The two men stared at each other, Xavier unsmiling, Cameron grinning like a wolf.
Alex knew she must plead for Xavier’s life.
It was four in the morning and she had not slept. Murad had yet to return, and Alex despaired, her ignorance of Xavier’s fate killing her. She must find out if Xavier was alive—and he had to be alive, he had to—and then she must see to it that he did not die. Alex slipped out of her chamber soundlessly, having mechanically dressed.
She ran through the palace in her sandals, ignoring her sore, bruised feet. The palace was fully awake. Slaves, servants, and soldiers were everywhere, as if it were broad daylight outside, and not the crack of dawn. She rushed into Jebal’s quarters, ignoring the protest of two Nubian slaves.
Jebal was in his salon, standing with his Dutch secretary, sipping hot, black coffee. His eyes widened when Alex barged in without either his permission or an announcement.
Then he really stared. At the cuts on her face.
“Jebal, I must speak to you!” Alex cried.
Jebal’s mouth formed a thin, hard line. His eyes still wide, he turned to his secretary. “Leave us. I do not wish to be disturbed—not even for my father,” he said tightly.
The Dutchman nodded and left the room, shutting the door firmly behind him.
Jebal strode to Alex and gripped her face in one hand. He was not gentle. He turned it from side to side. His eyes glinted. “What happened to you?” he demanded.
Alex’s heart beat hard and fast and her mouth was completely dry. She was afraid now, afraid of her husband—but more afraid for Xavier’s life. “I fell in the gardens this afternoon,” she lied.
“Really?” Jebal stared, then cocked his head slightly. Alex followed his gaze. Through the bedroom windows, she could see the night sky—and it was still orange over the harbor where thePearlcontinued to burn.
“I was pushed from behind,” Alex quickly fabricated. “Jebal, surely you recall that I have enemies in the harem?”
He studied her, finally releasing her chin. His gaze again strayed outside, toward the raging inferno that had been the American brig. “You had better be telling me the truth,” he said low. “Do not ever take me for a fool. Do not ever lie to me, Zohara.”
Alex’s heart skipped a beat. He suspected her. He suspected that she was somehow involved with the destruction of thePearl.Or were Alex’s fear and guilt coloring her judgment? She began to shiver uncontrollably. Thinking,They are all right. This man would hurt me, punish me, maybe even kill me, for violating his faith and his laws.“I won’t,” she somehow managed to whisper. A blatant lie in itself.
Jebal held her gaze. Alex managed not to flinch. “What brings you here at four in the morning?”
“How could I sleep?” Alex looked past him out of the window. “They destroyed thePearl.That beautiful ship.”
“Yes, Blackwell and his men destroyed the greatest prize my father has ever taken.”
Alex could not move. Surely in the absolute silence stretching so tautly between them, he would hear her wild, frightened, pounding heartbeat. “Blackwell?”
His jaw flexed. “That’s right. Your countryman.” Jebal smiled coldly. “Your friend.”
Alex almost fainted. “We are not friends, Jebal,” she said hoarsely. “We have never met.”
He stared at her. “Really? Then why are you so concerned for him?”
“I am a human being,” Alex said hoarsely. “I care about human life. I do not believe in slavery. In cruelty. In murder and death.”
“So you do not really accept my ways, my faith.”
“I am trying,” Alex finally said.
“Are you?” Jebal asked.
Alex could not respond. Coming to see Jebal now, with Blackwell’s life at stake, had been a major mistake. But it was too late to turn back. “What happened? How was thePearldestroyed?”
“Blackwell himself took five men and planted firebombs aboard her,” Jebal said, staring at her. “Fortunately everyone was recaptured.”
Alex remained still. If everyone were captured, that meant Xavier was still alive. Relief nearly swamped her, relief she was afraid she could not hide. “What will happen to them?” she managed to ask.
“My father is, justifiably, furious. Heads will roll.”
