Lion’s Bride

Chapter Ten

THE SILK WAS BEAUTIFUL, shimmering with a pearllike luminosity on her standing frame.

Thea always loved this moment of anticipation before she began. Soon glowing stitches of color would unfurl on that silken canvas. Her stitches, her design. She reluctantly turned away from the silk, sat down at the table, and picked up her pen.

But what design?

She closed her eyes and emptied her mind of everything around her. Ware. Think of Ware.

She could hear the sound of birds in the trees below her window, the soft rush of wind.

Or was it the whisper?

Not yet. Soon.

Ware. Ware’s banner.

She opened her eyes and began to sketch. It came slowly at first, and then faster. No doubt. No hesitation. Soon every stroke of the pen came with absolute certainty. The picture in her mind was so clear, she could see every detail.

Strange, it had never been this clear before….

“You must eat,” Jasmine said from the doorway.

“Later.” Thea drew the gold thread through the silk.

“Now. You’ve not eaten at all today.” Jasmine closed the door. “And only scraps for the last three days. You’ll become ill.”

“No, I won’t.”

“And Selene says you don’t sleep.”

“Of course I sleep.” She wished the woman would go away. The gold was dazzling against the creamy silk, and she felt a rush of pleasure. Every stitch brought her that same deep satisfaction and anticipation.

“Not much.” Jasmine crossed the room and stood in front of the loom. “I’m not sure I wish to learn this skill if it drives one out of one’s senses.”

“I’m not out of my senses. I’m working.”

Jasmine snorted. “All the hours of the day and night.”

“I want to finish the banner so we can go to Damascus.”

“You’ll not finish it at all if you go blind from working by that dim candlelight.”

Even working by candlelight hadn’t damaged the quality of the work. Every morning when Thea examined the embroidery, every stitch done the night before was perfect. She bent forward and guided the needle through the silk.

“You’re not listening to me,” Jasmine said.

“Leave the tray. I’ll eat later.”

She scarcely heard Jasmine leave the chamber. Another silken stitch, another rush of intense pleasure.

The design was growing, coming alive beneath her needle….

“Thea?” Selene whispered. “Please come to bed.”

“Not yet.”

Selene sighed and settled down on the floor beside Thea’s stool. “I’ll be glad when you’re finished. I’ve never seen you like this.”

“I want it to be beautiful. It’s got to be beautiful.”

“If Lord Ware were here, he would not permit you to suffer like this for his sake.”

Suffer? Thea almost laughed aloud. Working on the banner was as far from suffering as could be imagined. It was like living in a beautiful dream and working to make that dream even more true and shining. “Lord Ware is not here?”

Selene shook her head. “He and Kadar left four days ago.”

“Where did they go?”

“I don’t know. But Kadar said he’d be back within two weeks’ time.”

Oh, well, it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but the complexity of the pattern, the tightness of the stitches. No, that was wrong. There was something that did matter. Ware had to be safe. “Did he take Abdul?”

“No. He had a large escort, but Abdul stayed here.”

But Ware was protected. Good. Now she could return her concentration to the banner.

Selene studied the embroidered silk on the frame. “It looks as if you’re almost finished.”

Thea nodded.

“It’s beautiful. I don’t think you’ve ever created anything this wonderful.”

Thea knew she hadn’t, and it was growing stronger and more beautiful with every stitch.

“But it makes me feel uneasy. There’s too much…power.”

“That’s good. A banner should have strength and splendor.”

“It’s hard to look away from it. It fascinates.”

Thea didn’t answer.

“The other bolts of silk came last week. I left them in the wagon. There’s no use unloading them when we’ll need to take them to Damascus. Isn’t that right?”

Just a few more stitches and she could start on the scarlet. What had Selene asked? Something about the silk and Damascus. “You were very clever to think of getting the silk.”

“You’re not listening.” Selene sighed as she got to her feet. “I’m moving back in here with you again. It’s the only way I’ll be sure you get a little sleep.”

“Whatever you say.”

“And an entire army of turtles are eating the lions in the courtyard.”

“I’m sure it will be all right.”

