by Cara Albany
"I know that," he said.
She lifted a brow in surprise. "You do?"
He nodded. "I spoke to Alaya. And she told me you not only know plenty about mosaics. But also murals. Especially ones in this region."
He was right. Her final speciality at college had been decorative wall murals, as well as mosaics. Mostly what she specialized in was the kind of painted decoration to be found in places of worship.
"She's right. That's my real speciality."
"In that case, you're probably the perfect choice to see this."
Then he went to one side of the tapestry. He tugged it to one side, revealing a blank wall. She stared at him, seeking an explanation. "What is it?"
He squatted down and pointed. She did the same, looking at where he was pointing.
She gasped and then looked at Zafar.
He smiled right back at her. "I thought you'd be interested in this," he said. "Looks like I was right."
TWELVE
Zafar watched Lori as she examined the lower corner of the wall. There was a triangular piece of plaster about the size of a large plate missing from the wall covering. Exactly as it had been all those years ago when, as a young child exploring this room, he had found what was beneath the plaster.
And what was that, exactly?
Zafar wasn't sure, but he knew that it probably wouldn't take someone with Lori's experience a long time to work it out.
Her eyes were narrowing as she squinted to make out what he had pointed out to her. He liked watching her as she concentrated. The furrowing of her brows; the steady gaze of her blue eyes; the tight line of her lips.
"There's not enough light for me to see this," she said.
Zafar went across to one of the nearby windows and pulled the heavy curtain to one side. Immediately, light flooded into the room.
He turned and surveyed the scene. It was exactly as it had been all those years ago. A room which, for some reason, had been closed off to the world.
He knew that every so often one of the servants was instructed to come into this room and maintain it with some basic cleaning. But, it looked as if it had been a while since anyone had been in here.
Zafar moved back to where Lori was kneeling. She had her little bag open and had taken out a small, metal implement and was using it to pull some of the plaster loose from the wall.
Zafar saw the pieces of plaster fall onto the thick, ornately-patterned carpet which covered the floor.
Lori made a sound as if she had been surprised by something.
"What do you see?" he asked.
"I'm not sure yet. I need to get some of this off before I can tell for sure. But, my initial impression is that it might be some kind of mural that has been loosely covered by this layer of light plaster."
Zafar's interest rose. Memories of conversations with his aunt drifted into his mind.
"Can you loosen it and see what's beneath there?" he asked.
She turned and squinted at him. "What do you think I am? A miracle worker or something? This is delicate work. It takes time. I don't want to damage what's under here."
"What about the mural?" he asked.
She lifted a querying brow.
"Can you tell what it is?" he continued.
She frowned and then gazed at the wall. "I can't even tell how big this might be. Or even how old it is." Lori looked around the room. "You said this was one of the original rooms of the palace," she said.
"This wing goes back to around the fifteen century," he replied.
He saw her smile slightly. Obviously that information had triggered anticipation. Her natural curiosity.
She turned back to the wall and eased some more of the plaster away from the wall. Now he saw a flash of color and some dark lines. It was definitely some kind of wall decoration. And, judging by the coarseness of the detail it had to be old. Zafar wondered how the wall had been covered up, and who had sone it. Obviously it had been done deliberately, and a long before he had discovered it.
She scraped at the wall for a while longer. Watching her work like that was fascinating. He admired her concentration and the obvious care with which she treated what was beneath the plaster. This was Lori in her natural environment, doing what she loved. This was her passion.
After a half hour she sat back on her heels and wiped her brow with the back of her hand. She made a thoughtful sound and pursed her lips. He thought he'd never seen her look so cute as she did now. With the sweat of her labor on her brow and the slightly frustrated expression on her pretty features.
Zafar squatted down beside her. "What do you think?" he asked.
"I think there's something pretty unique behind this plaster. And it has been deliberately covered up. But not so that we can't get to see what's there." She peered at him. "How did you know this was here?"
"I was playing here as a child a long time ago," he explained. "And I just kind of stumbled on it."
"What did your aunt say when you told her what you'd found?"
"She didn't say anything, because I never told her," he replied.
She frowned. "Why not?"
"I don't know, really. It was just a feeling I had. That someone had deliberately covered this up. And that they must have done it for a reason. So I kept it to myself."
Lori shrugged. "Even then you were the independent type, huh?" she said with a smile.
"Some things have never changed," he replied.
She shook her head and turned back to face the wall. "I'm going to need to ask Alaya about this."
Zafar stiffened. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?"
"I wanted you to see this because I want only you to know about it," he explained. "For now, at least."
Lori's eyes narrowed. "You're asking me to keep this secret?"
Zafar nodded. "Just for now."
"Why?"
Zafar gazed up at the wall. "How long do you think it would take for you to take this plaster off? Without doing too much damage to what's underneath."
"I'm not even sure I can do that. I might need some help or advice."
Zafar gazed into Lori's eyes. "You're the only one I trust to do this, Lori."
He saw the surprise on her face. "Really?"
