Page 89 of Forsaken Secrets

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 helping 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.

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