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

she does I raised her with a

voice still sounded

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

outdoors? Sure, I went running occasionally, but I wouldn‘t say it was a hobby

that 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

telling me that my target had changed for the evening.

the event, I would be needing to utilise the closest thing to

His son. 

couldn‘t remember the last time I‘d

“Raven?”

me from my head after I still

I were successful in finding out

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

trust the man I‘d only just met. Trust in the fact that, if he hadn‘t instantly exposed me as

small head shake and overly polite smile. “I seem to be a bit out of

but I kepuny smile in

lipia tumed

it‘never too late for introduotione,” he

for a Hoond beloje exlerding my owsi, and instantly

spread through the contact with his skin, making ine lose Concentration. And his louehitfelt so nice and warm, making me painfully aware of thoughts that was cymg

planting a small kins on the back of my hand, he let me go, and

forgiven,” he

to put back on the face I needed to show, trying to not

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

I‘d

found this 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

be best if I checked in with some other acquaintances anyway. I‘ll

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

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

Kieran aaked behind me once my

walked to the bar and ordered

what I did beet. It was the time to stop letting myself become overwhelmed and just focus entirely on the task at hand. Something that, with my track record

really don‘t know what

timudiy laughed a little at myself anii tucked a look of halt behind my már, hoping that he was. suboensciously picking up on the social cue Normally, I would have reached a hand out and gently touched his arm but

all,” he replied “The whole thing was a bit funny and will make for a great story

in place at

0-oh… no, you don’t need to tell anyone about that, it‘s so terribly embarrassing, “I unid stiffly “How about we

told myself, knowing I needed to commit

of losing control was one I despised, and even being around him was proving to be

moment, and I used grabbing the

a sip. Maybe another five of these and my