Last night, she had found no more sleep than the previous nights. But, last night, Gabriel had not been beside her, thrilling her with his touch. Although Karim Pasa had told her only that the shaykh was busy elsewhere in the stronghold, she suspected Gabriel was beyond its walls, trying once more to stop the hill bandits. There would be no other reason why he would have been called away so abruptly. Another village or group of travelers must have fallen prey to Abd al Qadir. With a laugh, Kalinin said, “There is no use pretending, Melisande. Do you think I failed to notice that you disappeared the day the shaykh returned home last time?” She smiled. “That both of you disappeared and that Karim Pasa stood guard over your rooms to let no one enter.” “He did that?” She was sure her face must be crimson, for heat swarmed over her. Standing, she put her comb on a table. “Are you happy?” “Yes.” Kalinin frowned. “That answer does not sound too joyous.” “I am happy when I am with Gabriel.”
