“I’m pleased you like it. This is one of my favorite dishes. But do try the others.”
“Also your favorites?”
“Well, if you must know, then yes, mostly. They possess rather high concentrations of vital nutrients and proteins.Perfect not only in flavor but in nutrition profile. That, and I simply thought you would enjoy trying them.”
“I am so far. Now, let’s see about these other ones.”
On it went, Ella sampling from a wide variety of delightful foods, her body absolutely humming with joy as it absorbed the nutrients, fueling her healing flesh and mending her recently altered skin. She ate far more than she’d anticipated, finally leaning back comfortably full but not painfully so.
Ella stretched wide and rested her hand on the man’s leg, locking her eyes with his in a warm gaze.
“Thank you, Draikis. That was really thoughtful of you.”
She felt him grow a little warmer under her touch. He slid his seat back and began clearing the table.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Can I help?”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll finish this, then we’ll take care of that itchy patch on your back.”
Truth be told, Ella had almost forgotten about that, but now the thought of pulling off her top in front of him revved her up in a most delightful way. Again, her body tingled, the new runes still sensitive where the tattoos had been embedded in her skin only hours prior.
“Thanks. It is pretty itchy,” she said, turning her back to him and slowly lifting off her top. She felt his eyes on her, more than usual. Or was it all in her mind? Things were at work in her system whatever the case. The question was, what exactly were they?
Draikis’s presence appeared abruptly, the heat of his body radiant against her newly enhanced body. It wasn’t just his breath warming the nape of her neck, it washim. Like an aura of soothing warmth making itself known in the most wonderful way.
He opened a jar and scooped out a pale-yellow salve, rubbing it between his palms then gently touching her back. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
He needed no further encouragement, setting to work moving his hands slowly across the delicate patterns and connecting lines the Skrizzit had marked into her. The itching subsided almost immediately, replaced by something else. Something more visceral. More primal. Something bound to the essence of her being.
“Your runes are remarkable,” he quietly remarked.
“You’ve said.”
“No, I mean it. They’re absorbing this salve as soon as I apply it. And these do not look like fresh tattoos whatsoever. Your body may have extra healing compounds from your burn treatment, or maybe it was the hot springs. Whatever the reason, the pigments have already bonded to your skin. You should begin feeling your enhancements soon, whatever they might wind up being.”
“So, I do feel kind of weird.Extra. But about those enhancements. Like what sort of thing are we talking?” she asked, curious for details beyond the basics she’d casually coaxed from him over the weeks without raising suspicion.
“The usual, you know. What were they before? Before the crash, that is.”
“I didn’t really have any. I guess it was just my boring old basic pigment’s fault,” she lied.
“And as a new race to the conglomerate you’re not familiar with all the ways they present. I understand. In some cases, reflexes are enhanced. In others, senses and strength. It’s all variable depending on the person and the pigments. In your case, it could be something entirely different. And seeing howyou absorb this salve so readily, I really feel I should be taking notes for Skrizzit Volkarian.”
“What am I, some kind of specimen to you too?” Ella huffed, a whiff of something smoky-sweet hitting her nose and making her nipples harden.
Whatisthat?
“No, nothing like that. You are my friend, Ella. And a dear one at that. I feel we have grown close these past weeks and I would never wish you any displeasure. I hope my interest in your runes does not truly offend you.”
“Well, not really. It’s just unusual, is all. Men always have ulterior motives, it seems,” she said, her body positively tingling from his touch. “Though usually more primal and less professorial,” she added with a chuckle to hide her confusing and increasing arousal.
“I assure you, I mean you no disrespect. You are my friend; I would not dream of it.”
Ella abruptly turned to face him, his unexpecting hands briefly rubbing against her bare breasts as she did, sending jolts of delight between her legs while awakening a flush of color in his cheeks. She smelled that scent again, only stronger. It wasn’t from the food; it was coming from Draikis. The musky-warm smell of manly arousal.
