The Treasure (5 page)

“And it was your decision. It’s always a man’s decision. If he wishes to take a woman’s body, he does it. If he wishes to desert her later, he does it.” Her hands clenched at her sides. “Well, I won’t sit meekly and let a man make my decisions. I won’t let you have my body and then go away whenever you wish. I won’t care. I’ll
never
care again.”

“The devil you won’t. You can’t change what’s between us.”

“I can. I will.” She lay back against the pillow and closed her eyes. “I don’t want to talk anymore.”

“I almost wish I’d let Balkir strangle you,” he said through his teeth.

“The usual solution to any man’s problems.”

“Selene, this is difficult enough. We need to—You’re not listening.”

“My head aches and I’m sick unto death of listening to you. Go away, Kadar.”

He muttered something beneath his breath and then she heard the door slam.

She opened her eyes. Difficult? It was almost impossible to uproot all the years of feeling. Build the wall higher. She could do it.

She had only to keep him away.

It was a quarter of an hour later when the anchor was lifted and the ship eased away from the dock.

It was five minutes later when she heard the shouting on the deck.

Oh, God—Ware? No, he’d had no time to ride from the castle.

She jumped up and ran out on deck. She could see Kadar and Balkir in a crowd of sailors at the far rail. Angry sailors. Balkir was angry too. He lifted the club in his hand.

Kadar caught it and spoke rapidly to Balkir.

She ran toward them. “What is it? What’s—” She stopped short as she saw the huddled figure in the middle of the crowd. “Haroun?”

The boy was sopping wet, his eyes wide with terror as he looked from Kadar to Balkir.

“What are you doing here?”

“He swam out and grabbed the anchor rope,” Kadar said without looking at her. “Our captain wishes to club him and throw him back.”

“No!”

“That’s what I said.”

“When a rat climbs on to a ship, you kill it before it can devour your rations,” Balkir said. “He disobeyed you. He was supposed to deliver the note.”

“I gave it to Robert to take,” Haroun said. “I had to come. Lady Thea would have wanted me to take care of Lady Selene.”

And he had come even though he was clearly terrified, Selene thought. He looked thoroughly miserable, not capable of caring for himself much less anyone else.

Balkir was struggling to release himself from Kadar’s grasp. “Let me go.”

“When you promise to let the boy live,” Kadar said. “He may look like a rat, but I’m quite fond of him. See how lucky you are. Another hostage for Sinan.”

“I don’t need another—” He broke off as he met Kadar’s stare. He moistened his lips. “Perhaps another hostage would do no harm.”

Kadar released his arm and stood back. “I knew you’d be reasonable.” He bent down and helped Haroun to his feet. “Go with the lady Selene. I’m sure she can find you something to use to dry off.” He shook his head. “You really are a great bother, Haroun.“

“I’m sorry, Lord Kadar,” he whispered.

“So am I. I wished you’d be less noble and more wise.” He turned to Balkir. “I want to see your charts. I know these waters better than you do, and I intend to make sure Maysef, not the bottom of the sea, is my final destination.”

“I’ve made the journey twice. I won’t have you interfering in my—”

“It will do you no harm to show me the charts. Sinan ordered you to bring me to him. What if the ship sinks?” He nudged Balkir forward. “He’s been said to be able to curse even the dead. Do you want him angry with you in the hereafter?”

Balkir frowned and then turned on his heel. “Follow me.”

Kadar winked at Selene over his shoulder before sauntering after him.

Impudent rogue. She started to smile and then caught herself. So easy to fall back into the habit of years. “Come with me, Haroun.” She led him down the deck toward her cabin.

“I’m sorry, Lady Selene.” Haroun’s sandals squished as he hurried after her. “I had to come.”

“I know.” She opened the door and ushered him into the cabin. She grabbed a toweling cloth on the washstand and handed it to him. “Dry your hair.”

He began to rub his head. “The captain is a bad man. You should have waited and talked to Lord Ware.”

“And you should have done as you were told.” She grabbed the cover from the bunk. “Take off your clothes and wrap yourself in this.”

He turned bright scarlet. “I cannot. It would not be fitting for a man to undress in your presence.”

