Kadar affected indifference. “I wouldn’t think he would bother to confide something so unimportant.”
“You know Sinan told me everything. I decided what was unimportant. How was she at coupling, Kadar?”
He stiffened. “Ordinary.”
“She is too bold to be ordinary.” Nasim turned his back and walked over to the window. “You may go.”
Kadar stared at his back for a moment longer. By God, he didn’t want to go and leave this conversation unresolved. He knew Nasim had deliberately dropped Selene into the conversation hoping to destroy his composure. He had succeeded.
“Sinan told me he wanted to sample her when she was a child and you stopped him,” Nasim said.
“She was ordinary then. She’s ordinary now. Beneath his notice.” He paused. “And beneath your notice.”
“We will see. I will think upon it.” Nasim’s tone held a note of finality.
Kadar had heard that tone many times before. There was no use trying to speak to him any more right now. He turned on his heel and left the chamber.
____________________
“What does he want of you?” Selene asked as soon as Kadar walked into her bedchamber.
“He didn’t tell me. I only know it involves a journey to bring him a great treasure, a treasure beyond price. He’s waiting for a messenger. He said it may be a week or two before he gets word.”
“A treasure beyond price,” Selene repeated. “What would that devil consider beyond price?”
Kadar shrugged. “I have no idea, but whatever it is, he wants it badly.”
“And we have to stay here?”
He nodded.
Her hands clenched into fists. “Is there nothing we can do?”
“Escape?” He shook his head. “I must do the task he sets me, or everything I won from him will be lost.”
“And you hate to lose.”
“So do you. Particularly when it affects the people you love.” He crossed to the window and looked down at the courtyard below. “I must stay with you in this chamber. It’s not safe for you to be alone.”
She stiffened.
“Don’t fight me on this. We’ve shared a chamber before and for the same reason.” His tone was abstracted. “I’ll make a pallet on the floor.”
“It’s necessary?”
“Without question.”
“Then, of course, I’ll permit it.”
“I won’t inflict my presence on you overmuch. Nasim will allow me the freedom of the fortress and the countryside.”
“But not me or Haroun.” It was a statement.
“Haroun can be allowed limited freedom. It’s not safe for you to leave the chamber.”
But Kadar would be wandering among these assassins and would often be in Nasim’s presence. The thought chilled her. She said lightly, “You need not think I will permit you to abandon me. I will not suffer boredom here any more than I would on the
He smiled faintly. “Oh, must I?”
“Yes, and I need something else to wear. I’m weary of these rough garments. Fetch me cloth and needle and thread. And I may wish you to help me with them.”
“You want
“Are you too proud?”
“Pride? I’ve set myself to humbler tasks, but I find it unusual you would require my aid.”
She shrugged. “You are here. You might as well help.”
“Anything else?”
“Not now. Perhaps later.”
“I’ll journey forth immediately on the quest.” He turned and headed for the door. “Bolt the door and open it only to me.”
She leaned her forehead against the wood of the door after she had bolted it behind him. Everything was going amiss. She had meant to keep Kadar at a distance, but she had been forced to draw him closer. Well, it was only for the short time she was here.
She would
5
“SWEET MARY,” Kadar swore softly as he stabbed the needle viciously through the soft muslin. “You will not be able to wear this gown. It’s stained with the blood of a thousand pinpricks.”
“It’s brown.” Selene bent to stir the fire in the hearth before settling back on her stool. “The blood will hardly show at all.”
He scowled at her. “I have no liking for this task. Why must we sew in the evening as well? I might survive if I could see what I was doing.”
“The fire gives adequate light. We’ve only completed one gown. I need another.”
His gaze suddenly lifted from the cloth. “Do you? I think not.”
“Why else would I go to this bother? Do you think I like hearing you curse and moan over a little pinprick?”
“A
“Nonsense. Your vanity is out of all bounds.”
He looked at her, waiting.
“Why should I wish to keep you with me? You curse and moan and I must show you stitches that a babe would learn in the cradle.”
“You’re trying to annoy me.” He smiled. “But I would never be so ungallant as to show anger to my savior.”
“Savior? I don’t know what you mean.”
“We’ve never talked about it, but you know. You’ve always been my savior.” His gaze shifted to the flames. “It’s so easy to walk the dark path. Easy and exciting. And once you’ve tried it, you always want to go back. It’s like the first scent of hashish. You want more.”
“But you didn’t want more. You left here.”
“Because I didn’t want to be like Nasim. I could see myself being drawn deeper and deeper… Life has never treated me with any particular kindness, and I
“Nasim is evil.”
“Yes, but then, so am I. Most men have a wicked streak.”
“You’re not evil. You may be witless and unfair, but you’re not like him.”
“Part of me is. But I can control it, if I have reason to fight him.” His gaze shifted from the fire to stare directly into her eyes. “You give me reason, Selene.”
His dark hair shimmered in the firelight, and his eyes…
Dear God, she was melting. She wanted to reach out and touch him.
She would not be drawn like this. She would not be hurt again.
She tore her gaze away. “Then find another reason. I won’t be responsible for your virtue or lack of it.”
“You can’t help yourself.” He smiled. “Why else am I here suffering grievous wounds? You don’t trust me enough to let me out of your sight.”
“I can help myself. I just choose to-Haroun and I have no one else in this horrible place. It’s only sensible to-
