"She is too bold to be ordinary." Nasim turned his back and walked over to the window. "You may go."
Kadar stared at his back for a moment longer. By God, he didn't want to go and leave this conversation unresolved. He knew Nasim had deliberately dropped Selene into the conversation hoping to destroy his composure. He had succeeded.
"Sinan told me he wanted to sample her when she was a child and you stopped him," Nasim said.
"She was ordinary then. She's ordinary now. Beneath his notice." He paused. "And beneath your notice."
"We will see. I will think upon it." Nasim's tone held a note of finality.
Kadar had heard that tone many times before. There was no use trying to speak to him any more right now. He turned on his heel and left the chamber.
______
"What does he want of you?" Selene asked as soon as Kadar walked into her bedchamber.
"He didn't tell me. I only know it involves a journey to bring him a great treasure, a treasure beyond price. He's waiting for a messenger. He said it may be a week or two before he gets word."
"A treasure beyond price," Selene repeated. "What would that devil consider beyond price?"
Kadar shrugged. "I have no idea, but whatever it is, he wants it badly."
"And we have to stay here?"
He nodded.
Her hands clenched into fists. "Is there nothing we can do?"
"Escape?" He shook his head. "I must do the task he sets me, or everything I won from him will be lost."
"And you hate to lose."
"So do you. Particularly when it affects the people you love." He crossed to the window and looked down at the courtyard below. "I must stay with you in this chamber. It's not safe for you to be alone."
She stiffened.
"Don't fight me on this. We've shared a chamber before and for the same reason." His tone was abstracted. "I'll make a pallet on the floor."
"It's necessary?"
"Without question."
"Then, of course, I'll permit it."
"I won't inflict my presence on you overmuch. Nasim will allow me the freedom of the fortress and the countryside."
"But not me or Haroun." It was a statement.
"Haroun can be allowed limited freedom. It's not safe for you to leave the chamber."
But Kadar would be wandering among these assassins and would often be in Nasim's presence. The thought chilled her. She said lightly, "You need not think I will permit you to abandon me. I will not suffer boredom here any more than I would on the Dark Star. You must entertain me."
He smiled faintly. "Oh, must I?"
"Yes, and I need something else to wear. I'm weary of these rough garments. Fetch me cloth and needle and thread. And I may wish you to help me with them."
"You want me to sew?"
"Are you too proud?"