Selene shook her head and moved over to the bed. “Nothing will be all right until you finish that banner.”

It was done.

Thea wearily straightened her back and stared at the banner. Three weeks and the most intense labor she had ever lavished on any work.

Glorious.

The banner still had to be hemmed, but the design was finished. The scarlet and gold leaped from the silk canvas and held her captive. She could not look away from it.

For an instant she experienced a flash of uneasiness. Selene was right. There was power here.

But wasn’t all beauty power?

And, of course, she could look away from that splendid scrap of silk.

She stood up and arched her back to rid it of stiffness. She felt strangely hollow, as if she had poured everything within her into the vessel of the banner.

Well, her strength would be replenished after she rested. She carefully took the silk off the frame and folded it. She would hem it after she woke and then give it to Ware.

If he was here. Selene had not mentioned his return. He might still be gone. This chamber had been her entire world for the last few weeks. The castle could have been seized by Saladin and she would not have known it. She would have to ask Selene when she woke…

She took off her gown as she moved across the room. Selene was sprawled inelegantly over the entire bed.

“Move over,” she whispered, nudging her.

Selene opened sleepy eyes. “Is it finished?”

Thea nodded as she crawled beneath the cover. “All but the hemming.”

“I’ll do that for you.”

“No, I have to do it. I have to do it all.” Her lids felt as if they bore weights. “But…tomorrow.”

Selene threw an arm over her and nestled close. “I’m glad it’s over,” she murmured.

Yes, it was over.

“You’ll do it at once?” Kadar asked as he watched the drawbridge being lowered.

Ware nodded. “There’s no use waiting. The longer she’s here, the longer she’s in danger. There’s no telling when the Grand Master will decide to strike.”

“I’ve no liking for this,” Kadar said. “It’s not a good thing.”

Didn’t Kadar think he knew that? “Then find another solution to keep her alive. God knows I cannot.”

“She will hate you.”

Ware nodded and spurred his horse across the drawbridge.

Selene was walking toward them across the courtyard, thin, small, but militant as the soldiers in the column behind him. “I’m glad to see you,” she said. “Why did you not come earlier?”

“Where is your sister?”

“Sleeping. She’s been sleeping for four days. She wakes only to eat and goes back to sleep.”

Ware frowned. “She’s ill?”

Selene shook her head. “Only weary unto death. She wanted to finish your banner before we left.” She turned to Kadar. “Your falcons are doing well. I think they like me better than they do you.”

Kadar grinned. “I wouldn’t be surprised. They probably feel a kinship for you. You have the same fierceness as Eleanor, while I’m a meek and gentle man.”

Selene grunted derisively. “As meek as a striking cobra.”

“Cobras can be meek as long as one is careful not to tread on them.” He got off his horse. “And it’s unkind of you to compare me to a snake. I regard myself as a lion. Or perhaps a leopard.”

“We leave tomorrow,” Ware told Selene. “Wake your sister and tell her to prepare for the journey.”

Selene’s expression lit with eagerness. “Damascus? So soon?”

Ware didn’t answer directly. “Tell her to prepare for the journey.”

Selene smiled brilliantly, turned, and ran across the courtyard.

Ware turned to Kadar. “Will you go or stay here?”

“You think to exempt me from blame?” Kadar shrugged. “I’ve always enjoyed journeys. Besides, the blame would still be mine even if I hid myself away from her wrath. You don’t intend to tell her where we’re going?”

“It would make the journey more difficult for her.”

Kadar grimaced. “And for us.”

Ware didn’t deny it. “She will be happy once she becomes accustomed to—”

“Save your arguments for her…and yourself.” Kadar moved across the courtyard. “I’ll tell Abdul that we leave tomorrow. I suppose we’re taking him this time?”

Ware nodded. “We may need a diversionary force.”

“Do you think Vaden followed us?”

“I know he did.”

“Then he’ll follow us again. How do you hope to hide her whereabouts from him?”

“Once she’s safe, it won’t matter if Vaden knows where she is. She’ll be safer there than at Dundragon.”

“You once told me Vaden could find his way into any stronghold, and that was why you kept the torches burning bright.”

