:No. Here you can show the truth, or hide it, but not lie.
:So this is a dream link?
:It is. Do you forgive me this? I only wished to be with you in some way.
:I forgive you. But do you forgive me?
:For what?
:For that night we...
Memories flashed through her mind, more vivid than they were when she was conscious. She not only saw their limbs entangled, but felt the slide of skin against skin. From Leiard came amusement and a deep affection.
:What is there to forgive?
More memories washed over her, this time from a different vantage point. What this revealed was startling. To experience pleasure from his point of view...
:We both wanted it. I think that was clear, he said.
:What is happening? she asked. These memories are so vivid.
:They always are, in the dream state.
:I can touch, taste...
:Dreams are powerful. They can bring solace to the grieving, confidence to the weak—
:Justice to the wrongdoer?
:Once, yes, they had that role. No longer is it so. Dream links still allow loved ones to meet when they are parted. They are the Dreamweavers’ alternative to the priest ring.
:I would have given you a ring, but I didn’t think you’d accept it.
:Do you accept this? We are breaking a law.
She paused.
:Yes. We must talk. What we did - wonderful though it was - will have consequences.
:I know.
:I should not have invited you.
:I should not have accepted.
:Not that I regret it.
:Nor I.
:But if people find out... I would not like this to cause you harm - or your people.
:Nor I.
She hesitated, then made herself say what she ought to say.
:We won’t do it again.
:No.
They both fell silent.
:You’re right, she said. We can’t lie in this place.
He reached out to touch her face.
:But we can be ourselves.
She shivered at his touch. It awoke more memories.
:I wish you were here.
:So do I. I am, in one form at least. Memories, as I said before, are more vivid in the dream state. Are there any you wish to relive?
She smiled.
:Just a few.
The sun was a bright ball softened by the mist shrouding the city. Few people were about, and those who were hesitated before they passed Leiard, no doubt wondering what a Dreamweaver was doing wandering through the docks on such a morning.
What he was doing was thinking. Remembering dreams of remembering... and feeling guilty about them.
He had decided days ago that he would not reach out to her in dreams, but last night his subconscious had decided otherwise. By the time he had realized what he was doing, it was too late. She had answered him.
Even then, he should have had the will to stop, but Auraya had embraced the dream link so naturally and completely. She was impossible to deny, and the night’s pleasures had been too good to resist.
She has a good imagination, that one, a voice in his mind murmured. It is a pity she’s a tool of the gods.
Leiard frowned. She is more than just a tool.
No? Do you think that if the gods ordered her to kill you, she’d refuse?
Yes.
You are a fool.
Leiard stopped and looked out over the water. Ships swayed in the water, ghostly in the mist.
I am a fool, he agreed.
Well, it’s been a while.
Leiard decided to ignore that. I shouldn’t have done it, he thought. We broke the law.
A stupid law.
A law nonetheless. A law that is punishable by death.
I doubt she’ll be punished. As for you... once again, you were clever enough to ensure it was her decision. She’ll blame herself for encouraging you to break that law, if she has any conscience.
It wasn’t her fault.
No? So you think you’re so charming she lost all will and couldn’t resist you?
Oh, be quiet! Leiard scowled and crossed his arms. This was ridiculous. He was arguing with a memory of Mirar. Which was happening more often now. He hadn’t been linking with Jayim for fear of the boy learning of his night with Auraya, but Arleej had said he must in order to regain his sense of identity. Was this why Mirar’s personality had become so... so...
Protective? Because I know you and Auraya plan to sneak away to secret locations in the city to rut yourselves silly once she gets back. Because you’re a Dreamweaver, and when your affair is discovered my people will pay the price.
They won’t discover it, Leiard replied. Not if the other White never get a chance to read my mind. I will have to give up the role of adviser.
Which will make them suspicious. They’ll want to question you. To ask why.
I’ll send a message. I’ll tell them I need more time to train Jayim.
A likely story.
They won’t spare me a second thought. I’m just an ordinary Dreamweaver. They’ll probably be relieved to get rid of me. They’ll—
“Leiard?”
The voice came from close by. Leiard blinked as he realized he was at the end of a pier. He turned to see Jayim standing behind him.
“Jayim?” he said. “What are you doing here?”
The boy’s forehead crinkled. “Looking for you.” He glanced from side to side. “Who were you talking to?”
