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

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

voice still sounded distant

seem to keep her away from wanting to always be in the fresh air. Isn‘t that

Sure, I went running occasionally, but I wouldn‘t say it was

puzzled by 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.

doing so, he was telling me that my target had changed

not attending the event, I would be

His son. 

remember the last time I‘d been this stressed.

“Raven?”

my head after I still hadn‘t

it. Hell, even if I were successful in finding out about the documents,

never expected to make. Especially not since

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

sorry,” I said, acting out a small head shake and overly polite smile. “I seem to be a bit out of

I kepuny smile in place, hoping tould do riough

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

wwwiy, it‘never too late for introduotione,” he said. “Kiaran

exlerding my owsi,

his skin, making ine lose Concentration. And his louehitfelt so nice and warm, making me painfully aware of thoughts that

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

is forgiven,”

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

auto-pilot. Though I silently cursed the slight slutter in my voice. “I would love to hear more about Ashwood.”

I‘d

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 have gone. And yet even though I knew that, I still couldn‘t

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

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

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

Kieran aaked behind me

walked to the bar and ordered

hand. Something that, with my track record to date, I was yet to fail even once in doing One of my

sound as friendly as possible “I really don‘t know what came

social cue Normally, I would have reached a hand

all,” he replied “The whole thing was a

smile froze in place

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 *

bis hand. Raven, ‘I told myself, knowing I needed to commit to

really didn’t want to Thai feeling of losing control was one I despised, and even being around him was proving

I used grabbing

a sip. Maybe another five of these and my nerves