The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [48]
“Why should I be afraid?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. You may fear to love him too much. You have an idea what he is and perhaps you sense what he may become. Your instincts are correct. He is in great danger.”
She felt a stirring of panic. “Don’t be foolish. Kadar is too clever. Nasim will not have him.”
“Not Nasim. Me.”
She gazed at him in surprise. “You? You will not hurt him. I’m not blind. You like Kadar.”
“We have a great bond. That will not prevent me from doing him the greatest damage any human can do to another.” His lips twisted. “The temptation is too great.”
“Why are you telling me this?” she whispered.
“Because muddled thinking causes waste and unhappiness. I speak as one who knows. I would not have lost Layla if I’d been able to see truth instead of my own pain. Even now I’m still not sure . . . I like you, Selene. I don’t want you to make the same mistake.”
“What difference does it make what I feel or do if you intend to destroy Kadar anyway?”
“Love always makes a difference. We have to grab it and hold on until the last moment.”
Last moment. A chill iced through her at the words. He was talking about Kadar’s last moment. “I’m going to tell him what you’ve said about hurting him.”
“I don’t doubt it, but he won’t be surprised. Kadar and I understand each other.” He paused. “And he also understands that sometimes destiny forces us all to do what we have to do just to survive.” He smiled sadly. “I often see myself in Kadar.”
“He’s not like you. He would not kill you for any reason.” She whirled on him. “We will leave here. I won’t let you do it.”
“He won’t go. He may send you, but he won’t go himself. He hears the call.”
Her chill increased as she remembered that night before Kadar had come to the castle. “What call?”
“Curiosity. Fate. Who knows what calls a man? But he hears it.”
“It’s not true.”
“Ah, I believe you know it is.” His gaze went to Kadar, who was now nearing Balkir’s tent. “If you would permit yourself, you would hear it too.”
“I’ll never permit myself to indulge in such foolishness.”
“Never is a long time, Selene.”
“BY GOD, you’ve been there over a week already. How much longer will it take?” Balkir demanded.
“I have no idea,” Kadar said.
“Then I want the woman returned to me.”
“Tarik prefers her to remain at the castle. I doubt if he would release her.”
“Why not?” Balkir’s fists clenched in frustration. “What is this about?”
Kadar smiled. “It’s about getting Nasim’s treasure for him.
Why else are we here?”
“I’m sure Nasim would not like this. I sent a messenger to tell him what you were doing the moment you entered the gates.”
Kadar’s smile vanished. “And has he replied?”
“Not yet. But he will. He’ll tell me to storm this castle and take the treasure as you could not.”
“He’s wiser than that. He’ll tell you to wait and obey my instructions.” Kadar turned to go. “If I don’t return with the treasure in another week’s time, I’ll come out and inform you of my progress.”
“I’ll not wait forever.” Balkir’s voice lowered menacingly. “I won’t face Nasim’s anger because of your dawdling. I think you seek to betray him.”
“Nonsense. I’ll be in touch with you.” Kadar left the tent and strode toward his horse. As he mounted, he saw Balkir standing beneath the awning at the opening of the tent, balefully watching him. Ordinarily, Kadar would not have been overly concerned, but he could sense a change in Balkir’s attitude. He was growing more belligerent, and his fear of Nasim’s wrath was growing.
Frightened men were always dangerous.
“He’s sent a message to Nasim?” Tarik frowned as he moved his pawn. “That’s not good.”
“But to be expected.” Kadar studied the chessboard. “You couldn’t keep us here indefinitely with no action being taken.”
“Am I keeping you here?” Tarik smiled. “I believe you would stay regardless of anything I said or did now.”
He was right, Kadar thought. With each passing day he felt as if he were being drawn deeper into the web Tarik was spinning about them. Strange, he had fought