“Then I must make sure Vaden won’t pursue her until he’s killed me.” He smiled sardonically. “And I’m sure that you’ll fly to her rescue like one of your falcons, if that happens.”

“If she’ll ever trust me again.”

“She’ll trust you.” It was Ware whom Thea would never trust again.

“And you may live longer than any of us. This Vaden can’t be as formidable as you’ve said.”

“No? I’d wager he’d rival your Old Man of the Mountain.”

“Let’s hope you never have an opportunity to compare. The old man was not at all pleased when you trespassed on his domain. I barely managed to pluck you away before he sent an assassin to slit your throat.” Kadar sighed. “Little did I know what a problem you’d become to me.”

“You can always go back to him. In truth, I believe that would be an excellent idea.”

“A covey of assassins surrounding me instead of a wall of soldiers?” Kadar shook his head. “Do you never give up?”

“No.” He could not give up trying to save them. No matter what the cost, they had to survive. “Tell Abdul to be ready at dawn.”

“Wake up! We’re going to Damascus, Thea.” Selene jumped on the bed and bounced up and down. “You’ve slept enough.”

Thea drowsily opened her eyes. “Damascus?”

“Lord Ware is back. We’re to leave for Damascus tomorrow morning. We must make preparations.”

Her gaze went to the folded banner on the table. “We can’t go. I haven’t finished—”

“You can hem it later and send it to him.” Selene’s face was luminous with excitement. “Damascus, Thea. It’s starting…. Our whole life is starting.”

Thea wished her head didn’t feel as if it were stuffed with cotton. She shook her head to clear it.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you excited?”

“Of course I am. I’m still half-asleep.” She hugged her sister before slowly sitting up in bed. She felt terribly fragile. The hollowness she had experienced right after she had finished the banner had not vanished entirely. “I don’t know why I’m still so groggy.”

Selene wrinkled her nose. “Because you didn’t sleep for three weeks. It was most strange.” She jumped off the bed and pulled Thea to her feet. “But you can’t sleep any longer. We have too much to do. What is first?”

“Go ask Jasmine to order me a bath.” She tried to think. “And then go make sure the silkworms will have enough leaves for the journey.”

Selene nodded and ran from the room.

Perhaps she would have time tonight to hem the banner. No, she must talk to Jasmine and Tasza and make sure they knew how to care for the trees. Oh, well, perhaps Selene was right. She could send Ware the banner once they were settled in Damascus.

But she didn’t want to send it. She wanted to see his face when he saw what she had created for him.

But her work had been as much for herself as for him. Once she had started, the banner had possessed her.

As Ware had possessed her. She was suddenly glad for the lingering hollowness. It would make the parting less painful.

She brushed the hair out of her face. She would not think of Ware now. If she did, some of this blessed numbness might disappear. She must just prepare for the journey that would take her away from him.

“Good God, what have you done to yourself?” Ware asked roughly as she came down the steps at dawn the next morning. “You’re skin and bones.”

“I’ve lost only a little weight. I’ve been working.”

“That gown is hanging on you, and your wrists…” He trailed off before adding, “I don’t want to hear of this foolishness again.”

“You will not. After all, I’ll be in Damascus and you’ll be here. It won’t be your concern.” She smiled with an effort. “Any more than it is now.”

“It’s my concern if I say it is. I wouldn’t have wanted a banner if I’d known it would have brought you to this.”

“I wanted it for you. I owed it to you.” She found she could not take her gaze from him. He was fully armored, big and boldly masculine, his bright-blue eyes glittering in the glow of the candles. This was the warrior she had seen that first night when she had thought him a brute and a beast. It would have been better if she had not grown to see beyond that facade. It would have made this parting easier.

“Selene said you were sleeping a great deal.” He stood looking at her. “Are you…well? I did not—”

“I’ve had my flux,” she interrupted, wanting to get it over. “I am not with child.”

“That’s good.” His face was blank, but she knew him too well now not to sense the pain. “You’ll be much safer.”

