Dream of Me/Believe in Me

says butts are for the rear ends of pigs. Which hair ribbons would you like? The rose and mauve would look lovely with this gown, don't you think?”
    Krysta nodded, for there seemed nothing else she could do, so intent was Aelfgyth on seeing to her.
    “There,” Aelfgyth said when she was satisfied with the results. “You look beautiful. Would you like me to bring you something to eat?”
    Krysta shook her head. “Thank you, but no. Where is Lord Hawk?”
    “Downstairs. I'll just tell him you're awake. He'll be so relieved that you're feeling better. He was right here most of the night, wouldn't leave your side. He did fall asleep for a few hours, holding your hand, but he was awake before dawn. There's so much to see to, of course, but even so he should have some rest—”
    Aelfgyth broke off as Krysta headed toward the door. If anyone was going to tell Hawk anything, it was she. When she thought that he hadn't said a word to her, probably going all the way back to Winchester when he'd had that decidedly strange look on his face just because she was nauseated. Even when they made love, he had never mentioned it, only touched her with such gentle passion….
    A blush overtook her. She was not so annoyed with him after all. She could think of nothing save how muchshe loved him and how truly blessed they were to be together.
    Speeding down the steps, Krysta wondered if she would tell Hawk of the strange vision that had come to her in the cell. Had she not tried to reach out to the young man she believed to be her son, she would never have stumbled over the iron bar and could not have delayed Daria's attack long enough for Hawk to arrive.
    She paused just before entering the hall and touched a hand gently to her belly. As yet there was no sign of the life that dwelled there, yet she already knew her child well. “Let your wings grow strong, little Falcon,” she murmured, and felt the pearl of her happiness glow brightly.
    When she stepped into the hall, her eyes found Hawk at once. He was seated at the high table, deep in conversation with Dragon and Thorgold. All three saw her and broke off their talk. Hawk stood and went to her. He was frowning.
    “Should you be out of bed? Are you rested enough? Aelfgyth was supposed to come and get me. You have suffered a terrible ordeal and—”
    “Enough,” Krysta murmured. She raised herself on tiptoe and touched her lips lightly to his. Against them, she said, “I am the most fortunate of women. Whatever ill I have experienced is naught compared to the joy you give me.”
    He sighed deeply into her mouth and clasped her to him. Around them, the men and women of Hawkforte assembling for their evening meal grinned and nudged one another. The kiss deepened, all else forgotten, as the two fated lovers put aside the tumultuous past and looked to their blissful future.
    Only when the laughter and encouragement of the crowd finally reached him did Hawk recall himself. Hesmiled broadly. Looking over Krysta's head back toward the high table, he said something drowned out by the din of the cheering crowd. It took a moment for Dragon to realize what it was, and when he did, a shiver ran down the back of that stalwart warrior. For the Lord of Hawkforte, his beloved lady nestled in his arms, had spoken the words most guaranteed to strike dread into the foot-loose, fancy-free heart of the Dragon. “You're next.”

About the Author
    JOSIE LITTON lives in New England where she is happily at work on a new trilogy of historical romances. She is also at home at
www.josielitton.com .

Turn the page for a sneak preview of
    Come Back TO ME
    available November 2001 wherever Bantam Books are sold
    D AMN, DAMN, AND DAMN AGAIN! THE cursed habit h ad followed her all her life since tenderest childhood. How she loathed being different, how she despised always
knowing.
Lie to her and she would be happy, trick her into believing what was not and she would be delighted, prevaricate, falsify, fib, and palter, nothing would thrill her more. To be in blissful ignorance, never to know or at least not to know beyond the ordinary ken whether someone spoke the truth or lied, that was her great dream as much as freedom itself, for it was a kind of freedom all its own. Let her be done with truth!
    He was a man, nothing more. A stranger and a threat. She was glad to be done with him.
Lies.
    Her mouth set thinly, she came away from the moss-draped rock and launched herself back upon the course of least