“It would not be fitting for me to have to tend you if you became ill from your foolishness. For heaven’s sake, I’ve seen naked men before. Besides, you’re scarce more than a boy.”

“I’m older than you,” he said indignantly.

Why, he must be, she realized in surprise. She always thought of Haroun as the boy she had first met those many years ago, before they had come to Scotland. He had been the survivor of a massacre by the Knights Templar, and Ware and Thea had taken him into their entourage. How eager and young he had seemed then. But young boys grew up, and she had hurt his pride. Thea would know what to say to ease that sting. Thea always knew what to say. Well, Thea wasn’t here, and Selene must do her best in her own way. “You’re right, it’s not fitting, but this is an emergency. I’ll turn my back.” She faced the door. “But be quick. I wish to sit down. I’m not feeling well.”

She heard the rustle of clothing behind her.

“You can turn around now.”

Haroun was wrapped from ears to toes in the gray blanket.

“Sit down.” She gathered his wet garments from the floor and spread them on the chair.

“You should not be waiting on me.”

She smiled. “And you should not have swum out and clung to that anchor line. But, since you did, we must forget what is fitting and try to help each other to stay alive.”

“You did not tell Lord Ware the truth in your note, did you?”

“No. I’m a hostage and so are you.” She sat down on the bed.

“But we don’t want Lord Ware to know, do we? You know what danger he would face if he came after us.”

He nodded. “That’s why I told Robert nothing was amiss when I gave him the note.”

“Good boy—man.” Dear heaven, she was weary. She wanted only to lay her head down and go to sleep. “But while you’re on board this ship, you must do nothing to anger Balkir’s men. Stay out of their way.”

“I will try.”

Of course he would try. He seemed terrified of everyone connected with Sinan.

“I’m not usually a . . . coward,” he said, as if he had read her thoughts. “Lord Ware has trained me to be a warrior. He says I’m a good soldier. It’s only . . . all my life I’ve heard of the Old Man of the Mountain. His people are not as others. They are . . . demons. One cannot fight demons.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Kadar was once one of Sinan’s people. Is he a demon?”

He shook his head. “But Lord Kadar is different. He walks alone.”

“How many times have I seen you dicing together? He’s your friend.”

“Yes.” He looked confused. “But he’s . . . different.”

She gave up. Kadar was different. One had only to be with him for a short while to realize that beneath that light, charming facade lay impenetrable depths. “But you trust him?”

Haroun brightened. “Oh, yes.”

“Then trust him to see that nothing happens to you at Maysef.”

“I not only worry about myself. Great harm can befall a woman. I know you belong to Lord Kadar, but still the danger is—”

“I do
not
belong to Kadar.”

“But everyone knows that you—” He saw her expression and added hurriedly, “But it seems you—”

“Everything is not always as it seems. I belong to no one but myself.”

“But a woman must belong to someone. It is—” He sensed the storm approaching and changed the subject. “It does not matter. I will care for you.”

She would probably be the one to have to care for him, but he meant well, so she resisted the impulse to tell him that. “Thank you, Haroun. If I’m in need of help, I will certainly—”

She stopped as the door opened and Kadar came into the cabin.

His gaze raked Haroun from head to foot. “Well, you look a pitiful sight.”

“Lady Selene made me take off my clothes. You are not angry that I am with her like this? I told her it wasn’t fitting.”

“I’m not angry.” He smiled. “She’s hard to refuse, isn’t she?”

He nodded, relieved. “And she has most strange ideas about . . . Even though she says she does not belong to you, I hope you will aid me in caring for her on this journey.”

“Oh, is that what she says?” Kadar asked silkily. “I do hope you didn’t make the mistake of believing her?”

“No, everyone knows—” He cast a glance at Selene. “I mean, everyone thinks that—”

“Enough.” Selene was holding on to her temper by a thin thread. “What of Balkir? Are you sure Haroun’s out of danger now?”

“As long as he doesn’t make himself obtrusive.”

“He can stay in this cabin with me.”

“No!” Haroun’s eyes were wide with horror.

Kadar shook his head. “That will make his position more tenuous. If the sailors think he could be getting favors they’re being denied, they may throw him overboard. But there are only two cabins on board this ship, and one is occupied by Balkir.” His gaze shifted to Haroun. “Suppose we sleep outside on deck in front of Lady Selene’s cabin? Then anyone who tries to pass will have to go through us.”

