“Yes. Can you give me a potion to rid me of it?”
“No, you must bear it. I’ve no potion to prevent the pain of healing. Besides, I’ve done too much already. Nasim will probably hear that you still live and assume I’ve delved into sorcerers’ tricks to bring that about.”
“And have you?”
“You too?” He sighed. “I’m no sorcerer, and we must try to convince Nasim of that truth. Now he’ll be more certain than ever that my treasure gives power, and I’ve no desire to battle him at present.”
“He’ll go away if you give him the golden box.” Kadar paused. “And the grail with it.”
Tarik smiled. “But then you’d have no reason to stay, and I’d be desolate if I could no longer have the pleasure of your company. No, I think we must think of another ploy to rid ourselves of Nasim.”
“We? I came here on Nasim’s mission.”
“But don’t you think a sword through the chest frees you of any promise to him? That act would sway even someone as stubborn as you.” He turned to go. “Think upon it. I’ll return tomorrow to check your progress. I think you’ll heal quickly, but one never knows with a chest wound.”
Within a week Kadar was well enough to sit up in bed. Another few days and he was taking a few halting steps around the chamber. By the second week he was prowling like a tiger and proving the impossible.
“Sit
“It’s healing well. I don’t believe there is any danger.” He paused and then said tentatively, “I think I’ll go down to the courtyard today.”
“You most certainly will not.” She pushed him down in the chair. “I’ve not worked to get you well to have you spoil everything by being impatient.”
“Is he proving troublesome?” Tarik stood in the doorway. “I suppose I could toss him over the battlements to Nasim.”
“Are you sure Nasim is still here?” Kadar asked.
“Oh, yes, I understand he’s still waiting like a hungry cobra scenting a saucer of milk.” He strolled forward. “I’ve always feared cobras. When I was a boy, it was not uncommon to wake and see a snake slithering about the floor of the hut where I lived. I learned to leave nothing about to attract them.”
“You didn’t learn that lesson well.”
Tarik chuckled. “You speak of my treasure? One must always weigh threat against value. Someday I may decide that the threat is greater than the prize, but that time is not yet. Besides, the treasure may not be the only saucer of milk Nasim is hungering after. I believe he’s curious.”
“About why Kadar is still alive?” Selene asked.
“Exactly.” He pushed aside the bandage and looked at the wound. “Not pretty, but I don’t think you need worry about him any longer, Selene. Let him go his own way.”
She felt a sense of loss that she quickly hid. “Good. I’ve no desire to put up with any more of his nonsense. He’s been a great bother to me.”
Kadar smiled knowingly. “Have I?”
She ignored him and addressed Tarik. “Will Nasim attack?”
Tarik shrugged. “Who knows what Nasim will do? He has not attacked yet. Maybe he’s waiting and watching for the right moment.”
“And you’re content to stay here and let him do it?”
“What else do you suggest?”
“I don’t care what you do. Just let us go. Kadar is still weak, and we have nothing to do with what is between you and Nasim. I escaped here once before and I could have avoided Balkir’s men. We can go over the wall again.”
“What an admirable single-mindedness you possess,” Tarik said. “You ignore everything but what you wish to protect. I’m afraid it’s not that simple.” His gaze shifted to Kadar. “Is it?”
Kadar met his gaze. “Her plan is not so bad.”
They were closing her out, Selene realized with helpless frustration. The look they were exchanging was one layered with understanding and some other emotion she couldn’t define.
“Then will you go?” Tarik asked.
“I haven’t finished what I came here for.”
“You almost died. Balkir nearly carved out your heart,” Selene said harshly. “Do you want to stay here and let it happen again?”
“It won’t happen again,” Tarik said. “I went to a great deal of trouble to keep him alive, and I don’t like to see any effort wasted. Now I consider it my duty to watch over Kadar.”
“You can’t know it won’t happen again.”
“I know that he has a better chance under my guardianship than under yours.” He added bluntly, “We both know that his wound would never have occurred if you’d not left the castle.”
She felt as if he had struck her.
“Tarik,” Kadar said warningly.
“I’ve no wish to hurt her, but I’ll not lie.”
“It was my choice to go back for her.”
“Stop defending me.” Selene swallowed to ease her tight throat. “He’s right. It was my fault. But that doesn’t mean-” Their faces were blurring before her. She couldn’t stay in this chamber without breaking down and weeping like a desolate child. “I have to go. I need-I forgot-”
She was running from the chamber and down the hall.
She had reached the staircase when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Stop,” Tarik said. “I can’t run down those stairs after you without taking a tumble. Won’t you take pity on a crippled old man?”
She didn’t look at him. “No, you don’t need my pity. Even crippled, you can keep Kadar safer than I did. You were right. It was my fault that-”
“Enough. I feel quite guilty. We both know I used those harsh words only to win my own way.”
“True words.”
“True but cruel. Now turn around and let me see if my words are easing you.”
She slowly turned to face him. “Is that why you came after me?”
“Partly. I’ve grown very fond of you. I don’t like to see you in pain.”
His words had the ring of truth, and his expression was more gentle than she’d ever seen it. “But you did it deliberately anyway.”
“Not willingly. I would never hurt you willingly, Selene.”
His tone held a note of sadness and finality that made her suddenly wary. “You said easing me was only part of the reason you came after me.”
He nodded.
“Tell me.”
“I want you to leave the castle. I’ll provide you with a guard, gold, and a way of departing here that’s much safer than the means you chose before. There’s a tunnel beneath the dungeon that ends in the woods a few miles from here. You and Haroun should reach Scotland before the winter storms.”
“I and Haroun,” she repeated slowly. “Not Kadar.”
“Kadar stays here.”
“I won’t go without him.”
“He’ll be quite safe. After you’re safely away, I’ll take him out the same way.”
“Then why not let him come with me?”
He shook his head.
“Why?”
“You made me a promise. You vowed you’d do anything I said, if I saved Kadar’s life. I saved him. Now I’m asking you to keep your word.”
