A Gift from the Goddess

Book 2 – Ch#7 

Kieran Lycroft. Victor Lycroft, my target‘s, very own non. 

How had I managed to screw things up this badly? within twenty–four bourg, I felt like my life had gone from being careful, structured precise, into what I could only describe as completo erratic shatnbles.

And worse still, it was as if I had no control. Control over my oltuation, over myself and *. especially* no control when it came to this man, Kieran. 

*Unfortunately, my father wasn‘t able to make it tonight,” Kieran replied “Heliad an important matter come up and sent me in his stead to extend our town‘s support.” 

I could smell his scent so vividly, the wind now no longer masking it from me so intoxicating yet inviting… I’d never come across anything like it before. 

“A shame. But nevertheless, I‘m glad you could join us. I‘ve heard that you‘ll be taking hio upon his retirement. Is it common to elect representatives based on family in your town?“. 

Kieran gave a half laugh and looked around for a second, almost as if the question made him uncomfortable. “We‘re just all very close up north in Ashwood. My father is a great role model and inspired me to take over for him I‘m honoured that the people of my town agree.” 

His eyes then flicked back to my own, a look of curiosity and... something else that I couldn‘t quite place mixed in. But whatever it was, I wanted more of it. 

“Oh, apologies, where are my manners?” said my father, extending a hand towards me. “Allow me to introduce you to Raven.” 

“Raven? I’m glad to finally catch your name,” he said, then turned back to Eric, “You know, we actually had a moment to meet in the gardens just now.” 

....Oh no… please, no.

My father raised a brow in confusion. “Oh? Is that where she ran off to?” 

“You wouldn’t believe it but...,” Kieran chuckled lightly, apparently finding the whole thing hilarious, “she must have gotten quite the scare because....” 

And it was then that Kieran finally looked back towards me, his sentence slowly coming to a stop 

as our eyes met.

“...Because..?” my father prompted.

“Oh… She ah…,” Kieran stumbled, quickly clearing his throat.“...She jumped in surprise. I guess 1 accidentally snuck up on her.”

“That’s certainly uncharacteristic of her. My daughter is normally a hard one to take unaware.

“Your... daughter?” Kieran asked, confused. “Raven is your daughter?” 

“That‘s right.” 

*And, and she grew up here in Loudila Olly?” 

why mdeed, wax what I wanted to know too. What buonnons did he have questioning sonething so personal Clarification once whould live been sufficient, if needed at all. He didn‘t need to kuon my life story 

Kieran was now stanng at me with a more serious expression, the joking tone now gone “on, nothing she just doean‘t act like most of the pooplo i‘ve met in the city” 

that supposed to

her with a good head on her shoulders I‘m happy to hear she doesn‘t act like most overbeaning city people

but his voice still sounded distant

and nature, something I know Ashwood has a lot of. Can‘t seem to keep her away from wanting to always be in the fresh air. Isn‘t that right, Raven?”

but I wouldn‘t say it was a hobby

comment, yet still too focused on trying to figure out Kieran‘s reactions, that I didn‘t immediately understand what my father was doing. How he was lying in order to establish common ground between

doing so, he was telling me that my target had changed for the evening.

be needing to

His son. 

couldn‘t remember the last time I‘d been

“Raven?”

pulled me from my head

finding out about the documents, I wondered if I was still going to face

quickly, debating which outcome here would be worse, and ultimately, I made a choice I never expected to make. Especially not since I was so sceptical of him. But something inside pushed me on,

met. Trust in the fact that, if he hadn‘t instantly

“I seem to be a bit out of it tonight I should have

I kepuny smile in place, hoping

the eletup Dount Alapne too much diough, luia lipia tumed 11 A strtfk and he held a

need to wwwiy, it‘never too late for introduotione,” he said. “Kiaran Lycroft, pleasure to

land for a Hoond beloje exlerding my owsi, and instantly

lose Concentration. And his louehitfelt so nice and warm, making me painfully aware

back of my hand, he let me go, and I found

forgiven,” he joked

put back on the

a drink in apology?” I managed to say, acting on auto-pilot. Though I silently cursed the slight slutter in my voice. “I would love

sure, I‘d

funny. Borderline mocking me. But I suppose laughing at me for whatever reason was better than the alternative ways this encounter could have gone. And yet even though I knew that, I still couldn‘t help but feel mildly bothered by it I didn‘t enjoy feeling

best if I checked in with

obvious enough for anyone to notice, and I picked up on the double connotation of his words. I‘ll be around if you need me‘ meaning he was around and would

nod and hoped that it showed a confidence that, in actuality, I was so

we?” Kieran aaked behind me once my father

with that, the two of us walked to the bar

on the task at hand. Something that, with my

as we waited, making oure to sound as friendly as possible “I really don‘t know what came over me earlier and

the social cue Normally, I would have reached a hand out

a bit funny and will make for

froze in place at

terribly embarrassing, “I unid stiffly “How about

told myself, knowing

really didn’t want to Thai feeling of losing control was one I despised, and

and I used grabbing the glass as an excuse to do

Maybe another five of these and my nerves would