Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [0]
Title Page
Dedication
Dear Reader,
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
About the Author
Preview of The Treasure
Also by Iris Johansen
Copyright
To L.H.—
thanks for the memories.
Dear Reader,
It was several years ago when I became fascinated by the Knights Templar. They were both warriors and mystics, and the legends that grew around them are still alive today. I wanted to write a book that tapped those legends and developed a few of my own. It was to be a simple historical romance but it didn’t turn out that way. I dove into the time period and became captivated by the color and pageantry of the era. I suddenly had not only a hero and heroine but an entire cast of secondary characters that meant just as much to me as they did.
I had great fun with Lion’s Bride as I developed the passion and mystery and friendships that made the fabric of Ware’s life. The book seemed to write itself and I didn’t want to let it go. I loved those characters. Many of you must have agreed with me because to this day every week I still receive letters asking me to write another historical novel that tells the story of Kadar and Selene, who I introduced in Lion’s Bride.
Next month my first new historical in over ten years will be in bookstores. The Treasure continues the story of Kadar and Selene and revisits some of the other characters from Lion’s Bride. It was wonderful returning to that world.
I had to write that book. What can I say? I had to know what happened to Kadar and Selene too!
Iris Johansen
DECEMBER 3, 1188
GATES OF CONSTANTINOPLE
“I HAVE IT!”
Thea whirled to see Selene running through the city gates toward her. The child’s red hair had come loose from her braid and was flowing wildly down her back, and her narrow chest was lifting and falling as she tried to catch her breath. She must have run all the way from the House of Nicholas.
Selene thrust the large straw basket at Thea. “I told you they wouldn’t see me do it.” She glanced at the long line of camels and wagons that had already begun moving down the road. “I couldn’t get away earlier. I think Maya was watching me.”
“You shouldn’t have taken the risk.” Thea set the basket on the ground and knelt to hug Selene. “I would have found a way to do without it.”
“But it will be easier now.” Selene’s thin arms tightened around Thea’s neck. “You’re taking so many risks. I had to do something.”
Thea’s throat was tight with emotion. “You must get back. Go through the garden. Selim doesn’t tour back there every hour.”
Selene nodded and stepped back. Her green eyes were glittering, but Thea knew she wouldn’t cry. Selene never cried as other children did. But, then, Selene had never been permitted to be a child.
“Don’t worry about me,” she said. “You know I’ll be safe.”
“I know.” If she hadn’t thought Selene would be safe, she would never have embarked on this wild venture. Though Selene had value, she was only ten; it would be years before she faced the same danger as Thea. “But you must take care of yourself. You must eat well and walk and jump and run in the garden as I taught you.”
Selene nodded. “I have to go.” She started to turn away and then whirled around. She said gruffly, “I want you to know—it’s all right if you can’t come back for me. I don’t need you. I know you’ll try, but if you can’t—I’ll understand.”
“Well, I won’t understand.” Thea tried to steady her shaking voice. “We’ll be together, I promise. As soon as it’s safe, I’ll come for you. Nothing will stop me.” She smiled tremulously. “Just as nothing stopped you when you brought me the basket.”
Selene stared at her a moment longer and then ran toward the city gates.
Thea had a wild impulse to go after her, to gather her up and take her safely away. Selene might believe she could care for herself, but