Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [84]
“We leave tomorrow,” Ware told Selene. “Wake your sister and tell her to prepare for the journey.”
Selene’s expression lit with eagerness. “Damascus? So soon?”
Ware didn’t answer directly. “Tell her to prepare for the journey.”
Selene smiled brilliantly, turned, and ran across the courtyard.
Ware turned to Kadar. “Will you go or stay here?”
“You think to exempt me from blame?” Kadar shrugged. “I’ve always enjoyed journeys. Besides, the blame would still be mine even if I hid myself away from her wrath. You don’t intend to tell her where we’re going?”
“It would make the journey more difficult for her.”
Kadar grimaced. “And for us.”
Ware didn’t deny it. “She will be happy once she becomes accustomed to—”
“Save your arguments for her…and yourself.” Kadar moved across the courtyard. “I’ll tell Abdul that we leave tomorrow. I suppose we’re taking him this time?”
Ware nodded. “We may need a diversionary force.”
“Do you think Vaden followed us?”
“I know he did.”
“Then he’ll follow us again. How do you hope to hide her whereabouts from him?”
“Once she’s safe, it won’t matter if Vaden knows where she is. She’ll be safer there than at Dundragon.”
“You once told me Vaden could find his way into any stronghold, and that was why you kept the torches burning bright.”
“Then I must make sure Vaden won’t pursue her until he’s killed me.” He smiled sardonically. “And I’m sure that you’ll fly to her rescue like one of your falcons, if that happens.”
“If she’ll ever trust me again.”
“She’ll trust you.” It was Ware whom Thea would never trust again.
“And you may live longer than any of us. This Vaden can’t be as formidable as you’ve said.”
“No? I’d wager he’d rival your Old Man of the Mountain.”
“Let’s hope you never have an opportunity to compare. The old man was not at all pleased when you trespassed on his domain. I barely managed to pluck you away before he sent an assassin to slit your throat.” Kadar sighed. “Little did I know what a problem you’d become to me.”
“You can always go back to him. In truth, I believe that would be an excellent idea.”
“A covey of assassins surrounding me instead of a wall of soldiers?” Kadar shook his head. “Do you never give up?”
“No.” He could not give up trying to save them. No matter what the cost, they had to survive. “Tell Abdul to be ready at dawn.”
“Wake up! We’re going to Damascus, Thea.” Selene jumped on the bed and bounced up and down. “You’ve slept enough.”
Thea drowsily opened her eyes. “Damascus?”
“Lord Ware is back. We’re to leave for Damascus tomorrow morning. We must make preparations.”
Her gaze went to the folded banner on the table. “We can’t go. I haven’t finished—”
“You can hem it later and send it to him.” Selene’s face was luminous with excitement. “Damascus, Thea. It’s starting…. Our whole life is starting.”
Thea wished her head didn’t feel as if it were stuffed with cotton. She shook her head to clear it.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you excited?”
“Of course I am. I’m still half-asleep.” She hugged her sister before slowly sitting up in bed. She felt terribly fragile. The hollowness she had experienced right after she had finished the banner had not vanished entirely. “I don’t know why I’m still so groggy.”
Selene wrinkled her nose. “Because you didn’t sleep for three weeks. It was most strange.” She jumped off the bed and pulled Thea to her feet. “But you can’t sleep any longer. We have too much to do. What is first?”
“Go ask Jasmine to order me a bath.” She tried to think. “And then go make sure the silkworms will have enough leaves for the journey.”
Selene nodded and ran from the room.
Perhaps she would have time tonight to hem the banner. No, she must talk to Jasmine and Tasza and make sure they knew how to care for the trees. Oh, well, perhaps Selene was right. She could send Ware the banner once they were settled in Damascus.
But she didn’t want to send it. She wanted to see his face when he saw what she had created for him.
But her work had been as much for