And he was robbed of his chance that part of him would live through his child. The numbness was melting as she looked at him. She wanted to reach out and hold him, comfort him. Dear God, was she always going to feel this aching tenderness for him? She wished desperately that there had been only passion between them. Passion was of the moment, easily dismissed, but tenderness…

“What are you thinking?” he asked suddenly.

She swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. “I was thinking I wish everything to go well for you. You have been very kind to me.”

“Have I?” He smiled grimly. “By God, you’re easy to please. I took your body, endangered your life, and now I’m going to—” He broke off and turned on his heel. “Come along. Your sister is waiting in the courtyard with Kadar. If it can be called waiting. She was running around, giving orders and arranging everything to suit herself. You’d think she was a woman grown.”

Thea followed, grateful that the painful moment was at an end. “She’s never been allowed to be anything else.” She walked past him down the steps leading to the courtyard. The courtyard was ablaze with the torches carried by the soldiers. Horses milled about uneasily, and Thea glimpsed a wagon half-hidden behind the columns.

Jasmine was standing on the steps and turned as she saw Thea. “I came to bid you farewell. Good journey.”

“Thank you.” She was tempted to embrace Jasmine, but she was afraid of offending the woman’s dignity. “You’ll remember to practice everything I taught you?”

“I told you I would.” She paused. “You will not forget us?”

Thea shook her head. “I’ll send for you as soon as I can.” She hesitated. “I’ve had little chance to speak to you of late. Lord Ware has—I thought you might resent—”

Jasmine’s gesture cut her short. “Don’t be foolish. Why should I care if you bed Lord Ware when you offer Tasza a better way to live? You are a woman in this man’s world. If you think coupling with him will give you more power, I cannot fault you.”

She should have known Jasmine would regard all coupling as a way to gain a goal, Thea thought sadly. Her experience in life would not permit any other conclusion. Well, perhaps she was right. Ware and she both had something to gain. He had come to her because he wished a child. She had gone to his bed because she wanted to make sure he remained in the castle. Surely that was as coolly calculated as any bargain Jasmine or Tasza had ever struck.

Cool? No, there had been nothing cool about their coming together. Their coupling had been hot and stormy, changing every moment, gaining power and strength. Whatever had been their beginning had soon become transformed. But Jasmine would not be able to comprehend that alteration. “I’m glad you understand.”

“Of course I understand. Now Lord Ware takes you to Damascus and gifts you with many bolts of silk. It’s good for all of us.” Jasmine dismissed the subject with a wave of her hand. “Now, you must work hard, but not as hard as you have these last weeks. That was not good. You must not fall ill. We can wait…a little while.” She turned away. “But not too long.”

Thea smiled ruefully as she watched Jasmine enter the castle. She supposed she should be grateful Jasmine had decreed she did not have to work day and night to succeed in their common goal.

“I’m going to ride.” Selene rushed up to Thea, grabbed her hand, and pulled her down the rest of the steps. “Kadar wanted me to ride in the wagon, but I told him that it wouldn’t do. You must ride too.”

Thea shook her head and smiled. “I don’t know how, and this is not the time to learn. I’ll ride in the wagon.”

“No.” Ware mounted his horse, then leaned down and held out his arms. “You ride with me.”

“Is it necessary?”

“Yes.” Then he shook his head. “No.” He added haltingly, “but it would please me.”

This might be the last time he would ever hold her, she realized suddenly. She took a step forward and held up her arms. He lifted her onto the horse before him.

As he lifted the reins, he spoke in a voice so low, it was almost inaudible even to her. “I thank you. It is most kind of—”

“Be silent.” She had to stop to steady her voice. “You’re such a fool. It was my wish also.”

Tears blurred her vision as they rode through the gates and over the drawbridge. Torches everywhere, fire and flame and light. She remembered her first impression of Dundragon and how she had complained to Ware that such extravagance was wasteful.

“You’re shaking.” Ware’s arms tightened about her. “Are you cold?”

“No. How long will the journey take?”

“Two days, perhaps a little longer. Stop shaking. You needn’t be afraid. Nothing will happen to you. I’ll keep you safe.”

“I’m not afraid.” She leaned back against him. It was true. At that moment she did not fear the danger that lay beyond the gates. She felt only sadness and regret and a terrible sense of wrongness. She should not be leaving Dundragon. She should not be leaving him.

