Page 31 of Forsaken Secrets

13

Kaiya

Gods. What an insane day!

What were the chances that the man I saved was the Harlsted's nephew? He wasn't at all what I'd expected. My cheeks heated. Now I really had to avoid that dinner with the Harlsteds! I didn't need him blabbing about me saving him — or at least I didn't want to be there when it happened.

They were already relentless about me joining the Reaper Guild, and this would make them absolutely insufferable.

Lynk's rope bumped on my shoulder and I shifted it, debating what to do with the length. He'd seemed familiar with the ruins. Perhaps I could leave it there?

Though he seemed to have plenty of gear. He probably wouldn't miss a single rope …

Gods. Why did it even matter? I'd leave the rope there, and that was that.

Shaking my head, I slipped through the last set of trees and grimaced at the carriage standing in the drive. The vicar. Again?

Why wouldn't he just give up?

I slid through the front door and cringed at the sound of Aunt Grace and the vicar talking in the front room. She sounded all loopy again.

What was it with that man? He had all the women on the Ridge giggling like debutantes!

I climbed to my room and changed into a clean dress. Though perhaps walking in while dressed like I'd been out on the cliffs would have snapped Aunt Grace out of it.

She was usually such a logical woman, too!

As soon as I was decent, I slipped out and downstairs, almost running the entire way to the dining room.

Pausing outside the doors, I pasted on my social smile and relaxed my shoulders before pushing the wooden behemoths open. Time to act the proper lady.

Gods, I hated acting.

"Miss Maderoth, how are you this evening?" The vicar's cool voice made the hairs on my arms stand on end. I met his eyes and curtseyed, though.

Perhaps he was handsome, in a slimy way. His eyes were a bright blue, but the way he held his nose aloft as though always smelling something terrible just turned me off.

Even that barbarian, Lynk, was more attractive …

Shaking off the odd thought, I stepped around the table. "I'm doing splendidly. Thank you, Sir Litsor."

He just nodded and smiled. It was a similar look to the one Eli had flashed me earlier, but this man's gave me chills where Eli's had made me feel welcome and happy.

I slipped in next to Aunt Grace, pressing my hand to her arm gently. She turned and looked at me, her silver eyes large. "Oh, Kaiya, dear. I didn't even hear you come in! You were gone longer than I expected, so I figured the vicar and I would get started. Did you get the supplies we needed?"

"Yes, Aunt." I'd explain the run-in with Lady Ellingsworth and the men later.

Time to turn on the bubbles. "Sir Litsor, thank you for providing dinner!" The happiness in my voice made me sick, but it did the trick. He relaxed back into his chair and picked up his spoon.

He smiled at me, eyes smug. "Of course, Miss Maderoth. I know how much your aunt loves my stew."

I giggled obnoxiously and reached for the ladle. Sylvie must have left for the day. She usually insisted on serving us when guests were visiting.

I poured us all bowls of soup and sat back down. At least the soup smelled delicious.

"Now, what did I interrupt? I so hate missing out on conversations with you, Sir Litsor," I pouted.

Surely he could hear the false note in my voice?

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