Lion’s Bride

Chapter Seventeen

IT WAS NEARLY MIDNIGHT when Kadar rode into the courtyard.

Thea’s gaze desperately searched his face, but the shadows made it impossible to read. “He got through?”

She went limp with relief when Kadar nodded.

He lifted a brow. “Did you expect anything else?”

“You’re sure he’s safely away?”

“I assure you, they didn’t even realize he’d slipped past them. They were too terrified by the drums.” He got down from his horse. “It was most enjoyable to see Kemal dashing about trying to pour some backbone into them.”

“You have a strange idea of enjoyment.”

“That’s been brought to my attention. Let me escort you back to your chamber. You should not be here. I told you it wasn’t safe for you to wander freely in this fortress.” He took her arm and strolled with her toward the steps. “Truly, Kemal will not harm Ware.”

“I notice you don’t mention Vaden.”

“There’s been no sign of Vaden. Perhaps he died at Acre.”

Thea couldn’t believe Vaden was no longer a threat. He had been too long a part of Ware’s life. “I don’t think so.”

“Well, don’t worry about something you can do nothing about. Ware will have to confront Vaden at some time.”

And by creating the banner she had made sure that time would come sooner, Thea thought. It made no difference that the design’s resemblance to the lion throne had been unintentional; the effect was the same. “It’s my fault.”

“Nonsense. You know that’s ridiculous. The Knights Templar had marked Ware for death long before you came.”

“But the banner will serve to remind them of the urgency of killing him,” she said bitterly. “You cannot deny that truth.”

“No, the banner has certainly stirred a hornet’s nest.”

“And will continue to do so as long as it exists.” Kemal had almost killed Ware and would not now be camped in the foothills waiting to pounce if his courage hadn’t been bolstered by his belief in the banner. “It must be destroyed.”

Kadar shook his head. “Not unless you burn it in full view of Kemal and the Knights Templar. If it disappears, they’d merely think you’d secreted it away. It would become legend and therefore infinitely more valuable.”

She had not thought about that possibility, she realized in exasperation. “There must be some solution. After we leave this land, we won’t need to fear Kemal. Maybe if I sent the banner to the Knights Templar for them to destroy, it would ease their pursuit.”

“Before you make any more plans to destroy it, may I remind you that you no longer have possession of the banner?”

“Then I must get it back. I’ll not have Ware put in more danger by a banner I created.”

“Am I to assume that I’m to be involved in this retrieval?” He shook his head. “Did you think I’d not considered stealing the banner and pricking the bubble of Kemal’s courage? The banner is kept in a chest in Kemal’s tent, and the tent is very well guarded. You’ll have to wait for Ware to return with his army.”

“Ware will not go to battle Kemal while he still has the banner.” The words tumbled unbidden and without thought from her lips.

“Ah, I see.” Kadar smiled. “You believe the banner does have power.”

“I didn’t say that. Of course it doesn’t. I should know. I made it. It’s just that—” She stopped as she realized the words were coming jerkily. She steadied her voice. “Maybe Kemal will fight fiercer if he has the banner. I’ll not take the chance.”

“And I’ll not take the chance of losing my head or leaving you and Selene unprotected for the sake of a scrap of silk. We’ll wait for Ware.”

“I didn’t ask you to go after it. The banner is my responsibility. I may need your help, but I’m the one who will go to Kemal.”

Kadar muttered an exclamation. “And then Ware will cut my throat, instead of leaving it to Kemal. What do you intend to do? Just walk in and ask him for it?”

“You need not be sarcastic.” She paused before saying with effort, “If Kemal must die, I’ll do it.”

“Easily said, not easily done. Taking a life diminishes the taker.”

She gave him a cool glance. “You’ve killed and you do not appear diminished.”

“Because I’m extraordinary?” He raised a brow. “But then how do you know what heights I’d reached before I was diminished?”

She ignored his mockery. “I won’t kill unless it becomes necessary, but I won’t let Kemal face Ware again.”

“Ware could squash him without effort. If he hadn’t been weakened and off guard, Kemal would never have got near him.” Kadar studied her expression. “It’s not Kemal but the banner you fear, isn’t it?”

“I told you the banner has no power.” They had reached her chamber and she quickly opened the door. “Will you know when Ware approaches?”

