Lion's Bride - Iris Johansen [97]
Selene looked at her in surprise. “You’ve been thinking about this.”
Thea nodded. “Since the moment I heard the rumors from the harem.” Soon after arriving in El Sunan, she had found that escape from the fortress would be difficult if not impossible. The guards were loyal, the walls were high, and what would they do once they had escaped? She would take the risk herself, but fleeing through the hills was too grave a danger for Selene. No, it would be infinitely better to use Kemal to arrange their release. However, she must not mention to Selene that she feared for her, that would immediately bring about rebellion. “We may have to be patient, but if Kemal can be persuaded to release us, we’ll be able to take all our work with us.”
Selene picked up the shawl she was embroidering. “Then we’ll be patient. I don’t want to leave one inch of silk for that pompous buffoon.”
“Smile at me,” Kadar commanded Thea as he swept into the chamber a week later. “I come bringing precious gifts.”
“I don’t want your gifts.” Thea fixed him with a cold stare. “I want you to leave.”
“I swear on my hope of paradise that you’ll want these gifts.” He stepped to one side with a flamboyant gesture. “Am I ever wrong?”
“You were wrong when you brought us to this—Jasmine?” Thea rushed forward but stopped before she reached the woman. Was this another trick? “What are you doing here?”
“It seems very obvious.” Jasmine slipped her mantle from her hair. “You were not in Damascus, so Tasza and I had to come here.”
“I do not like this place.” Tasza followed her and disdainfully glanced around the room. “I would rather have stayed at Dundragon.”
“Hush,” Jasmine said. “You can see no farther than the tip of your nose.”
“I can see that this place is no better than a harem. At least I get paid for giving my body.”
“It’s not a harem,” Kadar said. “I give you my word you will be held in all honor.”
Jasmine glared at Tasza. “Did I not tell you?”
“What is this about, Kadar?” Thea asked.
“I thought you would like to have Jasmine by your side. Are you not glad to see her?”
Thea was glad to see her. She had not realized how much she had missed Jasmine. “Not enough to have her made a prisoner for my sake.”
“She’s not a prisoner. She can leave whenever she wishes. All she has to do is ask, and I’ll return her to Dundragon.”
“But I won’t ask,” Jasmine told Thea. “We have much to learn from you, and we cannot learn with you here, and us at Dundragon.” She turned to Tasza. “Now, tell her that you are happy to be here and will work hard.”
“I’m not happy to be here.” She added grudgingly, “But I will work hard. What else can I do in this place?”
“You see, Thea, everything is going to be splendid.” Kadar beamed. “You will have pleasant company and help to do your embroideries. You may thank me now.”
She looked at him in astonishment. Did he really think she would forget his part in their betrayal?
“No?” He must have read her thoughts in her expression. “But now you know I wish you only goodwill. If you’d forgive me, it would please me.” He made a face. “And make my visits far more pleasant.”
“I don’t forgive you.”
“You could pretend. That would be nearly as good,” he coaxed. “And maybe someday pretense could become reality.”
She stared at Kadar as the persuasive golden strands he wove so well wound themselves around her. But she would not soften. He could have fought Ware instead of aligning himself with him.
Yet she knew Ware would not have been dissuaded no matter how strongly Kadar had disagreed. And Kadar had believed that Ware was doing what was right to keep them safe. A little of her resentment was melting, but she would not let him triumph this easily. “Perhaps I could pretend.” She smiled with malice. “If you can convince Selene you meant only the best for us.”
He groaned. “You would make me face that termagant without your protection? I was hoping you’d intercede for me.”
“Why should I? You’re the one who is suing for pardon. You’ll find her in the garden. I send her out each afternoon