The Desert Princess (9 page)

I paused in my pacing. “They are quite sure of this?” Relief filled me, and my head felt suddenly too light. The room moved, though I was standing still.

Tirzah, seeming to sense my wooziness, steadied me and guided me to my couch. “As sure as anyone can be about life and death, mistress.”

A servant brought me water and I greedily drank. “This is good news. Thank you for telling me.”

Tirzah smiled. “As always, mistress.” She bid me farewell, and Inaya helped me to my bed, where I crawled beneath the covers to finally sleep. But the trauma of the night brought fitful dreams.

Throughout the coming weeks, King David's condition improved only slightly. The danger of his imminent death had averted, but the ailment had left him perpetually cold. Not even Bathsheba's body beside him could relieve him of his distress.

“The king's counselors have decided, with the king's permission,” Bathsheba told me one afternoon, “to send for a virgin to warm the king's bed. Perhaps this will help him.”

I looked sharply at my mother-in-law, trying to read her thoughts. “Are you happy with this decision?” The king had taken few wives since Bathsheba, and she was his obvious favorite of them all.

Bathsheba shrugged one shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile. “The king has assured me that the woman will remain a virgin. She will be a wife in name only.” She smoothed a wrinkle in her robe. “The king would appease his counselors.”

I nodded, but as the news settled inside me, realization dawned, making me feel suddenly sick. A king's wives passed on to the future king. If King David kept this girl a virgin, then whoever reigned after him would marry her as a true bride. Solomon still expected to rule after his father.

“Do they have a woman in mind?” I could not smile, but I had learned through years of training to hide the turmoil roiling within me.

“They have searched throughout the kingdom and have brought several candidates to Jerusalem. I will visit with each of them and choose the one best suited for the job.” Bathsheba looked at me then, and I sensed her desire to say more, but perhaps she was trying to decide whether I was ready to hear it. I knew that I was not, but I did not show it.

“You are seeking the best nurse for the king?” I could hear the politeness in my voice and prayed she did not suspect how weak I felt.

“Yes,” she said. When she did not continue, I found I could not stop myself from broaching the subject, or from erasing the fear that was growing greater within me with each passing breath.

“And a future bride for Solomon?” I felt the prick of tears sting my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away.

Her look held kindness and a certain knowing sadness. “My dear daughter, I do not wish this for you, but I know my son, and I know the pressures put on the king. He will marry to keep peace, and he
will marry to advance the kingdom. This woman, whoever she may be, will help establish Solomon's kingdom from that of his father's.”

I could not respond past the lump in my throat. Perhaps it was the changes my body had undergone with the pregnancy, or perhaps it was the fact that Solomon had stayed away since the night of his father's illness, or perhaps it was because I had hoped against hope that this day would never come. I wanted to be everything to Solomon so he would remain mine alone.

“I'm sorry, my child,” Bathsheba said, and I knew I was failing miserably at hiding my pain. She stood. “I only told you this to prepare you. The day will come. Not now. Not tomorrow. But within a year or two, perhaps longer, life will change. You have lived in a palace most of your life. Surely this does not come as a surprise?” She touched my shoulder, then knelt at my side.

I looked into her serene face and wished I were a child again without the trials of adulthood. “I don't have to like what is true,” I said, the words choked.

She patted my knee. “Would you like to come with me, to help choose the girl? I would have the final say, but I could allow you a voice.”

The thought both repulsed and tempted me. “When?”

“I am headed to the women's quarters now.”

I could not bear to see a beautiful girl who would become my rival right now. I was fighting emotion and feeling sick over such news.

“Thank you, but no. I will trust your judgment.”

She smiled and stood. “I will choose wisely, my daughter.”

I hugged her and managed to keep the tears at bay until her footsteps receded far into the palace. As I wept into my pillow, feeling sorry for myself, my father's words came to mind.

When he is too busy with his duties and the
glory of your young love fades, forgive him.

I was not sure I was ready to take such words to heart.

One night a few weeks later, after the evening's banquet where the king was conspicuously absent, Solomon offered me his arm and guided me along the halls that led to his father's rooms.

“Is something wrong, my lord?” I asked as we passed the king's gardens and stopped at one of the doors with the lion's head symbol.

Solomon smiled down at me and shook his dark head. “Nothing is wrong, my love. I wanted to pay my father a visit and thought you would like to come.”