Zafar nodded. "How long will it take you?"
She thought for a while. "Maybe a few days," she said at last. "So we can see what's underneath. I'm not promising it won't be damaged in the process."
Zafar shook his head. "I have complete faith in you."
Once again, he saw the pleasure she took from hearing his statement of confidence in her professional abilities. Of course, it was much more than that, he told himself. More than just professional interest and respect. His feelings for her ran much deeper than that.
"What about your aunt? Surely she'll want to know about this."
Zafar leaned closer. He saw her gaze soften as he leaned in closer. "This can be our little secret for now," he said. "Okay?"
She frowned. "But, I presume you want me to be here every day for the next few days. That's how long it will probably take, Zafar. Isn't she going to ask questions about that?"
"Leave that to me," he murmured.
He gazed into her eyes. There was a brightness in them, a light which had been ignited by her genuine passion for what she did. What she'd worked so hard to become. It felt good to see her happy again. Especially after the way they'd parted last night, he told himself. After the way he'd treated her.
He knew that, if he wanted, he could dip his head and claim her lips with a kiss. And he wanted to do that so badly. Wanted to taste her again; to feel the heat of her body. Anything that would wipe away the memory of their disagreement last night, he reflected.
But, before he got a chance to act on that impulse, she stood up and wiped away the dust from her jeans. She glanced at her bag. "I think I probably have everything I need in my bag," she said. "I suppose I could make a start. See how I get on."
Zafar stood
and faced her. "How long do you need today?"
Lori gazed at the wall. "I don't know exactly. I'll see how slowly I have to work with this. If I need anything else, I can always go back to Kadir's palace."
Zafar held his tongue when she said that. He had another idea, and it didn't involve a ninety minute trek back to Kadir's palace.
Zafar took a fews steps away from Lori. "When do you want to start?"
"Now is as good a time as any," she replied.
He tilted his head. "You want me to stay?" he asked enthusiastically.
Lori peered at him a few moments. She shook her head. "I like to work alone," she said.
He felt immediately disappointed. He'd assumed she would ask him to stay. Perhaps, last night had affected her more than he'd realized.
"Okay," he said curtly, trying to hide his disappointment. There was no sense in disagreeing. He wanted to respect her wishes.
Zafar turned and walked slowly away from her. He pointed toward the door. "I'll be around. If you need anything," he explained.
Lori nodded. "Okay."
He headed toward the door. When he turned around to look at her again, he saw that she had already set to work. She was on her knees, carefully chiselling away at the plaster.
Then he closed the door behind him and stood for a while. He wasn't planning on going anywhere. The only place he wanted to be was here.
What he'd told her in there was more true than she could ever imagine. He had complete faith in her. Knew that she was the only person he could trust to bring whatever was on the wall back to life.
Zafar thought about the numerous times his aunt had talked to him about this wing of the palace. She had forbidden him from coming here. And she'd refused to answer his objections with anything more than a stern look and tight lips.
But, as had been the case all of his life, that had only served to make Zafar even more determined to do what he'd been ordered not to do.
His disobedient nature had been the source of all the pleasure in his life, as well as most of the pain he'd caused himself, and others. Refusal to conform to the wishes of others had been the only way he'd wanted to live his life. Up until now, that had always paid off. Maybe all that was about to change, he reflected.
That stubbornness, that refusal to give in, had been what had brought Lori here for the next few days. And, he had no intention of allowing her to return to Kadir's palace. There was only one place she was going to stay.
Zafar's own nearby palace. It had been his plan all along, and, so far this morning, that plan was going along perfectly.
The events of last night had triggered chaotic emotions and thoughts in him. He'd struggled all night to come to terms with all of that. It had been impossible to get Lori out of his mind. Not that he wanted to.
And when he'd realized that this would be the perfect excuse to bring her back to him, he felt as if fate had intervened, a long time ago, to make this possible. Long before she had walked into his life. Maybe he was destined to be with her, after all.
Last night's love-making had been earth-shattering for him. It had turned his world upside down. The woman inside that room was the most incredible woman he'd ever known. And, he wasn't going to let her go.
Zafar spent much of the rest of the morning pacing the corridor, or seated on a low bench in the corner next to the door. He waited for Lori to call him. Tell him that she wanted his help, or even ask him to keep her company while she worked.
But, she didn't. Every once in a while, he listened at the door, but he could hear nothing. She would be working patiently and quietly, he told himself.
Didn't she realize how hard it was for him to wait out here, wondering how she was getting on in there? Forcing him to wait out here was some kind of statement. Some way of telling him that she didn't need him. That his presence would be a hinderance. That thought only made him even more impatient.
Near lunchtime, a servant passed in the corridor and Zafar ordered coffee to be brought. He also learned that his aunt had returned to the palace and that she was awaiting his presence for lunch. Zafar wondered how that news would go down with Lori.
