The Gaze of a King

Chapter Twenty | Pool of Blood

The last few days I have been an anxious mess. I have barely slept or eaten. I have refused visitors and stayed to myself within my chambers. The truth is, I can't get him out of my mind. There was something in his eyes that his mouth dared not utter. He tried to conceal it, but I caught a glimpse of it. 

What was it he wanted to tell me before he slipped away in the night? I wonder if I will ever see him again. He feels like the only link I have left of Uriah. After the encounter I had with my grandfather, I keep analyzing every moment with Zev and my grandfather, trying to piece something together that will make sense to me. 

When I enter the room, I'm greeted with a series of bows by servants and a warm smile by my dearest friend in the palace. Abigail rises gracefully from the chaise, her red curls spiral down the length of her hips, and meets me in the front of the room. Her soft hands grip the inside of my palm, nudging my thoughts to acknowledge the present.

"You have a faraway look in your eye. What troubles you," she asks.

Where to even begin. My grandfather had a political rival killed. He endangered Michal's life when King David turned his suspicion on her. I do not know what else my grandfather is capable of. My trust in him has been shattered. A mysterious spy is determined to be my ally. His eyes mock me with the knowledge he holds within. I never know when he comes and goes. And yet I trust him. 

I do not say any of this out loud. Instead, I press my lips firmly together. She turns, still holding my hand, and we walk together toward the pool of water in the center of the room. Servants wordlessly tend to us, unraveling each layer of clothing and jewelry cloaking our modesty.

"You miss him."

"What?" I begin to blush, feeling vulnerable that she could see through me that easily.

"Your late husband," She clarifies.

I chide myself for being so foolish. Of course, she is talking about Uriah. Not some enigmatic and charismatic soldier. I must not give him any more thought.

"Oh, Uriah. Yes. I miss him terribly."

I watch as Abigail dips the tip of her toe into the water, testing it. Satisfied with the way it feels on her pale skin she takes a step down, ankle-deep. I follow in after her. The cool water rises up my body as I descend the pool's steps. I release a sigh of relief as I plunge into the depths of the water, sinking shoulder deep. Maybe this will help me to forget everything plaguing my mind currently. 

A servant nears the edge of the pool, a fragile vase in her hands. She tips the spout forward and a sweet aroma floods my senses. The red oil oozes into the water, changing the tint to pink as it disperses throughout. I rub the water against my skin, letting it soak into my pores making me silky smooth.

I arch my back and swiftly kick my feet. I lie on the surface of the water floating, while Abigail leisurely swims around. My stomach now blooms above the surface. I rub the fragrance filled water over my belly.

We linger in this peaceful state for many minutes, letting the servants tend to us with oils of lavender or powdered mixtures derived from flowers. I came here because I knew that Abigail would be a source of comfort to me. I was right. She is like a soothing balm to my soul. The burden of the secret I carry has weighed heavily on me. I do not know what to do with the knowledge I have. I have wrestled with whether to tell King David the truth or keep the shameful secret to myself. 

As a sharp pang travels through my stomach, I instantly clutch it with my fingers. The pulsating sensation webs throughout my stomach forcing me to stand. When I look down into the water, past my breasts, I see red. The pain continues, intensifying.

"Abigail," I cry out, breaking her from her relaxed state. She lifts her head from the water and her eyes widen. She looks down into the red that is beginning to spread all around me. My breathing heightens.

"What's happening?!"

She snaps her fingers at an attendant.

"Help her," She shouts at the stunned and motionless young girl.

So much blood. I raise my hands above the water, they're now pink. Arms tug me towards the stairs, steadying me as I rise out of the pool. Dripping down my legs is a heavy stream of blood that trails behind me as I am rushed to the nearest chaise.

"Send for the physician, quickly!"

I have never heard Abigail ever raise her voice. Abigail grips my hand tightly in hers. She constantly shifts her eyes down, then back up at my face. With a gentle hand, she begins to caress my brow.

"Shhhhh," She soothes me. "Help is coming. Just hold onto me."

I try to squeeze her hand back, but I have no strength. Her face begins to blur.

"Abigail?"

Her voice seems far away like she's yelling at me underwater. Blackness begins to creep its way across the room. I blink my eyes, trying to wipe the black spots away, but they only grow. Then, they swallow Abigail whole.