She nodded slowly. She wanted to keep on looking at him, but she shifted her gaze. He always saw too much. He mustn't see more than the expected weariness.
He mustn't see the pain.
______
"Hold the torch higher." Selene held on to the wall as she carefully negotiated her way down the stone steps. "It's black as pitch down here, and these stairs are slippery. Do you want me to tumble down them?"
"Stop complaining. I'm the cripple, not you." Tarik held the torch a little higher. "We haven't much farther to go. The door to the tunnel is just beyond the next flight of steps."
"And you're sure Haroun will be waiting for me in the woods?"
"I told you, I sent him and my man Antonio out earlier this evening so they could fetch the horses from the village." He stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to face her. "Stop questioning me, Selene. You know this is no trap."
"How do I know?"
He smiled. "Because you trust me."
"And is that why I ran away?" she asked sarcastically.
"No, you ran away because I was foolish enough to think that I could alter fate by frightening you into action."
Her eyes widened. "You're saying you wanted me to go to Balkir's camp?"
He shrugged. "Perhaps. I'm human. I've wavered to and fro since you and Kadar came into my life. My motives can sometimes be twisted by emotion." He swung open the heavy iron door. "It didn't alter the situation. Fate seldom allows diversion from her chosen path."
She tensed as she stared into the darkness.
"You'll be safe. There's nothing in that tunnel but a few rats." Tarik handed her the torch. "In a week you'll be in Genoa, boarding a ship for Scotland. I've given Antonio a note to the captain of my ship. He'll set sail at once."
"What about Kadar?"
"We'll go to Rome and be lost in the crowds there."
"That's your fine hiding place?"
He shook his head. "Merely the first stop."
"You've got to keep him--" She broke off as she met his eyes. What was she thinking? He was an enigma. She had never been entirely sure of Tarik's thoughts, even in his most approachable moments. But there was no use talking now. Her decision was made, and it had all been said before. "I don't know why I should trust you, but I do. Don't you dare betray us."
She strode into the darkness of the tunnel.
Chapter 11.
"YOU'RE LOOKING ABYSMALLY BORED this afternoon." Tarik strode into Kadar's room. "What are you doing back in bed? Aren't you well?"
Kadar shrugged. "Fine. Selene needs rest. I told her to stay away today, but she may come anyway. If she sees me in bed, I'll be able to convince her I don't need her hovering over me."
Tarik didn't speak for a moment. "Good thinking." He changed the subject. "I came to tell you we're going to have a visitor. Nasim sent word that he wishes to see you."
"And you're permitting it?"
"I feel a certain malicious pleasure in satisfying his curiosity. Besides, I have a reason to keep his mind occupied."
"What reason?"
"Nasim should be riding through the gates any minute." He turned toward the door. "Why don't you come down and meet him in the great hall?"
Kadar made a face. "Selene would not be pleased if I left my chamber. She would make me pay."
