Forsaken Secrets: A slow-burn new adult fantasy romance (Isle of the Forsaken Book 1)

by Olivia K Moto

  I doubted she meant me any harm after risking her life to save me, but this was not a good time to be vulnerable.

  Breathing deeply, I forced my body to calm.

  "I'm so sorry!" She was close enough that I could smell the light herbal scent of her hair. "I'd almost forgotten. I'm sure your head is hurting frightfully. Did it reopen?"

  Then those damned hands were running through my hair again, caressing my neck and sending heat through my body with every touch.

  She leaned closer, soft breasts pressing into my shoulder, and I had to hold back a groan. I'd thought I would burst into flames when she'd tied that rope around my waist, but this was worse.

  So much worse.

  "I — I'm okay, my lady." I swallowed. "Just a bit sore."

  Her hands dropped from my head, and I had to restrain myself from following them.

  Gods — what was wrong with me?

  "Just a bit sore?" Her voice was chiding. "You likely have a severe concussion, Eli. I'm surprised you're still conscious."

  She stared at me, lips pursed.

  I searched her face for some sign of awareness, but she just sat there, hazel eyes bright and full of concern. Completely unaware of the turmoil she was causing within me. "No, really. It's okay. I've had much worse."

  Her right eyebrow arched. "This is no time to play hero. I can't carry you by myself, but I'll see if I can find Lynk. He should be able to help me get you home."

  I nodded slowly, careful not to set my head off again.

  That would be perfect. If she left, I'd have time to heal.

  "Could you toss me my bag before you go?" I asked, motioning to the brown leather sack on the ground. Thank the gods Riarlo had saved it.

  She passed it to me, cheeks darkening as the leather made a wet plopping sound in my lap. "I — I'm sorry about the notebook inside — it's a bit … wet."

  "My notebook?" I'd tucked that away at the bottom. "What did you do, dump the whole thing out?"

  Her cheeks turned a brighter red, and I tried not to laugh.

  I should probably care more, but I was still reeling from the near-death experience. And really, a damp notebook was nothing in the larger scheme of things. Though hopefully it wasn't so ruined that I'd have to re-copy it all.

  "I'll be right back. Okay?" She patted my shoulder twice, warm heat spreading from the contact, then walked away, bare legs visible for all to see.

  My cheeks heated, and I cleared my throat. "Uh — my lady … you know you're missing your skirts, right?"

  She looked down and froze. Her cheeks flushed bright red as she rushed to a small pile by the wall and pulled the items on. "What kind of seventh hell is today?" Her voice was barely audible over the sounds of the storm, but it made my lips quirk into a grin.

  She looked back once more, cheeks pink, before disappearing behind the ruins.

  A few moments later, Riarlo flew down and perched in front of me."You should be safe now, my lord. I think she's far enough away."

  "Thanks." I reached into my bag and pulled out the amulet. "Can you tell if she's a mage?"

  "Her korra looks normal, but I can't shake the feeling that something is off. The way she looked at that amulet … and this morning, when I — oh, never mind. You heal and I'll keep an eye out."

  Nodding, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, focusing on the amulet nestled in my palm.

  I reached for it in my mind, letting the warmth and life inside me connect with the little pixie inside it. Searing heat quickly spread through my body.

  It wasn't the right type of relic for my affinity, but even the reduced effect would be helpful.

  I relaxed into the warmth and comfort, almost forgetting the insanity of the day as the familiar strength enveloped me.

  12

  Eli

  "She returns, my lord."

  I jolted awake. "Thanks, Riarlo."

  It had been a while since I'd fallen asleep while healing. The injury must have been worse than I thought.

  I rolled my shoulders and stretched.

  Gah — I always forgot how much more tiring it was when the relic didn't match my affinity. I opened my hand and stared at the amber crystal, familiar as my own hand. The pixie inside glowed brightly for one moment, then darkened back to normal.

  Still, my head didn't swim anymore, so that was progress. I quickly returned the amulet to my bag, taking a moment to pull out a pack of lemon bread, and relaxed back onto my elbows before opening it and taking a bite.

  The bitter sweetness made me groan. Gods, it was good!

  I took another bite and waited for Kaiya to return.

  "Does she have the mage?"

