Iris Johansen - The Treasure

“Fairness doesn’t enter into it,” Kadar said. “It’s the only plan that will accomplish what we want.”

“It could work.” Vaden frowned thoughtfully. “But you’re depending considerably on luck.”

“Or on brilliance of mind and magnificent execution.” Kadar smiled slyly at Vaden. “I doubt if you consider any of your victories based on good fortune.”

“Certainly not.”

“Well, neither do I.”

“When do you go to Nasim?” Tarik asked.

“Tomorrow.”

The word struck Selene like a blow. Too soon. How could she find a way to keep him from committing this madness with so little time?

“Good,” Vaden said. “I was afraid you’d decide to return to the bridal bower and keep me waiting another fortnight.” He turned to Selene. “His prospects are not so dismal. Let’s get on with it. It would be foolish to attempt to dissuade him.”

“I’ve no intention of trying to dissuade him.” She rose to her feet. “Why should I? As you say, it would be foolish.” She didn’t look at Kadar as she started for the door. “He’s obviously made up his mind.”

“Selene.”

She didn’t stop. She had to get away from them. They were all so cool and reasonable, and panic was tearing through her. She had to gain her composure before she faced Kadar again. She had to think of a plan or an argument that would move him.

That prospect was far from likely.

Then she had to devise a plan of her own to keep him safe.

Tomorrow.

Dear God in heaven, tomorrow.

“She’s upset,” Vaden said. “But she was more reasonable than I thought she’d be.”

“Too reasonable.” Kadar was uneasy. He’d expected more of an argument from Selene. There was no question she had been shaken, and yet there had been no explosion. He had to talk to her.

“You’re cheating her,” Layla said. “She doesn’t appreciate you protecting her out of her vengeance.”

“I couldn’t do anything else.” He met her steady gaze and shrugged. “Very well, I won’t do anything else.”

“Then you have to accept the consequences.” Layla changed the subject. “Tarik and I are going with Vaden. I want to be sure we’re there if Nasim escapes your net with the grail.”

“That’s your privilege.” Kadar glanced at Vaden. “I want no hint of your presence in the area tomorrow when I meet with Nasim.”

“As you like. I’ve no desire for the assassins to know of my part in this any sooner than necessary. I’ll set up camp some distance away and we’ll meet after you leave Nasim.”

Kadar turned to Tarik. “And I’ll want you to bring the grail to the camp tomorrow evening.”

“What if Nasim follows you and attacks in force?”

“I’ll be careful. Nasim and Sinan taught me never to allow myself to be followed and the ways to avoid it. I doubt if Nasim will even attempt it.” His gaze went to the door. “Are we finished here? I need to talk to Selene.”

“It will do little good unless you tell her what she wishes to hear,” Layla said.

“Go.” Vaden’s smile was wicked. “I have a challenge for you. See if you can persuade her to give you pleasure. Considering her mood, that would be a true test of ‘brilliance of mind and magnificent execution.’ ”

He wouldn’t even consider that challenge, Kadar thought as he strode down the hall. He would be content if he could just make Selene understand that the danger was not as intense as she imagined.

And how was he to do that when it was possibly greater?

“Are you angry with me?”

Selene turned away from the window to see Kadar in the doorway. “No,” she said quietly.

She could see the answer disconcerted him. He had obviously come fully expecting to have to pacify her. He didn’t realize that this wasn’t anger, it was about fear and justice. “I suppose that it was natural for you to try to protect me. It’s what you’ve done ever since we first met all those years ago.”

“But it’s true, this is the best way.”

“Not in my eyes.” She met his gaze. “But I can’t convince you to do anything else, can I?”

He shook his head. “Tarik and Layla will be accompanying Vaden. You can go with them.”

“And be safe?”

“Vaden would argue that point.”

“Safe in comparison to what you’re doing.”

“Perhaps.”

“Don’t quibble. You know it is. Do you think I don’t-” She had to stop to steady her voice. “Don’t treat me like a fool, Kadar.”

“All right, it’s dangerous.” He crossed the room to stand before her. “And I want to keep you safe. Is that so terrible?” He reached out and gently touched her cheek. “I’m selfish. I’ve always been closer to the dark than the light, and when I’m with you all the darkness goes away.” The next words were stilted. “You warm me, and I need that warmth. No one else can give it to me but you, and I’m not sure I’d want to survive without it.”

Kadar had never spoken to her like this. His manner was pained, the sentences stiff, not at all like Kadar, whose words usually flowed like warm honey. She wanted to reach out and touch him, hold him, surrender to whatever he wanted to take away his pain. She couldn’t do it. “No, it’s not terrible. I just can’t accept it.”

He became still. “You said you weren’t angry.”

She smiled. “Why should I be angry? Do you expect me to reject you? I’ve committed that foolishness before and I won’t repeat it. I’m selfish, too, and I have no intention of losing you. We just cannot agree.” She kissed him lightly on the mouth. “But there are things on which we do agree. We should enjoy them in the time we have left. What time do you leave tomorrow to go to Nasim?”

“In the afternoon.” He stared at her warily. “Why?”

“Then we have time to walk in the garden, sup, talk.” She smiled teasingly. “And enjoy the simple things of life.” He was relaxing. That was good. She wanted no tension this night. “And I promise I’ll not try to dissuade you from going tomorrow.” She stepped back. “I know better than to waste my time. Now go and bathe and return to me within two hours. I’ll do the same and order a meal brought to us.”

He smiled. “If that’s what you wish.”

She smiled back at him. “That is exactly what I wish-for now.”

THE MOONLIGHT GLITTERED on the waters of the reflecting pool and the breeze ruffling the surface seemed to give movement to the statues surrounding it.

“I don’t like those statues,” Selene said. “They’re too cold.” She stepped forward so that her face was mirrored in the water. “But I look cold too. Isn’t that strange?”

“Yes. No one is less cold.” His grasp steadied her. “But that may change if you topple into the water.”

She chuckled. “Would you jump in and save me?”

“Always.”

“Well, I doubt I’d need rescuing. The pool is scarce five feet deep.”

“Men in armor have been known to drown in a few feet of water.”

“And serves them right for making war.”

“You’re making war on Nasim.”

Her smile faded. “That’s different.”

“And that’s what every antagonist says about his war.”

She made a face. “I don’t want to talk about wars tonight.”

“Or Nasim.”

“Or Nasim.” She moved away from him and sat down on the bench beside the pool. “So talk about something else.”

“You’re being entirely too serene. You’re not planning on going over the wall again?” Kadar asked.