“Then I hereby end this discussion.”
“Not without help,” Kadar said.
“You know the power of the assassins,” Vaden said. “They never stop. If I killed Nasim, they’d be pursuing me for the rest of my life.”
“You wouldn’t be the one to strike the death blow.”
“Then they’d pursue me for only half my life.”
“Tarik would pay very well,” Selene said. “What do you want?”
“I have what I want.” He waved at the dim room. “Uplifting surroundings. Good company. Fine wine.”
“What do you want?” Selene repeated.
“To live another year.”
“If we promised to see that Nasim did not know—”
“He would know.” His gaze fastened on her face. “You’re very determined. Why me? There are other warriors. I grant you, not as magnificent as me. And not many who would face Nasim, but I could name you one or two.”
“I want you.”
His eyes gleamed. “I told you I was weary. But if you insist, I’ll try to—”
“Stop it.” She could feel the heat rise to her cheeks. “You’re trying to discourage me. You’ll not succeed that way.”
“And the suggestion of intimacy is beginning to annoy me.” Kadar smiled sardonically. “Selene feels your involvement was meant to be. In truth, your appearance at this particular time and place seems heaven-sent.”
“I have nothing to do with heaven and no credentials from that quarter.”
“I don’t care. I need you,” Selene said. “Ware trusted you. If you help us, I promise you won’t be hurt by it.”
Kadar pressed her shoulder. “Let’s leave him to think about it. We’ll be at the villa. When your head is clearer, perhaps you’ll let us know your decision.”
She reluctantly rose to her feet. She supposed Kadar was right. They were making little progress with Vaden. “Help us. Nasim is a monster. He hurts everyone.”
Vaden looked at her, his eyes blue and cool as a mountain lake. “Did he hurt you?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “He hurt me.”
He glanced down into his wine. “He hasn’t hurt me.”
She turned on her heel and strode toward the door.
Kadar caught up with her outside. “It’s not entirely hopeless.”
“I don’t see how it could be any worse.”
“I’m not certain. It’s hard to judge what Vaden’s thinking.”
“He told us what he was thinking. No.”
“That doesn’t mean that will be his final decision. Even Ware was never quite sure of Vaden. We’ll wait for a few days and then I’ll approach him again.”
“I don’t know if I still want his help. He’s an arrogant, self-indulgent, brutal—”
“And a greater warrior than even Ware. You want him.”
She sighed. “Yes, I want him.”
Vaden appeared at the villa two days later. He wore light armor that shone bright in the afternoon sunlight. He was clean, sober, and even more startlingly comely in daylight.
“Good heavens,” Layla murmured as she saw him walking up the steps. “Magnificent. Who is this?”
“Vaden. And I’m sure he’d agree with you.” Selene eagerly moved forward to greet him. “You came. Why?”
“Lady Selene.” He bowed. “It was necessary. I ran out of wine.”
“We have a plentiful supply here.” Kadar strolled forward to stand beside Selene.
“Good. Then my journey won’t be for nothing.” His gaze traveled around the anteroom and rested on a bust of Pope Giulano. “I’d forgotten. I’m surprised you haven’t gotten rid of that statue of His Holiness.”
“Why? It’s well executed,” Tarik said. “Everything in the villa is extremely well done. Your mother had excellent taste.”
“She had no taste of her own. She studied His Holiness’s likes and whims and gave him what he wanted.” His tone was without expression. “She was a mirror.” He turned to Kadar. “The wine and then conversation. Shall we go out onto the terrace?” He didn’t wait for an answer but strode out of the antechamber.
“It seems we shall,” Tarik murmured. “Do you suppose I should remind him he’s no longer master here?”
“I doubt if it would do any good.” Selene hurried after Vaden, followed by Kadar, Layla, and Tarik.
“You paid too much, Tarik.” Vaden was leaning on the balustrade, his back to the garden. “I would have taken much less to rid myself of this place.”