  "She's alone … though she is muttering to herself about a damn barbarian."

  I chuckled. She was a fiery one. Gram and Mirrim would like her.

  Sure enough, within seconds she stepped through the collapsed alcove, muttering to herself.

  Gods. She really didn't like that Lynk fellow.

  "I'm so sorry, Eli. I can't find him anywhere." Her brows were pinched, and her lips tight.

  I waved my hand. "No worries. I ate a bit and am feeling much better."

  Her eyes narrowed, and she strode to my side, then dropped to her knees and reached for my hair.

  I leaned back and held my hands up. "You know, you can only feel my head so many times before I start to think you just like the feel of my hair, my lady."

  She glared at me, then pressed her hands into my hair again, fingers gentle but sure. It sent a weird tingle through my body, and I had to hold back a completely inappropriate groan.

  "Ah, yes. The feel of blood encrusted hair. How sexy …"

  I grinned.

  I had to stay unentangled for this job, but would a new friend really hurt?

  Kaiya continued her inspection, careful not to touch any of the sore areas, as she muttered to herself.

  Once I got to my rooms, I'd take the time to fully heal, but I felt well enough now to at least walk without passing out.

  First, though, I needed some answers.

  The only way for Lynk to pull that stunt off was if he were a mage. I'd never heard of anyone's affinity expressing that way … but what did I know?

  Curiosity burned like an ember in the pit of my stomach.

  What would the Rogues give me for recruiting powerful mage like him? Perhaps I'd finally get to be the lead on a project? Even Jaiel couldn't deny that he'd be a good asset for our team.

  "Well, you do seem to be healing." Kaiya's voice broke through my thoughts. "Though unless that bread was some kind of magical healing bread, I don't understand it!"

  "Wouldn't that be handy?"

  She smiled at me, but her eyes were guarded.

  "Are you a Reaper, then?" I asked. If she wasn't a mage, it was one of the few other answers that would make sense.

  Her eyes widened, and she stood up. "A Reaper? Me? Ha! Not in my wildest dreams …" she looked down at her hands, picking at something I couldn't see. "No. I'm just an apprentice seamstress."

  "Really?" I cocked my head to the side. "But you were so good back there! Have you thought of testing?"

  "Some things aren't possible for everyone." Her voice was tight.

  "Perhaps I could help."

  "Trust me. This is not something you can fix." She reached out and grabbed my hand, pulling me up gently. I winced and moaned a bit to make it seem like the injury wasn't as healed as it was.

  The bread excuse might work for a moment, but I had a feeling she wasn't that gullible.

  "Besides, I don't accept handouts."

  I watched as she gathered a long rope, coiled it neatly, then threw it over her shoulder.

  You know … I'd been half joking before, but she really might be the perfect solution for my project. She had skills, but no connection to the Reapers to double check my story.

  The gods couldn't have planned it better if they'd tried. "What if you worked for me?"

  "You already offered that
once," she said, rolling her eyes.

  I slipped my pack onto my shoulders and studied her.

  Mud crusted her windswept hair, and she had a small smudge to the right of her lips. I slid my hands into my pockets to keep from wiping it away.

  She was capable, spirited, and beautiful, too. Even Jaiel would have to agree that she was something special …

  "You said you'd consider it …" I gave her my best smile.

  She scoffed, "Well, consider it considered and rejected. I don't have the time or gear."

  I gestured to her pack — the one she'd been cradling and protecting like a baby ever since we woke up. "That sure looks like a climbing bag."

  A slow smile spread over her face. "You're right. That could work. You loan me gear, then I'll go do the work for you! Whatever hunting you need to do, I could do it. Then, you could pay me, I'd return your gear, and you'd claim the credit."

  I grimaced. That would defeat the purpose in me actually seeing the ruins. "Not possible, my lady. I'm afraid that I need to go, as well."

  Her eyes narrowed, and she looked me up and down. "If you came along, you'd just be a liability. Besides, I work better alone."

  "Well, as much as I'd love to have you do my work for me, it just isn't possible."

  She shrugged and fixed a flyaway piece of hair. "Well, then that's that. Let's get going. My maid will look at your head and then you can go back to wherever you came from."

