Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [77]
Ware did not smile. He nodded with equal gravity.
“And I thank you for sending Kadar to fetch me. We owe you a great debt.”
“Then I shall certainly collect,” Ware said. “But in the meantime, welcome to Dundragon.”
Selene turned and went into the castle.
Thea started to follow her.
“Thea,” Ware said.
She stopped at his call. She had been so happy at Selene’s arrival, she had not realized this would be the first time she would sleep apart from Ware since they had come together. Would he let her go? She looked at him. His expression was impassive, but she knew he was trying to tell her something.
She moistened her lips. “Everything is different now.” Their time of halcyon intimacy was over; it was time to get on with life. She supposed she had known Selene’s arrival would signal the end of her stay at Dundragon, but she had not let herself realize it until she put it in words.
He held her gaze for another moment before saying, “Yes, it is. Sleep well, Thea.”
“Good night,” she muttered, and fled into the castle.
“They’re very much alike,” Ware said as he watched Thea follow her sister into the castle. Selene had come, a new door had opened, and Thea had eagerly walked through it. Christ, he was hurting. “She’s like Thea.”
Kadar shook her head. “Selene is like no one on this earth. She’s half sage, half imp, and all determination. Trying to keep her under control has been an interesting experience. She has a good heart, but she fights hard to make sure no one sees it. Thea is much softer.”
Yet Thea had struggled to give him neither trust nor affection, Ware thought. Even when she had decided she must allow him to come close, she had been defiant. He remembered the night she had come to him and told him he was her friend whether or not it pleased him. “You’re wrong. They are alike.”
Kadar turned to look at him. “You seem very certain. You’ve come to know Thea?”
“How could I help it?” Ware said dryly. “You gave me into her charge.”
Kadar smiled. “But one never knows how such forays will succeed.”
Ware changed the subject. “What news in Acre?”
“Nothing of import. Minor skirmishes between Saladin and the Franks. Has there been trouble here?”
“Yes, Vaden came.” He started up the steps. “I don’t know how long it will be safe for Thea to remain here. I thought—but everything has changed. We might have to find them a haven.”
“Damascus? That’s where she wants to go. A city held by Saladin would be safer for her than one held by Christians.”
Ware looked over his shoulder at the third mountain. “No, not Damascus.”
“Are you hungry? Have you supped?” Thea asked as she led Selene through the hall toward the staircase.
“Yes, I was so excited I wanted to go on, but Kadar insisted we stop at sundown to eat.” She frowned. “He’s very stubborn.”
And Selene was not? Thea smothered a smile as she thought of the battles that must have occurred between them on the journey. “But very kind.”
“When he wishes to be,” Selene acceded grudgingly. “But he is like Lord Ware. There’s a darkness about him.”
“You’ve just met Lord Ware. You cannot know his character.”
Selene shrugged. “One would have to be blind not to see the darkness. Kadar’s darkness is not as evident, but it may be deeper because it lies hidden.” She changed the subject. “Kadar was very careful after we reached Acre. Is there something to fear here?”
“He did not tell you?”
“He said you would tell me.” She grimaced. “I think he did not wish me to worry on the journey. As if not knowing of danger would keep me from worrying. Kadar is more clever than most, but he sometimes still thinks like a man.”
“A grievous fault,” Thea agreed. “You admit he’s clever, then?”
“I hid myself very well in the bazaar and he still found me. He stalked me, set a trap, and then he caught me.” There was a hint in Selene’s voice of the same pride Thea had heard in Kadar’s.