The Gaze of a King

Chapter Forty- Four | Forgotten Nights

It took a few days before I was summoned to the King's chambers. I scoffed at the messenger who looked at me in terror at my response. 

"You can tell the King that the only bed I am warming tonight, is my own," I punctuated my last word by slamming the door in the messenger's face. Minutes later there was another knock at the door, but there was something different about it. It was impatient, hasty. 

"Open the door, Bathsheba," David snarled through the door. 

My maidservants eyed me warily, seemingly more concerned with my wrath than the King's. With raised eyebrows they silently questioned if they should open the door. I shook my head no. They froze. "Bathsheba, if you let me explain," he said, banging on the door in exasperation. 

"I don't want to hear any more of your lies," I shouted back. 

"It wasn't a lie. If you let me in, I will explain... But I will not do this out here in the hall for the entire court to hear us!"

 I nodded to my maidservants, and they quickly unlatched the door from the inside. David came rushing in, hot on his heels. He sent everyone in the room out. Then, made sure the doors were latched again. I stood a good distance away from him, my hands resting protectively on my bump. 

"Explain..."

He took a step towards me, but I mirrored him, taking one back. 

"The child is mine... But I did not lie to you. I understand you are upset-"

"-You do not understand how upset I am, David!"

I grabbed the closest thing I could find next to me, a brass comb used to brush my hair. I hurled it at him. He braced for it with his arms and ducked his head. It ricocheted of his stomach. He lunged at me, grabbing both of my arms and pinning them at my sides. His nostrils flared as he towered over me. I was paralyzed by the glare of his eyes. 

"Unhand me!"

"Then stop throwing a tantrum and let me finish what I had to say," He roared in a whisper. He was the only man I knew who could do that. 

I yanked my arms free from him grip. He pointed to the bed. "Sit down, before you hurt the baby."

I rolled my eyes but obeyed. He was right. Getting worked up was not good for my health or the babies. He waited for me to comply, before he started talking again. 

"It was after we lost our first... I was drinking to try to numb the pain. I do not remember her coming to me, this I swear to you. Abigail promises on her she came to offer me comfort and we shared a night together. I had to wait until I saw the babe to cast my judgement on her. You saw him, Bathsheba. His hair and eyes. He is my son. I did not lie. I just did not remember a drunken night when I was grieving our lost child."

The look in his eyes was one of betrayal. I was speechless. My anger dissolved. I left me stripped bear with nothing by my shame. 

"You're so quick to condemn me... What kind of love is that Bathsheba?"

The disappointment and hurt were palpable in his voice. He shook his head at me. I spotted a single tear slip down his cheek. He swiped at it before turning away and knocking on the door. The guards promptly opened it and he swiftly disappeared into the hall.