The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [34]
“Will you stop trembling?” he said gruffly. “You’re tearing me apart. I’ve never seen you this frightened.”
“It’s not for me. It’s the babe. We had no right. A babe is helpless and cannot—”
“But we’re not helpless. If necessary, we can protect him.” He held her closer. “Now forget this and go to sleep.”
Yes, he was right. They could protect their child. Kadar and she could do anything together. She relaxed against him even as she said, “You shouldn’t be in my bed. You said Nasim would know . . .”
“Nasim may go to hell.”
“He would be at home there.” She was silent for a moment, thinking. “I’ll not stay here without you.”
“I never intended to leave you or Haroun here.”
“Then what will we do?”
“Would it be too much to ask you to stop worrying and leave the matter to me?”
“Yes. I can’t stop worrying.” She paused. “But you know Nasim better than I do. I will listen to your suggestions.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She yawned. “Now I’m going to sleep. It seems I haven’t had a good slumber in—”
“Weeks?” Kadar chuckled. “I wonder why?”
She didn’t want to think of the reason why, nor of the sensual, passionate Kadar of the tower room. Right now she felt comfortable and treasured and safe. “You know why. Please have the courtesy to stop talking about it.”
He brushed his lips across the top of her head. “Yes, my lady. Anything you command. Whatever you wish.”
Not very likely, she thought drowsily, but she was too tired to refute him. She would tell him tomorrow that never in their acquaintance had she had everything entirely as she . . .
______
She slept so soundly she didn’t hear the thundering at the door a few hours later.
She lifted her head drowsily as Kadar slipped from the bed. “What is it?”
Kadar didn’t answer as he moved across the room and threw open the door.
Nasim strode into the chamber.
Selene hurriedly sat, jerking the cover up to cover her breasts.
A futile effort. She might as well have been invisible for all the attention Nasim paid her.
“My messenger has come.” The old man set the candle on the nightstand, his dark eyes glittering with excitement. “By Allah, I was sure he’d be sent back to me in pieces, but he came riding in only an hour ago. You must set out at once.”
“May I clothe my nakedness first?” Kadar asked dryly as he pulled his tunic over his head. “And who is chopping up your messengers?”
“Tarik. He guards the treasure. A clever, dangerous man.” He smiled grimly as he watched Kadar slip on his shoes. “And he does not like my people.”
“How many have you sent?”
“Five over the past twelve years. My most clever and talented of assassins. This is the only man who has ever returned.” He frowned. “I have to wonder why he was permitted to come back unscathed.”
“Perhaps this Tarik is no longer as formidable as he was once. Men weaken as years pass.”
“Tarik would not weaken. You’ll still find him most formidable.”
“If he let your messenger return, it could be he found him more than he could deal with. Send Fadil back to get your treasure.”
“Fadil is good, but he’s no match for Tarik. I would be a match for him. No one else.” He paused. “Except you.”
“Then you’d better break your silence and tell me where I’m going to find this treasure.” Kadar was at the washbasin, splashing water in his face. “And how you think I’m going to accomplish this.”
“That’s your problem.” For the first time since he’d entered the chamber, he glanced at Selene. “Women have big ears and busy tongues.”
“You’re right. Dress and wait in the hall, Selene.”
“Wait.” Nasim smiled. “You’re too eager to rid us of her presence.”
“I want to protect your secrets.”
“You want to protect her. If she knows, she will never be permitted to leave.”
“Unless the treasure is delivered to you. Then there is no secret as to its location. But if we send her—”
“She stays. You’re too eager to have her go,” Nasim said flatly. “The treasure is being held at the castle of Sienbara in Tuscany.”
“Italy.”
“Yes, not a far journey.” He added maliciously,