They entered the public domain of the palace. Alex was sweating.
Jebal passed through the open arched entry of the bashaw’s hall. Alex tripped while following.
The bashaw sat on the dais on his throne. Farouk and Jovar stood beside him. And then she faltered, stricken. In chains, Blackwell stood with four soldiers on the side of the dais. He was staring directly at her.
Alex met his brilliant gaze, her heart beating wildly. He was alive. She scanned him quickly—he did not appear to have been beaten in any way. He stood tall and proud, wary and alert. She was flooded with joy and relief.
Jebal suddenly took her arm, his grip vicious. Alex realized her feelings must have been openly revealed upon her face. She met his blazing eyes, flushing, as he yanked her forward. She stumbled and he jerked her upright.
She bit her lip so she would not cry out. She knew he wanted to hurt her.
The bashaw stood. “So. We have a pair of spies inside my home.”
Alex shook her head. She did not dare glance at Xavier now. But images were tumbling through her mind. Images of the two of them being beaten, bastinadoed, and tortured with the whips and metal devices she had seen hanging on the walls of the guardroom of the bagnio. Her knees knocked together.
“A pair of spies—a pair of lovers,” the bashaw said coldly.
Alex looked into his black eyes and saw an infinite capacity for cruelty there. “No. I rescued Black—”
“Silence!” the bashaw roared. “You will speak when I ask you to!”
Alex bowed her head, but not before darting a glance at Blackwell. His eyes were also blazing. It struck her then that he hated seeing her treated this way. It struck her then that even though he might not know it, he loved her very much.
But it was too late.
His lids lowered. When they lifted she read the message written there—caution,it said.
The bashaw spoke to his son, his prime minister, his navy admiral. “What shall we do with these traitors?”
“Kill them,” Jovar said simply, as if there were no other possible choice.
Farouk stepped forward. “Add them to the stakes now being wagered. Preble will seek to negotiate the release of thePhiladelphia’screw again. He must. Inform him now that we also have the heir to Blackwell Shipping—and an American woman. The Americans are very fond of their women—we can gain much gold for her. Perhaps they will agree to lift the blockade.”
“No!” Jebal said angrily. “They have betrayed us—they have betrayed me!” He turned his furious gaze on Alex. “And she might be with my son—or withhisson.”
Alex trembled and shared another brief, potent glance with Blackwell. He suddenly said, very calmly, “Are we not allowed to defend ourselves?”
Jovar laughed. “You have no rights, American dog.”
“And what is it that you wish to say to change your fates?” the bashaw asked, his eyes gleaming.
Blackwell spoke only to the bashaw. “She is not a spy. She is not my paramour. She rescued me when she found me dying in thebedestanbecause she is a compassionate woman—that is all. I, however, will confess to my crimes.” His glance slid to Alex.
And Alex realized what he was doing. She sagged against Jebal.“No, Xavier.”
“I have been spying. I have forwarded all the information that I could to Commodore Preble. But the woman has not been involved, was never involved. I would never allow a lady to dally in the affairs of men, in the politics of war. And she has remained faithful to her husband. I swear it.”
Alex felt a tear trickling down her cheek.
“He has confessed,” Jovar snarled. “Sentence him to death!”
“Are you trying to protect this woman?” the bashaw asked sharply.
“I am telling you the truth,” Blackwell said flatly.
Alex felt Jebal’s gaze upon her, knew more tears were coursing down her cheeks, but she could no more stop the tears than she could look away from the man she loved.
And the bashaw suddenly pointed at her. “She will live until she bears the child—and we shall all pray it resembles my son. You, Jebal, will decide her ultimate fate.” His hand moved toward Blackwell. “And you will die at dawn tomorrow.”
