Jezebel by Megan Barnard

Author:Megan Barnard [Barnard, Megan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2023-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

I had not yet told Ahab about Minta killing the man in the temple, and when I was shaken awake in the early hours before the sun rose, I was momentarily afraid. Had Ahab sent someone to make me account for what had happened? But when I opened my eyes, I saw Ahab bending over me, smiling. “Get up,” he said, flicking the covers off me like a child. I hissed and tried to grab them, but he merely laughed again and crossed the room so I would have to get up to reach him. It was terribly hot, so I was sleeping naked, and I saw him still as he watched me stand and stretch. I prolonged the stretch purposely, rising to my toes and arching my back. It was pleasant to be an object of desire again. Ahab swallowed then said, “Put on traveling clothes. We’re going to be out all day.” His voice was hoarse, and I took my time getting dressed while he watched.

“But where are we going? Should I wake my maid to dress my hair?”

“There’s no point to that,” Ahab said. “Can’t you just—” He flung his hands out, and I finally realized he was gesturing for me to braid my hair away from my face.

“I could, but I want to know where we’re going.”

“I can’t tell you,” Ahab said. “It’s a surprise.”

“Tell me,” I said, so close my body rubbed against his. “I don’t like surprises.”

Ahab swallowed again, and I was sure he was about to answer me, but he only smiled again and said, “No.” He held out a hand. “Come.”

I followed him out, surprised that he hadn’t told me. It pleased me to be so thwarted. I was used to being obeyed; only Elijah had ever really told me no, and it was unexpectedly stirring coming from Ahab.

He led me through the still-dark palace to the stables, where a chariot stood. It was Ahab’s chariot, made to be fast and light in battle, but even still, it glinted with gold. It was small, with room for two people who stood close: a driver and a soldier holding a spear or bow. Horses were already hitched to it, and a single servant stood by their heads. The animals were large, with short necks and feathered hooves, and though it was still dark, I thought their coloring was pale gold. Ahab nodded to the servant at their head, took the reins from him, and motioned for me to get in. I hadn’t ever traveled by chariot, preferring a camel or my own small horse. I almost asked again where we were going, but I could tell by the slight smile on Ahab’s face that he expected it of me, so I just flicked my scarf over my shoulder and climbed into the chariot. Ahab got up behind me, and I was held in his arms as he flicked the reins.

We wove slowly through the city streets until we came out the west gate and into the valley.

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