Lion's Bride (25 page)

“Thank you.” Vaden did not sound grateful. “I am
not
a sodomite.”

Ware’s lips twitched. He had evidently touched a sensitive spot. “It was only a first impression.”

“And a stupid judgment.” He added dryly, “But it puts an entirely new light on your persistence in welcoming me into your circle. Perhaps I was in error regarding your brotherly love for me.”

As usual, Vaden had turned the tables. He was never at a disadvantage for long. It was one of the qualities Ware had found most appealing in him. “No, you were not in error. I could not have loved a brother more.” He could have bitten his tongue. Christ, next he would be sniveling like a babe. “But, then, I was only a boy and had little discernment. I no longer intrude where I’m not wanted.”

“I didn’t say it was an intrusion.” Before he could reply, Vaden was rising to his feet. “And now I bid you good-bye. Don’t come to me in truce again. I won’t honor it.”

Ware looked back at the flames. “Yes, you will.”

“You’re still laboring under the false assumption that I’m an honorable man. It may be the death of you. I fully intend to kill you, Ware.”

“And probably will someday.” He reached out and poked at the wood with the stick. “But you’re having a good deal of trouble bestirring yourself to do it. In all this time you must have had opportunities. I know I gave you at least one.”

“I had my reasons for holding my hand.”

“And you’re a patient man.” He lifted his gaze to Vaden’s face. “But not that patient. I often wonder what you think about when you sit at your campfire at night.”

Vaden smiled mockingly. “You shouldn’t flatter yourself that you’re my only concern. It’s true you’ve been designated my primary duty, but the Grand Master makes use of my sword when he needs it. For instance, I go to battle at Acre tomorrow.”

“And when you return to your duty here?”

“I meditate. I read the scrolls of scholars.” He paused. “I wait.”

“Not a life you’d choose. I’d think you’d want to hurry and complete the task. Could it be you’re having doubts?”

“I never have doubts once I’ve set upon a course. You should remember that about me, Ware. Have you ever seen me waver?”

“I’ve never seen it. That doesn’t mean you’ve never done it.”

Vaden’s smile vanished. “I cannot waver in this. Don’t make the mistake of thinking I’m softening because I choose not to complete my mission until I see fit. I warn you, the woman will live only as long as I perceive her as no danger.”

“And you won’t live for a day after I hear you’ve killed her.”

“Ah, Ware, and you say she means nothing to you but responsibility?” Vaden shook his head. “Perhaps I was wrong. It may be the woman, not I, who will be the death of you.”

He moved out of the firelight and faded into the shadows.

Silence. Only the crackle of the wood on the fire sounded in the night air.

Loneliness.

By the saints, he was mad. He should be filled with hatred and thoughts of revenge. Vaden was his enemy and that time of friendship was gone. When would he learn to give up those memories and realize Vaden meant what he said?

Tonight. From now on he would regard Vaden as any other enemy. To do anything else would endanger Dundragon and Thea. He must close away this sense of loss and behave with sanity.

The entire world was a barren place. To accept that Vaden was his enemy did not make the loneliness more desolate.

It only seemed to make it weigh heavier, much heavier.

Kadar visited El Sunan four times in the six months following Thea’s and Selene’s imprisonment. On the first two visits she refused to see him; on the third she saw him only long enough to order him to replenish her store of silken thread. On the fourth visit he decided it was time he was a little more aggressive and received a sharp set-down for his trouble.

“How is she?” Ware asked as Kadar rode into Dundragon’s gates on his return from that visit.

“In splendid health. In very bad temper.”

“Is Kemal treating them well?”

“Exceptionally well. Kemal is cosseting our Thea as if she were an empress.” He dismounted. “He wants nothing to happen to those magical fingers.”

Ware frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“He’s convinced himself that she’s a sorceress.”

“You’re jesting.”

Kadar’s lips were twitching, but he answered solemnly. “No, it’s true. He thinks she has the power to embroider spells into her cloth. He says he has proof of it.”

“I can scarce wait until you tell me what proof,” Ware said caustically.

Kadar took off his gauntlets and started across the courtyard. “Your banner. Thea gave him the banner she made for you. Kemal said every time he takes it into battle, he’s victorious. He’s had six skirmishes with bandits since you left her at El Sunan. No matter what the odds, he’s vanquished the foe.”

“Superstitious fool.” He frowned. “She gave him
my
banner?”

“Surely you didn’t expect her to send it to you with her fond regards?”

“No.” He knew his outraged response was out of proportion. He didn’t care about a banner he’d never even seen. But he did care that she had seen fit to slap him in the face in this manner. She could not have told him any more clearly that any feeling she had had for him was gone. Goddammit, he would not accept it. “It was
mine
.”

“And now it’s Kemal’s.”

“I want it back.”

“Back? You’ve never had it.”

He was not prepared to be reasonable. “She made it for me.”

“Are you willing to give up Thea’s haven and fight Kemal for its return? I assure you, he won’t give up his talisman without a battle.”

Of course Ware was not prepared to make such a sacrifice. “But I want it back.”

“Wait until he’s lost a few battles to prove this ‘magic’ false. Then I’ll approach him with gifts and sweet words and you’ll have your banner.”

“Did you see it?”

Kadar shook his head. “He uses it only when he rides into battle. At other times he keeps it in a special trunk with his armor.” He shook his head as he understood the direction in which Ware was going. “And I won’t steal it. I may be a magnificent thief, but I won’t risk my extremely handsome head when waiting will bring you what you want. We both know Kemal’s streak of good fortune cannot last.”

Ware knew Kadar was right. Kemal had been trained to protect a fortress against siege but did not have a warrior’s mind. The reason Ware had been able to strike a bargain with him so easily was that Kemal’s defeats were becoming too frequent and the sheikh was afraid of reproof from Saladin.