“I know.” Tarik seated himself on the bench. “But then guilt would have marred my enjoyment.”
“It’s the bane that rules his life,” Layla said.
Vaden turned to her. “And you are?”
“Layla.”
“Tarik’s wife.” Kadar poured a goblet of wine and carried it to Vaden. “Your wine. Must we wait until you finish before we start?”
“Nothing should interfere with a fine goblet of wine.” Vaden smiled. “But I suppose I could make an exception.”
“You’ve decided to help us?” Selene asked.
“If you can meet my price.”
“We’ll meet it.”
“Don’t be so eager,” Tarik said. “It’s my money pouch you’re depleting.”
“But you’re clearly a wealthy man,” Vaden said. “Only the very rich can afford to suffer guilt.”
“What’s your price?”
“First tell me what my part is in this endeavor.”
“What you always do: You and your force will attack when we deem it necessary,” answered Selene.
“When I deem it necessary,” Kadar said. “An army with too many heads tends to get them all chopped off.”
“And that’s why I’ll make the decisions,” Vaden said.
Kadar shook his head. “I know Nasim, and your part in this may be minor depending on how we can position him.”
“My part is never minor.” He met Kadar’s gaze and then shrugged. “But we can decide details later.”
It was a major victory, Selene thought, and one she hadn’t expected Kadar to win. “First we have to find Nasim. We think he’s somewhere near Rome.”
“Pompeii,” Vaden said. “The assassins never venture too near any city in Christendom. Fear is one of their weapons, and distance lends mystery. Nasim and his men have set up camp above the ruins.”
“How do you know?” Selene asked.
“This is Rome. It’s the place of my birth. I make it my business to know everything that happens here.”
“Then you knew Nasim was here when we first spoke to you.”
“I knew he was near, and I located him yesterday morning.” Vaden’s smile was angelically beautiful. “But I hadn’t run out of wine yet.”
She wanted to hit him. She drew a deep breath. “Nasim is searching for us. We have to strike before he finds out where we are.”
“We could try to draw him here.” Vaden glanced around the cool tiled beauty of the terrace. “In fact, I think that’s a splendid idea. The villa would make a fine battleground. If Nasim rode his horses through here, we could rid Tarik of several of those abominable statues.”
“That’s not amusing,” Tarik said. “You obviously not only intend to beggar me but to deprive me of my property.”
“Well, we probably couldn’t lure him here anyway,” Vaden said. “We’ll have to rely on attack.”
“We can lure him. We have something he wants,” Kadar said. “But we’ll have to choose a better place than the villa.”
Vaden’s eyes narrowed. “What do you have that Nasim wants?”
“It’s none of your concern,” Layla said.
“Everything that affects my life and that of my men is my concern.” He paused. “Is it the golden coffer?”
Layla stiffened. “How did you know of—”
“Rumors.” His gaze shifted to Tarik. “There were many interesting stories swirling about you when I sold you this villa. I was almost tempted to reach out and take the coffer mysel
f.”
“It was fortunate you didn’t try.”
“I wouldn’t judge Nasim to be a man who’d be interested in a small treasure. What’s in the coffer?”
“You know enough,” Layla said.
“No, he’s right,” Selene said. “He risks his life. There’s only a grail in the coffer.”
He gave a low whistle. “A grail? I’ve heard tales of the Holy Grail.”
“I assure you, there’s nothing holy about this grail,” Tarik said.
“Then why does Nasim want it?” Vaden shook his head. “Never mind, I don’t want to know. It’s probably some mystical nonsense I’d be better off not filling my head with.” He finished his wine and set the goblet on the balustrade. “Since our business is concluded, I’ll return to the city and send word to my men to gather. It will take two days.” He started for the door. “Kadar, if you don’t have a reasonable plan in that time, you’ll have to step aside and leave it to me.”
“I’ll have a plan,” Kadar said. “But you haven’t told Tarik your price. Is it kind to leave him in suspense?”
