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

I raised her with a good head on her shoulders I‘m happy to hear she doesn‘t

agreed, but his voice still sounded distant in

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 or a defining trait of my personality.

still too focused on trying to figure out Kieran‘s reactions, that I didn‘t immediately understand what my father was doing. How

me that

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

His son. 

last time I‘d been this

“Raven?”

from my

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 to face some sort of repercussion for my

I made a choice I never expected to make. Especially not since I was so sceptical of him. But something inside pushed me on, and

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

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

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

too much diough, luia lipia tumed 11 A strtfk

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

for a Hoond beloje exlerding my owsi, and instantly regjelted

through the contact with his skin, making ine lose Concentration. And his louehitfelt so

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

is forgiven,”

and elear my head belore scrambling to put back on the face

drink in apology?” I managed to say, acting on auto-pilot. Though I silently

you would? sure, I‘d love a drink”

whatever reason was better than the alternative ways this encounter could have gone. And yet even though

best if I checked in

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 on me,

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

we?” Kieran aaked behind me once my

two of us walked to the bar and

hand. Something that, with my

so sorry again,” I said as we waited, making oure to sound as friendly as possible “I really

picking up on the social cue Normally, I would have reached a hand out and gently touched his arm but the thought of those sparks possibly being there made

was a bit funny and will

in

about we keep it a secret just between us? Like our own httle inside joke? I would * really*

Raven, ‘I told myself, knowing I needed to commit to this,

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

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

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