The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [111]
Kadar had never spoken to her like this. His manner was pained, the sentences stiff, not at all like Kadar, whose words usually flowed like warm honey. She wanted to reach out and touch him, hold him, surrender to whatever he wanted to take away his pain. She couldn’t do it. “No, it’s not terrible. I just can’t accept it.”
He became still. “You said you weren’t angry.”
She smiled. “Why should I be angry? Do you expect me to reject you? I’ve committed that foolishness before and I won’t repeat it. I’m selfish, too, and I have no intention of losing you. We just cannot agree.” She kissed him lightly on the mouth. “But there are things on which we do agree. We should enjoy them in the time we have left. What time do you leave tomorrow to go to Nasim?”
“In the afternoon.” He stared at her warily. “Why?”
“Then we have time to walk in the garden, sup, talk.” She smiled teasingly. “And enjoy the simple things of life.” He was relaxing. That was good. She wanted no tension this night. “And I promise I’ll not try to dissuade you from going tomorrow.” She stepped back. “I know better than to waste my time. Now go and bathe and return to me within two hours. I’ll do the same and order a meal brought to us.”
He smiled. “If that’s what you wish.”
She smiled back at him. “That is exactly what I wish—for now.”
THE MOONLIGHT GLITTERED on the waters of the reflecting pool and the breeze ruffling the surface seemed to give movement to the statues surrounding it.
“I don’t like those statues,” Selene said. “They’re too cold.” She stepped forward so that her face was mirrored in the water. “But I look cold too. Isn’t that strange?”
“Yes. No one is less cold.” His grasp steadied her. “But that may change if you topple into the water.”
She chuckled. “Would you jump in and save me?”
“Always.”
“Well, I doubt I’d need rescuing. The pool is scarce five feet deep.”
“Men in armor have been known to drown in a few feet of water.”
“And serves them right for making war.”
“You’re making war on Nasim.”
Her smile faded. “That’s different.”
“And that’s what every antagonist says about his war.”
She made a face. “I don’t want to talk about wars tonight.”
“Or Nasim.”
“Or Nasim.” She moved away from him and sat down on the bench beside the pool. “So talk about something else.”
“You’re being entirely too serene. You’re not planning on going over the wall again?” Kadar asked.
She shook her head. “I don’t think Vaden could be fooled as was that guard at Sienbara, and I’m sure you’ll warn him to watch me.”
He sat down beside her and took her hand. “Of course. But Layla has already given him ample warning. She’s learned your temperament very well in such a short time.”
“We think a good deal alike. I thought she’d fight harder to keep us from using the grail.”
“It was Tarik’s decision. Since I had a weapon to use, I bent all my efforts on him.”
“What weapon?”
“Guilt.”
She frowned, puzzled. “It’s Nasim who was guilty, not Tarik. I wouldn’t think Tarik would feel any blame.”
“Tarik evidently is a man with a conscience.”
“That would still not be—” She studied his face. “You’re not telling me something.”
“Not because I’m trying to keep secrets from you, it’s just not the time. I have to make a decision first.”
“Is it about the grail?”
He nodded.
“You agreed to protect it for Tarik? Is that why he’s letting us use it? You should never have—”
“I promised him only that I’d protect it from Nasim while it was in my possession.” He lifted her hand and kissed the palm. “Don’t you think it’s time we went inside?”
She stared at him in wonder. “I think you’re beginning to believe Tarik. How can you? It’s impossible.”
“Sometimes one is forced to consider the possibility of the impossible.” He smiled. “But that shouldn’t trouble you. You’ve already told me that the goal Tarik and Layla worked so hard to accomplish is of no interest to you.”
She shivered. “It would be too lonely and strange.”
“Perhaps not so lonely. We could