always arrange to get all of them back later. All I’d have to do would be to hire someone like Varak to help me. As long as Varak stays away from Maldara and isn’t causing me any problems, I could live with his having a moderate share…for a short time.”
“There’s no one ‘like’ Varak. He would take more than a moderate share.”
Zahra’s smile deepened. “Then I would have to make an adjustment.”
“You mean, you would kill him,” Dalai said quietly. “That’s why you wore the ruby comb tonight.”
She shrugged. “It’s another alternative, another way to get rid of him. It would be easy enough. The bastard is so big and strong. Yet all I’d have to do would be to get close enough to him to just run those prongs over his throat.” She reached out and stroked a gold-rimmed vase next to her. “Not quite as safe, but I could use this attack on Robaku to my political advantage. I’ve been considering—” She broke off, frowning as something struck her. “You don’t sound like yourself, Dalai. Why are you asking me all these questions?” She started to turn to face her. “Haven’t I told you that—” She stopped as she saw that Dalai had crossed the room and was staring down at the golden trunk. “What are you doing?” Then she thought she realized what was happening. “He frightened you.” She shrugged. “It might not happen. The idea just intrigued him.”
“As it intrigued you.” Dalai’s gaze hadn’t shifted from the trunk. “It must have made you feel very strong and powerful.” She lifted the lid and gazed down inside it. “Because being that afraid made me even weaker and more dependent on you than ever.”
“You had to be taught your place.” Zahra was frowning again. “And you’re sounding very disrespectful. I won’t permit that, Dalai. You know what I’ll do to you.”
“My place,” Dalai repeated. “I’ve let you tell me what that is all these years. I believe I’ve learned it very well.” She paused. “But not from what you told me. It was because I had to teach myself who I really am to survive you.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Zahra hissed. “I won’t take this from you. Have you forgotten who I am? I’m the leader of this country. Your father sent you to serve me. I let you live in my palace. You’re nothing, Dalai.”
“So you tell me,” Dalai said. “Nothing. Or rabbit.” She paused. “Or slave. But I’m none of those things, Zahra.”
“Zahra?” Her lips tightened, her expression incredulous. “Insolence. You do not address me in that fashion.”
“No, I won’t address you at all,” Dalai said. “After I’ve finished with you, I will go away and not see you again. I will try not to ever think of you.” She met her eyes. “And I believe I will succeed because I’m stronger than you think I am.”
“Go away? Do you think I’d let you leave me?” Zahra’s dark eyes were glittering, her lips curled. “Perhaps I will, but only to go to Varak. I’ll let him teach you manners, you little slut. You shake when he looks at you.”
“Yes, I do. But how will you send me to him when you said you might kill him? You must make up your mind, Zahra.” Her smile had a tinge of mockery. “Because threats won’t work anymore. I’m afraid of Varak, but I’m not afraid of you. I haven’t been afraid of you for a long time.”
“Of course, you are. You know what I can do to you. You jump when I snap my fingers.”
“Because I knew it pleased you, and it kept me safe. Pretense. Only a game. You had to believe I would never betray you. You had all the power, and I had to wait until it was my time.” She met her eyes. “I realized when I was lying in that trunk that I wasn’t going to live if I didn’t change and become as strong as you are. I’m afraid your punishment backfired, Zahra.”
“And you think this is your time?” She laughed. “What a fool you are. I’ve never been more strong.”
“And I’ve never had a time when I wasn’t alone. It makes a difference.” She shined the beam of her flashlight around the room. “Kiya’s treasure. I’ve always hated it. But only because of what you did to me here. You said she was like you, but I think she stood on her own.”
“Not alone?” Zahra’s voice was suddenly suspicious. “Why aren’t