FORBIDDEN TALENTS Read Online Free Page A

embarrassed. “ I wish I’d thought to read the Sowuhti. ”
    “ We’ve been trading with the Tewakwe for two hundred years, ” Dahleven said, coming around to take the chair in front of his father. “ While they’ve always included women in their parleys, the Kikmongwi has always conducted negotiations. Surely if they had such a downside-up hierarchy we would have known it before now. ”
    “ Not if they didn’t want you to, ” Celia said. “ And what’s so upside-down about it, anyway? There are lots of cultures where women are recognized as equal to men, and some where they call the shots. ”
    “ Women rule in Midgard? We’re well out of it then, ” Gris muttered.
    “ But why haven’t I perceived any deception from them? ” Ragni asked. “ If they’ve been lying to us all these years about who their leader is, I would know. ”
    That brought Celia up short. Good question .
    “ Perhaps the Kikmongwi is the one who leads in matters of outside trade and conflict, ” Gudrun said. “ The Kikmongsowuhti may govern matters closer to home. There would be no deception for you to sense, then. ”
    Kon Neven gestured to one of the guards that stood by the door. “ Intercept the Tewakwe and their escort. Direct the Kikmongsowuhti to the rooms on the east side of the hall. Go. ” As the guard sped out of the room, Kon Neven regarded Celia seriously, the barest hint of a smile playing on his lips. “ I knew Dahleven had chosen well, but I didn’t expect you to prove it again so soon, Lady Celia. My thanks. ”
    Celia nodded, blushing at the unexpected compliment.
     
    *
     
    Saeun forced her clenched hands to relax and looked at Thora. “ What do the stones reveal? ”
    Her friend hesitated, then said, “ They say Father Ragnar will offer union with you. That is the most likely meaning. ”
    Saeun hadn’t told Thora about Ragni’s request that she become his elskerinne yet, but Thora’s reading of it in the runes came as no surprise to her. She nodded and waited for the other woman to go on.
    Thora pursed her lips, obviously disappointed with Saeun’s lack of enthusiasm, and continued. “ This will bring you great happiness, but I fear it will be short-lived. You must face a challenge, and act quickly. A sign will come, and you must move without hesitation. But where there is loss, there is also opportunity. ”
    “ What sign? What challenge? ” Saeun demanded, even though she knew the stones seldom gave specific answers to such questions.
    Thora shook her head. “ The stones aren’t a script to a puppet show. They’re a whispered word to the wise. ”
    Saeun turned away and paced the short length of the room. It was barely longer than the bed, a wide padded bench built into an alcove. A glimmer of the setting sun danced on the wall above, opposite the one high window. Saeun stopped and stared up at it, feeling as though the sun was setting on all joy.
    Ragni had asked her to be his elskerinne . He cared for her, made her body sing, made her laugh. She felt safe and warm in his arms, and she knew that she made the weight of his concerns a little lighter. She’d never expected this happiness, never sought it, but now that it was hers, she didn’t want to relinquish it.
     
    *
     
    Dahleven shortened his long stride to match Celia’s as they left the audience chamber. She walked comfortably close to him, with the nearness of intimacy, her hand tucked in his. They mounted the black, polished stone staircase with its finials of Freyr and Freya and climbed in silence.
    Dahleven paid little attention to the familiar halls and stairways as he accompanied Celia to the section of Castle Quartzholm reserved for the family. He didn’t pause at her door or wait for an invitation to enter. They’d long passed the need for that formal courtesy, although he usually observed it.
    The latch clinked as Dahleven carefully shut the heavy wooden door. A hundred words of greeting, love, and question danced on his