Jezebel

Part One: 5

"Awake still?"

Jezebel turned in time to see Aqhat, a demi-god of Sidon, appear from the shadows. His back was bent, and an outline of his jagged spine jutted down the centre. The sallow leathery skin of his body was stretched tight across visible bones, and his abnormally long arms and legs were tipped with black curved talons. Jezebel loved his company.

"Aqhat," she whispered and smiled in greeting, not wanting to wake Ahab. "Sleep eludes me. I keep thinking of all that needs to be done."

Though Ahab's chamber was the grandest she had ever seen, with polished woodwork and silver furnishing, the very comfortable feathered mattress and pillows did nothing in keeping wandering thoughts away.

More portals needed to be created. A temple needed to be built. A following of devoted worshippers was also needed. The thoughts were overwhelming and exciting.

"Poor you," the demi-god said with feigned pity. He floated over the polished marble floor before settling in a plush recliner. "I am more than certain it's the excitement that kept you up."

Jezebel chuckled before sitting up. "You know me so well."

She observed Ahab's sleeping form with a small frown. They had arrived Samaria at the beginning of nightfall. Even as he slept with the sheets bunched around his waist and an arm resting carelessly above his head, dark circles still marred the skin around his eyes.

"What do the gods want me to do? I am certain that's why you are here," she said, her gaze still fixed on her sleeping husband.

"You will take a tour of the city tomorrow at noon. There is a cult, the brotherhood of Dahw. Fanatical fellows..." Aqhat dipped a long finger into his pointy ear and twisted. "...you are going to have a little talk with their leader. Don't worry about how you'd get to meet him."

"And?"

"And nothing." He pulled out his finger from his ear with a pop. After observing the green grime covering the tip of the digit, he licked it.

Jezebel didn't bat an eye at his disgusting behaviour; she had seen him do worse. "Nothing? What do you mean nothing? What am I suppose to say to this so-called leader?" She asked, her voice rising a notch.

"Careful how you speak, you don't want to wake your darling husband now, do you?" Aqhat's grin widened as he nodded in Ahab's direction.

Huffing in annoyance and rolling her eyes, Jezebel turned to Ahab. He was still very much asleep.

"Is something wrong with wanting to know more?" Jezebel stood and walked to the window. The gentle night breeze caused the curtain to flutter softly. She slapped the annoying material aside. She loved knowing, it made her feel stable, coordinated. Ashera had shared little as to the plans they had for Israel and it was most frustrating. All she felt on her inside was anticipation for what she didn't even know.

"Just do as you are told, and bring the eunuch and your personal maid along."

Jezebel bit her tongue in order to stop herself from asking 'why'. "Very well," she said instead, turning to face Aqhat with a forced smile. "I shall do as I am instructed."

"Ahh, that's more like it." He winked.

Aqhat vanished from his spot at the recliner and appeared on her side of the bed. "Such a fine man you have here." He used a long finger to trail down Ahab's chin.

"Stop touching him," Jezebel said lightly,  though on the inside she was itching to rip him off her bed. She knew Aqhat was toying with her, and the best way to make him stop whatever game he was about to play was to feign indifference.