Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [90]
She should be the one comforting Selene, she realized dimly. She took her sister in her arms. “We’ll see that it is.”
After a moment Selene stepped back and disengaged herself. “I’ve put our clothing in the chest across the room.” She nodded at the bundle of folded silk on the table by the door. “I found the banner in your box. What shall I do with it?”
The banner. Ware’s banner. “Burn it.”
Selene gazed at her in astonishment. “I will not. I can see why you wouldn’t give it to him, but you labored too long and hard to create it. I’ll not see your work wasted.”
“Then do with it what you will. I never want to see it again.” She turned back to the window. The gates were closing. They were alone. “But I’d rather you burn—”
“I bid you welcome to my home.” The door had been thrown open, and Kemal ben Jakara stood beaming at them. He swept into the room and closed the door behind him. “I have thought about it, and I believe your boldness was caused by your surprise at my friend Ware’s decision to leave you in my care.” He added magnanimously, “I forgive you.”
“Oh, do you?” Thea asked softly. She wanted to slap his plump, dimpled cheeks.
“But you must realize that I will not tolerate such rebellion in my household. Lord Ware has won certain privileges for you already, but I’m a peaceful man and I will have peace. You will be allowed the freedom of the women’s quarters and the garden as long as you cause me no disturbance.” He frowned “Though this business of hundreds of worms crawling about doesn’t please me. I may seek to renegotiate that portion of my bargain with Lord Ware.” His face cleared. “But I’ve no complaint about your sewing. Such tasks are proper women’s work. Now, have I not been generous?”
She wondered what he would do if she pulled his be-jeweled silk turban down over his eyes and kicked him in the stomach. She opened her lips to speak, then thought better of the scathing words she had been about to utter. It would do no good to antagonize their jailer. If she was to escape from this place, the little freedom he was offering might be of advantage.
Kemal’s smile widened. “I can see you’re speechless at my kindness. Now, that is how a proper slave should behave.” He started to turn away. “It is good we’ve come to an understanding. Lord Ware will be—What is this?” His gaze had fallen on the gleaming silk bundle on the table.
He reached out and shook out the cloth. “A banner? Let me see if your work has val—” He broke off, his eyes widening as he stared at the red-and-gold design. “By Allah’s sword,” he murmured. One plump finger reached out and reverently traced the design. “Magnificent. You did this for your master?”
Master. She felt another surge of rage. “Yes.”
“Perhaps I will permit you to do one for me. In truth, I have never seen such a fine banner.”
“Then take it.” She felt Selene’s startled gaze on her face. “Lord Ware doesn’t want it.”
“Any warrior would want such a banner.”
“Would he have left it with me if he’d wanted it?”
Kemal doubtfully shook his head. “You’re sure he would not mind?”
“He told me before we left Dundragon that he wished I hadn’t made it. Leave it with me and I’ll finish hemming it.”
“Today? I’ll want it tomorrow.” He looked eagerly at the design. “It will bring me great good fortune. I can feel it.”
“You’ll have the banner tomorrow morning.”
He gave her a brilliant toothy smile as he handed her the banner. “I can see now why Lord Ware bargained to keep you safe. Such willingness and skill are rare qualities in a woman. You can be taught the rest.” He moved toward the door. “I’ll send a servant to get the banner tomorrow.”
“Pompous rooster,” Selene muttered as the door closed behind him.
Thea nodded. “But the rooster rules this fortress. It will do no harm for him to think us less than we are until we’re ready to escape from this place.” She sat down on the cushions. “Bring me thread and needle, Selene. I wish this banner out of my sight.”
“I BELIEVE YOU’VE MADE a more bitter enemy than the Grand Master this day,” Kadar said as he glanced over his shoulder