Page 26 of The Kraken Bride

“Runes are living power,” he said. “The purpose and power of each is different, but this is true for all: the same rune at the same time can be awake to one person and asleep to others. To awaken one for yourself, you must pay its toll. That cost varies from rune to rune. Can be anything from permission, to blood, to a vow. To a life.”

I nodded, my gaze locked on the path of his finger. Payment. Noted. “What is the price to hear that one?” I pointed to the one he still traced.

“My permission.” He paused. “Can you hear it now?”

I listened. Listened so hard. And heard nothing. “Nein,” I admitted, shoulders rolling in.

“Take a guess.”

Very well. “Lick here?” I slapped a hand over my mouth. “I mean… I shouldn’t have said… that was highly inappropriate, majesty, and I’ll never—” Maybe the floor would open up and swallow me.

His chuckle nearly stopped my heart. “It speaks of my binding to the dome around us. And you did not hear it because I did not grant permission. Now, look at this one.” He moved his finger to an image higher on his torso. “It requires the same payment.”

By sheer will alone, I did not drool as I peered at the jagged lines over his pectoral.

“Watch and listen as I grant you permission,” he said.

Heartbeat, heartbeat.

First came pinpricks of light throughout the image, like little blue water droplets peeking through his skin. They spread, becoming cracks. Suddenly, I didn’t need to try to hear. I just did.

I’ll take you anywhere you wish to go, my king.

“I hear it. It’s speaking to you,” I squealed. “It’s like a traveling stone in your skin.”

“Very good.” He lowered his arm. “Do you remember what I told you about the convergence rune?”

“Ja. The rune will call to me as your consort; I will give it permission to transfer to you.” My brows knitted. “Is that my payment? My permission?”

His features hardened; it wasn’t gradual but instant, every hint of softness gone. Even the colors in his eyes went flat and distant. “It is.”

His answer should have reassured me, but dread prickled my nape. “And you? Must you pay a price?”

“I will give it permission to make the transfer as well.”

“That’s all?” It sounded too easy.

His eyes stayed flat. “That is all we need do.”

Hmm. He hadn’t said that was all it would cost, only that it was all we need do. I noticed the difference this time.

Clearly, he was holding back a bit of information.

“And now,” he said, pulling on his shirt, “your lesson is complete. Come. I’ll return you to your room.”

When he offered me his hand, I tucked the dread into a corner and accepted. For now. We walked side by side through the palace, linked. Servants stopped what they were doing to gape. Guards tracked us with their gazes.

At my door, Sebastian held on half a second longer than necessary, with no count behind it, no hidden message. Just his thumb brushing once over my knuckles, reawakening my aches. Then he strode off, a king who belonged to guards, councils and palace mysteries. Not a dragon princess.

My mind raced as I entered the chamber. Runes were as easy as Sebastian had promised. The true complication was the man himself, and whatever information he wasn’t sharing with me.

Maybe, if I knew him better, I could puzzle this out.

What did Adelaide say right before my departure? Create space for information to come to you.

“Welcome back, my lady.” Soley greeted me with her usual excitement and an idea sprouted.

I smiled at her. “Soley, darling, I find I’m in need of tea.” If Sebastian couldn’t or wouldn’t tell me about himself, someone else would. “Lots and lots of tea.”