I smiled my pleasure and gave him a slight bow. “I am honored, my husband.” I gently squeezed his arm where my hand rested. He ushered me past the guard and into the opulent quarters of the king. The heat from several braziers hit me like a wave, and it took a moment for my body to adjust to the change from the temperatures in the cooler halls. Lamps flickered in golden sconces along the walls, and the king sat huddled in blankets before one of the fires. Bathsheba sat beside him. One glance around the room showed no sign of the new wife.

I let out a breath, relieved though slightly disappointed, wanting to meet this future rival, Abishag.

“My son.” The king's voice did not hold the strength or stability it once did. Many thick blankets covered him from head to foot, and yet he shivered.

Solomon knelt at the king's side and placed a hand on his father's knee. “How are you this evening, Abba?” I loved the closeness Solomon shared with his father and prayed in that moment that my son would share the same relationship with his.

“All is well, my son.” King David smiled at Solomon, then seemed to notice me for the first time. “Is this our Naamah?” He lifted a veined hand from beneath the blankets, and I hurried forward to take it in mine. How cold it felt to my touch! I did not reveal the shock I felt at how quickly his health had taken a turn. Was it only a few months past that he had been so strong?

“I am here, my lord. I pray for you daily, that your health will return to you.”

He smiled at that and squeezed my fingers before releasing his hold and drawing his hand back beneath the covers. Movement from the shadows caught my attention as I stood, and I noticed a beautiful young woman emerge from wherever she had been hiding. She placed another blanket over the king's back, then stood above him and gently kneaded his shoulders.

Solomon took my elbow and led me to a couch near his mother while he took a chair closer to his father.

“Introductions are in order, my son,” Bathsheba said to my right. She glanced between us and inclined her head to Abishag.

Solomon pulled his gaze from watching the young woman. “Of course, Ima.” He looked at me and smiled. “Naamah, this is Abishag, my father's newest wife.”

Abishag looked up at the mention of her name and smiled at me.

“A pleasure to meet you,” I managed to say, though I narrowed my eyes, taking in every facet of her beauty, finding my own wanting. I firmed my lips in a thin line, forcing back the sudden jealousy that rose within me like a coiling snake, wanting to strike out at this woman who was a wife yet not a wife. Kind David's wife. Not Solomon's, I reminded myself, wishing I was sitting close enough to take his arm possessively in mine.

“A pleasure to meet you as well, mistress.” Abishag's voice fairly floated like the graceful movement of an eagle's wings. She smiled as she continued to massage the king's shoulders.

I did not want to watch her but could not help but be struck by her simple beauty. As the night waned, her laughter filled the room with greater warmth than the braziers, and I could not help but like her. I did not want to like her. Not when I saw the way my husband laughed with her and seemed freely at ease in her presence. His gaze moved as often to her as it did to me, perhaps more so. I was already losing him to a woman that was not even his!

This thought churned within me on our walk to my rooms as we bid the king and queen good night. Barely able to contain my jealous tears, I wondered if Solomon would even notice my mood. I fully expected him to leave me in my chambers and go to his own, but he followed me inside and scooped me into his arms, laughing.

He carried me to the bed and settled me among the cushions. “What did you think of Abishag?” he asked, surprising me.

I looked away from his intent gaze. “She makes a fine nurse for your father. She is gentle and kind. Her laughter is enjoyable.”

He cupped my chin and coaxed me to look at him. He bent low, his face close to mine. “I'm glad you like her. She will serve my father well.” He kissed me then, but I struggled to return it. He noticed and lifted his head. “What troubles you, beloved?”

I scooted backward against the wooden frame of the bed. My lower lip trembled despite the silent admonishment I gave myself not to cry. But a tear slipped down my cheek, ruining my efforts.

Solomon's expression softened, and he caught my tear with his thumb. “Tell me,” he said gently. He placed one hand over the babe and with the other drew me close. “Is this about Abishag?”

I nodded against him. “Is she to be your new wife?”

His chest lifted in a sigh, and for a moment he did not speak. At last he held me slightly away from him so that our gazes touched. “Probably.”

I swallowed this news and fought the anger that rose at his nonchalance. “Your father has not yet named you king.”

His jaw tightened, but his look never wavered. He stroked my cheek. “Naamah, a king's power is measured by the size of his harem. Marriage alliances with foreign nations are better than war. I would be unwise if I did not make such choices.” He paused. “My marriage to you, while out of love, was also such an alliance.”

