Glorious Companions by Summer Lee

Author:Summer Lee [Lee, Summer]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2010-10-20T14:00:00+00:00

* * *

Kenana was so lonely. Asher was often late for meals. She had a void in her heart, and had never found anyone who could fill it. She had once thought it was Asher, but he was not the romantic she’d imagined. They had never shared the type of true intimacy for which she longed endlessly. She knew she should not look outside her marriage for sexual satisfaction, and she had tried not to. She chose to spend more time with her husband instead. Maybe that would work in time.

Now, she sat alone in the dining hall nibbling on fruit. The table before her was laden with plates of honeyed grapes, figs stuffed with goat cheese and slices of ripe melon.

A maid came in and said, “The king has returned.” She placed the plate of smoked fish and cooked vegetables on the table just as Asher entered the room.

As usual, the king lifted Kenana’s hand to his lips, and kissed it. He sat in the armed chair across the table from her, as befitted a king.

“This looks delicious!” Asher stated as he began to fill his plate. “How did you fare today?” he asked.

Kenana dropped her head. “My mind is racing with many thoughts.”

“What is the problem, my dear?” Concerned, Asher drew a deep breath and frowned.

“I am having more trouble with our daughter,” she said, looking into his face. “She is sneaking around the palace to avoid me.”

Asher stared at her in surprise. “What could she have possibly done wrong that she hides from you?”

Kenana’s arms were crossed tightly across her chest. Her jaw squared. “She met a servant boy today and was flirting with him.”

“That’s it? That’s what upsets you?” Asher uttered a short laugh. “Where is he from?”

She held her lips tight. “He came from Babylon with a new cook that Tyro hired. The boy is her son.”

He threw her an indulgent smile. “Get rid of the cook. That seems easy enough.”

“I cannot do that. She’s proving to be a good worker,” said Kenana. “It’s Rachael’s fault. So, why punish the cook?”

“Then punish Rachael for flirting with a servant. She knows better than that.”

“How shall I punish her?” Kenana asked.

A bewildered look formed on his face. “She is a good child. This is a minor problem. Why are you so upset and making a small thing into something so serious?”

“I want to protect her from boys. I’d send her away if I had a place to send her.” Tears rushed to her eyes. “My father’s farm would not work, and Tall’s place is so far away. She has never been away from here.”

“We can take her someplace to keep her away from the Nephilim, but not from boys,” said Asher. “Boys are everywhere. You have sheltered her far too much. She doesn’t know how to handle their attentions. Is he such a bad boy?”

“The boy may be in trouble. One of the elder’s magistrates was here to see him today,” said the queen.

“Trouble? Whatever for?”

“Their former mistress, Lady Rita, was found dead and he came to question them both.

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