Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [87]
She felt a ripple of uneasiness. “Is it safe to pass so close to his fortress?”
“I told you, Kemal and I understand each other. No harm will come to us.”
He kicked his horse into a gallop.
“You’re heading straight for the fortress. Are we going to spend the night?”
His answer was barely audible. “Yes, we’re going to spend the night.”
To her astonishment the gates were thrown open without a challenge, and they rode into the courtyard. The palace was even more beautiful than she had imagined from the hill. Onion-shaped towers crowned the sprawling building, and white marble balconies shone in the strong sunlight.
“Welcome, Lord Ware.” An Arab, dressed in flowing robes and a turban inset with a giant blue stone, was striding across the courtyard toward them. His plump cheeks creased as he smiled broadly. “I see you have brought your treasure.”
“Yes.” Ware dismounted and helped Thea down from the horse. “This is the lady Thea, Kemal.”
Thea gazed with bewilderment at the man Ware had addressed. This must be Kemal ben Jakara, but there was no hint of antagonism in his demeanor. He was a small, plump man, close to his fiftieth year, with snapping black eyes and an eager smile.
Kemal’s gaze raked Thea from head to foot. “I can see why you do not wish anything to happen to her. Fair-haired women have great value, and she’s very comely. I shall take great pleasure in this task.”
Thea stiffened with shock.
“Not too much pleasure. Remember she’s not your property,” Ware said. “She belongs to me.”
“I’m a man of honor. I’ll keep my word.” Kemal beamed at him. “As long as you keep yours.”
“What is this?” Thea asked Ware. “What are you talking about?”
A faint frown furrowed Kemal’s brow. “She addresses you boldly. You have not taught her well.”
Thea’s hands slowly clenched. “What is this?”
“You’ll stay here under Kemal’s protection.” He turned to Kadar. “Take her and Selene to the House of Women.”
Kemal snapped his fingers and a young man ran forward. “This is Domo,” he told Thea. “He is chief eunuch, and you’ll obey him as you would your master. Go with him.”
“House of Women,” Selene whispered from atop her horse.
Thea knew the horror her sister felt. She was experiencing the same cold terror as memories of Nicholas’s House of Women flooded back to her.
“It will be fine,” Kadar said as he lifted Selene to the ground. “It’s not like the House of Nicholas. You’ll work only when you wish. Your every need will be met. You’re likely to go fat with sloth in Kemal’s harem.”
“Harem,” Thea repeated numbly. She could not believe it.
“Go with Kadar,” Ware repeated. “I’ll come to you and explain after Kemal and I settle the details.”
“You’re selling me to him,” she whispered in disbelief. “It was all a lie. You never intended to take me to Damascus.”
“I didn’t lie. I never said you were going to Damascus.”
“It was a lie.” Her hands clenched into fists. “You let me believe—”
“Be silent, slave.” Kemal was shaking his head in disapproval. “Have you no respect for your master?”
“Slave,” Thea whispered.
“No, I’m not selling you to Kemal. It’s to keep you safe.” He gazed at her pale face for another instant before he whirled on his heel. “For God’s sake, take her, Kadar.”
“You always leave me with the easy tasks,” Kadar said wryly. He gestured to the eunuch. “Lead on, Domo.”
Thea gazed after Ware as he crossed the courtyard with Kemal. “Slavery.”
Selene drew closer to her. “I don’t understand, Thea.”
Thea understood all too well. Her worst nightmare realized. Betrayal.
She put her arm around Selene’s shoulders. “It will be all right. We’ll find a way.”
Selene whirled on Kadar. “You did this.”
He flinched. “I admit that I helped. Ware told me to find a different solution to keep you safe. I couldn’t do it.”
“I was free.” Selene’s eyes blazed at him. “You set me free and then put me back in a cage.”
“Please, my master says you must come with me,” the young eunuch said gently as he started across the courtyard.
Master.