Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [125]
“Two?” Sinan repeated. “You challenge yourself as a man should do. That will be interesting. Then we will wait before testing this Lord Ware. Give them quarters and food, Kadar.” He rose to his feet. “Except the red-haired child. I will use her tonight.”
“No!” Thea lunged toward Sinan, but Kadar stepped swiftly between them.
“She means no disrespect. She is concerned for her safety if you become ill.”
Sinan frowned. “Ill?”
“The child was raped by Kemal and his soldiers at El Sunan and shows signs of having the whore’s disease.”
Sinan’s cold, speculative glance moved over Selene. “Pity. There is so much life in the young ones. I would have enjoyed her.”
“But not the aftermath,” Kadar said. “I’ve heard it’s a lingering illness that ends in madness and death.”
“And not one I’d choose.” Sinan smiled meaningfully at Kadar. “As I believe you know.” He moved toward the door. “But I’ve often thought if one wanted to kill without suspicion, and immediacy was not important, sending such a diseased woman to an enemy would bring great satisfaction. Perhaps we will have use for the child later.”
Thea whirled fiercely on Kadar as soon as the door closed behind Sinan. “He will not use her.”
He held up his hand to halt the angry outburst. “No, he won’t. Sinan is always thinking of new ways to kill. This is just another. Besides, his assassins are all men. He would not trust a woman.”
“How comforting,” Selene said. “But he clearly trusts you.”
“Of course—he looks at me and sees himself as a young man. He once told me he wished he had a son like me, that I was a reflection of him. He doesn’t realize almost all mirrors are distorted.”
Astonished, Ware said, “He thinks of you as a son?”
“He flatters himself. I’m much more clever than Sinan will ever be.” He moved across the chamber. “Come along. I’ll take you to your quarters. I’ll keep Selene with me in my chamber in case Sinan changes his mind. It’s best Thea stay with you for her protection, Ware.”
“I had every intention of staying with him,” Thea said. “He needs me. He’s far from well yet. He was practically stumbling on his feet when he issued that foolish challenge.”
“It was not foolish. A man cannot be called weak.”
“Even when he is.” Thea turned to Kadar. “How long do you think we must stay here?”
He shrugged. “Until Sinan becomes bored and wants to put an end to the situation. I hope to persuade him that the most felicitous conclusion would be to crush Kemal and get him off his doorstep.”
“Is there a way we can increase his boredom?” Ware asked.
“Not without risk.” He smiled. “And I’m a cowardly soul. I prefer to gain our objective without danger. Let me work at it for a few days and see if I can mold events to our advantage.” He stopped before a brass-bound oak door. “You won’t be guarded. Sinan knows we have no place to go but Kemal’s arms. You’ll find life here very simple. Meals will be brought to you in the morning and evening. On no account should Selene or Thea be permitted to wander alone about the fortress. I doubt if Sinan will issue orders protecting their safety.”
“Since we’re mere beasts of the field,” Selene said.
Kadar smiled. “On second thought, you may be safe, since you’re a diseased beast of the field. But I don’t believe we’ll chance it.” He took her elbow and urged her toward another door down the hall. “I’ll call for hot water and clean garments for all of you. I’ll bid you good night now. I’ll not see you again this evening. We’ll meet in the morning and talk then.”
“Why won’t you see us this evening?” Ware asked. “It’s barely sunset.”
“I must sleep now. I have a few things to do later.” He shut the door before any other questions could be asked.
Thea hesitated, staring at the closed door. “I don’t like this.”
“Kadar will not harm her.”
At first, she did not understand, and then she gazed at him in amazement. “You think I worry about Selene