Iris Johansen - The Treasure

It’s about bringing your body alive again.

Dear God, her body was too alive. The blood coursed through her veins, and her skin was flushed and tingling. There was a familiar aching emptiness between her thighs.

The tower.

He had pleasured her, and still it was not enough.

She wanted more.

She could have more. It was no surrender, no loss of herself. A bargain had been struck.

It could be like the tower.

____________________

Tarik and Layla were sitting on the bench when Kadar strode onto the terrace the next morning. They both looked at him warily.

“And where is Selene?” Tarik asked.

Kadar smiled. “I thought we could speak more freely without her. I’ll tell her of our discussion later.”

“I wouldn’t think she’d thank you for going behind her back,” Layla said dryly.

“Oh, we’re in complete agreement. I had a long talk with her last night. She knew you were going to refuse her. I didn’t want her to be further distressed.”

“None of us does,” Tarik said.

“But we can’t do what she wishes,” Layla said. “Find another way.”

“I would, but she’s right. The grail is the only bait that will draw Nasim.” He smiled. “So that’s the bait we have to use.”

Tarik shook his head.

“Yes,” Kadar said.

“Are you going to threaten us?” Tarik asked. “I believe you know that won’t accomplish anything.”

“It depends on the threat.” Kadar moved over to the balustrade and looked up at the bright blue sky. “I’ve always loved the night. The stars, the shadows. But the morning is good too. Feel the freshness of the breeze? Since I came so close to death from Balkir’s sword, I’ve learned to appreciate those small pleasures even more.” He paused. “What was the potion that so miraculously cured me, Tarik?”

Tarik was silent.

“At the moment Selene is too numb to focus on anything but ways to use the grail to lure Nasim, but, as you were talking, things began to slide together for me. There was more than the grail in the coffer, wasn’t there? Eshe?”

Tarik nodded.

“And you had Selene give it to me.”

“It saved your life. I wasn’t sure it would. You were almost gone.”

Kadar’s brows lifted. “You claim this Eshe can cure a sword wound?”

“No, I was surprised that it helped you. It only seems to increase the body’s strength and repel disease.” He gave Layla a sardonic smile. “But perhaps you should ask my wife. She has vastly more experience with Eshe than I do.”

“Because you hide your head and won’t deal with it,” Layla said. “But, as far as I know, it does little good with wounds. He should have died.” She shrugged. “It’s difficult to judge. I’ve never given it to anyone in such dire straits. It would have been a waste.”

“And you were too ill for me to give you a choice,” Tarik said. “It was a great struggle for me.”

“To keep me alive?” Kadar gazed directly into his eyes. “Or to extend my life span?”

He smiled. “You told me you don’t believe that’s possible.”

“But you do.”

“Oh, yes, I believe it. Would I have protected the grail all these years if I hadn’t believed it?”

“But you’re tired of protecting it. You wanted to shift the responsibility to someone else. You chose me.”

“It was a very painful choice. Particularly after I got to know you.”

“I thought I recalled signs of uncertainty and remorse.”

“There’s no reason Tarik should be remorseful,” Layla said. “He saved your life and gave you a great gift.”

“I don’t think he regards it as a great gift. Do you, Tarik?”

He shook his head. “It’s a terrible, terrible burden.”

“Because you make it so,” Layla said. “There’s no reason for you to agonize. Just look at Kadar. He’s nothing like Chion. He can withstand it.”

“I hope so.”

“Who is this Chion?” Kadar asked Tarik.

“My brother.”

“And what happened to him?”

“I loved him. I wanted to share Eshe with him.” His lips thinned with pain. “He went mad. He killed himself.”

Kadar went still. “Not a cheerful prospect. I believe I’m beginning to be a trifle upset with you, Tarik. Does this potion often unbalance the recipient?”

“Chion was always delicate and nervous,” Layla said. “It’s never happened before or since.”

“How do you know?” Tarik asked. “You’re so generous with Eshe that I’m sure you don’t keep track of all to whom you give it.”

“I do keep track.” She glared at him. “Yes, I’m generous, but I’m not irresponsible. There was never another Chion.”

“One was enough.” Tarik turned back to Kadar. “But I hoped it would have no adverse effect on you. I might never have given it to you at all, if you hadn’t been hurt. It seemed as if destiny took the decision out of my hands.”

“I’ll take comfort from that, if I see madness approaching,” Kadar said dryly.

“It won’t happen,” Layla said. “And you need not try to make Tarik feel guilt. He feels nothing else. You’re the first person he gave Eshe to since Chion died.”

“I’m honored,” Kadar said. “Then I assume he’s merely acted as protector for the grail?”

“Yes.” Her lips curved in a bitter smile. “Since he would not help me in any other way. I thought it only fair that I send him the grail to keep safe.”

“Safe?” Tarik repeated. “Do you know how often I’ve been tempted to melt it down and bury it?”

“But you couldn’t do it. Because, deep in your soul, you know you’re wrong.”

Kadar looked from one to the other. He could almost feel the tension and emotion vibrating in the room. He had been so absorbed with his own frustration, he had not paid any attention to the strange alchemy existing between the two. A very tumultuous and diverse river appeared to be flowing beneath the surface, carrying currents of deception, restraint, passion, and loyalty. “Why is he wrong?”

“I’m not wrong,” Tarik said. “It should stop here.”

“Is that why you gave it to Kadar?”

“I gave it to him because I wanted to save-” He wearily shook his head. “No, that was an excuse. I gave it to him because I was selfish and I wanted to be free.”

“At last,” Layla said. “Now, when you admit you have the right to be selfish and not godlike, we will have made great strides.”

“I don’t agree,” Kadar said. “I take umbrage at anyone being selfish with my well-being.” It was time to take control. “I believe you owe me a debt, Tarik.”

He could sense the sudden return of wariness in the room.

“He owes you nothing,” Layla said. “It’s you who owes him a debt.”

Kadar ignored her, concentrating on Tarik. “You disrupted the course of my life, you risked my sanity.” He recalled another thing Tarik mentioned that seemed important to him. “And you gave me no choice.”

“He couldn’t give you a choice,” Layla said. “You would have died if he-”

“Be silent, Layla. I don’t need you to defend me.” Tarik’s gaze was fastened on Kadar’s face. “I admit to all that.”

“Do you admit that you owe me a debt?”

“Perhaps.” He shook his head. “But I cannot let you use the grail.”

Kadar had hit a blank wall. He went in another direction. “I have value for you. You went to a great deal of trouble to choose me to act as guardian for your grail.”

“So?”

“Selene needs Nasim dead. I have to give her what she needs. With the grail, it will be much safer. But with or without it, I have to give her Nasim. I’m very good, but it’s clearly a near-impossible task. That means that my risks of being killed are entirely in your hands.”