The Golden Barbarian (12 page)

Yusef had caught her glimmer of a smile from the corner of his eye and immediately turned to her with a coaxing grin. “You must not send me back to Kalim. It’s very boring and lonely up there for me, as all the other men are jealous of my prowess. We shall get along much better back here together.”

“Indeed?”

He smiled solemnly. “I shall immerse myself in the radiant delight of your company, and in return I will tell you many stories that will inform and amuse you. I promise I’ll make the hours of the journey fly by.”

“A result much to be desired,” Tess said.

“Then we’re agreed.” Yusef gave her another dazzling smile. “I’ll go ahead and make sure the road has been made safe for you, but do not fear. I’ll not let you linger without me in this abysmal
boredom a moment longer than necessary.” Yusef galloped out of the oasis after the column of men.

Tess laughed helplessly as she heard Sacha’s muttered oath.

“I don’t find anything amusing in—” Sacha broke off and smiled reluctantly. “It’s no wonder Kalim sent him back here out of harm’s way. The scalawag has unerring aim. By the end of five days he probably would have managed to antagonize every one of Galen’s men and completely disrupted the escort.”

“He’s not a great warrior?”

“I didn’t say that. He’s one of the best fighters Galen has. Unfortunately, he also has a highly developed talent for mischief.”

“I think I like him.”

“I’m not surprised. Most women have a weakness for Yusef. Which is another reason he’s not overpopular with the men.”

“He’s a womanizer?” The idea surprised her, for Yusef had no claim to the wonderful good looks of Kalim or Sacha, much less the magnetism of Galen. He was only a little above middle height, and appeared wiry and agile rather than powerful. In fact, he reminded her of a rather endearing monkey with his sparkling eyes and round, merry face.

“Let’s say he has a weakness where all ladies are concerned. They smile at him, and he forgets trifling realities such as husbands and fathers.” He shrugged. “But don’t worry—he may be rash, but he’s not mad. He won’t insult the
majira
, and he
may even amuse you.” He scowled. “Not that we need the rascal.”

Tess’s lips twitched. “No, of course not.” But she was already feeling her spirits rise as she nudged her mare into a trot. She was sure it had not been Kalim’s intention to see to her entertainment when he had sent Yusef to be her escort, But Yusef’s mischievous presence just might make the journey bearable.

“There it is!” Yusef gestured jubilantly. “Zalandan.” He started at a gallop after the column a quarter of a mile ahead.

“I didn’t expect this.” Tess paused on the hill beside Sacha and gazed at the great walled city in the valley below. With a gold-dipped brush the late afternoon sunlight gilded the turquoise minarets and the white stone of the houses of Zalandan. The beauty of the city touched her heart and soul. “It’s very impressive. Almost as large as Belajo.”

“That’s where the similarity ends,” Sacha said dryly. “Belajo leans toward the West. Zalandan is definitely of the East.”

“Yet you preferred to spend the last six years here.”

“Because it called to me.”

“Called to you?” she asked, puzzled.

“You’ll see.”

They wound their way down the hill to the city.

“Zalandan has its own allure,” Sacha said as they passed through the city gates.

She saw what he meant as they traveled through the crowded streets of Zalandan. Amid the spice shops and silk stalls, vendors carrying huge cages filled with doves and white cockatoos stopped their haggling to watch the troop ride across the huge marketplace.

Yusef rode back to join Tess and Sacha as they reached the market. “Ah, it’s good to be home,” he said, and sighed contentedly. He added quickly, “Not that I didn’t enjoy every moment of your company,
Majira
. The past days will live in my memory through an eternity of—”

“Enough, Yusef.” Her tone was abstracted as she eagerly gazed at the shops and stalls on either side of her. She suddenly pointed to a shop where a variety of brilliant-hued pottery containers with strange long handles were displayed. “What kind of place is that? I’ve never seen vases shaped like those, and they’re all exactly the same size.”

Yusef glanced casually at the shop she had indicated. “Those aren’t vases, they’re
carobels
. Camar has the finest
carobel
shop in all of Zalandan.” He grinned. “And one of the most beautiful daughters.” He glanced wistfully back at the shop. “With a heart as generous as her face is fair. I don’t suppose now that you’re safely in Zalandan, you would permit—”

Tess shook her head resignedly. She had an idea she would live no longer in Yusef’s memory than the moment he saw the shopkeeper’s generous and comely daughter, but she would miss the scamp. Thank the saints she’d had Sacha and Yusef’s
company on the journey, for she had certainly seen little enough of Galen since that first night. Not that it mattered to her, she assured herself quickly. “Go to your shopkeeper’s daughter, Yusef.”

