Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [119]
Time had not weakened the Old Man.
Sinan waited for him on the steps of his castle, a fierce smile of satisfaction curving his lips. “You came back to me. I knew you would.”
“I came to ask for sanctuary. I will not stay.”
“Sanctuary for those weak fools below? They would have been slaughtered if I hadn’t sent the drums.”
“But you did send the drums.”
“For you, not for them.”
“Then, for me, send help to keep Kemal from attacking them again.”
“But you are here. I have no need to keep them alive now.” He smiled coldly. “And I will make sure you soon forget them. You already feel far, far away from them, don’t you, Kadar?”
Kadar could feel the whirlpool of power draw him deeper as Sinan exerted his will.
He had forgotten how hard it was to resist that will. It took a moment before he was able to break free. “I will not forget them.” He paused. “And if they die, I will remember them always. Memories can be much stronger than a living presence. They tend to grow until they are in every corner of your mind and heart.” He could see Sinan did not like that idea and followed it quickly. “So why not send someone to watch over the weak ones and make sure Kemal doesn’t make them into memories?”
Sinan stared at him with no expression. “You were always troublesome, Kadar.”
“But you don’t permit anyone to trouble you.”
“Nor shall I. I almost had you before. Ah, how I wanted you to stay. You were without equal. The strongest always feels the pull the most and fights it hardest.” He turned and started up the stone steps. “But I have you back now. We’ll see how much you wish to save these Franks.”
Three days passed and still Ware did not wake.
Thea dropped water on his tongue, but she could get no food down. How could he heal if he had no nourishment? she wondered desperately. He seemed to be growing thinner and weaker before her eyes.
“I’m done with asking you to sleep, but you must eat.”
Selene was beside her, holding a wooden bowl filled with stew. The stew Ware had refused to swallow. She shook her head.
“You’ll eat it or I’ll knock you down, straddle you, and force it down your throat.” Selene’s expression was grim. “I’m out of patience. You persist in killing yourself for a dying man, and that idiot Kadar is probably lying dead somewhere on this stupid mountain. I’ll not have it.” She thrust the bowl into Thea’s hands. “Eat it and I’ll bother you no longer.”
It was easier to obey than argue with her. Thea quickly finished the food and gave the bowl back to Selene.
“Good.” Selene turned away and said over her shoulder, “If this is what love for a man brings to a woman, I’ll make sure I never allow myself to feel it. You’re more a slave than you ever were at the House of Nicholas.”
It was true, Thea thought dully. She was chained to Ware in ways she had never thought possible. She felt so close to him, it was as if she were a part of every breath he drew. At times she thought if that breath stopped, she would also die.
Terror iced through her. He must not die. She had done everything possible to keep him alive.
But everything she had done had not been enough. God was going to take him.
“No,” she whispered. She closed her eyes. “Give him back to me.” Why was she praying? God had not listened when she had prayed for her dying mother. She wasn’t sure God ever listened to women’s pleas. He probably regarded females as unimportant, as man did. Yet if Asherah was part of God, then there was a slim chance God might understand a woman’s desperation. She had to try. “Listen to me. This man has a good heart. He wants to live. He deserves to live. I won’t ask for any other help to save us. Just let him live, and I’ll do the rest.”
Silence.
What had she expected? A crash of thunder to signal a miracle?
Her hand tightened on Ware’s.
Live.
No stirring, no sign of waking.
She blinked back the tears stinging her eyes. It was stupid to feel disappointed. She had never been one to believe in miracles anyway. She had been right. God didn’t listen to women.
An hour later she spooned a little