I was horrified to see how Solomon had deteriorated over such a little amount of time. I guess it is true what is said a broken spirit drieth the bones.

I went up to him and gently touched him feeling for fever, "Solomon." I said sadly, and went to do the evening chores Abishag had been doing. It was like Solomon had been deliberatly denying himself of his needs because he had sinned against his God and me and he realised it.

"Amari!" he sat bolt upright in bed, "You are here!"

"I am here," I said, still abit unwilling to be here, "Your brother told me to come to you."

"I am glad!" he said and hugged me, I did not return the hug as I was still hurting. "Amari, I am sorry, I was wrong, but as King I can not go back on my word. Even if I am wrong."

"Solomon, it is not for me to judge you, it is God. Are you happy you have done the right thing before him?" I question.

Solomon drew back then, and collapsed a little in on himself, "You are correct, I do not think he would be happy about me doing this. But even so I do not know how to undo it."

"That is your problem now," I said, "Now here, eat this." offering him some food that had been especially prepared for how he was now.

He took it from me and continued to be a good patient. At the end of the meal he asked, "Amari, I have no right to ask this of you, but would you sleep with me tonight, here?"

I look into his eyes and see only sincerity and hope shining out, "Ok," I nodded, "IF this is what you wish."

"I wish it!" he smiled, light and energy shining in his eyes.

"I will be right back then," I said picking up the now empty tray, to return it back to the kitchen to clean up.

"Leave it," Solomon grabbed my arm, as if he was worried I would not return.

"I cannot, it would invite ants to move into your chambers, and that I could not abide," I saw Solomon's face darken with worry, maybe he truly was worried I would not return, "I will not be long, just rest."

"I understand, and I await your return with bated breath. You are the only person I mind waiting on," Solomon said it with such seriousness, I could not help but blush, as I knew no-one was allowed to make the king wait.

"I- I will be back," I said a final time before scurrying away to the kitchen and then Abishag's room to gather my things. Where upon I was suddenly violently sick. So sick I could not move, "Abishag, Solomon is waiting on me," I gasp out as I empty the contents of my stomach again that morning. I felt like I was dying, but the smell of eggs frying made me sick. I wondered at it eggs had never made me feel this way before.

"Do not worry, I will go explain," Abishag said, "But as soon as you feel better you better go to him."

"I will," I nodded as I dry retched trying to get rid of whatever was left in my stomach. My stomach problems continued until about the mid afternoon when the sickness left and I was then filled with the urge to eat Apples and cheese. So I went to the kitchens, got some apples and cheese, enough for two, and headed to Solomon's rooms.

When I entered a rather frazzled Abishag looked up at who was entering, and seeing me her face was filled with relief, "Solomon, stop stressing, Amari is here." and she got up and hurried over, "Thank God you are here," Abishag said quietly so only I could hear her, "I never thought I would say this about Solomon, but just now while he was waiting for you to come back, I was wanting to wring his neck with all the drivel that came out of his mouth. Mostly that he had made you so sick of him that you had become sick to stay away."

"Well I hope you set him right on that!" I objected, "I would most definitely been here. I do not know why I got so sick and all of a sudden too."

"I know, I will go now and leave you to him," Abishag looked a bit tired then.

So, I balanced the tray I was carrying and gave her a hug, "Thanks Abishag for everything."

I let her go and faced towards Solomon who was still lying facing away from the door. "Has he eaten anything?"

"Not since you fed him this morning. I tried to get him to eat but he was not interested. I think he is worried that he hurried you too much," Abishag confided in me.

"I will see if he will share this with me then," and went to the massive bed and walked around the other side and stood on it so I could sit cross-legged on it while facing Solomon. "Solomon, would you share this with me?" I asked him.

For a minute he thought I was Abishag, "No I am not hungry Abishag."

"Don't be silly Solomon, I am not Abishag and you must eat. It is only very light, and considering how my stomach feels right now after vomiting all morning, I am pretty sure you can manage at least one of these apples with cheese." I scolded him, causing him to open his eyes to assess who it was who was with him on his bed.

"Amari!" he said with surprise, life seemingly flowing back into his body as he sat up. "I thought you were not coming back."

"I said I would, I just was too sick. The basin has been my friend since I left you. I seem to be ok now. Maybe I ate something that was off and did not realise, I do not know. Anyway, I am here now. Lets eat!" and I started peeling, coring and cutting the apples. When I had finished I asked Solomon to say a blessing over the food, so he did.

"Thank you lord for this food and for your continuous care. May your peace and love rest on this table and all who are here," He had his head bowed for the blessing and when he had finished speaking we ate.

The food was perfect for how my stomach was feeling and I could see Solomon had improved himself too, so much so I wondered what he was going to do. "Solomon, are you going to be staying here or what are you going to do now?"

"I think I will stay here with you, if that is alright with you?" Solomon asked my permission to stay with me.

"That's fine, I think we have been away enough from each other, lets enjoy this after noon together," I said, and we did.

"Tomorrow I have to start teaching those classes," Solomon reminded me, "Did you want to still come?"

"Yes please!" I said enthusiastically, suddenly excited for the morrow, imagining the things I had to prepare for the class so that it was not obvious a woman was listening to the lesson.

🍀A/N Please vote if you enjoyed this chapter. If you see any errors please let me know as this is unedited. 🍀