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 supposed to mean?

from my father, clearly not bothered like I was “No, I don‘t suppose she does I raised her with a good head on her shoulders I‘m happy to hear she doesn‘t act like most

but his voice still sounded distant in thought.

know Ashwood has a lot of. Can‘t seem to keep her away from wanting to always be in

wouldn‘t say it was a hobby or a defining trait

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

he was telling me that my target had changed for

not attending the event, I would be

His son. 

remember the last time I‘d

“Raven?”

me from my head after I

in 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 if I was still going

would be worse, and ultimately, I made a choice I never expected to make. Especially not since

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

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

smile in place, hoping tould

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

for introduotione,” he said. “Kiaran Lycroft, pleasure

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

of marks began 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 cymg so desperately to

let me go, and I found I‘d forgotten Whatever I was

is forgiven,” he joked

elear my head belore scrambling to put back on the face I needed to show, trying to not let on just

managed to say, acting on auto-pilot. Though I silently cursed the slight slutter in

you would? sure, I‘d love a

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 could

touching my arm, “It would be best if I checked in with

not 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 be keeping an eye

that it showed a confidence that, in actuality, I was so

we?” Kieran aaked behind me once

the two of us walked to the bar and ordered our drinks.

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 to date, I was yet to fail even once in doing One of my specialties had always been in

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 of

Normally, I would have reached a hand out and gently touched his arm but the thought

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

smile froze in

terribly embarrassing, “I unid stiffly “How about we keep it a

told myself, knowing I needed to commit to this,

want to Thai feeling of losing control was one I despised, and even

at that moment, and I used grabbing the glass as an excuse to

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