Jezebel

Part Two: 7

Elijah killed them all. The priests had fled down the mount but the people had pursued upon the prophet's command. None was to escape. Ahab had followed with his generals flanked around him and they had all watched as the prophet doled his sentence. Ahab knew it in his heart that it was justice being met but he still cringed internally. Showing disgust at the bloodbath would not do. He was a king and a king was to show no weakness.

As more priests of Baal and Asherah met a bloody end, Ahab thought of his wife. Jezebel would be furious. He was beginning to not care more and more as the days went by.

Elijah walked over, and as he came he wiped the blood off his hands with a rag. "Go and enjoy a good meal. I hear a mighty rainstorm coming."

Those around Ahab mumbled at the statement but one stern look from the prophet was enough to shut them up. After a nod of acknowledgement, Ahab turned his horse and rode to the palace with his men in tow.

A feast was exactly what he needed. It was a long time since hope had touched his heart.

***

"WHAT." Red flashed and a buzzing sound filled her ears. "You said what?" Jezebel asked again, voice dropping to a quiet icy tone. Her messenger trembled, his lanky build causing her to paint visions of violence that involved snapping him in half.

"M-my queen, it's the—Elijah. He killed them."

"And the king?" Jezebel stalked over, her sandalled feet stopping close to where his knees touched the floor. "Was he present when they were slaughtered?"

"He oversaw it, my queen."

Jezebel exhaled slow, eyes misting over. She was losing Ahab... she could feel it like a rent in her soul.

Bending at the waist, she placed a hand on the messenger's sallow cheek and swept a thumb across the bridge of his nose like she normally did her son. He stared up at her, eyes wide with terror. "You should have driven a blade through your own heart than bring me such distressing news."

"P-please. They cast a lot on who was to deliver the news. It fell on my name."

Jezebel could almost smell the fear oozing off him. His trembling only made her want to end his life more. Mouse—the man reminded her of a mouse. "Well then"—she let her hand drop as she straightened—"It is your lot to die this night, the means is inconsequential. Rasaque."

The servant walked over, his hulking mass blocking out the light from the lamp on the left wall.

"Take care of... this."

Jezebel walked over to the recliner that sat next to her window. As she settled in, she glanced down at the palace grounds, watching invitees flock in. Ahab had ordered a feast. The tear in her soul ripped a little more.

With her inside boiling like a magma, she thought up creative ways to end Elijah. Maina and Rasaque were out of it. The prophet had already proven to be stronger than them—

A sharp cry drew her attention. White foam bubbled past the messenger's fast darkening lips as the length of his body twisted at an impossible angle. Jezebel watched, all the while imagining it was Elijah writhing and moaning as he shrivelled into a lifeless husk. Oh, the thought of it. She shut her eyes, basking in the vivid picture she painted for a moment—just a moment—then she snapped her eyes open.

"Take him away."

Both servants hadn't left for long before there was a knock at the door. Just from the sound of it, she knew it was Ahab.

***

When she opened the door, Ahab took her in in one glance before walking into her chambers. Several lamps were lit and incense burned at every windowsill. But even with all that scent in the air, another smell lingered that just wasn't right. He huffed a breath.