He nodded. “Sinan knows when a camel sneezes as far away as Damascus.”

“And you’ll go to Kemal’s camp to help Ware. I’ll go with you. Just before Ware attacks should be a good opportunity to go to Kemal’s tent. When the sentry sounds the alert, the guards at his tent will be distracted by the uproar.”

“And Kemal will be awake and reaching for his sword…and the banner,” Kadar said. “It’s not a good plan. Let Ware defeat Kemal, and the banner will be easy to pluck from—”

“Let me know when you hear of Ware’s approach,” Thea interrupted. She had made her decision. “I’ll be waiting.”

“I have no doubt.” Kadar sighed as he turned away. “I’ll go tell Selene all is well. Will you sup with us?”

Thea nodded impatiently. She did not want to be alone. “I’ll join you after I refresh myself.” She entered the chamber and closed the door.

The chamber echoed with emptiness. Ware was gone.

She sank back against the door, fighting off an overwhelming sense of panic. Ware would return. God would surely not have brought them through all these trials if He had meant to tear them apart. The God who had saved Ware would not let him die now. It would make no sense.

Keep busy. She moved quickly to the washbasin and poured water from the pitcher into the bowl. Keep busy doing what? She had no embroidery, and Kadar would confine her more here than she’d been at El Sunan. She would find something. She would probably spend much of her time watching Kadar and have Selene watch him also. She knew he would not tell her when Ware was coming. Like all men, he’d choose protectiveness over fairness. He didn’t understand why she couldn’t let Ware fight this battle for her.

Dear God, she wished she could. The thought of going to Kemal’s tent for the banner sent a chill through her.

But the thought of Kemal retaining control of the banner when he faced Ware again terrified her more. The terror might be without reason, but she could not hold it at bay. This love was too new and fragile; she could not take any risks with it.

Golden eyes searing her with their power.

She swiftly blocked the vision as she bent over the washbowl and dipped her hands into the water. She was mad enough to risk her life to retrieve the banner; she would not addle her mind by dwelling on it.

Golden eyes …

“Kadar’s gone. He just left.” Selene stood in the doorway of Thea’s chamber, a pale shadow in the darkness. “I think Ware must be coming. A messenger came to the door a short time ago.”

Only five days had passed since Ware had left, but Thea had known the message would come soon. She jumped from the bed. “Your clothes?”

“I brought them.” She sat on the bed and watched disapprovingly as Thea hurriedly dressed in Selene’s boyish garb, donned the cloak, and tucked her hair under the turban. “I should be the one to go. You’ll bungle it and Kemal will kill you. You’re not good at things like this.”

Who was good? Thea wondered desperately. Who could creep into a tent and steal from a man who wanted to kill you? Kadar, perhaps, but he had already told her that not waiting for Ware would be foolish. “I’ll be careful.”

“Let me go with you.”

“We’ve already talked about this. You have to stay. Sinan will know when I leave the fortress. As long as one of us stays here, he’ll know that we’ll return. We don’t want him to interfere when the battle starts.” She moved toward the door. “Lock yourself in your room until I come back.”

“Wait.” Selene held out a glittering object. “You should have this.”

A dagger. Slender, shimmering, strangely beautiful in its deadliness.

“Where did you get that?”

“Kadar. He left it on the bedside table. That’s why I know Lord Ware has come. He wouldn’t go into battle without leaving me a way to defend myself in case he didn’t return.” She said fiercely, “And he knows I would use it. Will you?”

Thea stared at the dagger with repulsion. Then she drew a deep breath, snatched the weapon, and thrust it into her waistband. “Yes.”

She whirled and ran from the room.

Moments later she was riding through the gates and down the mountain. She could see the pinpoints of Kemal’s campfires in the foothills below. Dear God, what if Ware reached Kemal before she did? She spurred her horse to a gallop.

She reined in a good distance from the camp, slipped from the saddle, and tied her horse to a tree.

She tilted her head, listening. Surely she would hear the hoofbeats of Ware’s approaching army. Nothing. She still had time.

She ran down the hill, her gaze fixed on the large tent at the south of the camp. It was lit within, but she could see no movement. Did Kemal sleep with a lantern burning to protect him? It wouldn’t surprise her, since his men were being killed one by one under his nose. She stopped to catch her breath as she drew near the clearing.

