Dream of Me/Believe in Me

at the hem and bodice and along the flowing sleeves. Because the evening was warm, she chose to do without an over tunic. Leaving her hair to tumble in waves to her knees, she secured it with jeweled combs at her brows, then hesitated for just a moment.
    The gold wolf's-head torque her husband had given to her on their wedding day had remained in her jewel box since that single wearing. Now she took it out, feeling the weight of it in her hands. Before she could reconsider, she secured it around her slender throat.
    Thus armored, she left the lodge and returned to the timbered hall.
    S UPERB, KAREEM SAID. HE BIT THE LAST SUCCULENT meat off a plump chicken leg, tossed the bone on his trencher, and sighed. “I've never had a more splendid meal.”
    Devouring a slice of pork seasoned with peppercorns and saffron, Dragon paused just long enough to agree. “I used to think the best table I'd ever dined at was old Hakim Bey's in Alexandria. Remember him?”
    “I do indeed,” Kareem said. “A fine man, very fine. He had a fondness for almonds.”
    “But the honor goes to my noble brother now,” Dragon continued with a grin. “Soon every fancier of fine food will have to be able to say that he's been to Sciringesheal or no one will take him seriously.”
    Wolf laughed, picked up a spear of wild asparagus, and chewed it thoughtfully. When he was done, he said, “I hope you carry a full cargo of spices, Kareem. For a man who used to consider that anything not still moving counted as food, I've become damn particular of late.”
    The Moor grinned broadly. “I boast the fullest possible assortment, my friend, including some brought from the farthest reaches of the world, islands beyond Cathay.”
    “I didn't know there was anything beyond Cathay,” Cymbra said. She had been largely silent until now, content to listen, but this so sparked her curiosity that she had to speak. “Indeed, I will admit that I have heard some say even Cathay is a myth.”
    “Cathay is very real,” Kareem said pleasantly. “I myself have met men from there.”
    Wolf nodded. He turned to his wife. “Cathay is real, sweetling. Kareem has met men from there.”
    She frowned slightly. Although an excellent wine from the vineyards of Sicily had been served, her husband had drunk very little of it and Kareem none at all, being forbidden by his faith. Yet did both men seem to be behaving … peculiarly.
    Still, she was not about to comment on it. “How fascinating. Is it true that their eyes are shaped differently?”
    “Indeed they are, being slanted and drawn up at the edges.”
    “Their eyes are slanted,” Wolf told his wife, “and drawn up at the edges.”
    “They almost resemble the almonds Hakim Bey liked so much,” Kareem added.
    “Like almonds,” Wolf said.
    Cymbra stared at them. What strange performance was this? Why was her husband repeating what Kareem said as though she were incapable of hearing it?
    “Do you also carry almonds?” she asked.
    “Beautiful almonds as well as many other nuts. It will be my pleasure to bring a complete sampling tomorrow.”
    “He has all sorts of nuts, sweetling. You can try some of each tomorrow.”
    “And fabrics?” she asked.
    “Dozens of different kinds—the finest silks, the most beautiful brocades, the sheerest linens—”
    “Silks, brocades, linens,” Wolf repeated. “The best of everything.”
    “Any animals? I have the most desperate craving for a pet monkey.”
    “Alas, no, they do not travel well.”
    “No animals,
elskling
, but I'm sure—” Wolf broke offabruptly and stared at her. “Why would you want a monkey?”
    He'd called her sweetheart again, and this time he was sober. She couldn't help but be pleased. “I don't actually. I just wondered how long it would take for you to stop repeating everything our guest says.” She smiled at Kareem. “Your Norse is excellent and less accented than my own. I understand you perfectly.”
    “I am pleased your lady finds it so,” the Moor said to Wolf.
    Dragon laughed. He beckoned a servant to refill the goblets, then said, “I believe you are confusing Cymbra.” After a quick glance in her direction, he widened his eyes with mock alarm. “In fact, I think you're annoying her.”
    “I am not annoyed,” she said. “I merely seek to understand why Kareem does not address me directly.”
    “Because you are the property of another man,” Dragon said cordially. “It is as unthinkable for him to speak to you