She was being stupid. She had no place here. Was she to stay and become his mistress, bear his children, live for his pleasure? She would be as much a slave as she had been in the House of Nicholas.

He did not want or need her. Oh, perhaps in his bed, but any woman would do as well there. He had never said he felt anything but lust for her. When she was gone, he would probably take another woman and be just as content.

By the saints, she would not weep. She determinedly blinked back the tears. This was what she wanted, what they both wanted. It was not as if she were deserting him. He was the one who had arranged the journey and rushed her from Dundragon.

She would not weep.

It was two days later that Thea caught sight of the fortress. The walls seemed high and strong as those of Dundragon, but they surrounded a castle that was completely different. It was like the exotic Arab palaces she had passed on the way from Constantinople.

“What is that place?” Thea asked, her gaze on the fortress. “It’s very beautiful.”

“El Sunan. It belongs to Kemal ben Jakara,” Ware said. “He’s a very powerful sheikh and guards this province for Saladin.”

“From the Franks?”

He shook his head. “These lands are too isolated to attract the Franks, but there are more bandits in these hills than Kemal can battle and any number of rival sheikhs who eye his power with envy.”

“You seem to know a great deal about him.”

“We’ve encountered each other upon occasion.”

“But you fought for the Franks.”

Ware started down the hill. “All Islam knows that the Templars cast me out. An outcast has no true allegiance. Kemal and I understand each other.”

She felt a ripple of uneasiness. “Is it safe to pass so close to his fortress?”

“I told you, Kemal and I understand each other. No harm will come to us.”

He kicked his horse into a gallop.

“You’re heading straight for the fortress. Are we going to spend the night?”

His answer was barely audible. “Yes, we’re going to spend the night.”

To her astonishment the gates were thrown open without a challenge, and they rode into the courtyard. The palace was even more beautiful than she had imagined from the hill. Onion-shaped towers crowned the sprawling building, and white marble balconies shone in the strong sunlight.

“Welcome, Lord Ware.” An Arab, dressed in flowing robes and a turban inset with a giant blue stone, was striding across the courtyard toward them. His plump cheeks creased as he smiled broadly. “I see you have brought your treasure.”

“Yes.” Ware dismounted and helped Thea down from the horse. “This is the lady Thea, Kemal.”

Thea gazed with bewilderment at the man Ware had addressed. This must be Kemal ben Jakara, but there was no hint of antagonism in his demeanor. He was a small, plump man, close to his fiftieth year, with snapping black eyes and an eager smile.

Kemal’s gaze raked Thea from head to foot. “I can see why you do not wish anything to happen to her. Fair-haired women have great value, and she’s very comely. I shall take great pleasure in this task.”

Thea stiffened with shock.

“Not too much pleasure. Remember she’s not your property,” Ware said. “She belongs to me.”

“I’m a man of honor. I’ll keep my word.” Kemal beamed at him. “As long as you keep yours.”

“What is this?” Thea asked Ware. “What are you talking about?”

A faint frown furrowed Kemal’s brow. “She addresses you boldly. You have not taught her well.”

Thea’s hands slowly clenched. “What is this?”

“You’ll stay here under Kemal’s protection.” He turned to Kadar. “Take her and Selene to the House of Women.”

Kemal snapped his fingers and a young man ran forward. “This is Domo,” he told Thea. “He is chief eunuch, and you’ll obey him as you would your master. Go with him.”

“House of Women,” Selene whispered from atop her horse.

Thea knew the horror her sister felt. She was experiencing the same cold terror as memories of Nicholas’s House of Women flooded back to her.

“It will be fine,” Kadar said as he lifted Selene to the ground. “It’s not like the House of Nicholas. You’ll work only when you wish. Your every need will be met. You’re likely to go fat with sloth in Kemal’s harem.”

“Harem,” Thea repeated numbly. She could not believe it.

“Go with Kadar,” Ware repeated. “I’ll come to you and explain after Kemal and I settle the details.”

“You’re selling me to him,” she whispered in disbelief. “It was all a lie. You never intended to take me to Damascus.”