Haroun nodded vigorously. “Much wiser.”

Of course he thought Kadar’s plan was wiser than Selene’s. They were both men. “Oh, go away, both of you.” She lay down and closed her eyes. “I hope Balkir drowns you both.”

“But then you would lack any protection at all. I realize you think us both unworthy at present, but we are good for something.” Kadar clapped Haroun on the shoulder. “Come along. We’ll try to find you something to wear besides that blanket. She may need it if the night grows cold.” He opened the door. “I’ll return in the morning, Selene.”

She didn’t answer and heard the door close behind them.

Go to sleep. Don’t think of Kadar or this ship cleaving through the water on its way to Sinan.

Impossible. Now that she was alone and the need to act was gone, she could think of nothing else. She was shaking, she realized. Weakness. She was glad Kadar was no longer here to see it. She would be all right soon. She would sleep and grow stronger, and tomorrow she would be able to face Kadar with coolness and control.

Tomorrow . . .

THE NEXT MORNING, after a cursory knock, Kadar walked into the cabin. His arms were overflowing with garments. “Good day.” He crossed the cabin and deposited his burden on the bunk. “I thought you’d need something to wear since Balkir gave you no opportunity to pack.”

She wrinkled her nose as she picked up a mantle. “It stinks.”

“I had to bargain with the sailors, and you may have noticed they’re not overly clean. I’d hoped Balkir might have some female garments in the hold, since he also deals in piracy, but unfortunately there were none.” He smiled. “But you’re not unaccustomed to men’s garments. Do you remember when I brought you from Constantinople? You insisted on riding your own horse and dressing like a young boy.”

“I remember.” It had been a great adventure, her first taste of freedom, and she had made the most of it. “But they didn’t stink.”

“Ah, a little seawater. I’ll have Haroun fetch you a tub.”

“How is he?”

“Not complaining about
his
stinking clothes, you ungrateful wench.”

“What did you use to bargain for the clothes?”

“Another hour of life. It’s a commodity of great value.” His smile faded. “You didn’t sleep well.”

She should have realized he would recognize the signs. He knew her too well. “Of course I did.”

He shook his head. “I almost came to you last night.”

She stiffened.

“I assure you, I had other things on my mind than ravishment. Though we must talk about that as well.”

“We don’t have to talk about it. It’s over.”

He gestured impatiently. “It’s not over. It’s scarcely begun. It’s just not the time to show you the way of it.” He sighed. “As usual, you’ve distracted me. That’s not why I was going to come to your cabin.”

“You had no reason to come to me. I didn’t need you.”

“You did need me. We need each other. It’s always been that way and it always will be.” He reached out and gently touched her hair. “Reject me in every other way, but take comfort from me. I give it with my whole heart, and it hurts me to have you refuse.”

She felt the familiar melting and steeled herself against it. “I don’t want your comfort. I don’t want anything from you.”

He stared at her for a long moment. “And you care nothing that you hurt me.” His lips tightened. “I know I made a mistake. I reached out and snatched when I should have been patient. But, by God, I’ve been patient for years. I’m no monk. You were there and willing, and I knew I was leaving and might not see you—for a long time.”

“You were leaving,” she repeated. “You knew you were going and still you took what I offered. Do I care that you took my body? It doesn’t matter at all compared to you lying to me. If you truly cared for me, you would have found a way to take me with you wherever you went. I would never have left you. You preached of trust and then you didn’t even tell me about Sinan.”

“There’s no use talking to you. You’re not listening to me. Very well, then hug your anger close. Thrust me away. But when we reach Maysef, obey me. It may save all our lives.” He started toward the door. “And while you’re on this ship, stay in the cabin. If you want air, tell me and I’ll escort you. Don’t go among the sailors by yourself.”

“I’m not a fool. I know men care for only one thing from a woman.”

“Some men. If that’s all I’d wanted from you, I would have bedded you years ago.” He opened the door. “I’ll send Haroun with food to break your fast.”

The door closed behind him with a decisive force that was almost a slam. He was angry. Well, that was good. Anger would distance him. The faint unease she was feeling was just a lingering thread from that time when every breath he drew was important to her.

