"Too reasonable." Kadar was uneasy. He'd expected more of an argument from Selene. There was no question she had been shaken, and yet there had been no explosion. He had to talk to her.
"You're cheating her," Layla said. "She doesn't appreciate you protecting her out of her vengeance."
"I couldn't do anything else." He met her steady gaze and shrugged. "Very well, I won't do anything else."
"Then you have to accept the consequences." Layla changed the subject. "Tarik and I are going with Vaden. I want to be sure we're there if Nasim escapes your net with the grail."
"That's your privilege." Kadar glanced at Vaden. "I want no hint of your presence in the area tomorrow when I meet with Nasim."
"As you like. I've no desire for the assassins to know of my part in this any sooner than necessary. I'll set up camp some distance away and we'll meet after you leave Nasim."
Kadar turned to Tarik. "And I'll want you to bring the grail to the camp tomorrow evening."
"What if Nasim follows you and attacks in force?"
"I'll be careful. Nasim and Sinan taught me never to allow myself to be followed and the ways to avoid it. I doubt if Nasim will even attempt it." His gaze went to the door. "Are we finished here? I need to talk to Selene."
"It will do little good unless you tell her what she wishes to hear," Layla said.
"Go." Vaden's smile was wicked. "I have a challenge for you. See if you can persuade her to give you pleasure. Considering her mood, that would be a true test of 'brilliance of mind and magnificent execution.' "
He wouldn't even consider that challenge, Kadar thought as he strode down the hall. He would be content if he could just make Selene understand that the danger was not as intense as she imagined.
And how was he to do that when it was possibly greater?
"Are you angry with me?"
Selene turned away from the window to see Kadar in the doorway. "No," she said quietly.
She could see the answer disconcerted him. He had obviously come fully expecting to have to pacify her. He didn't realize that this wasn't anger, it was about fear and justice. "I suppose that it was natural for you to try to protect me. It's what you've done ever since we first met all those years ago."
"But it's true, this is the best way."
"Not in my eyes." She met his gaze. "But I can't convince you to do anything else, can I?"
He shook his head. "Tarik and Layla will be accompanying Vaden. You can go with them."
"And be safe?"
"Vaden would argue that point."
"Safe in comparison to what you're doing."
"Perhaps."
"Don't quibble. You know it is. Do you think I don't--" She had to stop to steady her voice. "Don't treat me like a fool, Kadar."
"All right, it's dangerous." He crossed the room to stand before her. "And I want to keep you safe. Is that so terrible?" He reached out and gently touched her cheek. "I'm selfish. I've always been closer to the dark than the light, and when I'm with you all the darkness goes away." The next words were stilted. "You warm me, and I need that warmth. No one else can give it to me but you, and I'm not sure I'd want to survive without it."
Kadar had never spoken to her like this. His manner was pained, the sentences stiff, not at all like Kadar, whose words usually flowed like warm honey. She wanted to reach out and touch him, hold him, surrender to whatever he wanted to take away his pain. She couldn't do it. "No, it's not terrible. I just can't accept it."
He became still. "You said you weren't angry."
She smiled. "Why should I be angry? Do you expect me to reject you? I've committed that foolishness before and I won't repeat it. I'm selfish, too, and I have no intention of losing you. We just cannot agree." She kissed him lightly on the mouth. "But there are things on which we do agree. We should enjoy them in the time we have left. What time do you leave tomorrow to go to Nasim?"
"In the afternoon." He stared at her warily. "Why?"
"Then we have time to walk in the garden, sup, talk." She smiled teasingly. "And enjoy the simple things of life." He was relaxing. That was good. She wanted no tension this night. "And I promise I'll not try to dissuade you from going tomorrow." She stepped back. "I know better than to waste my time. Now go and bathe and return to me within two hours. I'll do the same and order a meal brought to us."
