She knelt again on the floor by his bed and laid her cheek on his hand. “Help me, Kadar,” she whispered. “We’ve been together so long. I don’t think I can live if you die.”
He did not stir. He was so still he gave the appearance of death even now.
She shivered and then blocked that cruel thought. She must not think of death but of life. Tarik’s medicine would heal him.
If only Kadar could hold on until dawn.
Dawn came and passed. Noon came and passed.
Kadar lived but remained in that deathlike stupor.
Evening was drawing near when Tarik returned to the chamber.
“He still lives?” He came over to the bed and examined the wound. “No fester. It may be starting to heal.”
“He won’t wake up. I need more medicine to give him.”
Tarik shook his head. “It’s too strong. A deep sleep is not uncommon in these instances. He will wake when he’s ready.”
“But he will live?”
Tarik nodded. “Without question.”
Joy and relief surged through her with dizzying force. “Thank God.”
“Perhaps.” He turned to leave. “I’ll send Haroun to help you. You’ll need his assistance when Kadar wakes. I’ll return tomorrow to check his wound.” He glanced at her over his shoulder. “And get some sleep. You look worse than he does.”
“I’ll sleep when he wakes.”
“That could be days.” When she didn’t reply, he shrugged and smiled faintly. “Do what you will. I suppose a few days without sleep won’t harm you.”
She forced a smile. “If it does, you can give me some of your fine medicine.”
His smile disappeared. “No, I won’t interfere again. Harm yourself and you’ll have to do your own healing.”
She looked at the empty vial on the table. “Was it a sorcerer’s brew?”
“I thought you didn’t care, if it saved Kadar.”
“I don’t. I just wanted to know.”
“It’s no sorcerer’s brew. I have no magic powers. As a young man, I worked in a house where such medicines were used on occasion.”
“But you said Nasim sent you Kadar as a test. He clearly believes you have magical powers.”
“Does he?”
“You know he does.”
“I know he questions everything and everyone. Do you believe in magic, Selene?”
“I don’t know. I’ve seen strange things.” She straightened her shoulders. “It doesn’t matter. If magic will cure Kadar, it can’t be bad.”
He chuckled. “Always practical and clear-seeing. You’d use the devil himself if it suited you.”
“Why not?” She turned back to Kadar. “I’ll need a strengthening broth to feed him. Will you see to it?”
“I’m dismissed?” She could hear the amusement in his tone. “Yes, I’ll see to it, Selene.”
Kadar woke near dawn of the next day. One moment he was sleeping deeply and the next he was staring up at her, wide-awake.
“What’s wrong? You look terrible. Are you ill?” he whispered.
“No, you are.” She tried to subdue the joy soaring through her. He was
He thought for a moment. “Balkir.”
She nodded.
“How long ago?”
“This is the second dawn.” She shuddered. “It was a terrible wound. Everyone thought you’d die, but Tarik saved you.”
“How?”
“He had a medicinal potion that cured you.”
“And how did I come to be back here?”
“Nasim sent us back. He said he knew Tarik could save you.”
“Interesting. What else did-”
“Be silent. You must save your strength.”
“I don’t feel weak. I’m growing stronger every minute.”
“Oh, no, you’re not at all weak. That’s why you’ve slept like the dead for all this time.”
“If I’m ill, you should have the mercy to refrain from stinging me with your serpent’s tongue. It might send me into a decline.”
Did he speak truth? Dear God in heaven, she had not meant to-
“Don’t look like that. I was jesting.”
“A poor jest,” she said unsteadily.
He reached out and gently touched the delicate skin beneath her eye. “Shadows. You’re wizened and gaunt as an old woman. It would make anyone sick to gaze at that face.”
“Ungrateful oaf.”
“Go away and rest. I need someone both more pleasant to behold and more appreciative of my humor to tend me.”
She rose to her feet. “Then I’ll no longer waste my time on you. I’ll send Haroun to care for your needs.”
“For the next day and night. After that you may be recovered enough that I can tolerate you.”
“And am I to tolerate your abuse? You’re a foolish man, and I should never have suffered and labored to keep your carcass alive. I didn’t ask you to step in front of Balkir’s sword.”
“I could do nothing else.” His eyes closed. “But at the moment I’m feeling a few twinges of regret. This hole in my chest must be as big as a turret.”
She instantly frowned in concern. “Are you in pain?”
“Perhaps.” He opened one eye and smiled slyly. “Or perhaps I see no other way to hold my own with you. You cannot attack a man in such woeful straits.”
“I could.” She moved toward the door. “And I will, if you don’t behave yourself.”
“I’ll try.”
His voice was a mere wisp, and she glanced back at him with renewed panic. He looked so pale and weak. He had come so close to death, and that specter might still be hovering. “Balkir almost killed you. We were both wrong about him.”
“I knew he could be dangerous if backed into a corner.”
“And yet you wanted him to come with us. You said you would have asked for him.”
“I wanted him close.”
“Why?”
“He had to pay for what he did at Montdhu.” He didn’t open his eyes. “He hurt you…”
Tarik was standing over him when Kadar woke again.
“So you survived,” Tarik said. “I wasn’t sure you would.”
“You appear to be disappointed.”
“I’m not disappointed. I just don’t like to interfere when death comes calling.”
“Then you shouldn’t have helped me to live.”
Tarik grimaced. “I had no choice. Selene would have cut my throat if I hadn’t found a way to keep you alive. She can be very savage.”
“And that’s the only reason you saved me?”
“Perhaps. Perhaps not. I choose not to examine my motives in the matter. How do you feel?”
“Well enough.”
“Pain?”