But he wanted the banner
now
. It belonged to him, just as she belonged—

Christ, what was he thinking? He could not have Thea, so he would take the banner and put her at risk again? This fragment of silk was not Thea and would bring only bitter memories.

No, the memories would be sweet. Thea lying next to him at night. Thea in the firelight, her brow furrowed as she looked down at the chessboard. Thea watering the mulberry tree with the sunlight on her hair.

“Ware?”

He turned to meet Kadar’s quizzical stare. Stop thinking like a lover. Maudlin sentiment would not keep her alive. “Forget the banner. I have no need of it.”

“You are sure?”

“I’m sure.” A thought occurred to him. “No, wait. Don’t forget about it. When Kemal starts losing battles, he’ll be too vain to blame himself. He’ll fault the banner. We may have to move if he also blames Thea. Increase your visits to once every month and keep watch on the situation.”

“These visits are not easy for me. I felt more welcome with the Old Man of the Mountain and his assassins.” He sighed. “I suppose I’ll have to call on all my reserves of charm and intelligence to get Thea and Selene to accept me again. It’s a great strain.”

Ware smiled sardonically. “While I have only to journey forth and do battle along Kemal’s border.”

“I’m glad you realize the two problems don’t compare in scope.” Kadar’s brow wrinkled in thought. Then a brilliant smile suddenly lit his face. “I know. I’ll take them a present.”

“I wish you to make me another banner,” Kemal announced.

Thea looked up from the tunic she was embroidering. “Indeed?”

Kemal frowned as he entered the chamber and closed the door. “Why do you bother with embroidering all those tunics and robes? It’s banners you should be sewing.”

“Only warriors need banners.”

“I am a warrior.”

“But you’re not my master.”

“That is true.” He smiled coaxingly. “But Lord Ware is my great good friend. He would tell you to make me another banner.”

She drew the gold thread through the silk. “I will think about it.”

He was not pleased. “You are very proud for a slave.”

“I gave you one banner. Aren’t you pleased with it?” She knew the answer. She had heard the whispers from the eunuchs and women of the harem. At first she could not believe anyone could be so foolish as to believe such nonsense. Her second thought was to use that foolishness to her own advantage. “It’s a very fine banner.”

“Very fine. I want another.”

“It takes a long time and much effort to create a banner of such power.” She smiled. “I hear it’s brought you good fortune. It doesn’t surprise me.”

“I want to give one to Saladin as a gift.”

“So that he will look on you with favor? A very clever move.” She pretended to think about it. “But Lord Ware might not like my making a banner to give good fortune to Saladin. After all, Lord Ware is a knight of Christendom.”

“He is a renegade.”

“But his roots are with the Frankish lords.” She sighed. “No, I fear there is too much risk.”

“He values you. He will not slay you.”

“I cannot be sure. What would you do to a slave who betrayed you?”

His gaze slid away from her own. He knew she must be aware of his treatment of the women of the harem. Only yesterday he had ordered a young girl whipped senseless because she had displeased him. “I would not tell him.”

“My banners speak boldly.” She paused. “But if I felt safe, I might be persuaded to make you such a gift.”

Eagerness lit his face. “I tell you, he will not know.”

“Perhaps if he also does not know where I am…” She took a tiny stitch. “If you could free me, send me away from here—”

“I’m a man of honor. I would not betray my bargain.”

“Not even to sit at Saladin’s right hand?”

He was silent a moment. “Lord Ware has protected my border well these last months.”

“But do you need him? I hear you’ve won many battles yourself.”

“I’m a man of honor,” he repeated.

“Saladin is your liege.” She raised her gaze to his face. “Is it honorable not to share your success with him?”

Good—Kemal was frowning uncertainly. Did she have him?

“Saladin has success enough without my help. These Franks are nothing before him.” He bit his lip. “Perhaps if he needed my help, it would not be dishonorable to—But he does not.” He glared at her. “And you are a wicked woman to so tempt me.”

She smiled at him. “I merely searched for a way to give you what you wished of me. Think on it.” She looked back down at the tunic. “But not too long. A banner is not created overnight. Lord Ware may decide to return and take me away from you.”

“We struck a bargain. He won’t return.” She heard his retreating footsteps. “We are both honorable men.”

The door slammed behind him.

“You made him angry.” Selene came out of the adjoining chamber. “Do you truly think he’ll do it?”

“You heard?”

Selene nodded. “It’s true what the women say. He really believes it.” She grinned as she plopped down beside Thea on the pillows. “Why did you never tell me you could create magical banners?”

“You may laugh, but his foolishness may be our way out of this fortress.” She frowned. “He’s very stubborn. It may take some time to persuade him.”

“And what if he begins losing battles?”

“I’ll tell him the magic lasts only for so many battles and that a new banner will have to be created.” She made a face. “And hope he believes me.”

Selene looked at her in surprise. “You’ve been thinking about this.”

Thea nodded. “Since the moment I heard the rumors from the harem.” Soon after arriving in El Sunan, she had found that escape from the fortress would be difficult if not impossible. The guards were loyal, the walls were high, and what would they do once they had escaped? She would take the risk herself, but fleeing through the hills was too grave a danger for Selene. No, it would be infinitely better to use Kemal to arrange their release. However, she must not mention to Selene that she feared for her, that would immediately bring about rebellion. “We may have to be patient, but if Kemal can be persuaded to release us, we’ll be able to take all our work with us.”

Selene picked up the shawl she was embroidering. “Then we’ll be patient. I don’t want to leave one inch of silk for that pompous buffoon.”

“Smile at me,” Kadar commanded Thea as he swept into the chamber a week later. “I come bringing precious gifts.”

“I don’t want your gifts.” Thea fixed him with a cold stare. “I want you to leave.”