you’ll even be able to get me out of that interim position sooner. Now that would earn a gigantic bonus.”
“No, it would not,” Dalai said flatly. But her eyes were shining with sudden interest. “No pity. But I could do this. I know these people. I’ve watched them all for Zahra and reported back to her. And I know their servants and every flaw in their lives.” She frowned. “But it would be easier if you could make them accept me with respect. It made it more difficult for me when they saw the way Zahra treated me.”
His lips tightened. “You mean as a slave.”
“She did not say that word around anyone but me.”
“But the implication was there.”
“Always.”
And it was incredible that she’d managed to rise above that stigma as well as all the other abuse Zahra had inflicted on her, Gideon thought. But don’t show sympathy or I’ll never get her to accept help.
He said lightly, “Then I guess we’ll have to give you a fancy official title and your own staff to overcome it. What do you think?”
She stared at him for a long moment. “I think you’re still trying to be kind to me.” She was gazing directly into his eyes. “You cannot help yourself. It is your way, your character. And I need that kindness right now. But I will not need it for long.” She lifted her chin. “Give me a little time, and you will see that I will get stronger and stronger. I don’t know anything about this being friends. But you will learn to rely on me. It will be me who helps and lends you strength when you need it, Gideon.”
Gideon nodded solemnly. “I don’t have the slightest doubt that will be true.” He turned to leave. “I’m already anticipating being deep in your debt.”
“Wait.” She moistened her lips. “I’m sorry I can’t return your knife to you. You said it was a keepsake. Eve told me that Novak probably won’t give it back because he thought Zahra’s death shouldn’t be connected to me.”
“It was your knife, Dalai. I told you that I thought my father would want you to have it.” He smiled. “I know he’d think it couldn’t have been used for a better purpose. Neither do I.”
She stared at him defiantly. “And neither do I.”
He chuckled. “Then we won’t worry about it, will we? Now I have to go and see Jill and tell her that we’ve come to an agreement. If that’s all right with you?”
She nodded. “Yes, go talk to Jill.” She suddenly smiled. “Because you’re not at all sure about any of this except that you wish me to be safe and happy. But she will understand. When I told her that Zahra had told me once that she was like Kiya and I was only her slave, she said bullshit. She asked me how I didn’t know that I wasn’t the one who was like Kiya.” She straightened, and her smile vanished. “Tell Jill that I’ve decided that she was right. I am like Kiya.” She added quickly, “But I won’t let that hurt you or anyone I care about. I just have to learn who she really was and how to control it.”
“I’ll tell Jill.” He added gently, “And being like Kiya isn’t all that bad. She changed the world for herself and generations after her. I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do.” He lifted his hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Dalai.”
* * *
“She is like Kiya, Gideon,” Jill said thoughtfully. “She’s a survivor. Her story has been a nightmare so far, yet here she is on the road to her own Great Journey.” She tilted her head. “But I didn’t mean for you to practically adopt her, Gideon. I just wanted you to do something to make her feel better.”
“And I did it,” he said lightly. “But I’m warning you that she’d be insulted if you mention adopting her. She’s having enough trouble understanding the friendship concept. If there’s any adoption going on, I have an idea that she’d be the one in control.” He leaned forward and brushed a kiss on Jill’s forehead. “Don’t worry about it, this is right. It’s what I should have done a long time ago. We’ll work it out together. Maybe I should be grateful that Novak is pulling me into that mess in the Kiyani government. It will give Dalai something to challenge her.” He straightened and turned to leave. “What’s next for