Page 75 of Magic in His Arms
Elida said softly, “According to Never, she became prey and ran until she had nothing left.I think she believes that she has created her death scene.”
Cor frowned.“What?”
Wymol summoned the painting and showed it to Cor.“This was all there.She’s on the ground, three hunters, and you.”
Cor looked at him and the portrait.“She painted that?”
Elida was surprised.“Yes, this is what she does.She paints scenes of violence.It’s her particular seer manifestation.Her images are used to get a feel for the actual violence of crime scenes.Cor, you have known her since she was seventeen.How did you not know that?”
Cor looked green.“Her sister claimed the skill.”
A whisper of sound came from the bed.“Half sister.”
He leaned over her and stared at her.“Oh, Aida.How long have I been asleep?”
“Five years.”
His eyes were wide.“How long were you running?”
“A year and a half.The volcano event.”Her voice was a weak thread.“Why are you here?Why can you see me?”
“Wymol told me to strip naked and remove all charms before my shift, no matter how attached I was to the item.So, I did, and my beast ran to you in a moment.”
Aida smiled.“I missed him.He was always kind.”
Cor knelt at her side in a sweatsuit that Elida didn’t remember Wymol having when he unpacked and settled in.
Aida sighed.“It was nice that you came and all, but isn’t the wedding just around the corner?”
“Not anymore.Not after today.You are what I planned for, and I need to get things back on track.”
Elida spoke, “If you two are up for it, Never is going to get a tattoo artist who can work a block against interference.That is my translation of things.”
They stayed together for another hour, and then there was a knock at the door.“I have brought a visitor.”Never opened the door and brought in an elf with brown and white colouring.
“This is Emily, and she is a skilled tattoo artist.She can even get her pigments to stay in dark elf skin.She is here today to put a charm block on Aida so that no hunters can find her, and if Coriven wishes, there can be a charm against magical interference with his mind.”
Cor looked at Aida.“Can you just do a fated-mate link?Between the two of us, it will have the effect of the other charms.”
Emily had a kit with her.“Right, I need to see skin on someone.You.Tough stuff.Your lady will pick the design, and you will get it.”
Cor smiled.“I will deal with whatever she gives me.”
Elida watched as Emily discussed placement, and she brought out a slim folder with designs that could be altered to suit the recipient.
Never smiled and left the room.Elida followed her and looked at the orc rippling with power.
“What’s wrong, Never?”
“I have been doing this kind of thing a little too often.Depleting my reserves.”
“What can be done to fix them?”
“Aw, nothing.Well, something, but it involves a lot of technicalities and counsels and stuff.”
“What?”Elida was confused.
“I have someone who is interested in me in all forms, but he’s a speaker, and certain rules bind him, and I have to abide by that.He wants to cover me in tattoos suitable for an orc shaman.”
