"Then I won't tell you." She was frightened, and he wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her. He knew she would not permit it. Instead, he gently touched her cheek with his forefinger. "I'd hate to risk your displeasure."
"Don't jest." She moved her face to avoid his touch. "Will you come with me?"
"Soon."
"Why not now, tonight?"
"Why are you so eager to go? There's no more threat tonight than there was a week ago."
"Yes, there is. He . . . It's changing. He was--but now he's--Something's going to happen."
He could feel it too. But to him the realization brought anticipation, not fear. "I've discussed with Tarik getting you out of the fortress and back to Montdhu. As soon as it's safe, I'll--"
"But you won't go." Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Thickheaded ox. Idiot. Buffoon. I want to strike you."
She whirled and ran out of the hall.
He was tempted to follow and comfort her, but if he did, there would be more arguments. He would let her regain her composure and try to talk to her in the morning.
He picked up his pawn from the board and fingered it thoughtfully. Are we just the pieces on a chessboard to you, Tarik?
Maybe in the beginning, but that had changed. Kadar's instincts told him that Tarik had become more involved than he wanted. Now that Tarik realized that truth, he would take action.
But what action?
Something was going to happen.
He was a fool.
Selene's fist crashed down on the stone window embrasure. She wished it was Kadar's stubborn head or his eyes that refused to see.
She leaned her cheek against the wall as she gazed blindly out at the courtyard below.
Why would he not listen to her? He saw the danger of Nasim, but he appeared oblivious to any threat from Tarik. Kadar didn't seem to be aware of the dark tempest she could sense gathering around him.
They should leave this place. Balkir was no threat at all compared to Tarik.
And she was hiding in her chamber bruising her hand against a stone wall when she should be doing something about it.
Think.
What would force Kadar to leave?
It was difficult to reason. She was too frightened by that whirling storm she could sense coming nearer by the minute.
Something was going to happen.
______
Fear was causing her stomach to clench, but she was breathless with excitement.
It was the same feeling she'd experienced when she'd run away from the House of Nicholas those many years ago, Selene thought.
She drew her cloak closer about her. Breathe deep. Don't show any emotion.
The guard of the south wall was standing at the head of the rope ladder a few feet above her. He was a young man but not obtuse. She could see he was wary of anyone invading his watch in the middle of the night.
She hoped not too wary. She had waved to disarm him before coming up the ladder. She smiled now as she accepted his hand and he pulled her up the last few feet. "I thank you."