He smiled. “I look forward to basking in your presence again,
Majira
.” He wheeled his horse and rode swiftly back toward the shop.

“At least he made it through the gates before he yielded to temptation,” Sacha said. “He’s not usually so celibate. I thought perhaps he’d make a side excursion on our journey and visit one of the women of the hill tribes.”

Once they left the bazaar, Tess expected to see signs of the poverty she had encountered in Belajo and Paris, but though the houses were small, they seemed spotlessly clean, and the people well-fed and cheerful. Galen’s appearance was met by smiles and cheers, but they all drew respectfully aside as the column approached.

“The palace is just ahead,” Sacha said as he nodded to the huge courtyard at the end of the street.

She could hardly have missed it, Tess thought dazedly. The palace was only two stories high, but it was a dreamlike turreted structure with arched windows and delicately fretted balconies. It was built of a creamy beige stone that caught the sunlight and glittered like a massive jewel in the center of the courtyard.

“It’s … bewitching.”

Sacha noted her entranced expression and nod-led knowingly. “I told you. It calls to you.…”

“Welcome to Zalandan.” Galen had dismounted and was striding toward them.

She stiffened, jarred out of her bemusement.

He raised his brows as he saw the wariness in her expression. “I hope my home pleases you?”

“Of course it pleases me. Why should it not? It’s very beautiful.”

“And a surprise.” He smiled faintly as he lifted her down from her mare onto the mosaic tiles of the courtyard. “I told you we savages can lay claim to certain comforts. Gold buys nearly anything in this world.” Her gaze flew to his face, and he shook his head. “No, I know it didn’t buy you. Your price was higher. But gold can make your stay here pleasant.” He turned to Said. “Take her to her quarters and be sure Viane makes her comfortable.”

“I’ll take her,” Sacha said quickly. “I have nothing better to do.”

Galen turned back to look at him, and for an instant Tess thought she saw a flicker of concern on his face before he shrugged. “As you like.” He turned to Tess. “Tell Viane I’ll come to your chamber to sup with you at dusk.”

“If you’re not too busy?”

His brows lifted at the caustic note in her voice. “I won’t be too busy.” He went toward the stable where Kalim waited.

Excitement mixed generously with resentment rippled through her as she watched Galen join Kalim and enter the stable. He had not supped with her since the night of their wedding. In
truth, she had scarcely seen him on the journey to Zalandan. He had stayed at the campfire with the men, coming to their tent only after she had gone to sleep.

“Tess?”

She turned to see Sacha gazing at her With an amused smile.

He gestured with a mocking flourish for her to precede him into the palace.

She quickly climbed the steps, and the doors were immediately thrown open by the two robed guards standing at attention. “Who is Viane?”

“Galen’s half-sister.”

“I didn’t know he had a sister.” She shouldn’t have been surprised at her ignorance. She was finding she knew very little about her husband.

“Galen’s mother died when he was twelve, and soon after his father married again. Viane was the only child of the union.” He led her swiftly down the gleaming corridor, his steps springing with a curious eagerness. “You’ll grow fond of Viane.”

Tess made a face. “I don’t seem to make friends with women easily. They find me too bold.”

“I can see why.” Sacha grinned. “Not many ladies prefer stables to ballrooms, but you’ll have no conflict with Viane.”

“She likes to ride?”

“No, she’s rather timid around horses, but that won’t matter.”

She looked at him skeptically. She could not magine a feeling of closeness toward anyone who ad no fondness for animals.

He chuckled as he saw her expression. “Truly.”

He stopped before a carved teak wood door, threw it open, and then stepped aside for her to precede him into the chamber.

A slight dark-haired woman gowned in flowing light blue draperies came toward them. A deep rose flush colored her olive cheeks as she inclined her head politely to Sacha. “Welcome back, my lord.” She turned to Tess and smiled gently. “I have been looking forward to this moment since Galen sent word you were coming. Welcome,
Majira.
”

Viane Ben Raschid radiated warmth. Her wide-set dark eyes shone with good humor, and her beautiful features seemed to be lit from within.