Two guards in front of the tent. Two in the rear.

But the side facing her was unguarded. Her hand tightened on the hilt of the dagger. She prayed that she had to use it only to slit an opening in the tent.

She dropped to the ground and started crawling slowly out of the underbrush toward the tent.

Golden eyes, waiting…

Only a few feet more.

She froze. One of the guards had spoken.

No threat. They were laughing, talking casually.

She started crawling again.

She reached the tent and drew a deep breath. Her heart was beating so hard, it was shaking her entire body.

No, she realized in panic. It was the vibration shaking her. She couldn’t hear the hoofbeats yet, but she could feel them. Ware was coming.

But he was not there yet. Just a few minutes more.

She sliced through the fabric of the tent.

Don’t let them hear it.

Please.

She carefully drew back the torn flap and looked inside. The lantern hanging in the center of the tent provided little light; most of the tent was in shadows.

Kemal was lying on cushions facing her only a few yards away.

Shock made her go rigid. Was he awake?

He didn’t move or call out. He must be asleep.

Her glance flicked around the tent. There it was.

The carved chest bound elaborately in brass. She had seen Kemal take the banner out of that chest many times.

She braced herself and slowly wriggled through the opening. She lay beside Kemal.

The vibration was heavier, shaking the pillows on which Kemal lay.

He would wake, she thought in agony.

He was moving. He suddenly rolled on top of her!

The impact made her drop the dagger. She struggled desperately, fighting against his weight, finally squirming out from under him. On her feet, she reached for the dagger and glared down at him.

Kemal was dead.

Rigid with shock, she stared into the sightless eyes.

A ripple of blood was seeping from the wound in his chest. Blood everywhere. On him, on her.

She could feel the sticky dampness on her face and hands.

She shuddered, unable to look away from those dead eyes.

Kadar?

A shout outside the tent broke the spell. Ware had been sighted. If she was found here when they came to summon Kemal, she would be butchered. She ran to the carved chest and threw open the lid.

No banner.

It had to be here. She knelt and rummaged desperately beneath the armor. The banner was gone.

Another shout.

Kadar must have taken it. There was no other explanation.

The clash of sword on sword.

She could not stay here. She dashed toward the slit she had made in the tent wall.

“Aiii!”

She glanced over her shoulder. One of Kemal’s guards stood in the doorway of the tent.

She stopped, frozen.

She expected him to rush her, sword drawn.

He stood staring at her with the same horror as she stared at him.

She suddenly realized how terrifying she must look covered in Kemal’s blood.

“Assassin,” he screamed. He turned and ran from the tent. “Devil murderer!”

He thought she was one of Sinan’s followers. Kadar had clearly done his work of terror well if the guard preferred to face Ware’s soldiers than to face her.

But that didn’t mean the next soldier who came into the tent would be as cowardly. She dived through the slit in the wall of the tent and wriggled outside.

A horseman thundered toward her.

She rolled to one side and barely escaped the horse’s hooves.

By the saints, if she wasn’t killed by Kemal’s men, she would be lucky not to be killed by Ware’s soldiers.

The encampment was a melee of fighting men. Moonlight shimmered on drawn swords.

“For God’s sake, put that dagger away.”

Ware!

He leaned down and gathered her up on his horse. “Are you hurt?”

Ware. Strong and blessedly safe.

“You’re covered in blood. Answer me.”

“I’m not hurt.”

He rode his horse to the edge of the encampment. “I’m going to kill Kadar.” He tore the turban from her head and her hair tumbled free. “Don’t put it back on. Being a woman may be your only protection. Hide behind that rock and don’t let anyone see you with a weapon in your hand.”

He wheeled his horse and went back into the fray.

Her hands clenched at her sides as she watched the battle. It was terrible to be forced to stand on the sidelines and feel so helpless. A woman should be taught the same skills as warriors.

However, Ware did not seem to need her help. Kemal’s followers were outnumbered and outfought. It was only a short time later that Kemal’s men capitulated.

Ware rode toward her. “Will you never obey me? Would it have hurt you to hide?”

“Kemal is dead.”

“You’re sure?”

She nodded. “I saw him. And the banner is gone. I think Kadar did it. Where is he?”

He gestured. “I caught sight of him on the other side of the camp as I rode in.”

