FORBIDDEN TALENTS by Frankie Robertson Read Free Book Online Page B

world. Well, it’s only until the Tewakwe go home .
    The woman was past the first blush of youth but she had rich brown hair and eyes as liquid as a doe’s. Her left cheek bore a large port-wine birthmark and she did her best to keep that side of her face turned away from Celia. A little laser work and that would be a memory . But they didn’t have lasers here, or trauma rooms or antibiotics. Celia sighed. There was so much beauty here in Alfheim, but it lacked a lot, too.
    “ Another can serve you, if you prefer, my lady. ”
    “ Oh, no! I wasn’t sighing because of you, Halla. I was just lost in my own thoughts. But there’s not much for you to do; at least, not at the moment. ” Her gesture indicated her already dressed form. “ Though you could bring me— ”
    Something darted behind the bed, half seen from the corner of Celia’s eye. She turned to look, but saw nothing.
    “ My lady? ”
    She turned back to Halla. What had she been saying? “ Uh—towels. I could use some fresh towels. ”
    Movement. Celia’s head snapped back toward the bed. “ Did a cat come in with you? ”
    “ No, my lady. ”
    She had to take a closer look. I know I saw something this time . “ Are you sure? ” She walked around the bed, knelt, and looked underneath. Nothing. Celia straightened.
    The maid’s eyes darted nervously. Probably wondering if her new mistress is imagining things. Maybe I am . This was becoming annoying. And unnerving. The first few times it had seemed just a trick of shifting light and shadow. That had started over a month ago. But this was real. I’m sure of it. Almost.
    Was this a side effect of the Elves’ touch? Was Dahleven seeing things too? It wouldn’t be the first time they’d seen something no one else could. But what was it?
    Celia assumed what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “ Well, never mind. If it’s a cat, she’s well hidden now. She’ll come out when she’s hungry, no doubt. ” She shivered. Or something will .
     
    *
     
    Dahleven blew on the bowl of hot porridge in front of him, trying to order his thoughts. Ragni and Saeun. Baldur’s Balls !
    Gods, what was he going to say? He’d made no vow of secrecy to Saeun. He wasn’t foresworn. And yet—it was no small thing to reveal her offense. An offense he’d hidden for five months. And one she’d committed in his service. Has she told him ? Surely Ragni would have said something. Or was that why he’d kept their trysting quiet? But then why would he be open about it now?
    “ Do you think the Kikmongsowuhti will have more to say on the subject of our cleansing today? ” Ragni asked, breaking into Dahleven’s worries.
    Dahleven wrestled the direction of his thoughts back to what should have been uppermost in his mind. “ I don’t know. She seems to only want to speak with Mother. ”
    “ And Celia. ”
    “ And Celia. ” Did she know about Ragni and Saeun ? Why hadn’t she told him ? “ We may have to wait for them to relay whatever Nai’awika tells them. Or Loloma may broach the subject with Father now that it’s been brought up. We’ll hear soon enough. ”
    Ragni nodded. “ Speaking of Celia, how was your reunion? I trust you smoothed her ruffled feathers? ” Ragni’s grin was just this side of a leer. “ What was it about your kiss last night that bothered her so? I know you’re not much for practicing with the ladies, but surely your kisses aren’t that bad. ”
    Dahleven rolled his eyes. “ I was hoping you could tell me. The dancing finished too late last night for me to smoke that hive. ”
    Ragni grinned. “ Sorry, brother. All I know is she was embarrassed and offended. ‘A woman’s mind is a mystery as full of danger as an Elven cavern,’ ” he quoted.
    “ Is Lady Saeun a mystery full of danger? ”
    “ What? Saeun? ” Ragni laughed, then sobered. “ No. But there is something I would tell you. ”
    Dahleven’s attention sharpened, and he glanced around them though he knew they were