Page 95 of Forsaken Secrets

I grimaced. Of course she'd seen through that. "Eli is a Reaper, so he'd be there if I joined the Guild, but Lynk wouldn't … and when I mentioned it to Eli, he … didn't react like I'd hoped."

Aunt Grace leaned forward in her chair until her hand rested on my knee. "Kaiya Maderoth, do you want my advice?"

I nodded, throat clogged.

"Have fun. Enjoy this time with them. But don't turn down a happy future doing what you've always dreamed of just because of them. If the bonds between you are strong enough, you'll come back together in the future." Her eyes were soft. "Your Uncle told me that when I left to train in the Capital, and you know what?"

I shook my head.

"He was right. That was why I ended up with him and not Ellingsworth. If I hadn't trusted that connection between us, my life would be far different right now. Sometimes life requires a bit of risk and a healthy dose of trust that it will all turn out okay."

I smiled, my face tight. She had a point.

Dipping my head, I squeezed her hand. "Thank you, Aunt."

She nodded.

I'd just stood when a knock reverberated through the door. "Who could that be?"