Chapter 13
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.
Especially those. 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.”
“But one 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. Something new.
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.
What the hell was that?
She took a breath and shook it off. “That’d be great.”
Ella began to remove her top when the door notification chimed.
“Ah, that would be Brother Floto.”
“Uh, why?”
Draikis just smiled at her and opened the door.
“Floto, thank you, Brother!” he exclaimed, ushering the man into the room.
“It is my pleasure to be of help, Brother,” the man replied, placing the tray in his hands on the larger table in the room. “A selection, as you requested.”
Draikis looked over the assortment of foods before him. “You are fantastic. Thank you. This will be perfect.”
“Good. If you do not need anything else, I have tasks yet to complete.”
“Of course. Don’t let us hold you from your work.”
Floto nodded and headed for the door.
“Hey, thank you,” Ella called after him.
Floto turned but barely made eye contact, only giving her a little nod then stepping out, closing the door behind him.
Ella turned her attention to the food then the man standing over the tray. “You had them prepare a to-go box?”
Draikis cocked his head. “Box? This is a tray. I fail to see—”
“Figure of speech, silly. Forget about it. But seriously, thank you. It smells incredible.”
“I assumed you would be hungry but perhaps not quite in the mood to step out to dine. Your body will need sustenance as it heals. New runes can be quite taxing on one’s system, as you know.”
“Yep. I sure do,” she lied. “And this should be perfect.”
“Would you prefer to eat before or after?”
“Before or after what?”
“I assist with your healing salves and ointments.”
“Oh, right. You know, now that I smell it, I think it’d make sense to eat while it’s hot. Unless you think the other stuff is more urgent.”
“Not at all. I agree. Food is best enjoyed fresh.”
He set up two plates and heaped portions of the many items onto them, then pulled the chair back for her. “Please, dig in.”
She sat, his powerful arms sliding her to the table with ease before taking a seat next to her.
Ella inhaled deeply. It was odd, but the food seemed to have more fragrance today. More layers. Complexity. It was as if her senses had become heightened.
Of course. They said the runes could increase sensitivity to things. I guess smell is one of them in my case. Let’s see about taste.
She took a bite of a warm vegetable stew.
“Incredible,” she moaned as the layers of flavor unfolded across her tongue. “Oh, man, that is good.”
“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 was him. 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 how you 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.
What is that?
“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.
She glanced down and noted that the beast always slumbering between his legs had finally seemed to be awakened, growing faintly harder within the loose fabric of his trousers, much to his apparent distress.
Draikis moved back, an uncharacteristic look of confusion in his eyes.
He was actually flustered, and it was fucking adorable.
“I, uh, I have things I need to attend to,” he said, moving to the door. “I-I’ll send someone to gather the dishes shortly. You can reach the rest of the spots that might need ointment.”
Without another word he stepped out, leaving Ella alone. Alone, amused, and ponderous as to what this might mean.
“I could smell him,” she marveled, fascinated by her new sensitivity. “And he smelled good.”