Nasim knelt beside Kadar.
Selene drew Kadar closer. "Don't you touch him," she said fiercely.
He ignored her as he examined the wound caused by the sword thrust. "He's not dead yet, but it's a death wound." He glared menacingly at Balkir. "He won't last the night."
"He stepped in front of my sword," Balkir repeated.
"Leave us alone," Selene said. "He won't die. I won't let him."
"No one can save him. It's a death wound," Nasim said. "Tarik and I will both be cheated of him." He suddenly went still. "Or perhaps not." He turned to Balkir. "Prepare a stretcher and put him on it. Be gentle. I'll not have your clumsiness kill him too quickly. We'll send him back to Tarik."
Balkir scurried away.
Nasim turned back to Selene. "Go with him. Tarik can heal him if he chooses. Persuade him to use his powers." He turned and stalked after Balkir with not another glance at Kadar.
Tarik could heal him. She grasped desperately at the straw Nasim had extended. Kadar didn't have to die. Tarik could help him.
Dear God, Kadar was so still. It seemed impossible he wasn't dead already.
Selene's grasp tightened around him as she rocked back and forth.
Live, Kadar.
Live until I can get you to Tarik.
Chapter 10.
TARIK MET THEM as they entered the gates.
"Great gods." Tarik's face twisted with pain as he looked down at Kadar lying on the stretcher in the courtyard. "What happened?"
"He saved me," Selene said. "He's not going to die because he saved me. Do you hear me? He's not going to die at all."
Tarik bent down to examine the wound. "Bring that torch closer," he said to the soldier a few steps behind him.
The light of the torch flickered over Kadar's pale face. Tarik gently pushed aside the linens covering the wound. He closed his eyes for an instant as he saw the gaping hole. "A death wound."
The same words Nasim had uttered. "It's not a death wound,"
Selene glared up at him. "Stop saying that."
Tarik gently touched her hair. "Child, he's dying."
She shook off his touch. "Then do something. Or tell me what to do. Nasim said you could heal him. Do it."
He stiffened. "Nasim said that?"
"He said you had the power to heal."
"Damn him."
"If you have any power, you have to heal Kadar."
"I'm no sorcerer." He scowled. "Nasim doesn't care about Kadar. It's a test, and I won't let him maneuver me into this position."
"Don't tell me that." Her eyes blazed in her white face. "Kadar isn't a battleground for you and Nasim to test your strengths. He's a man, a far better man than either one of you. I don't care if you use sorcery or prayer. It doesn't matter as long as you heal him."
His expression became shuttered. "It does matter. More than you know."