That time was no more.

“You summoned me?” Kadar asked.

“I’m going mad cooped up here.” Selene glared at him. “I have nothing to do. Every hour of my day was filled at Montdhu. We’ve been four weeks on this ship.
When
will we arrive at Hafir?”

“Another two weeks perhaps. Haroun isn’t proving entertaining? I sent you a chess set I borrowed from the good captain.”

“He does his best. One cannot play chess every hour of the day.” She scowled. “Besides, I win all the time.”

“Poor Haroun. There are not many players your equal. I’d offer my services, but you made it clear you want none of my company.” He arched a brow. “Unless you’ve changed your mind?”

“I’ve not changed my mind. But you play a fine game of chess. Why should I cheat myself? It’s all your fault that I must endure this long, boring trip.”

“And it’s my duty to make it less boring.” He bowed. “I recognize my responsibility. I’m at your service. Shall I get out the board?”

“No.” She stood up. “I want to go on deck. I think I’m going to suffocate if I stay one more minute in this cabin.”

“You could have called on me before this. I was waiting.” He smiled. “Waiting for you seems to have become my life’s vocation.” He opened the door for her. “The sun is bright today. You should not stay out long.”

She wanted the brightness. She drew the fresh salt air deep into her lungs and gazed contentedly at the sun’s rays glancing off the blue of the sea. “I don’t want to ever go in.”

He took his burnoose from his head and plopped it on hers. “At least cover your head. That red hair is like a beacon, and you’re attracting enough attention.”

For the first time she noticed the glances she was receiving from the sailors. A little of her joy faded.

Kadar swiftly drew her to the rail and put himself between her and everyone else. “Look at the seagulls.”

“How close are we to land?”

“You can see it on the horizon.” He pointed. “That’s Italy.”

“Where the Pope lives.”

“In Rome, yes.”

“You went there last year to sell our silks.”

He nodded. “Hard bargainers. I prefer dealing with the Spanish.”

“I wanted to go with you. I wanted to see Rome and Naples. I wanted to see
everything.
You wouldn’t take me.”

“Perhaps I should have let you come.” He grimaced. “As it happened, it all came down to the same thing anyway.” His voice lowered. “If I had, I guarantee you wouldn’t have been bored.”

She felt the heat sting her cheeks. “You speak of coupling? I found it not so much. And one cannot couple for weeks at a time.”

“One can but try,” he murmured. “I think I know enough variations to keep us entertained for that length of time. Did I tell you that as a boy in Damascus I once worked in a house of pleasure?”

Her eyes widened. “No, you did not.”

“I probably thought it unfitting for your virgin ears. But you’re no longer a virgin, are you? So I can tell you of Jebra, who spent more time on her knees than she did her back. Or of the tight kiss that can bring more pleasure than—”

“I’m not interested in this.”

“Of course you are. You have a great zest for life, and you’re curious as a cat about everything around you. But so far you’ve only stood back and watched.” He smiled. “As I did at the house of pleasure for the first few months. Then I decided if there was a skill to be learned, I should apprentice myself wholeheartedly to the task. I found there were many paths both bright and dark to explore.”

Bright
and
dark?

“Ah, that intrigues you.” His gaze focused intently on her face. “If you like, I could lead you a little way on the dark path. Not too deep, or one can become—”

“No.” She pulled her gaze away and drew a steadying breath. “I told you I didn’t want to hear this.”

“But I feel it my duty to distract you. Skimming the dark waters holds a fascination for most people. Don’t worry, I’d hold you afloat. I’d never let you be pulled down.”

“Bright path, dark path. It sounds like Sinan.”

“Oh, no. It was all dark when I was with Sinan. He believed only in the dark pleasures. Far darker than any I practiced in Jebra’s house.”

She searched desperately for a way to shift the subject. “What task has Sinan set for you?”

“I don’t know. I only promised to come when he needed me.”

“You don’t know? You agreed blindly?”

He shrugged. “I had to find a way to get him to let us go. It can be no worse than other things I’ve done in my life.”

“It could be more dangerous.”

“It probably is. Sinan always gets his price in any bargain.”

And his price might very well be Kadar’s blood. She stared blindly out at the sea. “You’re such a fool.”

