The sensation of my chest constricting causes my breath to hitch. My heart sinks with the gnawing realization that something bad is about to happen. My head swirls. I suddenly feel dizzy.
Why does the king want to see me?
I take a clumsy step backward and immediately realize my mistake.
The rounded black eyes of the guard, whose bulky shoulders stretch from both sides of the door frame, send a chill through me. His thick hand smacks against the wooden door as he pushes into my house.
"What does the King want with me?"
"You have been summoned by your King. You will come with us one way or another, either by your own free will or by force."
I look past his bulging shoulders and pleadingly into a softer pair of eyes behind him. The eyes of the guard standing outside widen as he looks at me with sympathy.
"Stop, Judas. You are scaring her," His silky, warm voice speaks- a complete contrast to his comrade's.
The scuffle of timid feet steals the deathly stare of Judas away from my face and to the stairs behind me. I peer over my shoulder and see my maidens. Their faces are rigid with fear and uncertainty. I tighten my lips as I try to force a convincing smile. I don't want them to be alarmed. They are under my care and protection. I will not have them involved in this.
"Judas," The kinder soldier calls from the doorway. His voice seems to coax Judas from glaring at my servants. I am filled with relief. He gradually makes his way back toward me and seems to forget all about my frightened ladies. The air stings my nostrils as I breath in a stiff breath. Judas coils his hand around my arm. The pressure provokes a groan of pain from my lips.
I struggle in vain to wrench my arm from his repulsive hold on me, but he only turns his attention to the soldier blocking the doorway and begins to yank me forward with each lengthy step he takes. The wind nips at my skin as I stumble into the night glazed streets.
And I am whisked away against my will by two soldiers of the King- one reluctant and the other stone cold.
~*~*~*~
After being led to the palace by the same guards I was quickly escorted by palace servants through the corridor. I was then rushed up several stairs and unfamiliar hallways. No one said a word to me. An ominous spirit seemed to hang onto the servants I encountered. With every step I took I could not discard the nagging question inside my head.
Why does the king want to see me?
Now I am standing alone in a rather expansive room. Curtains the color of ripe pomegranates drape from the ceiling and droop in a circular motion around the borders of the walls. A rather large and luscious bed stares mockingly at me. As if it knows something I don't. Something glistens among all the gold objects strewn across the smooth floor. I take a hesitant step forward and squint my eyes to better make out what it is. I realize it is a harp of gold.
Everything comes together in an instant. The gold, the harp, the bed, and the extravagance are clues to where I am. This is the King's private chambers.
"Bathsheba," A warm voice grumbles lowly.
I turn around. As I take in the chiseled features of my King I notice his red, wavy hair has grown longer since the last time I saw him. His pink lips spread in a kind smile, but my stomach churns inside of me. I sink to my knees and lower my cloth covered head. My eyes drift to the floor but are jerked upward when he brushes a finger against the bottom of my chin.
He forces me to meet his brilliant eyes. I gulp down the uncertainty forming in my throat.
"Your highness?"
"You are so beautiful," He whispers into the air between us.
I cough, clearing my throat, but inwardly urging him to back away. His eyes level with mine with such an intensity that I cannot look away. He does not understand my signal of discomfort. Either that or he does not care. He tilts his chin and begins to lower his head closer to mine. My lips are clearly reflected in the pupils of his eyes.
The lust in them is unmistakable. I press my palm into the silky material enveloping his whole being. Instead of being dissuaded he clasps his hands around mine and continues to edge his lips closer to mine.
"Uriah-" I spew gracelessly.
He leans back and narrows his eyes on me. His face is filled with confusion.
"What about him?"
His fingers slide across the top of my hand as he loosens his grip. I breath in a shaky breath as he takes a step away from me. I want nothing more but to escape his burning gaze. His intentions are not pure. But he is no ordinary man. He is my King. His word is law. With one word he can end my life. How can I say no to him?
"You are an astonishing woman, Bathsheba. You have made me -a king- desire to live the life of an ordinary man."
"It is not right to envy," I say, hoping that my voice doesn't break.
"Then God has surely done me a great injustice. Why would he make such an incredible woman only to frustrate and fill me with rage?! What am I to do then? Live with this nagging desire or quench it and return to my senses?"
My skin tingles at the faint touch of his finger tips brushing the skin of my neck. I stifle a shudder.
"My husband has always served you faithfully. If you have your way with me I cannot stop you. You are my king and my very life is in your hands. But I will be free from this sin and it will rest on your head."
His eyes darken as he stands in front of me again. He leans in towards me. His breath skims the tip of my nose.
"Then let me taste my sin," He says before his lips consume mine.
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