FORBIDDEN TALENTS by Frankie Robertson

was very good, two. Only a very strong Tracker could follow a cold trail. After a few days they’d have to rely on physical signs, and that would slow the pursuit. But that chance was hardly likely. They would be missed, and soon. Lady Kaidlin would inquire after her health or, if the Tewakwe delegation didn’t keep him occupied, Ragni would be after her again to explain the fear he’d felt in her.
    She stared off into the deepening twilight. This was what her vision had foretold, but she’d been too blind to understand. Now she would be Outcast, and Ragni would hate her for betraying his love.
    Ragni. The thought of him twisted like a sharp stone in her chest. Was he even now wondering where she was? Or did he already know about her? Had Lord Dahleven revealed their secret? Had her discoverer denounced her to him? Did he rage at her deceit?
     
    *
     
    Dahleven knocked at Celia’s door a second time. Not surprisingly, there was still no answer. Where is she ? He blew out a long breath between pursed lips and turned to go to his own rooms. No sense in loitering in the hall . Then he turned back. He could go in and wait for her. He had the right; she was his betrothed. But Celia likes her privacy . He stood for a moment in front of her door, debating. The image of a crazed stag snorting and stamping in season rose in his mind, making him wince.
    Enough . He put his hand to the door.
    “ I’m not there, ” Celia called from the end of the hall. “ Not yet, anyway. ”
    Dahleven turned, his hand still on the latch. She wore a finely embroidered white chemise under a dark red overdress that was particularly becoming to her fair coloring. His body responded instantly. Gods, I’ve been gone too long . Old-style shoulder brooches fastened her dress, and he thought he recognized Sevond’s handiwork in the jewelry. She hardly needed the beauty-enhancing effect of Sevond’s Talent. “ Where were you? ”
    Her chin lifted; eyebrows rose over her twilight eyes. “ Excuse me? ”
    He made his tone more conciliatory. “ I wanted to talk to you. ”
    Celia continued down the hall until she stood next to him. “ I want to talk to you, too. ” She gestured at her door. “ May I go in? ”
    Dahleven unlatched the door and strode into the room ahead of her, then checked his momentum suddenly. Something, a shadow seen from the corner of his eye, had dashed across the room, disappearing under the bed. He felt Celia’s hand brace on his back as he stopped short, blocking her entrance.
    “ Hey! ”
    “ Are you keeping a cat? ”
    “ No. ” Celia’s tone changed from irritated to cautious curiosity. “ Why? Did you see something? ”
    Instead of answering, Dahleven stepped forward and bent to peer under the bed. Nothing . “ Did you see it, too? ”
    She followed him, shaking her head slowly. “ No. Not this time. But I’ve seen it before. At least I think I’ve seen it. Or almost seen it. What is it? ”
    Dahleven rose and shut the door. “ I don’t know. I didn’t see it either. ”
    Celia just looked at him as a smile crept over her face, curling her lips. Then a giggle escaped.
    Dahleven grinned, then laughed outright.
    When their laughter bubbled off, he pulled her to him and kissed her lightly on the lips. “ I’ve missed you. ”
    Celia’s arms encircled his waist. “ I’ve missed you, too. ” Then she pulled back. “ But what was that? Where did it go? ”
    The wonderful feeling of her body pressed against his distracted him. “ I don’t know. It’s probably just a cat. Nothing to worry about. ”
    Irritation flashed in her eyes again, turning them gold as she pushed him away. “ Don’t patronize me! Have you seen things like this before? ”
    Dahleven nodded. I should have known she wouldn’t let this go . He shrugged in resignation. Her courage and determination were two of the many reasons he loved her, after all. “ In the last few weeks it’s happened several times. This is the first time I