“The better to keep you entertained.” He was silent for a moment. “There’s something you should know. Sinan will try to use you.”

“He doesn’t need me to make you do his bidding. You’re all too willing.”

“He’ll still use you, if I can’t prevent it. It’s his nature to bend everyone to his will, and I don’t bend. It’s a battle that’s waged between us for years. It’s better if he believes you mean nothing to me.” His lips twisted. “If I can fool him. It may not be possible. I’ve only known one man more clever.”

“Who?” she asked curiously.

He shrugged. “Nasim. He was . . .” He searched for the right word. “Linked to Sinan.”

She frowned. “I’ve never heard you speak of him.”

“Because he doesn’t matter. That was a long time ago.” He switched back to the previous subject. “I think Sinan realized what you were to me all those years ago. He’ll be pleased with Balkir for delivering you into his hands.”

“He won’t use me. I won’t permit it.”

“I hope you’re right. I suppose it’s foolish to ask you not to interfere?”

“Why should I interfere? You’re the one who was idiot enough to promise to do his will. I wish only that Haroun and I are freed so that we may return to Montdhu. Be sure that is part of any bargain you make.”

“I’ll try. I can only promise that you’ll both survive.” He took her elbow. “Have you had enough air? I think we’d better go back to your cabin. That sailor aft has been eyeing you and edging closer for the past few moments. I don’t want to be forced to toss him overboard.”

She hadn’t been aware of anything but their conversation, but Kadar had noticed. Kadar always knew everything that was going on around him. Sinan wasn’t the only one who was uncanny. “I suppose I’m ready.”

“Astonishing,” Kadar murmured as he guided her back to the cabin. “Knowing how displeased you are with me, I thought surely you’d want to see me put to the trouble of ridding us of him.”

“Sinan will give you enough trouble when we reach Maysef. He needs no help from me.”

Sinan . . .

After Kadar had taken Selene back to her cabin, he returned to the rail to stare out at the sea. Selene’s last remark had stirred the uneasiness that had been growing in him during these weeks on board the
Dark Star.

Something was not as it should be. When he had spoken to the sailors casually of Sinan, they had frozen and then made excuses to bolt away from him.

And Balkir’s slip of the tongue on the night of their departure. He had scarcely noticed it at the time, but it had evidently stuck in his memory.

Nas—Sinan.

Nasim?

The familiar chill swept over him at the unwelcome possibility.

But possibilities must be faced before they became realities that caught you by surprise.

He turned on his heel and strode to where Balkir stood at the front of the ship.

“There’s something you should know,” Kadar murmured as he helped Selene down the gangplank at Hafir. “It wasn’t Sinan who sent the
Dark Star.”

“What?” she asked, startled. “But it had to—”

“Sinan is dead. He died years ago.”

Relief poured through her. She hadn’t known until this moment how frightened she’d been of facing that evil old man again. Joy followed on the heels of relief as she realized that the threat that had dangled over Kadar’s head all these years was gone. “Thank God.”

“It may not be an occasion for rejoicing. Nasim sent Balkir to bring me here.”

“Nasim?” He had mentioned Nasim, she recalled. “The man you said was linked to Sinan?”

He nodded. “Sheikh Jabbar Al Nasim.”

“What do you mean,
linked
?”

“When one of Sinan’s followers was deemed ready to walk the dark path, Sinan sent him to Nasim.”

“Why?”

“Training.”

“But I thought Sinan trained you.”

“He did. Nasim’s teaching was . . . different. Some called him a sorcerer. Sinan was able to go only so far. It’s not easy to take the final step on the dark path or lead someone else to take it.”

She didn’t like this. It seemed impossible that anyone could be more threatening than Sinan, but Kadar’s tone was making her uneasy. “He wasn’t at Maysef when we were there.”

“He has his own camp a day’s journey away. He seldom came to Maysef except during the training or when he wanted something from Sinan.” He paused. “And he always got what he wanted, Selene. I never saw Sinan yield to anyone but Nasim.”

“And does he now lead Sinan’s followers?”

He shook his head. “He was never interested in that kind of glory. He only wanted the power. According to Balkir, Nasim just comes and goes as he always did, watching the power struggles among Sinan’s followers. He always stood apart.”