Iris Johansen - The Treasure

She became still. “Marriage?” She raised herself on one arm and looked down at him. “You wish to wed me?”

He smiled. “Why are you so surprised? You know I love you.”

“Yes.”

“And you love me.”

She was silent.

“Layla?”

She nestled her head into the hollow of his shoulder. “Why do you wish to marry? We couple; we have joy.”

“Why do you not?”

She stared at the darkness beyond the window across the room. It was a hot, humid night, and she had left the woven shutters open. She smelled the scent of incense of palm oil she had burned to mask the stench of the streets. She knew those streets: the thieves who stole from the living and the dead, the beggars, the whores. She had forced herself to walk those byways and learn the wickedness that lay around every corner. But it was a world Tarik had never known behind the walls of the Great Library.

Until she had forced him to come out from behind those walls.

“Layla.”

“I’m… not like you.”

“Why should that matter?”

“I don’t meditate and worship at the feet of those great philosophers whose words you copy down in your scrolls. Most of the time I don’t think at all. I just do what seems best to do, what I want to do.”

“You think a great deal. You’re the most intelligent woman I know.”

“Of course I’m intelligent. That’s not what I meant.” She curled closer to him even as she formed the words that would distance him. “I’m not-I don’t-I should not marry you. You don’t know me.”

He kissed the top of her head. “Well enough. You’ve told me all I need to know.”

“You know nothing. I’m selfish and-Do you know why I first came to your bed? I thought your interest in finding the scroll was waning. I needed to hold you. From the first moment I saw you at the library, I intended to use you to get what I wanted.”

“I knew that.”

She sat up and looked down at him in shock. “You knew?”

He laughed. “You’re very bad at subterfuge, my love.”

“That’s not true,” she said indignantly. “I’ve done quite well at fooling the priests all these years.”

“Then perhaps I see more because I love you.”

“Why do you love me?” she asked wonderingly. “I look at myself and I see nothing to love. I’m selfish and sharp-tongued and I’ve never done anything but use you.”

“Yes, you’ve done something else.”

“What?”

“You’ve loved me,” he said simply. “Not at first. But gradually it came.”

“I do not-” She couldn’t finish. She closed her eyes. “I don’t know about this love. It’s been so long… If I do love you, it feels very rough and strange and hurtful.”

“It will be better when you become accustomed to the idea. Will you wed me, Layla?”

She opened her eyes, but they were still dim with tears. “It’s foolish. You won’t be happy.”

“I won’t be happy without you. Will you wed me?”

She lay down beside him again. “You’re right, you wouldn’t be happy.” Her voice was uneven. “I’ve probably spoiled you for any other woman. Who could be as clever and witty and-” She had to stop for a moment. “So I suppose it’s my duty to marry you. We will do it on the morrow.”

He smiled. “And wear a blue lotus blossom in your hair.”

“Flowers don’t suit me.”

“It would please me.”

And she knew tomorrow the lotus blossom would be tucked in her hair.

“Layla.”

She looked behind her to see Kadar coming down the hall.

He was gazing at her quizzically. “You were lost in thought. I spoke three times to you.”

Memories, not thought, and it was just as well he had jarred her from them. “Yes, what do you want?”

“Truce. Even if we cannot agree on the grail, we need to work together.”

“You have Tarik.” She added ironically, “Why do you need the help of a mere woman?”

“Because that ‘mere’ woman can cause me innumerable difficulties, if she chooses.”

“That’s quite true. You’re wise to realize that fact and wiser to acknowledge it to me.” Her gaze narrowed on his face. “But I’ve always known you were clever. I just don’t know how self-serving you are.”

“As self-serving as anyone else. But I do keep my word. The grail is safe.”

She nodded slowly. “But how safe is Selene?”

He gazed at her in surprise. “Is that important to you?”

“I’m not without feelings. I’ve grown to think of Selene as my friend.”

“You don’t have to worry about Selene. I’ve cared for her for a long time. That will never change.”

“Never?” Her lips twisted. “That may be longer than you think. Have you not been thinking of the possibility of giving Selene the potion?”

“Yes. How could I help it?”

“Even though you’re skeptical about Eshe?”

“Yes.”

“I thought as much. It’s natural to want to play safe with the lives of people we care about. You’ve been thinking that the potion didn’t hurt you and, if you wait until you know for certain that what we told you is true, Selene will be an old woman. So you’re wondering, why not give it to her now?”

“Only if she chooses.”

“She would always choose you whether it was what she wanted or not.”

“Not at the moment. Her mind is on other things.” He raised a brow. “Why are you concerned? As I recall, you claim that it would be a great gift.”

“It is a great gift.” She paused. “But there was Chion. And Selene suffered terribly when Haroun and the babe died. How do I know what effect the years would have on her?” She met his gaze. “You wish my help? You’ll have it on one condition. If you decide to give Selene Eshe, you’ll first come to me and discuss it.”

“Done.”

“And there must be choice. Do you understand? No matter how much you’re tempted, it’s the one rule that must be obeyed.”

“Of course.”

Relief streamed through her. “Good. And now that’s settled, I have to find a servant and tell him to bring food to Selene and me in her chamber.”

“I’ll do it for you,” Kadar said. “Go back and keep her company. She’ll need you. She’s uneasy tonight.”

“Uneasy. A strange term to describe a bride.”

“No stranger than the situation.” He smiled. “Nor the people surrounding the bride. Including you, Layla.”

“I’m not strange. I’m very-” She grimaced and then said grudgingly, “Maybe a little strange. If one is of a boring and unimaginative mind.”

He nodded solemnly. “And one wouldn’t care about such bores anyway.”

He was laughing at her.

And she did not mind, she realized in surprise. His laughter was like Tarik’s-no malice, just humor that invited sharing. “Exactly.” She turned on her heel. “Nor for those who chatter and don’t act. I’ll expect a servant bearing food to be knocking on the door of Selene’s chamber within the quarter hour.”

The priest was murmuring, motioning with his crucifix.

Surely it was almost over, Selene thought. She hadn’t remembered Ware and Thea’s vows lasting this long. She and Kadar seemed to have been kneeling before the priest forever.

“Stop frowning. It’s not been so long,” Kadar whispered.

Her gaze flew to his face. He had read her mind, as usual.

He was smiling. “Can’t you be a little less grim? Layla is already suspicious. I don’t want her running forward and whisking you away before the deed is done.”