Iris Johansen - The Treasure

Layla woke in the middle of the third night. Her gaze flew to Selene’s pallet.

Empty.

She muttered a curse and threw back her blanket. Idiot. She should never have nodded off. It was her duty to protect Selene. Who knew where she’d wandered-

Selene was standing in the entrance of the cave, staring out into the darkness.

Layla heaved a sigh of relief before getting up and moving to stand beside her. “You should go back to your pallet. You need your rest.”

“Soon.”

It was the first word she had spoken in days, but Layla’s relief was short-lived. Selene’s tone was quiet, contained, with no hint of her former passion and agony. It was not natural, and it made Layla distinctly uneasy. “You need to sleep. You’ve not slept for a long time.”

“No, I had to think.”

“Brooding does no good at times like this.”

“I wasn’t brooding. I was trying to make sense of this.”

“And did you?”

Selene turned to look at her, and Layla stiffened with shock. In the moonlight her face reminded Layla of one she’d seen engraved on a cameo-smooth, hard, without expression. “No, but I decided what I must do.”

“And what is that?”

“Leave for Rome tomorrow.”

“It’s dangerous. Antonio said Nasim’s tracks were going in that direction. He’s probably hoping to overtake us, but he may double back.”

“We’ll be careful.”

“You need to rest. A few more days will make no difference.”

“You’re wrong.” She moved toward her pallet. “I know exactly what I need, and rest isn’t it.”

The next day they started out on foot toward Rome. They weren’t able to find a village in which to purchase horses until the second day. Even then, they had to proceed cautiously and send Antonio ahead several times to make sure they didn’t cross Nasim’s path. Consequently, they didn’t arrive at Tarik’s villa until more than a week later.

Layla reined in at the bottom of the hill. “Go on ahead. Antonio and I will come a little later. Tarik and I haven’t seen each other for a long time. It’s best that there be no one present when we meet.” Her lips twisted. “And your Kadar will not be pleased that Antonio betrayed you. You need the chance to tell him that he meant no harm before Kadar cuts his throat.”

“Very well.” Selene supposed she should have thought of the repercussions herself, but she seemed to be only feeling, not thinking. That must stop. She must reflect calmly, coolly, block everything else out but what had to be done. “I’ll tell Tarik you’re waiting here.”

Tarik and Kadar were coming down the steps when Selene rode into the courtyard.

“Thank God.” Kadar ran forward. His smile illuminated his face as he lifted her out of the saddle. “I was nearly crazed when Antonio didn’t come. I was about to set out for Genoa. Are you well?”

“No.” She turned to Tarik. “We weren’t challenged as we approached. Are we safe here?”

“Yes, we weren’t sure it was you, but we knew three riders were coming. If you’d appeared threatening, we’d have been ready.”

“How did you know?”

“A guard stationed on a hill ten miles from the villa brought the message.”

“What do you mean, no?” Kadar’s hands grasped her shoulders. “What’s wrong? Why didn’t you board the ship at Genoa?”

She felt a stirring of warmth within her at his touch. Strange, she hadn’t thought she could feel anything anymore. Strange and dangerous. Emotion could weaken her and get in the way. She stepped back away from him and glanced at Tarik. “I don’t want to talk anymore. We’ve been riding for days and I need rest and a bath.”

Tarik nodded. “But there were two other riders. Where are they?”

“At the bottom of the hill. Layla said she wished to meet with you alone.”

He stiffened. “Layla?”

“Your wife.” He looked genuinely astonished, Selene thought. Maybe Layla was wrong about Tarik sending Selene to her. “You didn’t know Antonio was in her pay?”

“Of course I didn’t.” He paused. “She didn’t-hurt you?”

Selene shook her head. “She wasn’t gentle, but we came to an understanding.”

“No, she’s seldom gentle.” His expression was a mixture of eagerness and dread as he gazed down the hill. “Perhaps I’d better go and see…” He moved quickly across the courtyard.

“What is this about?” Kadar said.

“Later. Will you show me where I’m to sleep?”

“Selene-what is-” He broke off and took her arm and started up the stairs. “All right. We won’t talk now.”

She again felt that stirring and moved away from him. “Don’t touch me.”

“For God’s sake, I’m not trying to-” His gaze was narrowed on her face. “I’ve never seen you like this. You’re cold as stone. What’s happened to you?”

“I don’t want to have to say it twice. I’ll talk to you and Tarik and Layla this evening.”

“You’re shutting me out,” he said through his teeth. “I don’t like being grouped with Tarik and this Layla. I won’t have it.”

“This evening,” she repeated as she stopped inside the door. “Now will you show me where I’m to sleep?”

He stared at her for a long moment and then gestured to a young boy hovering nearby. “Show her to a chamber, Benito. One that’s close to mine. See that water is brought for a bath.”

Benito nodded eagerly and set off down the long marble hallway.

“Wait,” he said as she started to follow the boy. “You’ll need clothing. I’ll send someone down the hill to tell Haroun to bring up your packs.”

“There are no packs to bring. I’ll make do with what I’m wearing.” She didn’t look back at him. “And no one can tell Haroun anything. He’s dead.”

He was coming.

Layla instinctively braced herself as she saw Tarik walking down the hill. He looked the same as that day when he’d left her. Well, what had she expected? Of course he looked the same. She could hardly expect him to pine away. He had done everything he could to show her he no longer needed her, even taking another wife.

But he did need her. Just as she needed him.

She forced a smile and started toward him.

He didn’t return her smile. “What are you doing here?”

“Selene wanted to come.”

“If I’d wanted her here, I’d have brought her with us. She was to go to Scotland.”

“And you chose Antonio to take her.” She met his gaze. “I think you lie. I believe you had no intention of sending her to safety. I think you knew Antonio would bring her to me.”

“I had no idea Antonio was in your pay.”

For a moment she was shaken by the flatness of the assertion. “You knew. I’d wager you know every man hired by me or Nasim in your household.”

“You’d lose. I didn’t know about Antonio. Why should I think you’d have spies in my camp?”

Because I love you. Because you know I’d never let you go. She moistened her lips. “Eshe. Why else?”

“You sent me the coffer. You don’t trust me to care for it?”

She had sent it to him because she wanted to forge a link that would bring him back to her. “You have a tendency to be foolish. I had to be sure. When you sent me Selene, I hoped you were seeing clearer.”

He went still. “And why do you think I sent you Selene?”

“Eshe. To do what you could not.”

He inhaled sharply. “Good God in heaven, what have you done?”

Pain shot through her. “Don’t talk to me in that way. I’m not a monster.” She lifted her chin and stared at him defiantly. “I’ve done nothing. Do you think I’d rush to please you? I just thought-”

“Then why did you bring Selene here?”