“Why? Is something wrong?”
“Wrong? No,” he said with a dreamy grin. “I am going to make your runesincredible.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It was early evening when Draikis finally came to visit.
Over her lengthy recovery the daily time spent together had become something of a routine, one strengthened from a mere duty into an enjoyable exchange of thoughts and dreams as the two became closer over the course of her convalescence. They may have been from different worlds, but the pair had connected on a most surprising and pleasant level.
Despite their growing bond, Draikis had been nothing but a gentleman around her. Normally, she’d have expected a man to have made some sort of move by now. They all did, even those who said they were just friends.Especiallythose. Romantic interest was always just around the corner, and it had long been a frustrating other shoe waiting to drop throughout her adult life.
But this one? He made no such attempt. Sure, he was a priest, but the connection growing between them was palpable. Yet he remained true to his ways, affectionate and caring but nothing more. And Ella found herself wanting him even more as a result.
“I see you are doing quite well,” he noted as he entered her room, placing a package on the table. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be up and about yet.”
“I had that excellent recovery soak at the springs, remember?”
“Of course. But you also trekked a long distance for one on the mend. And, though I have not spoken with Skrizzit Volkarian since your session, I was under the impression it was to be a rather intense one.” He stepped closer, gently lifting the collar of her top, his fingers lightly touching the delicate pigment lines now gracing her collarbones, leading off to connect her new network of faintly glowing runes. “Oh my!”
“Oh, that. Yeah, he said he was using some pretty cool pigments on some of my designs. I guess it glows sometimes.”
“Yes, sometimes, but this seems to be spreading to blend with the other varieties. Remarkable.”
She blushed. “I’ve been called worse.”
“No, I mean it. I’ve never seen its like before. And the runework…” his voice trailed off as he stared at her exposed skin, her pulse quickening visibly in her neck. “Marvelous,” he murmured, shifting his attention to her arm, taking it in his large hands to examine the fine lines of her new tattoos. “The details, the small enhancing lines. This is amazing.”
“Okay, I get it. He did a good job.”
“No, you don’t. This isn’t just a good job. Skrizzit Volkarian went far beyond what any normal citizen would receive. These designs? They are of the highest order.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I mean, it’s not like they’re reserved for special boss types, are they?”
“No, of course not. But they are far more efficient in their channeling of power. Usually, this sort of intricate linework is only seen on the wealthiest of patrons. He really went to great lengths with you.”
“Well, he did kinda warm up to me once we got started.”
“Clearly. It’s not like him.”
“He did seem pretty excited to be documenting the whole thing. I guess I’m kind of a novelty, so anything he did to me would be replayed by whoever he’s going to show it to.”
Ella had made a couple of risqué videos in the past, but nothing too graphic. Fun times with former lovers, though she’d made them delete them once their time together ended. But she sometimes wondered if any copies were still floating around out there. Now, however, her nude form would be on display for countless eyes watching her receive what were apparently a very impressive set of runes from her enthused Skrizzit.
She had two choices. Be upset about it, or just brush it off and get on with her life. Considering everything else that had happened, the latter seemed the easiest and most logical of the two. She was starting to further ponder that decision when she turned her attention to the small package he’d left on the table.
“Hey, is that for me?”
“It is. A rather unusual set of healing ointments the senior medical staff hypothesized might help your body absorb and attune to your new pigments, given the degree of recovery you’ve recently undergone. Though, I must admit, it seems you might be fine without them, though I assume the itching is still somewhat intense.”
“Oh, man. What I’d give for a back scratcher right about now.”
He chuckled. “None of that, I’m afraid. You have to let the skin mend fully first.”
“Sucks to be me.”
“Butone of these is quite good for relieving any unpleasant sensations to healing skin. I can help you apply it, if you wish, seeing as it is your back that bothers you most.”
Ella’s heart thumped a little harder in her chest, which was to be expected given the attraction she’d developed for the sexy priest and the thought of his strong hands touching her. But something else flared up, hard and fast. Somethingnew.An odd twinge that sent a tiny jolt through her entire body, starting in the middle of her chest. Not coming from her heart, though, but seemingly from the new rune, so far as she could tell. From the marking they called the Infala.
