"Get out, Vaden," Kadar said.
Vaden sat down in a chair. "When you do."
"Go on, Kadar," Selene said. "I've no desire to lie here while you argue. Besides, perhaps he's right. Keeping him waiting was discourteous."
Vaden gave her a brilliant smile. "Thank you. It's seldom I meet a woman who is both beautiful and just."
He was the one who was beautiful, and she wondered how many women had melted at that stunning smile. "I'm not beautiful, and I'm not stupid enough to believe such flattery. Take your sweet words out of here while I dress."
He blinked and then rose to his feet. "As you command."
Kadar was throwing on his clothes. "Where are Tarik and Layla?"
"On the terrace. They seemed in no hurry to disturb you. Do I detect a hint of reluctance in them?"
"More than a hint, but it won't affect your fee."
"Of course it won't." He moved leisurely toward the door. "Since I tremble at your lady's wrath, I'll wait outside in the hall for you."
Selene doubted if he had ever trembled in his life and certainly not at any woman's displeasure. She had never seen a cooler, more confident man.
As soon as he was gone, she said to Kadar, "Don't wait for me. I wish to cleanse myself. I'll join you as soon as I'm dressed."
Kadar nodded. "Though we should really keep Vaden waiting. It's not good for him to have his way in everything."
"And have him burst in here again? I'd rather have privacy than give him lessons in manners."
He had finished dressing and bent to brush her lips with his own. "I could break his head," he whispered. "This isn't the way I wanted it to--"
"End?" she finished as he stopped. "Nothing has ended. What are you thinking? We couldn't stay here like this forever." She kissed him long and hard. "Don't settle anything of importance until I join you, no matter how impatient Vaden becomes."
"I wouldn't dare." He smiled and gently touched the hollow of her cheek. "I, too, tremble at the thought of your wrath."
"As well you should." She pushed him away and tossed the blanket aside. "Now go and keep Vaden from attacking Nasim before I manage to make my toilet."
He was gone almost before she finished the sentence. In spite of his words, she could see his eagerness. Sensuality and coupling were all very well, but Nasim was shimmering on the horizon and Kadar could never resist a challenge.
Nasim.
Fear clenched the muscles of her stomach. This was what she had wanted: a final confrontation and Nasim punished for his sins. It was what she still wanted. Right was right.
But, dear God, what of Kadar? She had been so fanatically determined to accomplish her goal that she had barely allowed herself to think of anything else. She had needed his help and told herself she would involve him as little as possible.
But no one could stop Kadar from involving himself if he decided that was what he wanted to do. She should have known that better than anyone else. No argument would sway him. He would just go his own way.
And he could die as Haroun had died, as her baby had died.
She would not allow it. After all they had been through to reach this point, she would not lose him now.
She drew a deep breath to ease the tightness of her chest. She must not panic. Kadar mustn't see either her terror or any reluctance regarding his participation. That child-woman who had helplessly pounded her fists against his resolve was gone and must never return. She must think and plan and find a way to make sure that Kadar survived.
"It's time you joined us." Vaden's smile was as brilliant as sunlight, but his tone was edged. "Very clever of you to send Kadar to pacify my impatience and then tell him not to speak until you arrived." He glanced at Kadar. "I told him he was too new a groom to be so hagridden."
"It's been far less than an hour. Since you roused me out of my bed, it should have taken longer." Selene moved forward and sat down beside Layla. "And better that Kadar have to deal with you than me. He has more patience with such rudeness."
"Ah, yes, patience is one of my prime virtues," Kadar murmured. "That and my passionate love for simplicity."
Rascal. She felt the heat flush her cheeks but refused to look at him. "I'm here now, Vaden." She glanced at Tarik and Layla and deliberately addressed her apology to them. "I regret keeping you waiting."
