The impression of warmth wasgone and Ruel was once more an enigma. Yet she was sure for a moment there hadbeen something very odd in his demeanor.
"Go back to sleep."He stood up. "I'll go to the palace and send Tamar with a message forMedford. Satisfied?"
She was too bewildered andweak to be satisfied about anything. "I suppose I am."
He lingered, looking down ather. "It's going to be all right, you know," he said haltingly."I'm not—" He stopped again and then made an impatient motion withhis hand. "Oh, what the hell!" He whirled on his heel and strode outof the summerhouse.
She gazed blankly after him.
Something had definitelychanged.
The covers shifted and a draftof cool air roused her from sleep. Warm flesh, the scent of leather and spice.Ruel was beside her.
"Ruel… "
"Shh." He drew herclose, her back to him spoon-fashion. "Go back to sleep."
"Medford?"
"Four o'clocktomorrow." He stroked the hair tumbling over his arm. "How do youfeel?"
She felt drained of strengthbut oddly content and safe in his arms. "Better."
His next words came with astrange awkwardness. "I thought about letting you sleep alone, but I wantto be here if you dream again. It can't be good for you to toss and turn likethat."
"Dream?"
"You don'tremember?"
"No, how did you know Iwas dreaming?"
"I could hardly not beaware of it when you were screaming at the top of your lungs."
She felt a flicker ofuneasiness at the knowledge that she had unknowingly exposed herself."Screaming about what?"
He didn't answer for a moment."I couldn't make out the words. None of it made sense."
Relief flooded her and sherelaxed against him. "Naturally, nightmares never do."
"Go to sleep. You won'thave any nightmares tonight."
She had an idea that he wasright. Her eyes closed and she let the veils of sleep fall around her. She didnot have to worry about anything. Ruel would keep the dragons of the nightaway...
"That wraps it up."Medford rolled the maps and stood up. "If there are any changes, sendsomeone to let me know. When do you think you'll reach the canyon wall?"
"On schedule." Janemade a face. "We're having trouble with a rogue elephant damaging thetrack, but we'll find a way to overcome the difficulty."
He smiled. "I believe youwill. You've done a fine job."
She looked at him, surprised."You think so?"
"It's early daysyet," he qualified quickly. "But I've been impressed with the wayyou've proceeded so far. It's not what I expected of you."
"I was aware ofthat," she said dryly.
"But you've not let yourliaison with Ruel affect your work. I was afraid after—" He stopped,grimacing. "I wasn't supposed to mention that."
"What?"
