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."Snow cats can be dangerous.If it is sick, or injured." He heard none of it.I turned my own mount and followed, irritated."Wait for me."He halted his horse roughly.As I saw the cause, I reined mine in as well."By the god," I whispered.Not a snow cat after all, but a black mountain cat.She crouched upon a ledge not far above our heads, keening a wail that echoed throughout the canyon.Great golden eyes glared.I caught my breath."Beware—"But the cat did not spring.She merely held her crouch, staring down at him.Then, as I rode forward, she looked directly at me and screamed.I reined in abruptly, apologizing inwardly to my A TAPESTRY OF LifWS457mount.But the spell was broken.The cat turned and ran, leaping up through a wide crack.She was gone almost at once.I released a breath."Thanks to Asar-Suti." I rode up to Devin."I thought she would have you."He stared after the cat."Devin."His eyes were empty."Devin!"At last, he looked at me."Lonely," he said-Then, "Let us go home."I was glad to turn my horse and ride back toward the defile, side by side with Devin.I did not like the pallor of his face, or the bafflement in his eyes.As if he were incomplete, and now knew it more than ever.FiveHe cried out in his sleep and woke me, so that I sat upright with a hand clutched to my breast to still the lurching of my heart.He was still asleep, but he thrashed; I saw him grasp at his naked hip as if he meant to draw a knife."Devin." I put a hand upon his shoulder and felt the rigidity of muscle."Devin—no." He came awake at once and lunged upward, one hand grasping my throat as if he would kill me."Devin!"His eyes were wild in the shadows of the chamber.Then sense came back to him, and horror.He knew what he had done."Gods—""I am well," I said at once, seeing the look in his face."Only somewhat surprised by your ferocity." He seemed no better for all my irony, I dismissed it."I promise.I am well."One hand raked hair from his face.Moonlight was gentle, but I could see the scars on his back from where the river had embraced him.His eyes were still full of realization: he had nearly strangled me.I touched his shoulder and feh it tense, "What did you dream?""The cat."At first I did not understand.Then the memory came."The mountain cat we saw two weeks ago?""No.Another." His eyes were black in the darkness."It was a lion."458A TAPESTRY W LIONS459"A lion!" Lions were mythical beasts."Why would you dream of a lion?""It stalks me." He let his breath out on a long sigh, and the tension went with it."Only a dream.""Then I will chase it away." I caught the fallen forelock in my fingers and stripped it back (rom his face."I know what to do.""No." His hand was on my wrist, pushing it away."Not—now." He turned back the covers and slid out of the curtained bed."I need to go out."I was astonished."In the middle of the night?""I need to walk.Just along the battlements.I need to be alone." He slipped into a linen shirt that glowed in the dimness."I beg you, understand—there is a demon in me.Let me exorcise it, and I will come back to you."I reached again for irony, so I would not sound too petty, too clinging, too much in need of him."By morning? Or is this a difficult demon?""Difficult." His smile was strained."But my memory of you will vanquish it.""Go, then." I yanked the covers back over my breasts."But do not be surprised if I am fast asleep.It troubles me not at all to have an empty bed."He knew it for what it was, but the smile did not reach his eyes.He finished dressing, pulled on a fur-lined cloak, and went out of the chamber.I stared into darkness.Resolution set me afire."I can banish a lion.I am Lochiel's daughter."He came up hours later.I was not asleep.He knew it instantly and apologized for keeping me awake by his absence.I held the blankets up so he could climb beneath them."Do you think I care?" His face was worn and bleak as he stripped out of his clothing; we Jennifer Roberson460had but an hour before dawn."Have you destroyed the demon?"He climbed in beside me, shivering, and drew me very close.At first he was gentle; then he held me so tightly I thought I might shatter.He shuddered once, twice."Ginevra—" It was muted against my hair, but a cry nonetheless."Gods—"I had known it was coming.He had been wound too tightly- Now the wire snapped.I held him tightly, wrapping arms around his shoulders and legs around his legs, until he was cocooned in flesh and hair."Be still," I whispered."I am here for you.I will always be here for you.""I think—I think I am going mad.""No.No, Devin.There is no madness in you
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