Vaden glanced over his shoulder at Tarik. “I’d prefer to give you my price after Nasim is defeated. I promise not to take quite everything you own.”
“A most unusual arrangement,” Tarik said dryly. “What if I decide not to pay you?”
“You’ll pay me.” Vaden’s smile was tiger bright. “Everyone pays me.”
“WELL, ARE YOU CONTENT?” Kadar asked as he escorted Selene back to her chamber a short time later.
“Yes.” She grimaced. “Though I don’t know why. He’s a most unsettling man. I don’t know what he’s thinking.”
“You don’t need to know. All we have to worry about is Vaden’s power in battle and his loyalty.”
“I’d judge Vaden to be a man who hates to be held in check. How far will loyalty stretch?”
“There’s no use discussing it. It’s done. We’ll just watch him.”
She suddenly frowned. “He seemed uncomfortable talking about the grail.”
“Ware told me Vaden was always a man who believed only what he could hold in his hands.” He smiled. “Yet he traveled all the way to Scotland to deliver your sister’s banner to her. I’d wager he was even more uncomfortable performing that task.”
“But he did it.” Her jaw firmed. “And he’ll do this for us.” She stopped in front of her door. “Will you have a plan in two days?”
“Yes, I’ll have a plan.” He paused. “But we have other things to do in those two days. I told Tarik that we’d need a priest for tomorrow evening.”
“A priest? Why should—” She understood. Vows. “You still wish this?”
“We have an agreement. I persuaded Tarik to let us use the grail. Now I’m ready to help you trap Nasim. Why would you think I’d changed my mind about my reward?”
Because he had not shown her that other, darker side of him in the past days. He had been the old Kadar, and it was that other Kadar who had made the demand.
She moistened her lips. “It would be wiser to wait.”
He smiled. “I’m not like Vaden. I believe in taking the bulk of my reward in advance. You can never tell what will happen to prevent you from enjoying the fruits of your labor.”
“Nothing is going to happen to you. I won’t let it.”
“I bask in your assurances.” He met her gaze. “But the vows will still take place tomorrow evening.”
His tone had taken on that harder, cooler edge and so had his expression, she realized with shock. The familiar Kadar was gone again. How easily he had slipped into that darker side.
“If that’s what you wish. I never intended to cheat you.”
“I know.” His smile banished the hardness. “It’s just that vows are not what is most important to me.” He lifted her hand and brushed it with his lips. “And what I hope will become important to you again. Rest well. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She watched him until he disappeared around the turn of the hall.
Vows.
She would be wed tomorrow. The idea was strange. She had put the prospect completely out of her mind in the past days. She must do that again tonight.
Because she was feeling the beginning of a tingling excitement and anticipation that was blocking out everything else. Kadar had always loomed larger than anything or anyone around him, and he was now a distraction she couldn’t afford.
She could block him out tonight, but what of tomorrow night? Vows had not been his only price.
The tower.
Don’t think of the tower. Don’t think of his body or the music it had made as it merged with her own.
Don’t think at all.
“I’ve brought you something to wear tomorrow,” Layla said when Selene opened the door. She motioned to the soft blue material draped over her arm. “It’s not fitting that you wear a servant’s gown for such an occasion.”
“It’s very kind of you, but I don’t—”
“Of course you do.” Layla entered the room and shut the door. “Weddings are very important.” She tossed the material on the bed. “It’s not really a gown. It’s only a length of silk, but the color is pretty and it will feel good against your body. I’ll come back tomorrow morning and show you how to drape it.”
Selene frowned skeptically at the material. “Drape it?”
“The women of Egypt and India do it all the time. It’s much more graceful than clumsy stitching.” She smiled. “And much easier to remove.”
“I believe I prefer stitching.”
“Not for tomorrow.” She was silent a moment. “I was surprised you’d decided to marry at this time. I’ve noticed Kadar can be very dominating. Is this by your will?”