His words made sense, but I could not accept them. “I will lose you to a harem.” I lifted both hands to cup his cheeks and touched my nose to his. “I want what your mother and father have. Do not make me fight for you, my husband.”

His smile took me in, and I sensed the slightest flutter from the babe beneath his hand. Wonder filled me that I felt such movement at all. Perhaps it was only my heightened awareness of my husband's nearness. He had such power over me!

“My mother and father have been through much hardship and struggle to achieve the love they share. I pray we never face such hardship.” He cupped my cheek and traced a finger along my jaw. “I love you, Naamah,” he said, kissing me. His fingers moved from my middle to sift the strands of my hair. “Never doubt that.”

I nodded against him, wishing I could promise what he wanted, but the words would not come. Instead, I returned his kiss, giving in to his desire. I would use whatever feminine charm I possessed to please him.

But he was right about war and the power of kings. I had seen enough as my father's daughter to know that truth. His words filled me with nagging doubts for our future. If I could find a way to change it, I would.

My pregnancy was now in its fifth month, and I had begun to feel movement on a regular basis. One bright afternoon when a nap beckoned me, Inaya burst into the room unannounced. She rushed to my side.

“Are you sleeping?” She touched my shoulder.

I turned to face her. “That was my intent.” I sat up slowly, not wishing to pull myself from the edge of slumber. “What has happened?” Her expression told me the news was not good.

“Adonijah has declared himself king, and King David is unaware of it!” She lowered her voice, and I knew she feared the other servants and even the birds outside my window might hear and spread the news.

I sat straighter, alarm rushing through me. “What can we do?”

Inaya looked at me a moment, then seemed to notice my state of undress and hurried to my chest and searched my garments. She pulled one of the better jeweled robes from its place and held it open for me. I stood and quickly tied the belt, then slipped into my sandals.

“We will go to the queen's rooms and see what is to become of us.” She turned, fully expecting me to follow. “Come.”

I fell into step with her, but we said little as we passed guards pacing the halls, took the stairs to the floor below, and moved silently to the queen's rooms.

“She is with the king and Nathan the prophet,” the guard told us at her door.

“We will wait inside for her then,” I said with more authority than I knew was mine to wield.

The guard seemed to consider my request but a moment, then nodded and allowed us entrance. Tirzah greeted us with a concerned look.

“Is it true?” I asked, grasping her outstretched hands.

“I am afraid it is.” Tirzah hugged me close, then led me to a plush couch. How like my Inaya she was in body and spirit! “Nathan the prophet came to tell my mistress the news. Benaiah, the captain of the king's guard, and Zadok the priest are all with my mistress in the king's chambers.”

“They are good men,” I said, daring to hope good news would come of this.

“Yes. And they favor Solomon. Joab and Abiathar have followed Adonijah.”

My hope dwindled with that news. Joab was the king's army commander and Abiathar one of the priests. Their support would lend authority to Adonijah's rule.

I sat waiting with both maids, wishing my hands had something to occupy them, when at last the door to Bathsheba's gardens opened and she entered, smiling.

“Tirzah, you must come with me!” She glanced about, seeming to see me for the first time. “Naamah! Just the person I hoped to see. Come, both of you. Solomon is on his way even now with Benaiah, Zadok, and Nathan to the Gihon to be anointed king over Israel!” Her smile melted my fear, and I jumped up to follow her. Inaya and Tirzah hurried close behind.

Guards surrounded us, and the cheers of the people erupted along the path as Solomon rode the king's own mule to the Gihon Spring. Runners ran before and behind him, and as he knelt at the water's edge, I felt a surge of pride rush through me. Water from the spring was sprinkled over him before the oil of anointing ran down his head and into his beard.

Memories of my wedding day cleansing at this very spring were close at hand. Hadn't I known we would one day share this symbol, this moment? And now at last it was reality.

The trumpet sounded, and my voice rose with the crowd as Solomon mounted the mule once more for the ride back to the palace.

“Long live King Solomon!” The ground shook with the noise.

Solomon laughed and smiled and waved to the people as he rode slowly between them. Flutists took up a festive song, and as I hurried to keep up with him, I caught his gaze. His wink felt like an intimate touch. He stopped the mule and ordered mules brought for his mother and for me, elevating our status in the eyes of all.

Life would be different now as Solomon moved from prince to king. And when the crowds disappeared, he would still be mine, and I his. His only wife and the mother of his child. I lifted my chin and kept pace with his mother all the way back to the palace.