Lunchtime came and he opened the door and went back into the room. Lori was so absorbed by her work that she didn't hear Zafar entering the room. He could see a large mound of broken plaster on the floor next to Lori. A large corner area of the mural had already been revealed.
He made his way over to her. On hearing him approach she turned and smiled at him.
"How is it going?" he asked.
"Better than I would have expected," she said wiping some dust from her nose. She had a small brush in her hand. She placed it down on the floor and stood, placing her hands on her hips. She examined the area upon which she'd been working in his absence.
"I think we might be in luck," she said.
"Why?"
"Whoever covered up this mural, took the time to place some kind of protective layer over it before the plaster was put on top."
"That sounds like they wanted it preserved," he said.
She nodded. "You're right. Whoever did that expected this to be found at some time in the future. But, what I don't understand is why they would take the trouble to do that."
Zafar thought a few moments. Once again, memories of conversations drifted into his mind, but he said nothing. Now wasn't the time.
"I think my aunt is waiting for us," he said. "For lunch."
She lifted a brow. "Is she?" Lori shook her head. "I can't give up the time to do that. I need to carry on here," she said.
Zafar shook his head. "I'm afraid that's not going to be possible. She'll be expecting us both."
"How come?"
"She knows you're here. But not the exact reason why I brought you."
"You didn't tell her I was coming to see this?" she asked pointing at the wall.
Zafar shook his head.
Lori looked puzzled. "Why would you do that?"
"I can't say, right now. She thinks you've come here to examine the cloisters."
"By the fountain courtyard?"
He nodded. "I told her you wanted to take some photos and measurements. Make some notes. That you've heard all about them from me and that you wanted to see them."
Lori squinted at Zafar. "That's kind of odd, isn't it?"
"What is?"
Lori glanced at the wall. "That you'd have to hide this from your aunt."
Zafar narrowed his eye and smiled. "I said I trust you, Lori," he said moving closer to her. "Do you believe me?"
She hesitated and then nodded. "I guess I do."
Zafar felt an instant rush of relief. Her features had softened deliciously when she'd said that. It made him want to sweep her in his arms, hold her close. But he restrained the impulse. Chained the fierce feelings inside himself.
He wanted save all of that for later. Because he knew with absolute certainty that he would get that chance later in the day. For now, he needed her cooperation.
"I want this to be a surprise for my aunt."
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully and then she pouted her lips. "Okay," she said.
He reached out a hand. She glanced down at it and then back at him. "Let's go have lunch," he said to her.
Her brows furrowed slightly, as if she was deliberating whether or not to grant him the simple pleasure of taking his hand.
Then, she placed her hand in his. He felt the dust on the skin of her fingers. Felt the warmth of her flesh. The softness of her skin.
It was good to touch her again. Even like this, in such an innocent manner. He wanted so much more than this, though. Holding her like this was a reminder of last night.
And also, much more importantly, a hint at what he hoped was still to come.
THIRTEEN
The lunch with Zafar's aunt had been a nightmare, Lori reflected as she stepped into the limo with Zafar. And she was glad that she and Zafar weren't staying for dinner, too. Even though Leila had asked them both to stay, Zafar had ma
de some politely worded excuses.
During the lunch there had been much discussion about Lori's work; where she was from; her time at college; her family.
It had felt like she was being evaluated. Scrutinized. As if Leila was trying to assess Lori in even more detail than she'd done the previous night.
But there had been something new in Leila's attitude.
It had seemed, in contrast to the night before, that Leila wasn't so much judging Lori as weighing her up. Now it seemed that she wanted to know absolutely everything about Lori. Like you would do if your nephew had brought his latest girlfriend to visit, Lori couldn't help thinking.
But that wasn't where she was with Zafar. Not at all. In spite of last night, she and Zafar still barely knew each other.
Well, that wasn't strictly true. How could she think that after what they'd shared back at Kadir's palace. Of course everything had changed, she'd told herself repeatedly throughout the day. Even if she didn't want to admit it to herself, Zafar was no longer the arrogant, diffident prince she'd met on her first night in Qazhar.
Leila had watched every one of Zafar's reactions while he and Lori had been present with his aunt. Lori had seen how hard Zafar had worked to maintain the appearance of his familiar attitude of formal indifference toward Lori. As if she was a mere guest at the palace, and nothing more.
It was all an act, Lori told herself.
Lori wasn't sure how convinced Leila had been by Zafar's performance. Leila seemed to believe that Lori had really come to the palace to view the wonderful cloisters and fountain. Lori avoided any mention of the mural. Leila even promised to leave Lori alone to do what she'd come here to do. Lori couldn't help thinking that maybe Zafar had made that request.
After lunch, Lori and Zafar had made their way back to the wing and Lori had spent the rest of the afternoon working. Unlike this morning, she had allowed Zafar to spend the time with her. He'd been quiet for most of the afternoon, content simply to watch Lori at work.
At first, she'd felt self-conscious with him observing her every move. But, after a while she'd gotten used to his presence, and had actually started to enjoy the fact that he was with her.
