I checked the window. It was open. We'd have to jump out of there if things went poorly.
"That all sounds a bit tedious and unnecessary on a day like today, though. Wouldn't you say? Besides, I'm sure you already know the consequences if you're lying."
Kaiya nodded sharply, and I followed suit, my heart hammering so loud I was sure everyone could hear. "We understand."
His lips pursed, and he leaned back in his chair. "Well then, if you have a reasonable request, I might be inclined to accept. What exactly are you proposing?"
A low exhale made me look at Kaiya. Her cheeks were pale and her hazel eyes wide. Was she going to be able to do this?
Finally, she swallowed and leaned forward in her wooden chair. "If we give you the map, we want a guarantee that you will protect both of our households." The Overseeker sat watching us, his face not giving anything away. Kaiya plunged on, "And also remove a vrytra from their care."
His brows rose, and he sat there completely silent for a few moments. "Well, I can safely say that I was not expecting that, young lady."
Kaiya nodded, face back to a calm mask.
"However," his lips twisted into a smile, "if what you say is true … I think I can promise all those things."
We both let out a sigh of relief and sat back in our chairs.
He continued. "Seekers have been disappearing at an alarming rate, and I'm convinced that man has something to do with it. If this can prove that, the payment will have been more than worth it. If you give me the map and one week, I'll be able to get things in order."
I looked at Kaiya, expecting some concern, but she was nodding, and had a radiant smile on her lips. "That makes sense to me."
"Well, then. How should we seal this deal?"
Kaiya motioned to a pad of paper on his desk. "I'll draw the map and you write the terms. We'll all sign and trade."
He nodded once and pulled off a sheet for us.
When both papers were sufficiently filled out and signed, we traded and shook hands. "Miss Maderoth, Lord Westin. I am happy that you chose my doorstep to darken today, and I wish you the best of luck."
I dipped my head. "You as well."
"May the gods shine graciously on you," Kaiya murmured, and we turned to go.
He smiled a grandfatherly smile and waved us out. "Be safe and happy, you two."
33
Kaiya
We stepped outside the front gates and I couldn't help whispering, "It worked! It actually worked, Eli."
"Shh. Kaiya. A little further, please?" His voice was strained, and he kept looking behind us.
He must be more worried than I thought.
Nodding, I tried to walk at a sedate pace, without drawing attention, until we were free of the crowd that had gathered outside. A sharp rattling sound made me look up, and I gasped as a tall black carriage rolled past … only it wasn't pulled by any horses. "A mechanical coach?" I muttered, watching as it came to a stop at the edge of the crowd.
Was that why they'd gathered? Who could be inside that would draw so much attention? I wanted to stop and ask someone, but Eli tugged on my elbow again and we turned a corner just as the carriage door opened and a single booted foot stepped out.
Whoever they were, they were obviously wealthy and important … perhaps a visitor from the Capital?
"Now can I talk?" I asked, glaring at Eli.
"I suppose," he said, shaking his head. "And here I thought I was the reckless one!"
I didn't care, though. My plan had worked. Against all odds, it had worked. I spun to face him and threw my arms around his neck. "IT WORKED!! I cannot believe it worked!"
Eli chuckled, the sound reverberating through his chest and then mine, reminding me we were close — too close to be proper. It made my chest ache in a way I wasn't entirely comfortable with.
I stepped back and brushed off my skirts, cheeks warm, then looked back up at him. "Thank you, Eli. Without you — this would have been a very different day."
His eyes crinkled at the corners and he leaned in, breath soft on my cheek. "Should we go to the ruins and celebrate before you go home? I could grab a treat for us from the confectionary … and then we could cut through the beach by the fort. A little moonlight picnic by the bay sounds fun. Doesn't it?"
Heart light, I shook my head and met his eyes. "I'd love to, but I really need to go tell my aunt."
"What about Lynk? Gods, I don't want to tell him!" Eli's nose wrinkled, and I had to smile.
"Well then, we won't. Let's just keep it to ourselves for tonight. When he tells us his plans, we'll tell him we already have it solved! Can you imagine how surprised he'll be?"
Eli nodded. "I really wish we'd talked to him first, though."
I grimaced. The last thing we needed was that barbarian stomping all over our plans. He'd been so controlling when he left us at that beach, and I just wanted to prove that we were capable, too!
He'd have to admit it after this.
"I'll walk you home then," Eli said, voice sunny.
I quirked a brow at him. "You think I don't know my way?"
"No, but it's getting late and my aunt and uncle would kill me if they knew I let you go home alone, regardless of how capable you are."
"Be careful now, Eli. Else they're going to think you took their requests seriously, and are courting me." His jaw dropped, and I tried not to laugh. "Don't worry! You're safe from my oh so dangerous womanly wiles."
"You know. They're only pushing because they haven't seen how you look at Lynk," he said, winking.
I tried to laugh, but the sound caught in my throat. "You're pretty fantastic too, you know."
He swallowed and looked into my eyes.
Confused by what I saw there, I looked away. A hackney rolled up beside us, stopping in front of a little tea shop. The door opened and an older gentleman in a top hat stepped out, followed by a woman with silver hair and a lovely violet gown. She held out her hand as she descended, and he pulled her to him. They linked arms and walked into the shop, heads bent together as they laughed.
