The Golden Barbarian by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page B

“And it won’t make any difference.”
    “You think you’ve convinced her?”
    “No,” Galen said softly, “I
know
I’ve convinced her.”
    “You don’t have to do it.” Sacha gazed at Tess’s taut back as she looked out the window. “All you have to do is say you don’t wish to marry Galen, and we’ll set out for Belajo in the morning.”
    “It was you, wasn’t it?” Tess asked in a lowvoice. “I was surprised when my father told me I was to go to France. It was you who presented the idea and talked him into it. Why?”
    “Galen decided you needed protection, and he believed the sisters would provide it.”
    “And do you always do what Sheikh Ben Raschid tells you to do?”
    “He convinced me it was for your good.”
    “Yes, he can be very persuasive.” She turned to face him. “But I’m surprised he can so easily get you to do as he wishes.”
    “He does not—” He broke off and grimaced ruefully. “It’s true he had no trouble molding me to his wishes at that time. I was a thoughtless popinjay who had more concern for the cut of my coat than anything happening around me.”
    She studied him thoughtfully. “But you’ve changed.”
    “Sedikhan changed me. Galen changed me.” Sacha glanced down at his gold brocade coat. “Though I admit I still like an occasional bit of flash and glitter.”
    “There’s nothing wrong with flash and glitter.” She smiled affectionately. “And that empty-headed popinjay was very kind to me.”
    “No, I wasn’t. I should have done more to help you. It’s not enough to care, one has to act.”
    “Is that what you learned in Sedikhan?”
    “Yes, that and other things.”
    “Then it must be a very interesting country. Why are you trying to persuade me not to go?”
    “I feel responsible.”
    “And?”
    “It’s a difficult situation. I don’t want you hurt.”
    “Yet you consented to maneuver me into this position.”
    “Galen needed you. Sedikhan needed you. I thought it wouldn’t be such a bad bargain for you.”
    “And now you do?”
    He shrugged. “I don’t know. Galen is … He’s not always …” After a long pause he said softly, “In Zalandan Galen is all-powerful, and his people love him. His power is even greater than my father’s.”
    “That cannot be so bad if his people hold him in affection.”
    “You don’t understand. Galen’s desire to have Sedikhan united is a passion that sweeps everything else away.” He gazed at her soberly. “I don’t want you to be swept away, Tess.”
    She laughed. “Why should I be affected by all that? I’d be a visitor in Sedikhan for three years, perhaps less.”
    He could see the excitement flushing her cheeks and had a sinking feeling his words had not swayed her. “Three years can be a long time.”
    “I have only one question. Do you believe I can trust Galen to keep his promise?”
    “Yes.”
    She crossed the room to give him a fleeting kiss on the cheek. “I thank you for your concern, Sacha, but it will truly be fine.” A hint of bleaknesscolored her voice as she continued, “I know I’m only a pawn to your friend, but when have I ever been anything else? At least I’ll have a chance at independence, if I agree to his terms. No one else will offer me even that possibility. You were right, he was right; It’s not a bad bargain.”
    “You’ve made up your mind?”
    She nodded as she took a step back. “And I’d better tell him. Where is he?”
    “In the stable. I’ll go with you.”
    “I’ll go alone.” She cast him a gamine grin. “Stop frowning. Everything is going to be splendid.”

Chapter 2
    “What are you doing?” Tess asked from the doorway of the stable.
    Galen turned toward her. The light of the setting sun behind her sharply silhouetted her slender figure, seeming to etch her hair in dark flame. “My horse was bitten by a snake on the way to Dinar, and the wound is infected,” he explained slowly.
    “It’s getting dark, you’ll need a