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” 

was that

bothered like I was “No, I don‘t suppose she does I raised her with a good head on

his voice still

the outdoors and nature, something I know Ashwood has a lot of. Can‘t seem to keep

running occasionally, but I wouldn‘t say it was a hobby or a defining trait

figure out Kieran‘s reactions, that I didn‘t immediately

that my

now not attending the event, I would be needing to utilise the closest thing to it

His son. 

couldn‘t remember the last time I‘d been

“Raven?”

my head after I still

the way I was meant to be and he knew it. Hell, even if I were successful in finding out about the documents, I wondered

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,

that, if he hadn‘t instantly exposed me as I thought

small head shake and overly polite smile. “I seem to be a bit out of it tonight I should have given you my name before, that was so rude of me.”

nanjower ever ad alighily but I kepuny smile in place, hoping tould do

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

introduotione,” he said. “Kiaran Lycroft, pleasure to meet

a Hoond beloje exlerding my owsi, and instantly regjelted it.

to 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

on the back of my hand, he let me go, and I found I‘d forgotten Whatever I was meant to

forgiven,” he

head belore scrambling to put back on the face I needed to show, trying to not let on just how affected I really

on auto-pilot. Though I silently cursed the slight slutter in my voice. “I

sure, I‘d love a drink”

but it was almost as if he found this funny. Borderline mocking me. But I suppose laughing at me for whatever reason was better than the alternative ways this encounter

my arm, “It would be best if I checked in with some other acquaintances anyway. I‘ll be around if you need

notice, and I picked up on the double connotation of his

that it showed a confidence that, in actuality,

aaked behind me once my father had

us walked to the bar and ordered our

time to stop letting myself become overwhelmed and just focus entirely on the task at hand. Something that, with my track record to date, I was yet to fail even once in doing One of my specialties had always been in this particular

waited, making oure to sound as friendly as possible “I really don‘t know what came over me earlier and hope that you don‘t think I‘m some sort

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

replied “The whole thing was a bit funny and will make for a great story *

in

0-oh… no, you don’t need to tell anyone about that, it‘s so terribly embarrassing, “I unid stiffly “How about we keep it a secret just between us? Like our own httle inside joke? I would * really* ..

‘I told myself, knowing I needed to commit

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

and I used grabbing the glass as an

quickly taking a sip. Maybe another five of these and my nerves would