I slipped a hand into my pocket, felt the silver coin there, then grinned.
Spinning around, I grabbed Eli's elbow and pulled him to the waiting coach. "Today is a special day and we shouldn't have to trek all the way across the city and bridge!"
Eli pushed my money back. "I'll cover it, then. Consider it my congratulatory treat since you turned down the picnic."
The driver took his coin, then waved for us to get in.
Smiling roguishly, Eli held out his hand. "My lady?"
I smiled and hopped up, sliding into the seat on the left. He climbed up behind me, quirked a brow, then slid in beside me instead of across.
He was close enough that I could smell the foresty scent in his hair. How had I not noticed that before?
It made my heart twist in my chest and I slid away, putting some space between us
"So have you decided between joining the Guild and Lady Frexin?" he asked, voice quiet beneath the sound of the carriage wheels on the cobble streets.
I shook my head. "No. I'm leaning towards Lady Frexin, though. I'd get more adventure, and maybe even some time in the Capital."
He was silent long enough that I turned to look at him. His face was pensive.
"Are you sure that's the best place for you? I mean, do you really want to live in the Capital? I thought you hated society …"
I shrugged, "You're right. I don't particularly like the Capital, but you've seen how the people here feel about me. It's not something I want to stay around, and it's not like there are that many options for people like us. Though, if I did the Guild instead … maybe I could do some missions with you?" The words tumbled out of me before I could stop them, and it set my heart racing.
I had to swallow back the fear that threatened to overwhelm me.
Why had I said that? We barely knew each other!
He'd hired me to help with a mission I'd done almost nothing on, and now he was he
lping me.
He swallowed hard, then turned to the window. "I — I'm not sure if that's the best idea. There are things about me you don't know, and it might make it harder to work together."
Chest aching, I studied him. "I already know about the big one, Eli. I doubt anything else you say is going to shock me."
He shrugged and was about to say something else when the carriage came to a stop and the driver knocked three times.
"We need to talk about this more. Please don't decide anything until we do?" Eli said, then stepped out and reached a hand up for me. I rested my palm on his and let him lead me down.
His words felt ominous, but he held my hand tight like he didn't want to let go as we stared at the hack rolling down the street.
What did he mean? What kind of secret was bigger than being a mage?
I swallowed and shifted my gaze towards the house, trying to forget the tight warmth of his hand on mine.
It was so warm, though. And calloused.
As though he'd noticed me looking, his thumb rubbed my palm softly, sending a tingle through my body, and I looked up, wide-eyed, into his green gaze.
He lifted our joined hands and stared at them for a heartbeat before bringing them to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss at the base of my knuckles.
Wildfire spread through my body. "Wha — what are you doing?"
"What I should have done a long time ago." His lips quirked, and that dimple flashed as his eyes swept slowly across my face, going dark at the edges as they caught on my lips.
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat.
Warm heat unfurled in my belly and a gentle tug on our joined hands pulled me off balance.
I stumbled into his chest.
Heat and firm muscles enveloped me and my breath caught as he brushed gentle kisses first against my forehead, then my cheek, and finally at the edge of my lips.
My eyes fluttered shut, and my heart raced as I waited for the next one.
"You'd better get inside, my lady," he said instead, gently placing my hand against my body and letting go.
Chest aching, I stood there, unwilling to open my eyes.
What just happened? Why? What did it mean?
I had a thousand questions, but I'd need to look at him if I wanted answers. Gods. I really didn't want to look at him.
Cautiously, I opened one eye and then the next.
His lips were twisted in a sad smile. "I'm sorry. Your Aunt probably expected you a while ago."
Mind spinning, I nodded. "She's probably got Sylvie watching for me through the parlor windows."
"I'll see you tomorrow, then?"
"Tomorrow."
We stared at each other for a second, awkwardness stretching between us like a taut rope, then he turned and walked away.
I let out a long breath.
What in the seven hells was happening to me? I wasn't some missish lady affected so easily by a … whatever that was!
So I stood on my toes and lifted my hand to my mouth. "Walk safe, Eli!"
He turned to grin back at me, then waved. "You too, Kaiya."
Then he was gone, and I was alone with all my strange feelings.
34
Lynk
Reaching behind my shoulder, I felt for my scimitar and smiled. Time to bring more darkness home.
Carefully, I slipped open the front door to the large estate, the wooden dragon knocker thunking as I let it close behind me. Let them hear … it wouldn't do anything to stop what was coming.
Moonlight streamed through the stained glass windows to my right, sending long shadows across the floor. A clock chimed from the stairs in front of me.
Midnight. I'd hoped to make it earlier, but the evidence had been harder to gather than I'd thought.
Light flickered from an open door down the upstairs hall and I crept closer, listening.
The sound of rustling paper lifted my spirits.
I really hated killing sleeping people.
Was it the husband or wife, though? Both were guilty, of course, but I'd prefer to start with him. When Solyn sent us that memory, I'd recognized the servant, and it had taken all day to track down who was in charge. It still made my blood boil to think of how those mages had tortured those creatures. And all for what? To keep their damn magic hidden?
