Dream of Me/Believe in Me

farthest edge of her sight. “It goes so far back I've never been able to find the end.”
    “You searched for it?” she asked, more than a littleconcerned. There were caves near Holyhood where it was said people had become lost, never to be seen again.
    “I used a torch. There are magnificent chambers back in there, some the match of anything I've seen in palaces.”
    Even so, she had no wish to see them for herself, or to even think of him venturing into them again. “What if the torch had gone out?”
    He laughed and caught her hand to his lips. “I also took tinder and a flint. Do you always worry so?”
    “No,” she admitted, puzzled by her uncharacteristic concern. Softly, she added, “I just can't bear to think of you being hurt.”
    He gazed down into her eyes for a long moment before gently gathering her to him. She worried for those she loved. Recognizing that confirmed Wolf in the decision he had made. Whenever she spoke of her brother, her love for him was clear. Moreover, it was evidently well deserved, for Hawk had acted toward her with great care and compassion. Loath though he was to do it, Wolf could not help but feel a spurt of gratitude for the enraged Saxon he must shortly face. Face, too, the wife he had kept unknowing lest she fear for them both any longer than absolutely necessary.
    “There were times,” he said quietly, “when I came to this place simply because I needed to be alone for a while. Never before did I want to bring anyone with me.”
    She touched his cheek in silent thanks and leaned her head against his broad shoulder. Suddenly, she was very tired. The events of the past few hours seemed to crash down on her. Despite her best efforts, she could not contain a delicate yawn.
    “I shouldn't have brought you out,” he said remorsefully.
    “Oh, no! I'm glad you did. It's so beautiful here.”
    “Still, you need to rest.” Swiftly, he removed his cloak and laid it on the floor of the cave. Gathering her into hisarms, he drew her down beside him and pulled the edge of the garment up over them both, creating a warm cocoon of safety and comfort.
    Cymbra made a soft sound of contentment and nestled against him. There was so much she wanted to say— how much she loved him, how glad she was that they were together, her hopes for the future … so much. But thought fled as easily as dreams came.
    She woke to a warm, freshening breeze and light pouring in through the entrance to the cave. Her husband stood just outside, looking at the sea. When she went to join him, brushing sand from her cloak, he held out an arm and drew her close. He said nothing, merely gestured out over the blue-gray water in which small waves chopped and seals played.
    She followed the direction of his gaze and saw the vessel coming up rapidly over the horizon. For a moment, she thought only that the oarsmen must be rowing unusually fast, so swiftly did the ship move over the water. Then a sudden gust of wind filled the sail and she saw there, against the dazzling sea, the sign she had both longed for and dreaded.
    The hawk, talons curved to seize its prey, flying fast and sure toward the lair of the wolf.

Chapter TWENTY-ONE

    S UNLIGHT GLINTED OFF THE SHIELDS OF THE men of Wolf's personal guard, two dozen in all, who stood in ranks on the stone wharf. Their swords remained in their sheaths but they were close to hand if, as the grim looks on their faces indicated, the trouble they were expecting occurred.
    Behind them, the streets and lanes of the town were deserted. Word of who was arriving had spread on the wind and the good folk of Sciringesheal had made themselves scarce. Only a few well-fed dogs ambled about. In contrast to their happy ease, the guests were departing with speed, urged on by Dragon, who had remained at the hill fort to see to a task made easier by unanimous desire not to irk the Wolf.
    Cymbra's breath caught as she realized that the Saxon vessel was not slowing even as it entered the rock-strewn channel guarding the entrance to the port. Wolf, too, took note of that and smiled grimly.
    “Either your brother is an expert seaman or he'll never make it this far.”
    He was about to say a word to the captain of the guard regarding preparations for a rescue mission when Cymbra stopped him with a hand laid gently on his arm. Her eyes still on the approaching ship, she said, “I've been told that Hawk took a rudder for the first time when he was three years old. Supposedly, he was so