"Israel to Persia" by Jordyn F.

From across the room she noticed the stare. The stare that was transfixed on her face, inviting her imagination to run away with her yet again. She told herself to never entertain those thoughts. This path she was on was the one she chose. If only he knew! Delilah rose from her place next to Ava, to return to her chambers. Partly to escape his scrutiny, which made her feel a longing she hadn’t felt since she had left Israel.

   Although she had walked in the opposite direction from Cyrus she was taken by surprise as he stepped right in front of her just before she was to exit the room. Her breath caught and she took a step back only to hit one of the servants holding a tray of Yokheh. She would have fallen further had not Cyrus caught her. His hand wrapped around her waist and she was suddenly in his arms. He could only see her eyes, thank God. She now wore her usual head-garments. Her face, if seen, would have been bright red. She quickly regained her composure.

“ Thank you, my lord”, she gave in the most unassuming voice she could find. Never more aware of the difference in her voice, and how it now sounded since the accident.

He gave a slight gesture towards the corner she had just left, “ You are Laru’s assistant, are you not?”

She did not know whether to try a lie or accept the fact he already knew.

“ Yes that is I.”

“What is your name?”

“ Delilah, my lord.”

“ Do you live here in the palace with the other maidservants?”

He thought her a maidservant!

“ My Lord I am a part of the centennial council, thus I live with the ladies in court.” What an offense that was to her. Were her garments that unappealing? She was clearly sitting with the other women of the Court. Why would he, in the first place, want to leave the presence of the King to come speak with her? And secondly, to ask the name of a maidservant, which was what she seemed to him.

“My apologies, I had assumed such from the chance of seeing you depart from the East side of the palace more than twice daily. “

He has seen her come and go from Asters room? Why must this conversation vex her so much?

“My cousin Aster resides there.”

“ Ah I see.”

There was not much more said between them. She was desperate to escape his presence. His composure threw her off. She had not talked to him in more than two years. So she said the formalities of goodbye and turned the corner to the chambers to retire for the night.

As the sun rose Delilah exited the palace to the gardens where she was to study Laru’s latest pieces. She sat for an hour attempting to focus on the illustrious descriptions of the new Persian provinces. She gave up after her mind wandered for the 10^th time to the encounter she had the night before with the man she had left her heart with in Israel.

As she looked up Ava approached her. She had that grin on her face that made Delilah’s stomach feel uneasy. It usually meant she knew something of importance, or some type of mischief that Delilah didn’t know.

“Delilah I have news.” She sat on the bench and started twiddling the sleeve of her dress.

“What is it?” always a pause for dramatic effect.

“The queen wants you to travel to Nayum on business with her. You are to have some of the most important family members of the Persian Empire escort you. I would love to have gone but my duty is to stay with Laru, while you are absent from court. Oh what a privilege to be able to go at this time of year! With the addition of the queen personally asking you to go.”

Delilah for once was joyful over the news brought to her. She had heard Nayum was one of the most beautiful Provinces. And the work while traveling would be light. She needed a break from the constant work she was surrounded by here in the palace. Not to mention the women, who although were very nice to her, were rather tiresome to live with.

That night the queen called her to a private meeting to discuss the details of the work she was to do. Two days later she was ready to go. Many of the men and women in her party she had known for years so the familiar faces were eagerly received the morning of. Aster her cousin had come to assist Delilah. She had requested her as a maidservant, as she usually does whenever given the option, so as to spend more time with her.

Aster was eager,” What are we waiting for? We are on business and it need not be delayed.”

Delilah gave her a smile and assured her,” We will soon be on our way, I believe we are waiting for two other men to arrive, I do not know whom.”

As soon as she said so two men came from around the corner. One a face Delilah did not recognize, the other Cyrus.

He immediately made eye contact with her, before she turned away she thought she saw a look of surprise in his eyes, and then a look of pleasure.

He went straight to his horse, mounted and spoke to the party, “ We have quite a long journey together so make sure all your belongings are loaded, and lets start.”

Delilah looked away, and got in her caravan wondering to God why he was so suddenly involved in her life. And why he seemed to be interested in who she was at all. Especially since she was technically just a stranger to him still. Little did she know Cyrus was watching her walk away, wondering the same thing.