Dream of Me/Believe in Me

always have I told you, there isanother side to that gift.
You
can be called into the other world. That is what happened to your mother when her unhappiness in this world became too much for her to bear.”
    Krysta sighed deeply. For just a moment, she wished to hide herself against Raven as she had so many times when very young, be covered by the black wing of her gown, and remain still and safe. Then had Raven called her fondly “my little chick” and they had both laughed over that. But she was a child no longer. Raven was right, every flight brought risk, yet the wide world beckoned still.
    “Go and find him,” Raven said softly. “He is not a man of deception. If it is too soon to know what is in his heart, see what is in his eyes.”
    Krysta nodded. She remained a moment longer close to Raven, gazing out at the sea. Then she gathered up her courage and her dreams, and went.
    H AWK WATCHED HER COMING TO HIM ACROSS THE training field. With the day so still, he had tied a band around his forehead to catch the sweat that would otherwise sting his eyes. Shirtless, wearing only breeches, he lowered his sword and waved off the lieutenant with whom he had been sparring.
    She looked much more at ease than she had the evening before, but he still sensed a strain in her. Her usually winsome smile seemed forced. All the same, he appreciated the quick, all-encompassing glance she swept him, followed by the darkening of her cheeks. That she was aware of him as a man was good.
    “I hope you don't mind,” she said, and her voice was soft as the breeze that just then began to ruffle the tops of the trees. “The day is so warm, I thought you would like a drink.” She turned slightly, gesturing to the servants whofollowed her. Two young girls stepped forward with horn goblets and skins glistening with droplets of cool water drawn from deep wells.
    Hawk sheathed his sword. His eyes never left Krysta as he smiled in turn. “This is most welcome. Thank you for it.”
    Her flush deepened. Such a simple gesture, bringing cold water to laboring men, but it was the first domestic task she had performed at Hawkforte. Cautious yet of her status, wary of Daria, she had treaded lightly. Yet when she asked the servants to come with her and told them what was needed, they had sprung to obey with smiles that suggested she might not have so difficult a time to win them over as she had feared. Their master, however, was another matter.
    Hesitantly, she met his gaze. As always, the light blue clarity of his eyes startled her. She felt as though she were staring into the heights of the sky at the peak of day. Her hands shook slightly as she filled a drinking horn and gave it to him. She watched with helpless fascination as he tipped his head back and drank, the powerful muscles of his throat working. With a smile, he returned the horn to her.
    “If you wouldn't mind …”
    She filled it again quickly, happy to have pleased him. She also felt relieved, for she saw no hint that her earlier worry had any foundation. Perhaps Raven was right and the Lord Dragon had merely spun a tale plucked by chance from the sea of his imagination.
    The serving girls moved on to fill horns for the men. Hawk and Krysta were left alone. She was too self-conscious to speak, he too distracted. The breeze riffled her hair, pulling curls from the loose braid hanging down her back. Her brow was sun kissed. Freckles marched across her nose. Her mouth was very full, soft, and inviting. Too easily, he remembered how it had felt beneath his own.
    “Dragon said he would take messages from you back with him. Did you speak with him?”
    She shook her head. “It was kind of him to offer but I truly had nothing to say.”
    He nodded, unsurprised. Already he knew she and her half-brother were not close. From what Dragon had told him of Sven, he was glad of it.
    “You seem to be settling in well. If Daria disturbs you, tell me.”
    Krysta was caught by surprise and uncertain how to respond. His willingness to help her with Daria warmed her, yet she was reluctant to involve him in family strife. “Thank you,” she murmured noncommittally.
    Silence drew out between them again. Hawk broke it. “How do you think it's going?”
    “How what is going?”
    “Getting to know each other.” He made it sound like a task to be gotten through.
    “Oh, that. I suppose it's going well enough.”
    He looked relieved to hear it. “I think so, too. I know you like to swim, don't