The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [107]
She could feel his gaze on her as she strolled to the window. Night had fallen hours ago, and the moonlight shimmered on the rectangular pool. So serene. She felt serene too. Only minutes ago she had been lost in the most frenzied of passions, yet now she felt as tranquil as that cool, still pool.
“What are you thinking?” Kadar asked.
“That emotions seldom remain the same for very long.”
“Some emotions do.” He paused. “Love. Hate.”
“Yes, but that’s not the same.” She came back toward him. “And I don’t want to think about hate right now.” She knelt on the floor beside the bed and laid her cheek on his hand. “I do love you, Kadar,” she whispered. “I’ve loved you for so long.” She rubbed her cheek back and forth. She added haltingly, “I thought I could live without you. I thought I’d be fine. I was wrong. I have to be with you.”
“Selene.”
“So you have to take care of yourself,” she said fiercely. “Do you hear me? I won’t have you dying on me.”
“You won’t?” He turned his hand and cradled her cheek in his palm. His voice was uneven. “I’ll try to oblige you.”
“And you have to promise to love me forever.”
“That’s an easy task.” He lifted her chin and gazed directly into her eyes. “I’ll love you until the day I die, Selene.”
“I like these vows far better than the ones we gave the priest,” she said shakily. “I’ll love you until the day I die too, Kadar.”
An indefinable expression flitted over his face for only a second and then was gone. “I thank you.” He bent his head and brushed her lips with his own. “I’ll try not to violate your trust.”
“You’d better not. I’ve just learned the way of it.” She rose to her feet. “But I never do things in small measure. I’ll trust you now no matter what you do.”
“You will?” There was a strange note in his tone. “Are you sure?”
She smiled. “I’m sure.”
“That makes everything much more difficult for me.”
“I’d think it would simplify.” She looked at him from beneath her lashes. “We’ve already established my liking for simplicity.”
He moved his shoulders as if shrugging off a burden. He grinned. “God bless simplicity. Are you sure you need to eat now?”
“No.” The folds of blue silk pooled at her feet. She stepped over it and moved toward him. “We’ve taken our own vows, and they should be celebrated in some way.” She slipped into bed and into his arms. She whispered, “And it need not necessarily be a very simple way. You’re very good at complications.”
“I’ve been patient long enough.” Vaden strode into Selene’s chamber and slammed the door. “Out of bed and into your clothes.”
Kadar sat up and quickly pulled the cover over Selene. “It’s courteous to knock, Vaden.”
“He doesn’t know how,” Selene said sarcastically.
“Would you have answered my knock? Tarik says you haven’t been out of this chamber in two days. Coupling is all very well, but it can’t interfere with the business at hand. Since I was the one who threw you into her bed, I felt obligated to allow you some extra time to enjoy her, Kadar, but I—”
“Allow?” Kadar repeated.
“Don’t be testy. You wanted my services. You have them. I won’t be kept waiting while you pleasure—”
“Get out, Vaden,” Kadar said.
Vaden sat down in a chair. “When you do.”
“Go on, Kadar,” Selene said. “I’ve no desire to lie here while you argue. Besides, perhaps he’s right. Keeping him waiting was discourteous.”
Vaden gave her a brilliant smile. “Thank you. It’s seldom I meet a woman who is both beautiful and just.”
He was the one who was beautiful, and she wondered how many women had melted at that stunning smile. “I’m not beautiful, and I’m not stupid enough to believe such flattery. Take your sweet words out of here while I dress.”
He blinked and then rose to his feet. “As you command.”
Kadar was throwing on his clothes. “Where are Tarik and Layla?”
“On the terrace. They seemed in no hurry to disturb you. Do I detect a hint of reluctance in them?”
“More than a hint, but it won’t affect your fee.”
“Of course it won’t.” He moved leisurely toward the door. “Since I tremble at your lady’s wrath, I