“I didn’t lie. I never said you were going to Damascus.”

“It was a lie .” Her hands clenched into fists. “You let me believe—”

“Be silent, slave.” Kemal was shaking his head in disapproval. “Have you no respect for your master?”

“Slave,” Thea whispered.

“No, I’m not selling you to Kemal. It’s to keep you safe.” He gazed at her pale face for another instant before he whirled on his heel. “For God’s sake, take her, Kadar.”

“You always leave me with the easy tasks,” Kadar said wryly. He gestured to the eunuch. “Lead on, Domo.”

Thea gazed after Ware as he crossed the courtyard with Kemal. “Slavery.”

Selene drew closer to her. “I don’t understand, Thea.”

Thea understood all too well. Her worst nightmare realized. Betrayal.

She put her arm around Selene’s shoulders. “It will be all right. We’ll find a way.”

Selene whirled on Kadar. “ You did this.”

He flinched. “I admit that I helped. Ware told me to find a different solution to keep you safe. I couldn’t do it.”

“I was free .” Selene’s eyes blazed at him. “You set me free and then put me back in a cage.”

“Please, my master says you must come with me,” the young eunuch said gently as he started across the courtyard.

Master. Slave. Thea shuddered, then straightened and braced herself. “We have to go with him, Selene. For now.”

Kadar fell into step beside them. “It’s not forever, you know.”

Thea regarded him coldly. “I know that very well. But only because I will not permit it.”

“Ware didn’t sell you. He only made a bargain with Kemal. The sheikh is to keep you safe, and in return Ware is to guard his southern border.”

“He called me slave.”

“Ware had to make sure Kemal knew you weren’t free to go, so he told him you were his slave.” Kadar went on quickly, “It will be very pleasant here. You’ll still have your bolts of silk and do your embroidery, and when it’s time for you to leave this place, you’ll have a commodity with which to bargain.”

“It’s time to leave now.”

Kadar went on as if she had not spoken. “Ware is even having Abdul fetch some young mulberry trees to be planted in the palace garden.”

“How kind.” Betrayed. Her fury was building higher by the second. “And why this Arab for a jailer?”

Kadar shrugged. “You wouldn’t have been safe with a Frankish lord. Ware couldn’t be certain that the Templars wouldn’t be able to influence them. Kemal would rather slit your throat than hand you over to the Templars.”

“Is that supposed to comfort me?”

“I don’t think anything would comfort you at the moment.”

“Then you’re wiser than you are kind.”

“I’m trying to be kind.” He paused. “And so is Ware. If we can find any way of releasing you, we will do so. It’s just not possible now.”

“So we’re to remain prisoners until Ware deigns to release us.”

“Not prisoners. Guests.” When he met her outraged stare, he sighed. “Prisoners.”

“Truth, at last.”

“I won’t stay here,” Selene said fiercely.

“You have no choice. Ware has chosen this fortress well. Kemal may not look like a soldier, but he’s a very able leader. Even if you got over the walls, his men would catch you before you found your way out of the hills.” Kadar added with a coaxing smile, “Why not look upon this as a brief interruption? Stay here, do your embroideries, and be safe.”

The eunuch threw open the door and led them into a long gleaming foyer. He said over his shoulder, “You are very favored. My master says you are to have quarters of your own instead of living with the rest of the harem.” He opened a fretted door and stepped aside. “Enter.”

Thea was assaulted by the spicy scent of incense as she crossed the threshold. Her gaze raked the mosaic-tiled floor, silken couches, arched windows blocked by fretted shutters, tasseled and brocade-draped beds.

“This wing has many beautiful rooms.” The eunuch nodded toward a door across the room. “Is it not splendid?”

Thea moved slowly across the floor toward the two windows. She could see blue sky through the beautiful fretting, but when she reached the shutters, she saw they were as sturdy and confining as metal bars. “No prison is splendid.”

“Any woman in the harem would be grateful for such fine chambers,” Domo chided.

Thea fixed him with an icy stare. “I am not grateful.”

Kadar stepped between them. “He is not to blame.”