“They call me Tess.” Tess smiled at her. One could not help but smile at Viane. “And I’m sure I would have looked forward to meeting you also had I known you existed. No one had the civility to tell me.”

Viane’s smiled widened. “You’re very blunt.” She smiled. “Frankness is a wonderful virtue. I am too bound by courtesy to speak as honestly as you do.”

Tess burst out laughing. “Some people call it rudeness, not honesty.”

“Oh no.” Viane appeared distressed. “I am the one who was rude. I did not mean to speak without tact. I meant—”

“I know.” Tess held up her hand to stop Viane’s words. That first strong impression of Viane’s gentle dignity had blinded her to the realization
that Galen’s sister was scarcely older than herself. She doubted if the young girl knew the meaning of the word rudeness. “I was jesting. It’s my way.” She glanced at Sacha, who was still staring in bemusement at Viane. “Is that not so, Sacha?”

“What?” He tore his gaze from Viane’s face. “Yes, you’ve always been cheeky.”

Tess’s eyes widened in surprise. She had never seen such an expression on Sacha’s face, and Viane’s cheeks had gone scarlet again.

“Let me make you comfortable.” Viane lowered her lashes, turning quickly away from Sacha. “If my lord Sacha will leave us?”

Sacha frowned and nodded curtly. “I’ll see you in the morning, Tess.” He turned on his heel and left the chamber.

Viane breathed a sigh of relief as the door closed behind him. “Now, you must bathe while I find you something to wear.”

“I have gowns in my valises.”

Viane shook her head as she clapped her hands for a servant and moved briskly across the chamber toward an armoire inlaid with mother-of-pearl. “Galen sent word that I should provide you with a few of my garments tonight. Later he wishes to choose things for you himself.”

The high-necked gown Viane lent Tess was made of a length of white chiffon shot with silver that draped her small form without clinging and was completely unrevealing.

Galen’s gaze ran over her appraisingly when
he entered the chamber that night. “Better than my robe,” he commented shortly. “We’ll attend to the rest of your wardrobe tomorrow.”

“I’m surprised that you’re bothering with such a small matter. Ladies’ fashions could be of no interest to you.”

“I’ve always found minor details can suddenly become annoyingly abrasive if left untended.” He smiled faintly. “And my wife’s clothing is of the utmost importance to me.”

“Even when you hide her away?” Tess asked flippantly.

“I take care of my own.” He moved across the room to the divan. “And circumstances are different now.”

“In what way?”

“We’re not surrounded by my men.” He settled himself on the pillows before the low table that the servants had laid with fine china and jeweled goblets. “There are thick walls around us instead of flimsy cloth.” He stared into her eyes. “I’m very selfish,” he said softly. “I don’t want anyone but me to hear the cries you’ll make.”

The blood rushed to her cheeks, and she found she couldn’t pull her gaze away from his. “I see,” she said faintly. She knew the primal cries he meant. From childhood on she had heard Pauline and others scream out in the throes of passion. “You may be disappointed. I’ve always thought—it lacks dignity.”

He burst out laughing. “And you’re so very conscious of appearances.”

She flushed. “I may be less than womanly at times, but I’m not without dignity.”

His laughter faded, but a hint of tenderness lingered. “Yes, you have dignity, the very best kind. Not based on pride, but in confidence of what you are.”

Startled, she asked, “I do?”

He nodded. “Even when you were a child, I noticed it. Dignity and honor. I knew you would be a woman to trust.”

She felt a warm, sweet melting deep within her. A woman to trust. She felt as if she had been given a gift of great value. “I thought Viane would be supping with us.”

He shook his head. “She eats with the women.”

Tess frowned. “Why?”

Galen caught the hint of belligerence in her tone and smiled. “Not because I wish it. Viane’s mother raised her in the old ways and traditions. She’s more comfortable eating in her quarters.”

“Then you should have striven to make her comfortable with the new ways.”

“It’s a battle I fight every day.”

“But not in your own palace.”

“No, I guess not.” His expression was suddenly weary. “I can’t fight every minute of every day.”

She felt a rush of sympathy that banished her belligerence. She moved toward him across the chamber. “Never mind. I’ll attend to it now that I’m here.”