Free The Treasure by Iris Johansen Page B

Kadar walked into her bedchamber.
    “He didn’t tell me. I only know it involves a journey to bring him a great treasure, a treasure beyond price. He’s waiting for a messenger. He said it may be a week or two before he gets word.”
    “A treasure beyond price,” Selene repeated. “What would that devil consider beyond price?”
    Kadar shrugged. “I have no idea, but whatever it is, he wants it badly.”
    “And we have to stay here?”
    He nodded.
    Her hands clenched into fists. “Is there nothing we can do?”
    “Escape?” He shook his head. “I must do the task he sets me, or everything I won from him will be lost.”
    “And you hate to lose.”
    “So do you. Particularly when it affects the people you love.” He crossed to the window and looked down at the courtyard below. “I must stay with you in this chamber. It’s not safe for you to be alone.”
    She stiffened.
    “Don’t fight me on this. We’ve shared a chamber before and for the same reason.” His tone was abstracted. “I’ll make a pallet on the floor.”
    “It’s necessary?”
    “Without question.”
    “Then, of course, I’ll permit it.”
    “I won’t inflict my presence on you overmuch. Nasim will allow me the freedom of the fortress and the countryside.”
    “But not me or Haroun.” It was a statement.
    “Haroun can be allowed limited freedom. It’s not safe for you to leave the chamber.”
    But Kadar would be wandering among these assassins and would often be in Nasim’s presence. The thought chilled her. She said lightly, “You need not think I will permit you to abandon me. I will not suffer boredom here any more than I would on the
Dark Star.
You must entertain me.”
    He smiled faintly. “Oh, must I?”
    “Yes, and I need something else to wear. I’m weary of these rough garments. Fetch me cloth and needle and thread. And I may wish you to help me with them.”
    “You want
me
to sew?”
    “Are you too proud?”
    “Pride? I’ve set myself to humbler tasks, but I find it unusual you would require my aid.”
    She shrugged. “You are here. You might as well help.”
    “Anything else?”
    “Not now. Perhaps later.”
    “I’ll journey forth immediately on the quest.” He turned and headed for the door. “Bolt the door and open it only to me.”
    She leaned her forehead against the wood of the door after she had bolted it behind him. Everything was going amiss. She had meant to keep Kadar at a distance, but she had been forced to draw him closer. Well, it was only for the short time she was here.
    She would
not
let that evil man have Kadar.

“SWEET MARY,” Kadar swore softly as he stabbed the needle viciously through the soft muslin. “You will not be able to wear this gown. It’s stained with the blood of a thousand pinpricks.”
    “It’s brown.” Selene bent to stir the fire in the hearth before settling back on her stool. “The blood will hardly show at all.”
    He scowled at her. “I have no liking for this task. Why must we sew in the evening as well? I might survive if I could see what I was doing.”
    “The fire gives adequate light. We’ve only completed one gown. I need another.”
    His gaze suddenly lifted from the cloth. “Do you? I think not.”
    “Why else would I go to this bother? Do you think I like hearing you curse and moan over a little pinprick?”
    “A
little
pinprick? My fingers are—” He paused. “Very clever. You almost distracted me.” He set aside the cloth and linked his arms around his knees. “You don’t need another gown. You wish to keep me with you.”
    “Nonsense. Your vanity is out of all bounds.”
    He looked at her, waiting.
    “Why should I wish to keep you with me? You curse and moan and I must show you stitches that a babe would learn in the cradle.”
    “You’re trying to annoy me.” He smiled. “But I would never be so ungallant as to show anger to my savior.”
    “Savior? I don’t know what you mean.”
    “We’ve never talked about it, but you