"Neither do I. I only wondered." Her gaze traveled around the trees and flowers of the moonlit garden, the clear serenity of the rectangular pool. "This is pleasant. It reminds me a little of our house in Greece. Is that why you bought it?"
"No. I bought it because I was weary of living in walled fortresses."
"I never walled myself away from the world. You didn't have to do it either."
"You sent me the grail."
"But you created the chains yourself. When you treat a treasure as if it's not a treasure, you attract less curiosity. I would have rubbed some mud on it, tossed it in my saddlebag, and forgotten about it."
"No, you wouldn't. It guides your life."
"It guides both our lives. That doesn't mean it has to be everything. We have to live our lives with joy."
His gaze rested on her face. "And have these years been joyful for you, Layla?"
She looked away from him. "There have been moments of joy."
"It must have been painful for you to learn that Selene was with child."
"Do you think me so petty? I was glad for her. I wanted her to have what I could not." She turned to face him. "And I also wanted to see Nasim dead for what he did. I tried to soothe and say all the fine, wise things, but I know how she feels."
"Layla." His hand reached and hovered near her shoulder.
She held her breath.
His hand fell away without touching her.
She mustn't let him see the pain. She smiled with an effort. "But, as usual, we must forget what we feel and protect the grail. It may be more difficult to guard it from Selene and Kadar than from Nasim." She must get away. She could stand no more tonight. "I think I will go to my bed. I'm journey weary."
Tarik nodded. "Good night."
She could feel his gaze on her back as she walked toward the door.
We're here together at last. Don't let me go.
Stop me. Talk truth to me.
Touch me.
He did none of those things.
He watched her walk away.
There was someone in the chamber.
Selene came wide awake, her gaze searching the darkness.
"Don't be frightened. It's only me," Kadar said.
He was sitting cross-legged on the floor beside her bed. She could see him only dimly in the pale moonlight streaming through the windows. The light glimmered on his dark hair but left his face in shadow. "I'm not frightened. What are you doing here?"
"Looking at you. I couldn't sleep. There was much to consider."
"You cannot see me in the dark."
"I can see you. I was trained well by Sinan and Nasim. Did you hear me when I crept into the room?" He shook his head. "No one hears me. Nasim would be dead by now."
A ripple of shock went through her.
