Iris Johansen - The Treasure

He was leaving, she realized through the haze of bewilderment surrounding her. “Where are you going?”

“Somewhere far away from you and this villa.”

The door slammed behind him.

God, what an idiot.

Kadar strode quickly down the hall, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.

Fool.

She had been willing. There would have been no coercion.

But what of next time? There was more at stake than a night’s rutting.

That silky blue gown, clinging to her breasts, revealing the softness of her shoulders.

Stop thinking of her. He was already heavy and hurting.

Would it have harmed anything to have bedded her tonight? So there would not have been honesty between them. He would have been inside her and feeling the heated friction that-

“Where are you going? Why aren’t you with Selene?”

He turned to see Layla standing at the door. All he needed was to have to suffer through explanations to her, he thought in exasperation.

He didn’t answer as he ran down the steps.

He had left her.

Selene crossed her arms over her chest to still their trembling. He was gone.

Well, good riddance. He had lied to her and-

But hadn’t she also lied to herself? Who had been the most at fault?

Excuses. Lies.

“What happened? I saw Kadar leaving the villa.” Layla swept into the room without knocking. “I knew you wouldn’t send him away unless he did something-You look like a sick cow.”

Selene shook her head. She couldn’t deal with Layla right now. “He didn’t do anything.”

“I don’t believe it,” Layla said flatly.

“I don’t care what you believe. Will you leave me?”

Layla frowned. “You’re right, it’s none of my concern. I just wondered if he’d said anything about-I’ll leave you.” She didn’t move. “But if you want him back, I could send someone to-”

“I don’t want him back.” She did want him back, but she didn’t know what she could say to him. She was confused and hurting and frightened. Kadar’s words had resonated with finality and truth.

It was as if he had stripped all the barriers and subterfuges to which she’d clung throughout the years, throughout her entire life.

Leaving what?

“Call if you need me.”

Layla was leaving, Selene realized dimly. She barely heard the door close.

No bargains, no promises.

You’re a woman now.

Trust me. Belong to me.

“I told you I wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow.” Vaden leaned back in his chair and gazed quizzically at Kadar. “What are you doing here?”

“This was the farthest I could get from the villa.” He sat down at the table opposite Vaden. “I take it this foul place now has sufficient wine to suit you?”

Vaden nodded slowly, his gaze on Kadar’s face.

“Well, it may not have enough to suit me.”

“Interesting. I’d judge you a man who’d resent losing himself in Bacchus’s embrace. What happened?”

“I was wed today.”

Vaden threw back his head and shouted with laughter. “By God, that’s reason enough for any man. Who is the bride? Lady Selene?”

“Yes.”

“A difficult woman, but I didn’t think she’d cast you out of her bedchamber.”

“The situation is complicated.”

“Life is complicated. I have experience with difficult women.” He paused. “But I don’t believe you came to me solely because I was many miles away from the lady.”

“You’re right, I’m a cautious man. If I lower my guard, it must be with someone I trust not to take advantage.”

“And I’m that person? How strange.” He was silent a moment and then held up his hand and motioned to a servant. “Wine for my friend.”

Kadar’s brows lifted in surprise. “You consider me your friend, Vaden?”

“We’re all friends while the wine is flowing.” Vaden lifted his goblet in a toast. “And how could I be anything but your most honored friend if you choose to spend your wedding night with me instead of your bride?”

THE DOOR OF SELENE’S CHAMBER flew open with a force that sent it crashing against the wall.

“I’ve brought you a present.”

Selene jerked upright in bed and snatched up the sheet to cover her breasts as Vaden strode into the chamber. “What are you-”

Vaden dumped Kadar on her bed and gave a sigh of relief. “He weighs more than I thought. I wouldn’t have encouraged him to drink that last goblet of wine if I’d known I’d have to play pack mule. I wanted him dizzy, not unconscious.” He swayed as he straightened. “Oh, well, he’d probably have fought me when he saw where I was bringing him. This is probably best.”

“You’re drunk.”

“Very. But not as drunk as your Kadar.” He stripped the tunic over Kadar’s head and then bent to slip off his sandals. “Not surprising-it’s clear he’s a man who rarely lets himself overindulge. Those who have purpose usually manage to outdrink me. Your groom had purpose.”

“Take him to his chamber.”

He shook his head. “That would spoil everything. He said there were complications that kept him from your bed.” He rolled Kadar’s naked body in the cover. “Behold, no complications.” He started for the door. “So simple.”

“Wait. You can’t-”

It seemed he could. She was talking to air.

Her gaze shifted to Kadar. He appeared so helpless. She had never seen Kadar drunk. As Vaden had said, Kadar was always wary, always in control. He was certainly not in control now. What was she to do with him? she wondered in exasperation. She had thought long into the night, but she was not ready to face Kadar yet. Particularly not a drunken sot of a Kadar.

Ready or not, he was here and she must accept it. She slipped from bed and crossed, naked, to the window. The first rays of dawn were lighting the sky. She didn’t have to stay here. She could dress, go and sit in the garden, and then come back after Kadar woke. He might even leave before she returned. It had not been his desire to intrude on her. She could stay out of his way until he-

Don’t hide from me.

Was she hiding, as Kadar claimed? The plan to avoid him had come so easily.

Accept what I am.

She wasn’t prepared yet. She had to think, to let the thoughts he’d planted come to fruition.

Trust me.

How she had battled with that question of trust.

Good God, why was she standing here shivering at the thought? She had never been one to cavil at facing anything else. In truth, the decision had already been made.

She turned and strode back to the bed. She stood there looking down at Kadar for a long moment.

Then she slipped into bed beside him to wait until he woke.

Kadar didn’t open his eyes until late afternoon.

Then he immediately closed them. “Good God, my head hurts…”

“It serves you well,” Selene said.

His eyes opened again. “What are-” His gaze wandered from her face to her obviously naked body covered by the blanket. “God in heaven.”

“Go cleanse your mouth. You stink of wine.”

He gingerly sat up and then flinched as he turned his head to look down at her. “What am I doing here?”

“You didn’t come on your own, if that’s your concern. Vaden brought you. He dumped you on my bed like a limp salmon.”

He flinched again as he carefully stood up and moved toward the washbasin. “I hope you didn’t use that comparison to Vaden. I’ve found he has a perverse sense of humor.”

“He didn’t give me a chance to say anything. He seemed to be too full of glee at ridding you of ‘complications’ to bother with anything else.”