The Queen of Sheba by Jill Eileen Smith

Author:Jill Eileen Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction;FIC042030;FIC042040;FIC027050
ISBN: 9781493400201
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2017-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

I left my rooms the following dawn to walk among Solomon’s vast gardens. I would meet with Hadi in a few hours to plan our return trip to Sheba, and the thought saddened me, for I had yet to resolve the second greatest dilemma of my life—what to do with the desires of my heart. Would Elohim be happy with me going against the protocol of my people just because of my longing for love?

I glanced heavenward, silently praying for wisdom, but at the same time realizing with certainty that I would return to Sheba, choose a child, adopt her, and go on as my life had always been. I would spend my life teaching my people of Solomon’s God, the true God. My God. That realization overshadowed everything, even the longing for love.

“You enjoy walking in this place.”

I startled at Solomon’s voice, for in all of the time I had spent in his visitors’ quarters, he had come to my door only once. I had never seen him walk these gardens.

“And you do not.” I turned slowly to face him, head high, fearing that he would see my heart pounding in my chest. His presence had a way of setting my emotions to flight.

He stepped closer. “That is not true. I love this place.” He waved his hand to encompass the gardens before reaching for mine. “It is just that I have my own gardens closer at hand, and unfortunately, time consumes me with obligations that do not include visits here.”

“But you are here now.” I tilted my head, searching his gaze, feeling the strength of his hand on mine. Should I pull away? Why had he come?

“Yes.” He smiled, though it held less confidence than I normally saw in him when he stood before his courtiers and counselors and servants and the hundreds of people who sought him daily. “I heard you are thinking of leaving.”

I lifted a brow. “My servants must learn to keep their tongues from wagging.”

“Were you not going to tell me?” His tone sounded almost petulant.

“Of course. I was simply planning my course for our return. We cannot overstay our welcome.” I squeezed his hand, and he intertwined our fingers. I did not stop him.

“You could never overstay your welcome.” He searched my face. “I have thought much on your desire, and I must admit, you pose a great dilemma.”

“My desire?” I had not expected him to consider it again after our brief talk weeks before.

“To marry.” His look held its own desire, and I felt a strange flutter in my middle.

“I told you before, that is impossible.”

“I have thought about it from many angles.” He stroked his beard and walked with me along the garden path. “If you marry, you must marry someone of your rank, which means you must marry a king. But if you did so, you would be joining your kingdom with his, and he would become the ruler of all. You would end up a queen like my wives are queens, not the leader of your people.

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