FORBIDDEN TALENTS by Frankie Robertson Page B

though he’d come to the end of a tether. His lips were tight and his brows lowered over the anger storming in his twilight eyes. She almost thought she saw flashes of lightening in the glowing gray. She didn’t quail; she’d faced his anger before.
    Celia stepped forward and put a hand on his arm. “ These are my rooms. I will greet my caller. ” She put on her best smile and opened the door. “ Ragni! Please come in. ”
    Ragni nodded a stiff bow to her, then strode into the room, every movement rigid with anger. He stopped in front of his brother. A shade shorter, and not quite as broad in the shoulders as Dahleven, Ragni was still a powerful man, impressive in his all-gray priest’s garb. His words were controlled and clenched, like the fists he held rigidly at his sides. “ You had best explain yourself. All of it. ”
    “ Who in Niflheim do you think you are, barging into Celia’s rooms? ”
    Celia quickly shut the heavy door, keeping the brothers’ voices from echoing down the hall.
    “ Now! ” Ragni demanded.
    Dahleven bit out his words. “ This is not the place or time. ”
    “ What is this about? ” Celia asked sharply. Neither man looked at her. She gripped Dahleven’s arm tightly. “ What are you hiding from me? ”
    “ This doesn’t concern you, ” he said tightly.
    “ No? ” Celia raised her eyebrows, her own anger sparking. If he thought he’d get away with that kind of high-handed dismissal, he had a surprise coming.
    Ragni laughed shortly. Celia didn’t like the sound of it. “ This will soon concern the whole family, big brother. How long did you think you could keep this secret? ”
    Dahleven suddenly looked more surprised than angry. “ You know? ”
    “ Wirmund told me. ”
    “ Wirmund! ” The color drained from Dahleven’s face. “ Baldur’s Balls! How did he find out? ” He shook his head. “ Never mind. Stupid question. ”
    “ Why didn’t you tell me? ” Ragni demanded.
    “ That should be obvious! You’re sworn to Baldur! I didn’t know what field you were plowing. The girl did me a service. I could hardly in honor betray her, and myself as well. ”
    “ What? ” Ragni’s brows drew together.
    “ Betray who? ” Celia asked.
    “ Sorry, brother. ” Dahleven laughed sourly. “ The Jarldom will be yours now, whether you want it or not, ” he continued, as though she hadn’t spoken. “ Utta’s getting better than her father bargained for. ”
    “ What are you talking about? ” Ragni almost shouted.
    Dahleven, nonplused, just stared at Ragni.
    “ Someone had better start explaining, ” Celia said.
    Ragni’s eyes widened in comprehension. “ You asked Saeun to use unsanctioned magic? You ? ” Ragni rubbed a hand over his mouth and close cropped beard. “ Why? What could possibly have driven you— ” He glanced at Celia. Understanding dawned, softening his expression. “ Ah. Of course. That’s how you found her. I knew you were keeping something more than the Elves’ involvement from Father, but unsanctioned magic? You don’t even trust the rune-stones. ”
    “ I’m glad you understand. ” Celia glared up at Ragni, hands on hips. “ Would you like to let me in on the joke? ”
    “ You said Wirmund told you all of this, ” Dahleven complained.
    “ No, no. He only found Saeun’s ritual tools. He warned me so that Kaidlin and the family could distance ourselves from her before her arrest. He doesn’t know about your involvement with her. ”
    “ Are you sure? ”
    “ You’re still the heir, Dahl, and likely to stay so if we can keep Wirmund from finding Saeun. ” He drew a hand over his eyes. “ What am I saying? She used unsanctioned magic! ”
    Celia bit her lip, aching for Ragni. Lover. Family. Faith. How could he choose between them?
    Gudrun’s lessons had been thorough. She’d arranged for Sangor and Wirmund himself to instruct Celia in history and religion. The history of Nuvinland’s rift with Nuheimjord was entwined with