She started in the direction he’d indicated. “I have to go ask him if—”

“Oh, no.” He scooped her up and set her before him. “I won’t have you running around in an armed camp. We’ll let him find us.”

“But I need to know—” She stopped and leaned back against him. No urgency existed now, and it was good to be held like this. “I’ll ask him later.”

“And I have questions to ask of you,” he said grimly. “What are you doing here?”

“I came for the banner.”

“My God.”

“And I’ll hear no harsh words from you. You didn’t ask my permission when you risked your life. I did what I thought necessary. Now, finish what you have to do here and take me back to Maysef. I didn’t like leaving Selene alone in that place.” She lowered her voice. “And I would be alone with you so that I can express my affection without the witness of an entire army.”

“Affection? I’ve seen no signs of affection.” Never the-less, his arms tightened around her as he rode back into the center of the confusion. The next few minutes he devoted to giving orders regarding the securing of prisoners and receiving reports on the wounded.

“You look as if you’ve been fighting hand to hand, Thea,” Kadar said as he rode toward them. “May I say you don’t look at all well bathed in blood?” Then he added, “I suppose I should have known you’d follow me.”

“If you knew it, why didn’t you stop her?” Ware asked grimly.

“One can only do so much.” Kadar changed the subject. “What do we do with the prisoners?”

“Take their horses and set them free,” Ware said. “With Kemal dead they’ll give us no trouble.”

“Kemal is dead?”

Thea could see no sign of anything but surprise in Kadar’s expression. But, then, Kadar was expert at disguising his emotions. “And the banner is gone,” she said. “I thought you had killed him.”

Kadar shook his head. “Perhaps one of his men grew impatient with his stubbornness in remaining here and decided to save his life and take Kemal’s.” He smiled teasingly. “Or it could be that your banner grew weary of being used by such an unpleasant man and worked its magic on him.”

She met his gaze. “Or it could be that you don’t wish to get into Selene’s bad graces if she finds out you broke your word to her.”

“Yes, that’s a possibility also.” He gazed at her innocently. “We shall never know, shall we? Unless we discover the banner in one of the prisoner’s possession.” He turned to Ware. “I feel obligated to clear my name of this crime by conducting the search myself.”

And so be in a position to make sure the banner is conveniently discovered, Thea thought.

“It doesn’t matter who killed Kemal,” Ware said impatiently. “We have to go back to Maysef and get Selene. We need to leave this place by dawn tomorrow. I barely avoided one of Saladin’s troops on the way here. Every minute we waste makes the journey more dangerous.”

“If Sinan decides he wishes us to go,” Kadar said. “He may be quite peevish that we’ve robbed him of his amusement at watching us kill each other.”

Dear heaven, she was weary of facing a new danger every time she turned around. “Will you be able to convince him?”

He shrugged. “Perhaps Sinan can be persuaded that our leaving will be to his advantage, but it may require a bargain Selene has forbidden me.” He changed the subject. “Don’t take your soldiers to Maysef. Sinan would make sure they never entered any gates but those of hell.”

“I had every intention of leaving them camped here,” Ware said. “We may need rescue.”

“Pray that we don’t require rescue. I assure you the soldiers would be no help.” Kadar turned his horse. “I’ll go ahead and talk to Sinan. Give me a few hours alone with him.”

Sinan stood waiting on the steps as Kadar rode into the courtyard. Kadar was reminded of the night he had first come to the fortress.

He rode up to the steps and stopped before Sinan.

“You know why I’m here. We’ve removed Kemal from our path. Is it your will that we leave?”

“It is not my will. You know what I wish of you.”

“I cannot walk your path.”

“You’re wrong, no one can walk it better. You just will not.” Sinan said harshly, “These foreigners have swayed you with their soft words. I will not have it.”

“When have I ever been swayed by a will other than my own?” He paused. “Even yours, Sinan. Is that not why you wish me to stay?”

“You will stay.”

“Only in death.”

A flicker of expression crossed Sinan’s face. “You will yield before I have to kill you. You embrace life with too much pleasure.”

“But the first lesson you teach is that death is never to be feared. Not our own and not the ones we cause. You say I’m a reflection of you. When you look into your mirror, do you see a fear of death?”

Sinan’s gaze held his. “You mean this,” he said slowly.