“I know who is to blame.” Thea turned her back on him and gazed blindly out the window. “Get out. I don’t want to look at you anymore. I don’t want to see your face or hear your voice.”

“Thea…” He stopped and said, “I’m still your friend.”

“You are not our friend,” Selene said. “A friend would not betray us.”

“It was not—” Kadar gave up the battle. “Believe me, I’m still your friend. Someday you will see it.” He turned to the eunuch. “Come, Domo, it’s best we leave them alone. Ware will be here shortly, Thea.”

“Why? To make sure I can’t escape this prison?”

Kadar sighed. “He knows you can’t escape. A warrior always knows how to secure prisoners. He wishes to reassure you.”

Thea heard the door shut behind him. No key turned in the lock. They must feel very secure, Thea thought bitterly.

“What are we to do, Thea?” Selene asked.

Uncharacteristic uncertainty trembled in Selene’s tone. Thea must put aside her own frustration and despair and give strength to her. She turned away from the window. “First, we’ll make sure Kadar told the truth about the fortifications. Then we’ll make our plans.” She forced a smile. “There will be some way out. This is a delay, not an end.”

Selene looked past Thea to the fretted windows. “This is not fair. We were free….”

“We’ll be free again. It may take a long time, but we will never be slaves again.”

“Goddammit, I told you that you weren’t slaves.” Ware stood in the doorway. “Why the devil won’t you believe me?”

Thea stiffened as she turned to face him. “Because you lie. Look around you. Do free women live behind bars?”

“If their husbands so decree.” He held up his hand to stop the barrage of words he knew would come. “I told you once that no woman is really free. I can’t give you freedom, but you’ll have every comfort here.”

“You didn’t give me freedom, I took it. Now you’re trying to take it away.” She said between gritted teeth, “I won’t have it.”

“Yes, you will. I’ve made certain—” He broke off and said to someone over his shoulder, “Yes, bring them in.” He stepped aside to allow four soldiers to enter carrying the bolts of silk. “Where do you want these? Here?”

Selene jumped to her feet. “No, I’ll find a place.” She moved toward the door Domo had indicated as leading to other chambers. “Come with me.”

Selene’s moment of uncertainty was clearly over, Thea thought. She watched her sister lead the soldiers into the adjoining room before she turned back to Ware. “She’s only a child. She doesn’t understand this. Find her a place in Damascus and set her free.”

He shook his head. “It’s not safe. Why do you think I had her brought from Constantinople?”

“To make my prison more bearable.” It was all clear now. Why hadn’t she seen it sooner? “You intended to keep me at Dundragon, didn’t you?”

“Yes, until Vaden gave me warning. Then I realized I’d have to find somewhere else to secrete you.”

“For how long?”

“Until it’s safe.”

Rage surged through her in a dizzying tide. “I won’t let you do this. I’ll make my own decisions and protect myself. You have no right.”

“I take the right.”

“I’ll never forgive you for this. I’ll curse you every day of my life.”

“I know you will.” His face was a shade paler as he smiled mirthlessly. “But perhaps this action will assure that your death will be a long time from now.” He turned way. “I’ll send Kadar here from time to time to make sure all goes well with you.”

“I don’t want him here.”

“He’ll still come. After all, I have to make sure Kemal is keeping to his side of the bargain. My services as a war lord are very valuable.” He suddenly turned around and looked at her, searching for words. He finally said hoarsely, “I could do nothing else. I couldn’t let you die. I couldn’t bear it if—” He broke off and made a helpless gesture with his hand. “I could do nothing else.” He whirled and strode out of the room.

He was gone and she was a prisoner. She wanted to run after him and rave at him, tell him that he could not do this to them.

But he could—he had already done it.

“Now, begone.” Selene was ushering the soldiers from the anteroom. “We want nothing more to do with you.”

The soldiers fled the chamber as if pursued. Selene must have given them a tongue-lashing. Thea would have smiled at such stalwarts being intimidated by one small girl if she had not been so enraged. “The silk is unharmed?”

Selene nodded. “Should I unpack our boxes?”

