had dug deeply into my skin.
*~*~*~*~*~
After I ate and was dressed for the day, and my hands washed and bandaged, I decided fresh air was the only thing that could cure my soured mood. I headed for the gardens. The flower-scented air combined with the warm sun rays filtering through the clouds was instant medicine to my soul. A tiny smile tugged at each corner of my lips. I closed my eyes and basked in it for a lengthy moment.
"It is good to see you smiling," a familiar voice spoke, breaking me from my sun cast spell.
I did not give him the pleasure of turning around to face him. I kept my eyes shut, smile unphased by his presence.
"Have you come to ruin my mood too?"
"Who ruined your mood," He asked, genuine concern etched in his voice.
"It is of no consequence."
"Shall I order their execution for you?"
He chuckled breathily. I could hear his footsteps crunching in the grass as he maneuvered around me. I ripped eyes open. The smug childish grin on his face revealed his motives.
"That got you to finally look at me."
I swatted at him and rolled my eyes. He caught my arm in his hands. I could have wrenched my arm away, but I was paralyzed by his eyes. My chest heaved as I felt his warm breath graze my bottom lip. That fire re-sparked in the pit of my stomach. He held his gaze, patiently waiting to see what I would do. I held all the power. The promise he made to me held him back. Why was I not repulsed by him, as I used to be? The possibilities to that question frightened me.
"Are you afraid of me?"
I sucked in a sharp breath through my teeth.
"You're trembling..."
His eyes moistened with regret, and his grip on my wrist softened. I dropped my arm from his grasp, and it fell to my side. He gave me one last lingering glance before walking away.
"Wait," I mutter softly. So soft I doubted he even heard me. When his footsteps slowed gradually to a halt, I knew he had. I hesitated, searching for the words. My chest was heavy from the weight of words unsaid. If I did not speak my mind now, it would crumble.
"I am afraid of many things... I am afraid of being with child again. I am afraid something terrible will happen to me. I am afraid I will lose myself completely if the worst happens. I am afraid to betray Uriah- again. But most of all I am afraid of this burning desire that has begun to sprout inside of me when I began to recognize you as the shepherd boy who became King... not the King who lost himself to pride."
I inhaled a shaky breath, overcome with the relief of my confession. Words once spoken could never be taken back. He slowly turned on his heels, as if I were a deer and he were afraid he would startle me away if he moved too hastily.
"Nathan's words are from God. He has prophesied our future. This child shall live, Bathsheba. You are my wife now. However, it came to be that way- you are my wife."
The space obliterated between us once more. He cupped my face with his calloused hands. With gentleness he caressed my cheeks with his thumbs.
"And I am your husband."
His answer was clear, though he used few words. Uriah was dead. The betrayal was over. David had received his judgment and would continue to for the rest of his life. We belonged to each other now, no matter how we got here.
"Will you come to my chambers again tonight, Husband?"
YOU ARE READING
The Gaze of a King
Historical Fiction*Sacred Crowns- Book 2* Her whole life she had been called beautiful. Glances and envious eyes were always cast her way. But never had Bathsheba expected to catch the eye of her King. And never in her wildest imaginings did she anticipate the trage...
