Dream of Me/Believe in Me

simply that I might survive but he knew that couldn't continue.”
    “So he tried to seal you away from the world?”
    “Yes, as much as that is ever possible to do. He told me later that he hoped that if I could be kept safe behind strong walls, I might learn to build such walls within myself. In that he was very wise, for that is exactly what I finally managed to do.”
    “Does he have a touch of this gift himself?” Wolf asked, wondering about the man with whom he must shortly communicate.
    Cymbra hesitated. “He is a very wise and capable leader, and I think at least some of that must come from his understanding of people. I see the same ability in you. So, yes, I suppose it is the same in kind, but the degree is greatly different.”
    “Did you resent being sent away?”
    “Not resent precisely, only regretted. But Hawk came often to visit especially while I was still very young. When he saw that I was better, he allowed me to visit at Hawkforte.”
    “But he never took you to court?”
    “No, he seemed to think that would be borrowing trouble.” She raised herself on her elbow, smiling at him wryly. “In that, as well, the two of you seem to think alike.”
    She waited, hoping that he would respond to her mention of her brother, that they might even talk furtherabout Wolf's delay in sending word to him. But instead her husband said, “I know this wasn't easy for you. It was a difficult decision for me to make. I'm still not sure if it was the right one.”
    She looked up at him, surprised. “You can say that after what happened?”
    He shrugged. “It worked out for the best. There won't be any further problems.”
    If he thought it strange to dismiss the savage execution of three men in such terms, he didn't show it. Instead, he looked down at her again and smiled. “Sleepy?”
    “I should be,” she said ruefully, “but somehow I'm not.”
    “Neither am I.” He let go of her, rose from the bed, and held out a hand. “There's something I want to show you.”
    S TOP! CYMBRA CRIED, LAUGHING AS SHE KICKED AT the green-foamed spray, showering Wolf with fine droplets of water. He grinned and bent over, scooping up handfuls to toss at her. Still laughing, she ran down the beach, well aware that her husband followed.
    She had never before been on a beach at night, never imagined how beautiful it would look beneath the stars. When he told her where they were going, she was surprised yet curious. Her hand secure in his, bundled in the cloak he insisted she put on over her gown, she went eagerly.
    If the guards on the berm thought their lord's behavior unusual, they said nothing of it as they obediently opened the gates. So, too, they would have the good sense to keep silent about the sight of the mighty jarl of Sciringesheal playing in the surf by starlight with his beautiful Saxon wife.
    Her eyes took longer to adjust to the dark than did his. He found his way with the easy grace of his namesake. When he jumped down onto the sand and held out his arms to catch her, she laughed and leaped without hesitation.
    She was still laughing as they played at the water's edge and even as she ran down the beach. When he caught her, she turned breathlessly in his arms, tilted her face up to the star-draped sky, and said softly, “I could stay here forever.”
    He dropped a quick kiss on her lips and grinned. Her pleasure delighted him, yet did he take due note of how very much she needed freedom. Truly, she was as a caged bird suddenly released to soar.
    “What would you do if it rained?” he asked teasingly
    She arched a finely drawn eyebrow and gestured at her clothing damp from his splashing. “Get wet?”
    “Ah, but you'd need a place to shelter.” Seizing her hand, he ran up the beach. “Come on.”
    Beyond a curve of the shore, where grouse bushes grew against a proud cliff, he drew her toward a dark cleft in the rock. When she hung back a little, uncertain, he tossed a grin over his broad shoulder. “I found this place years ago. You'll like it.”
    Even as he spoke, he moved seemingly right through the rock and drew her with him. Cymbra found herself standing in a small cave the contours of which were just visible in the starlight filtering through the opening in the cliff. Near the entrance, the walls were covered with fragrant moss. Farther in, she caught streaks of light and shadow that glistened as though embedded with countless tiny stars.
    Wolf gestured toward the pool of darkness at the