The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [56]
“When will I know?”
“If he’s still alive at dawn, he has a good chance.” He turned and left the chamber.
Dawn. Daybreak must be at least four hours away. Tarik didn’t expect Kadar to live for that dawning.
He would live.
She pulled the stopper on the tiny blue bottle. So small a vial to hold all her hopes. Her hand was shaking as she lifted it to Kadar’s lips.
She parted his lips and poured a tiny portion into his mouth, then stroked his throat until he swallowed. She followed the procedure three times until the bottle was empty.
She set the empty vial on the table. One more hour and she would give him the potion to soothe his stomach.
If he lived that long.
She knelt again on the floor by his bed and laid her cheek on his hand. “Help me, Kadar,” she whispered. “We’ve been together so long. I don’t think I can live if you die.”
He did not stir. He was so still he gave the appearance of death even now.
She shivered and then blocked that cruel thought. She must not think of death but of life. Tarik’s medicine would heal him.
If only Kadar could hold on until dawn.
Dawn came and passed. Noon came and passed.
Kadar lived but remained in that deathlike stupor.
Evening was drawing near when Tarik returned to the chamber.
“He still lives?” He came over to the bed and examined the wound. “No fester. It may be starting to heal.”
“He won’t wake up. I need more medicine to give him.”
Tarik shook his head. “It’s too strong. A deep sleep is not uncommon in these instances. He will wake when he’s ready.”
“But he will live?”
Tarik nodded. “Without question.”
Joy and relief surged through her with dizzying force. “Thank God.”
“Perhaps.” He turned to leave. “I’ll send Haroun to help you. You’ll need his assistance when Kadar wakes. I’ll return tomorrow to check his wound.” He glanced at her over his shoulder. “And get some sleep. You look worse than he does.”
“I’ll sleep when he wakes.”
“That could be days.” When she didn’t reply, he shrugged and smiled faintly. “Do what you will. I suppose a few days without sleep won’t harm you.”
She forced a smile. “If it does, you can give me some of your fine medicine.”
His smile disappeared. “No, I won’t interfere again. Harm yourself and you’ll have to do your own healing.”
She looked at the empty vial on the table. “Was it a sorcerer’s brew?”
“I thought you didn’t care, if it saved Kadar.”
“I don’t. I just wanted to know.”
“It’s no sorcerer’s brew. I have no magic powers. As a young man, I worked in a house where such medicines were used on occasion.”
“But you said Nasim sent you Kadar as a test. He clearly believes you have magical powers.”
“Does he?”
“You know he does.”
“I know he questions everything and everyone. Do you believe in magic, Selene?”
“I don’t know. I’ve seen strange things.” She straightened her shoulders. “It doesn’t matter. If magic will cure Kadar, it can’t be bad.”
He chuckled. “Always practical and clear-seeing. You’d use the devil himself if it suited you.”
“Why not?” She turned back to Kadar. “I’ll need a strengthening broth to feed him. Will you see to it?”
“I’m dismissed?” She could hear the amusement in his tone. “Yes, I’ll see to it, Selene.”
______
Kadar woke near dawn of the next day. One moment he was sleeping deeply and the next he was staring up at her, wide-awake.
“What’s wrong? You look terrible. Are you ill?” he whispered.
“No, you are.” She tried to subdue the joy soaring through her. He was alive. He was with her again. “Don’t you remember?”
He thought for a moment. “Balkir.”
She nodded.
“How long ago?”
“This is the second dawn.” She shuddered. “It was a terrible wound. Everyone thought you’d die, but Tarik saved you.”
“How?”
“He had a medicinal potion that cured you.”
“And how did I come to be back here?