Dream of Me/Believe in Me

saying more but privately she already longed for the fresh sea breezes of Hawkforte. Which was a foolish thingto do since she had no idea what would happen to her or where she would go when she finally convinced Hawk that they could not wed. She had no doubt that he would ultimately see the implacable sense of that, for she believed no man who had fought so valiantly, endured so determinedly, and achieved so greatly would be willing to risk all for a tainted wife. And if he did not come to see what must not be, she would have to be strong enough to see it for them both, no matter that the seeing shattered her heart.
    If she continued with such thoughts she would weep, and she determinedly cleared her head of worry as they approached the very threshold of the royal court. Hawk dismounted, came around to her horse, and held out his arms for her. He lifted her from the saddle before she could demur, took her hand in his, and led her up the steps to the mead hall of the king.
    Torchlight reflected off the hundreds of hammered shields hung along the walls, rendering vivid the hues of battle banners descending from the high-timbered ceiling, and revealing the curious faces of the lords and ladies who turned to see the new arrivals. Belatedly, Krysta realized they had come at such an hour when the royal court was gathered to sup. She was suddenly very glad that her hand was in Hawk's and that it was he who walked beside her, for elsewise she doubted she could muster the courage to enter so august a company. Never had she seen folk more lavishly dressed. Even the young pages serving at the long tables were garbed in velvet. But it was not the raiment that struck her most. Rather it was the swift, all-encompassing, and knowing glances of men and women more worldly and sophisticated than any she had ever met before.
    At the center of that court—and at the center of the high table—sat the man responsible for it all, the king already called Alfred the Great. Krysta was surprised to seea man of seemingly ordinary appearance, his height no more than moderate, his hair brown and worn to his shoulders, a neatly trimmed beard obscuring the lower part of his face. It was only as she drew closer that she spied the keen intelligence in his eyes and saw to her great relief the ready smile that curved an unexpectedly sensual mouth.
    “Hawk!” The king rose from his seat, went around the table, and embraced the man who was clearly his friend as well as his subject. “You must have had good winds to get here so quickly.”
    “I assumed you commanded them, my lord,” Hawk said lightly.
    Alfred laughed and turned his gaze to Krysta. “And this lovely lady must be …”
    “The Lady Krysta of Vestfold.” Hawk squeezed her hand rather more firmly than was absolutely necessary. “My betrothed.”
    “Of course, how good of you to bring her. You are most welcome, my dear. I had hoped for an opportunity to meet you. Your journey here was pleasant, I trust?”
    As he spoke, Alfred took her hand from Hawk's and with great courtesy led her to the high table. Already servants had hastened to bring forth additional chairs and place them on either side of the king's and that of his queen, a plump and pleasant woman named Eahlswith, with whom he was said to be well content, not in the least because she had brought him peace with the Mercians. Acutely aware that she was the target of all eyes, Krysta was deeply grateful for the queen's kind smile. She sank into the chair beside Eahlswith, wishing she could as easily have sunk into the floor.
    That was not to be. Even as she struggled to respond to the queen's quiet remarks and engage in the conversation that was obviously expected of her, Krysta dared a glance at Hawk. He looked very much at his ease seatedbeside the king and in high good humor as well. He was entirely at home in such surroundings, hardly surprising since she knew he visited Winchester often…. Certainly often enough to have realized that the timing of their arrival would place them foursquare before the court and destroy any chance for Krysta to remain anonymous. Although she managed to maintain her smile and nod courteously at whatever it was the queen was saying, inwardly she felt the pull of despair. Once again, he had arranged matters to his own liking but it was she who would have to deal with the consequences.
    That dark thought weighed her down, yet the excitement of her surroundings made it impossible for her to