I pressed the door open with the toe of my boot and walked in. A man sat behind a wide wooden desk. Slim wire spectacles rested on his nose, and when he looked up, there was no surprise in his eyes.
"Ah. Lynk, is it? I was expecting you, though I must admit that I'd expected it hours ago."
"I've been making my rounds. You know why I'm here, I take it?"
He nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Please, take a seat."
I quirked my brow and stepped closer, letting my hand surreptitiously drop to the dagger hidden against my thigh. This was not some social visit. So instead, I leaned forward, resting one hand on his desk. "I think not. You've gone places you had no business going, and hurt those you had no business hurting. It ends now."
A slow smile twisted his lips. "Let me tell you a story, Mage."
I stared at him, curious how he knew I was a mage. Had the kid or little thief ratted me out?
"It's about a Druid and a Drake."
My heart dropped. No — he couldn't mean …
It was impossible.
His lips quirked into a satisfied smile, and he motioned again towards the chair.
This time, I sat down.
35
Kaiya
I yawned again as the clock struck six. Aunt Grace and Sylvie would be up shortly and I still hadn't made it to sleep. When Eli had dropped me off at the back gate, I'd checked for Aunt Grace, but she'd already fallen asleep. I'd climbed into bed, but my mind just kept replaying that almost-kiss, or whatever it was, for the rest of the night.
Finally, I'd gotten up and forced myself to look through the Reaper Guild paperwork. I'd been debating all night, and still hadn't decided.
Something had bothered Eli when I said I wanted to join. It shouldn't matter to me, but any time I tried to put my pen to the paper and sign, my heart started racing and I remembered that look on his face before he'd kissed me … or almost kissed me … or whatever it was.
No. I wasn't going to think about that anymore. It was over. Done with. We'd continue as friends and I wouldn't think of it again.
A sharp knock at the door had me sitting up straight, and I slid the paperwork beneath a couple of books stacked on the corner of my desk.
"Kaiya?" Sylvie's voice was impertinent, as always, and she slipped into the room, the door clicking shut behind her. "Did you stay up all night again?" She looked once around the room, taking in the barely rumpled bed and nightdress that I'd never put on. "You did. Of course you did. You know, it's hard to get things done when you don't sleep …"
I grimaced. She was right, of course, but it wasn't as though I hadn't tried.
"Will you be able to help with changing over the beds today?"
I groaned, but nodded. "I've been slacking on my duties around here. I'm so sorry. I'll be there, though."
Gods, I hated flipping the beds, but it needed to be done and I really had been slacking lately.
"Are you planning to talk with your aunt today?"
I nodded. "I finally have some good news, too."
"Finally." She helped loosen my gown and exchanged it for a new set. These were a deep green, one of my favorite colors.
I smiled at her. "Thanks, Sylvie. I know these past months can't have been easy for you."
"You know I wouldn't have it any other way, miss. It lets me care for Ma … and I happen to like your Aunt. You? Not so much." She winked. "But I make do."
I smiled and my eyes slid to the book that hid the Reaper papers. "If I had the opportunity to do what I wanted, but it meant that things would be harder for a while … do you think that would be worth it?"
She cocked her head to the side. "Perhaps. If it's somethi
ng you love, I'm sure your aunt would support it. Is this to do with the Reapers?"
I nodded. "I think I found a way to stop the Ellingsworths, then this opportunity came up, and it made me think …"
"I'd do it, miss," she interrupted.
"But what about you? What would you do?" I stared at her as she adjusted my corset to fit better. Surely she wanted something beyond this life?
"I suppose …" she clucked her tongue as she tied the bottom row and started on my hair, " … If I had everything I needed and didn't have to worry, I'd open a food shop with Ma in the Capital. I've heard that you can make a fortune selling exotic food to the snobs there."
My jaw dropped. I'd had no idea! "You like cooking?"
She smiled. "I do! That's actually why your aunt hired me. I was training under Cook, but then Lord Calix passed and …"
I nodded, sadness tugging at me. "I'm sorry. Hopefully, someday we can have enough money that we'll hire you any help you want and you can leave to pursue your dreams of cooking more than eggs and oats.”
Her laugh was bright. "Thank you, miss, but I really am happy here. You just focus on yourself and that aunt of yours. You know she's been worried about you …"
I winced. "Yes. I know." I sighed deeply and rolled my shoulders. "I thought I'd make myself presentable and then throw myself at her feet and beg forgiveness."
Sylvie giggled and motioned for me to stand. "That would be quite a sight! She hasn't left for the shop yet, so you could probably meet her in the dining room if you hurry."
I looked in the mirror and smiled. She'd worked magic with my hair, as always!
Grabbing a shawl and sliding into my slippers, I took one more look at the room before slipping out. "Thanks, Sylvie. I'll see you later for the beds. Wish me luck!"
"Luck!" Her shouted word was muffled by the door, but it still made me smile.
36
Kaiya
Forsaken Secrets: A slow-burn new adult fantasy romance (Isle of the Forsaken Book 1) Page 17