Page 108

“The Brotherhood might find it eventually,” she voiced her fear.

“Perhaps,” he acknowledged. “But not anytime soon. We have a few days, maybe more. And if they do come, they’ll have a hell of a time trying to break in here. The windows are too narrow to fit a grown man. The door downstairs is heavy oak reinforced with iron. The walls are solid stone, built to last.”

A miniature fortress.

“And there’s a small tunnel leading to the clearing,” Gideon added. “We’ll be able to escape if we need to. We can stay here for a little while—to recuperate, tend to our wounds properly, eat real food, and sleep in a real bed.”

At the mention of food, Leila heard her stomach growling, but she felt too tired and comfortable in bed to get up.

She felt the bed dip and opened her eyes to see Gideon sitting up.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll bring us some food. I can tell you’re hungry.”

“No, I can—” Leila hastened to sit up, but he placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Rest. You’ve done enough. Let me take care of you just this once.”

“You are hurt. I am not,” Leila protested, but Gideon stood and walked to the spiral staircase.

Reluctantly, Leila lowered her head back to the pillow. “But if you fall down, don’t expect me to rush to your aid,” she joked. He let out a chuckle, followed by a cough.

She loved that he laughed more, but she hated that it hurt him.

Fortunately, Gideon didn’t fall, nor did he seem like a walking corpse anymore. His steps were sure, if measured, and he appeared to have regained some energy.

Gideon returned with several pieces of toasted bread, aged cheese, a variety of cured meats, and two cups of hot tea.

A proper meal.

He settled beside her while Leila began breaking off small pieces of bread and cheese, offering them to him.

“I can eat on my own,” he said, eyeing her offering suspiciously.

“I know you can,” she replied patiently. “But it’s better if you don’t take large bites right now. You need to eat slowly and let your stomach adjust gradually.” She smiled as he accepted the small pieces she offered. “I used to do this for Emir when he was little…”

But even as she said it, a wave of melancholy washed over her.

Where was he now? Was he safe? Was he even still alive? The Cardinal had promised he wouldn’t be harmed, but the Cardinal’s promises were worth less than dust.

“Do you know what happened to that woman who sold you?” Gideon asked suddenly. The change of subject seemed abrupt, though she could see the paths his mind had taken.

Leila shook her head. “I’ve never seen her since then. I haven’t been back to Smyrna since we were taken.”

“Do you ever think of her? Do you wish revenge upon her?”

“No,” she replied effortlessly. “I don’t live and breathe revenge. In a way, I’ve already forgiven her. Don’t get me wrong,” she added, noticing the baffled expression on his face. “I haven’t forgotten. But I don’t carry rage or hurt in my heart. I don’t wish ill will upon her.”

“I can do that for you,” Gideon offered, his casual tone suggesting he was entirely serious. Revenge was something familiar to him—perhaps too familiar.

“I don’t know if she acted out of malice or naivety—”

“Does it matter?” Gideon interrupted gruffly.

“I believe in my heart that Allah will punish her if that’s necessary,” she said. “He will deal with me, too, when my time comes.”

“How can you still believe in a merciful and all-powerful God if He doesn’t intervene when so many injustices continue?” Gideon asked, and she could hear genuine curiosity in his voice rather than mockery.