Sweet Rapture, Chapter 1                                                    - 5 - ?Thank you.  Would you like a cup of coffee or tea??  She offered as a way of covering up her momentary lapse of control. ?Tea, Darjeeling would be splendid.?  Krista replied in her striking British accent.  ?It is my favorite.?   Excusing herself, Alessandra stepped outside the door of her office, and asked one of the administrators to bring two cups of tea.  Once assured the brand of tea which Krista requested would be brought, she returned to the room.  With an apologetic smile, as she returned to her guest. ?Well Ms. Petrovna, I do not want to take up anymore of your time.  Let me show you your acquisition.  I will be right back.? As she waited, Krista observed the room.  It was quite unconventional.  A black laptop, an open fountain pen and numerous papers rested on the desk, a long rosewood table with raised flanges and sides adorned with Ming dragon patterns.  A bronze vase with various images depicting the life of Shakyamuni Buddha sat on an old lute table adjacent to a tan sofa.  On the opposite side, Krista noticed the nude torso of an ancient female deity.  She rose and lightly brushed the sandstone with her long fingers.   Alessandra returned with a wooden chest in her arms and rested it on her desk.  Taken off guard,  Krista smiled at her sheepishly and removed her fingers from the statue. ?Lovely isn?t she??  She grinned. ?Is it Indian art??  Krista inquired. ?No actually Khmer from the Angkor Wat Period.  It was a gift from Mrs. Di Montalvi.? ?Quite a generous gift? Krista thought as Alessandra took out a box covered in red and green silk from the chest.  Curious, Krista approached her as she opened it. ?Unbelievably splendid,? Krista exclaimed in a half-whisper, then lowered her eyes and smiled.  Alessandra briefly put her hand on the tall woman?s forearm.  They both admired the artifact in silence.  It was in perfect condition.  The horse?s body was made out of light brown ceramic; its mane had been elegantly cut and shaped.  The saddle was cobalt blue and ornate, the girth green and yellow. ?The horse was the most important animal in the Tang Dynasty.  It was often represented on murals and as funerary figurines.   The animal assured military glory and power of the dynasty? Alessandra started.  ?Its strength was portrayed by the artists.  The musculature was often exaggerated to a point that the horse?s head always appeared too small.  However, I believe that it did lose the dynamism and vigor of the horses from the Han Dynasty, probably because white clay was used instead of bronze.? ?It is stunning ... just magnificent.?  Krista whispered as their eyes met again. ?Breathtaking? Alessandra lost herself in the hazel gaze for an instant.  ?This artifact comes from an imperial tomb discovered in Qianxian.  It is flawless.? She carefully closed the box and handed it to Krista.  Their fingers lightly touched and they both felt an electrifying jolt.   Alessandra?s assistant entered the room, carrying a Limoges® porcelaine tea pot and two cups. ?I will take care of it, thank you Amanda.?  She poured the tea and handed a cup to Krista. ?Thank you.?  Krista could not help herself from admiring the grace in Alessandra?s movements.  ?Would you like to join me for dinner tonight??  Krista amazed herself at her boldness. Momentarily taken back, Alessandra gazed up at the woman, a slight smile crossing her lips as her eyes grew soft, ?Certainly, Ms. Petrovna, I would love to.? ~~~~~~   Deep within the familiar dream, the black crow was perched on an armchair facing the canopy bed.  Alessandra turned towards it.  The window was wide open and the sheer drapes were gliding in the air.  Snow was drifting in.  The bird?s piercing dark eyes were full of tenderness. ?Iwan?ka?, she murmured and closed her eyes. She suddenly felt a soft body upon hers.  The creature had transformed itself into a ravishing woman.  Alessandra lightly brushed the aquiline nose, the high cheekbones, and full lips.  Her woman warrior was back. ?Justine ... I have missed you so much.  Please let me go with you.? The Indian woman smiled kindly and looked away.  ?I cannot lead you to the path, you are not ready Wan?kieiyaka ... I will watch over you always Cantekiyapi and when the time comes, I will be right here waiting for you.? ?NOOOOOOOO?? Alessandra screamed in her sleep.  She quivered and opened her eyes as she felt a hand stroking her hair.  Arianna, sitting next to her on the sofa, bent and kissed her.  Alessandra sat up next to her, sweat dripping from her forehead and ran her fingers through her wet hair.  She had laid down after Krista?s departure to sort out her emotions and had fallen asleep.  She wished the black crow could haunt her for eternity. ?Cara Mia, I was passing by, and I heard you scream. Are those dreams coming back?  You were doing so well for a long time.?  Arianna kissed her forehead. ?I can?t believe I fell asleep.  I have so much to do? She detached herself from the embrace, looked at her watch and got up suddenly. ?Shit!?  She ran to the phone and anxiously dialed a number.