“I mean it.” He smiled. “But death should never be wasted. Particularly of one you value. So why not make me pay a price of passage and let us go?”

“A price of passage,” Sinan repeated slowly.

Kadar was careful to keep any hint of fear from his thoughts or expression. Sinan fed on fear, and Kadar had seen many instances of the Old Man’s uncanny perception.

“Get down. We will talk about it.” Sinan turned on his heel and started up the steps. He glanced back over his shoulder, and his smile breathed of malice. “On consideration, there may be a price only you can pay.”

The courtyard was deserted except for the usual white-robed guards.

“I don’t like this,” Thea said uneasily. She had felt sure Kadar would meet them when they rode through the gates. He had known they would be anxious regarding his interview with Sinan. She got down from her horse and moved toward the watering trough. Anxious or not, she must wash the blood from her face and hands before Selene saw her. “Where could he be?”

“In the stable.” Kadar smiled as he strolled toward them across the courtyard. “I was helping Selene saddle her horse. I decided we should not wait until dawn to ride out of this hospitable place. It’s always more pleasant to travel in the cool of the evening.”

“Your talk did not go well?” Ware asked.

“If it hadn’t gone well, we would not be alive at this happy moment. I just wish to be gone from here before Sinan decides to ask more of me.”

“What did he ask?”

“Enough.” Kadar changed the subject. “But I fared better in our bargain than I thought possible. How fortunate that you have such a brilliant negotiator in me. We not only have our freedom, but a ship and a crew to sail it.”

“What?”

“I see you understand the importance of such a coup. No one who is not mad would try to seize a ship belonging to the Old Man of the Mountain. Sinan is sending a message to Hafir, to Ali Balkir, the captain of the Dark Star , requesting that he place himself at your disposal. He will take us to Scotland and then return to report to Sinan.”

“Report what?” Thea asked.

“Where he left us.” He held up his hand as Ware started to protest. “Don’t worry, no torture would ever make Sinan’s followers reveal something he didn’t want them to tell.”

“But Sinan would know.”

“You fear he’ll tell the Knights Templar?” He shook his head. “Why should he? He hates them. He wants to know only where he can put his hand on me if I fail in the task to which he set me.”

“And what task—”

“It’s better you do not know.” Kadar’s tone became flippant. “I should think you’d have learned by now how dangerous other people’s secrets can be.”

“You do this for us,” Ware said. “That makes it my secret.”

“It’s no use questioning him,” Selene said as she led Kadar’s and her own horse out of the stable. “He’s probably promised Sinan some foul or impossible deed, but he won’t tell.” She added grimly, “Right now.”

But Selene’s chances of extracting that information from Kadar were better than anyone else’s, Thea thought.

“May we leave now and discuss my concerns later?” Kadar swung into the saddle. “We need to be gone from here. Your army should be out of the foothills by evening if we don’t wish to make Sinan impatient.”

“A ship,” Ware murmured. “An entire ship.” His brow was furrowed in thought as he rode after Kadar through the gates. “It could be…”

“What is it? What are you thinking?” Thea asked.

“Dundragon.” Excitement illuminated his face. “I was worried about my people there. I planned on sending Abdul and the army back with orders to distribute money and find a place for them. But now I don’t have to do that. I can take them to Scotland with me, can’t I?”

She should have known, Thea thought, her throat tightening with emotion. Ware would never abandon any burden he had willingly assumed. He would protect his world even if he had to take it with him. “Yes, you can bring them.” She swallowed and tried to steady her voice. “Providing they wish to come. You can’t just whisk them on board the ship. Abdul will have to give each person a choice.”

Ware frowned. “It wouldn’t be safe to tell them where we go.”

“No, so they must make the choice blindly. They may decide to stay here, where all is familiar.” She could see he was about to rebel. “I know you wish only to keep them safe, but I’ll have no one in this new land who obeys blindly. Only slaves act without free will. They will choose. Do you understand?”

She didn’t think he was going to agree, but then he nodded jerkily.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

They had almost reached the camp when he murmured, “But I’ll tell Abdul to make sure they know what a wondrous, free life they’ll lead if they go with me.”

“How can you promise—” She shook her head and gave up the battle. He was impossible.

An utterly impossible, stubborn, gloriously splendid man.