“Balkir is in a rage.” Selene watched the captain stride about the ship barking orders. “I almost wish Nasim had told somebody else to go with us.”
“I don’t.” Kadar leaned his elbows on the rail and gazed out at the sea. “If he hadn’t given the task to Balkir, I would have asked for him.”
She turned to look at him in surprise. “Why?”
He changed the subject. “I doubt if I’ll have an opportunity to set you and Haroun free before we reach Tuscany. Balkir’s terrified of offending Nasim, and he’ll be on guard. But a chance may occur when the action begins.”
He meant when he had to find a way into Tarik’s fortress. “Nasim is mad. How can one man hope to do what an army cannot?”
“We’ll have to see. It may be possible.” He smiled mockingly. “I’ve told you before: I’m very, very good, Selene.”
“You’ll be very, very dead.”
“And then will you weep for me?”
She shook her head.
“You wept for me once.”
“I was a child and a fool.”
“A child perhaps, never a fool.”
She looked down at the water. “Don’t do this, Kadar.”
“I must. If I give him the box, he’ll leave Montdhu alone. Besides, I gave him my word.”
“A promise to that demon means nothing.”
“It does if I made it. I’ll bring him his golden box.”
She whirled on him, anger flaring. “And you’ll send me away and then go back to him.”
He lifted his brows. “But you said you wanted to leave me.”
“Stop smiling. I do want to go. Do you think the tower chamber meant anything to me? Pleasure for the moment. That was all. Now it’s over.”
“I assume that means you’ll no longer allow me in your bed?”
“I told you that I would couple with you only while it was necessary.”
“So you did.”
“And it’s no longer necessary.”
“Not to save lives, but perhaps to save souls.”
“Coupling will save your soul? I think not.”
“Coupling is a form of closeness, and closeness saves souls. Perhaps even your soul, Selene.”
“You’re talking nonsense. My soul has nothing to do with you.”
“It has everything to do with me. Just as my soul has everything to do with you.” His smile faded. “There’s a fate that guides all of us. We were meant to be together. I’ve known it almost since the first time I saw you. Sometimes fate goes awry, but not this time. You can fight it all you please, but we’ll still come together in the end.”
He believed what he was saying, and his intensity sent a ripple of uneasiness through her. Even if his talk was foolishness, she did not like the idea of being herded willy-nilly along a path decreed by any force but her own. She turned away. “Believe what you like, but it won’t be in my bed that we’ll come together.”
7
THE
“It didn’t take as long as I thought.” Selene gazed out at the gently curving coastline. “Didn’t you tell me Tuscany was far to the north?”
“This port is halfway between Rome and Tuscany. We’ll have to find horses and supplies to purchase. We go overland from here.” Kadar took her elbow and urged her toward the gangplank. “There’s no port near Sienbara.”
“That will make it harder to escape with the treasure. There’s sure to be a pursuit.”
“Perhaps.”
“You know there will be.” Her gaze narrowed on Kadar’s face. “What are you thinking?”
He smiled. “Only that someone has to lead a pursuit.”
She shivered as she realized what he meant. “You’ll kill this Tarik?”
“It would be the safest thing to do.”
“No.”
“He evidently had no compunction at slaughtering Nasim’s men.”
“That’s different. They were trying to steal from him. Just as you’re trying to do.”
“How do you know he didn’t steal this treasure first?”
“It doesn’t matter what he stole or didn’t steal. I won’t have your soul tainted by committing murder.” Her tone became fierce. “Do you hear me? I want your promise.”
“And what would you do if I refuse to give it?”
“You won’t refuse. You know I’m right.”
“But that’s no reason for me to hold my hand. Shall I tell you how seldom in my life rightness has had anything to do with what I’ve done?”
“You’re not like that any longer. Give me your promise.”
He held her gaze for a long moment. “Why does it matter to you?” he asked softly.
She glanced hurriedly away from him. “Why do you think? If you kill, you’ll be doing what Nasim wants you to do. I won’t give him that victory.”
He chuckled. “That’s not the only reason. Will you never tire of trying to-”
“Think what you like. I’ve told you my reason. Now give me your promise or I’ll be the one who goes to the castle to steal that treasure.”
“By God, you’d do it.” All trace of humor had vanished from his tone. “You’re to stay away from that castle. Do you understand?”
“Your promise.”
He muttered a curse. “Very well, I won’t kill him unless I find it absolutely necessary. That’s all you’ll get from me.”
It was all she could expect. She had no desire to tie Kadar’s hands if it meant robbing him of defense. Besides, she wasn’t at all sure she wouldn’t take action herself under those circumstances. Best not to pursue the subject. “How long will it take to get to Sienbara?”
“If the road is good, a week of hard riding.”
Her pace quickened. “Then let’s find those horses. I wish this over.”
Selene shivered. “It looks very strong.”
Sienbara Castle was perched on one of the highest hills in the Tuscany countryside. Though small, its stone walls and moat were as impressive as any she’d seen. Even the windows were well situated. She had watched Ware build his castle and knew the value of correctly positioned windows for the loosing of arrows.
Kadar’s gaze was on the castle. “You’re frightened. Why? It’s less formidable than Nasim’s fortress.”
It was true. Maysef had been a ghost fortress surrounded by stark mountains. Sienbara was merely a small, well-guarded castle surrounded by lovely rolling countryside. She didn’t know why she was feeling this disturbance. Her uneasiness had erupted like a dormant volcano the moment she caught sight of Sienbara.
Kadar met her gaze. “I feel it too,” he said quietly.