“It’s by my will.”
“Because if it’s not, tell me. You’re not yourself, and I won’t have him intimidate you.”
“He’s not intimidating me.” She found herself smiling. “And I’m enough myself to prevent such bullying. I thank you for your concern.”
“I have a liking for you.” The words came awkwardly. “I want things to go well. You may resent me for trying to keep Tarik from letting you use the grail, but it’s not because I don’t understand your pain.”
“I don’t resent you.” It was true, Selene realized. It was clear Layla’s passion to protect the grail was as strong as her own passion to use any means to accomplish her end. “You’ve always been kind to me.” She made a face. “Except for that first night. I’ve still not forgiven that blow.”
“Mario’s blow, not mine.” Layla grinned. “If it had been mine, it would have been harder. I never strike unless I wish to disable. Have you supped?”
“Not yet.”
“Good. I’ll call for food. We will sup together.”
“You don’t wish to eat with Tarik?”
Layla looked away from her. “He’s avoiding me.” She started for the door. “Not that I care. It just seems a foolish move. I’ve no wish to make him uncomfortable.”
Pain and loneliness. The impression was stark and raw in those few words. Selene had the impulse to reach out in comfort, but she knew Layla would deny she needed comfort. There was one thing Layla would accept, though. “I’d like to sup with you, Layla.” Her gaze went to the fabric on the bed. “And I thank you for the draping.”
Layla laughed. “It will truly be fine. You will see.”
“Did you wear such a garment on your wedding day?”
Her smile faded. “No, we wed in secret. I wore the same white linen robes I wore every day. But I placed a lotus blossom in my hair. Tarik said I looked beautiful.” She shrugged. “I knew he lied, but sometimes lies can be a great comfort.”
“I’m sure you were beautiful.”
“It didn’t matter whether I was or not. I felt beautiful.” She opened the door. “I’ll return soon.”
Tarik kissed her breast before whispering, “Will you wed me, Layla?”
She became still. “Marriage?” She raised hers
elf on one arm and looked down at him. “You wish to wed me?”
He smiled. “Why are you so surprised? You know I love you.”
“Yes.”
“And you love me.”
She was silent.
“Layla?”
She nestled her head into the hollow of his shoulder. “Why do you wish to marry? We couple; we have joy.”
“Why do you not?”
She stared at the darkness beyond the window across the room. It was a hot, humid night, and she had left the woven shutters open. She smelled the scent of incense of palm oil she had burned to mask the stench of the streets. She knew those streets: the thieves who stole from the living and the dead, the beggars, the whores. She had forced herself to walk those byways and learn the wickedness that lay around every corner. But it was a world Tarik had never known behind the walls of the Great Library.
Until she had forced him to come out from behind those walls.
“Layla.”
“I’m . . . not like you.”
“Why should that matter?”
“I don’t meditate and worship at the feet of those great philosophers whose words you copy down in your scrolls. Most of the time I don’t think at all. I just do what seems best to do, what I want to do.”
“You think a great deal. You’re the most intelligent woman I know.”
“Of course I’m intelligent. That’s not what I meant.” She curled closer to him even as she formed the words that would distance him. “I’m not—I don’t—I should not marry you. You don’t know me.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Well enough. You’ve told me all I need to know.”
“You know nothing. I’m selfish and—Do you know why I first came to your bed? I thought your interest in finding the scroll was waning. I needed to hold you. From the first moment I saw you at the library, I intended to use you to get what I wanted.”
“I knew that.”
She sat up and looked down at him in shock. “You knew?”
He laughed. “You’re very bad at subterfuge, my love.”
“That’s not true,” she said indignantly. “I’ve done quite well at fooling the priests all these years.”
“Then perhaps I see more because I love you.”
“Why do you love me?” she asked wonderingly. “I look at myself and I see nothing to love. I’m selfish and sharp-tongued and I’ve never done anything but use you.”
The Treasure Page 25