It would be good for Selene to be busy. “Yes.” Thea moved back to the window. Ware had mounted his horse and was looking down at Kemal. They were speaking, probably discussing her and Selene’s imprisonment, Thea thought bitterly. Then Kemal stepped back and Ware lifted his hand and moved toward the open gates.

Thea’s fingers gripped the keyhole openings in the fretting. He was leaving. He was riding through the gates.

A wave of despair and desolation rocked her. She knew now she had not believed it would happen, that he would really desert them in this alien place.

“Thea?” Selene was standing beside her. “Don’t worry. I was frightened at first, but we’re together and that makes it better. Everything will be all right.”

She should be the one comforting Selene, she realized dimly. She took her sister in her arms. “We’ll see that it is.”

After a moment Selene stepped back and disengaged herself. “I’ve put our clothing in the chest across the room.” She nodded at the bundle of folded silk on the table by the door. “I found the banner in your box. What shall I do with it?”

The banner. Ware’s banner. “Burn it.”

Selene gazed at her in astonishment. “I will not. I can see why you wouldn’t give it to him, but you labored too long and hard to create it. I’ll not see your work wasted.”

“Then do with it what you will. I never want to see it again.” She turned back to the window. The gates were closing. They were alone. “But I’d rather you burn—”

“I bid you welcome to my home.” The door had been thrown open, and Kemal ben Jakara stood beaming at them. He swept into the room and closed the door behind him. “I have thought about it, and I believe your boldness was caused by your surprise at my friend Ware’s decision to leave you in my care.” He added magnanimously, “I forgive you.”

“Oh, do you?” Thea asked softly. She wanted to slap his plump, dimpled cheeks.

“But you must realize that I will not tolerate such rebellion in my household. Lord Ware has won certain privileges for you already, but I’m a peaceful man and I will have peace. You will be allowed the freedom of the women’s quarters and the garden as long as you cause me no disturbance.” He frowned “Though this business of hundreds of worms crawling about doesn’t please me. I may seek to renegotiate that portion of my bargain with Lord Ware.” His face cleared. “But I’ve no complaint about your sewing. Such tasks are proper women’s work. Now, have I not been generous?”

She wondered what he would do if she pulled his be-jeweled silk turban down over his eyes and kicked him in the stomach. She opened her lips to speak, then thought better of the scathing words she had been about to utter. It would do no good to antagonize their jailer. If she was to escape from this place, the little freedom he was offering might be of advantage.

Kemal’s smile widened. “I can see you’re speechless at my kindness. Now, that is how a proper slave should behave.” He started to turn away. “It is good we’ve come to an understanding. Lord Ware will be—What is this?” His gaze had fallen on the gleaming silk bundle on the table.

He reached out and shook out the cloth. “A banner? Let me see if your work has val—” He broke off, his eyes widening as he stared at the red-and-gold design. “By Allah’s sword,” he murmured. One plump finger reached out and reverently traced the design. “Magnificent. You did this for your master?”

Master. She felt another surge of rage. “Yes.”

“Perhaps I will permit you to do one for me. In truth, I have never seen such a fine banner.”

“Then take it.” She felt Selene’s startled gaze on her face. “Lord Ware doesn’t want it.”

“Any warrior would want such a banner.”

“Would he have left it with me if he’d wanted it?”

Kemal doubtfully shook his head. “You’re sure he would not mind?”

“He told me before we left Dundragon that he wished I hadn’t made it. Leave it with me and I’ll finish hemming it.”

“Today? I’ll want it tomorrow.” He looked eagerly at the design. “It will bring me great good fortune. I can feel it.”

“You’ll have the banner tomorrow morning.”

He gave her a brilliant toothy smile as he handed her the banner. “I can see now why Lord Ware bargained to keep you safe. Such willingness and skill are rare qualities in a woman. You can be taught the rest.” He moved toward the door. “I’ll send a servant to get the banner tomorrow.”

“Pompous rooster,” Selene muttered as the door closed behind him.

Thea nodded. “But the rooster rules this fortress. It will do no harm for him to think us less than we are until we’re ready to escape from this place.” She sat down on the cushions. “Bring me thread and needle, Selene. I wish this banner out of my sight.”