  I grimaced. Perhaps I shouldn't have pushed quite so hard. "I'm sorry. While I'm sure your maid knows what she's doing, I think I'm well enough to just return to my rooms. I'll be just fine, my lady."

  I dipped into a quick bow and winked at her, hoping she'd grace me with one more of those lovely smiles of hers.

  She pointed a finger at me, though, shaking it gently. "Not ‘my lady'. My name is Kaiya. Or at the most, Miss Maderoth. Remember?"

  The way her lips quirked at the corners was close enough to a smile that I'd consider it a win, though. "You may not be an official lady, but you'll always be a lady to me."

  She just tilted her head to the side and rolled her eyes. "Gods. Do those lines usually work out for you?"

  My cheeks heated. I'd never really tried them. But I just shrugged and winked. "Every time."

  "Well … if you think you'll be okay …" She paused, looking from the path, to me, and then back again. "Do you at least have someone where you're staying to help you tonight and make sure you don't die? I mean, I'd hate for all this work to have been for nothing."

  I laughed. "I'm staying with my aunt and uncle. They'll make sure I'm safe."

  "Are they near here? I don't want you to collapse on the bridge, or anything."

  For someone who didn't care what happened to me, she sure seemed to care.

  "Don't worry, my lady — Kaiya. They own the general store right on the other side. It'll just take a bit to get over there, and then I'll be fine. I really am feeling better!"

  Her eyes had widened as I spoke, though, and she scrunched her nose. "Are you … no, that's too big of a coincidence."

  "What? Am I what?"

  "Well, Mrs. Harlsted told me today that her nephew was in town and I can't help but wonder if that's you … but that would be insane. This town isn't small enough for that kind of coincidence …"

  I couldn't stop the laughter from tumbling out. "Oh, this is wonderful! They couldn't have planned it better, those rogues. You must be the seamstress's niece?" I should have put it together earlier when she said she was an apprentice, but from how the Harlsteds had described her, I'd expected someone much more … subdued and ladylike.

  She sighed and nodded. "The one and only. Pleased to make your acquaintance, my lord." Then she dipped into a neat curtsey.

  My lord? Who'd told her I was a lord? Was that the cover the Harlsteds had given her? "Well, then. Am I allowed to return home, now? You're welcome to stop by whenever you want."

  Her eyes widened with horror. "And give them MORE fuel to marry us off? No, sir. I think not."

  I cocked my brow. "More fuel?"

  "Oh, have you not heard?"

  I shook my head, confused.

  "You're an eligible bachelor and I'm an eligible young lady, therefore we must meet and marry."

  Ahh. I suppose that made sense … though her disdain of the idea did no good for my confidence.

  "Not so eligible. I'm only in town for a couple weeks. I think they're just pushing your buttons."

  She chuckled.

  Dipping into a bow, I sent her my most winning grin. "Well, I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience I've caused, Kaiya. I know this wasn't how you planned to spend your day."

  "No. No. It's okay." Her face screwed up in a sour expression. "Besides, the last thing I'd want is the Harlsted's nephew dying on our land." She shuddered. "Can you imagine the heartbreak? No. This is much better."

  "Well, then. If that's settled, I'll head back. See you around!"

  She nodded and muttered under her breath. "Not if I can help it."

  I couldn't help laughing as I walked away.

  Perhaps this assignment wouldn't be as boring as I'd thought.

  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 ma
de 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?

  He just leaned in and took a sip of his soup.

  I broke a roll in two and spread butter across the top. Steam wafted out and my mouth watered in response.

  Gods, I hadn't realized just how hungry I was.

  I suppose saving a man would do that.

  "I was just telling your aunt that the generous Ellingsworths had donated a substantial sum towards the expansion of the vicarage. We will finally be able to add a new intensive care wing."

  I nodded, a sunny smile pasted on my lips and a vacant look in my eyes. All this pretending made my stomach ache.

  He relaxed a bit. "We're also going to start serving meals after services on Sundays. The membership has grown substantially, and with the plague sweeping the lower city, we thought it would be a good way to support those whose families are affected. I'll be supplying stew for the next few meals, and I thought you two might enjoy attending."

  My stomach boiled. That would never happen. The church was just a government operated front to let normal people feel important, and really just sent more money to the Empire. If they actually wanted to help the families of those who were sick, they'd pay to send more medics into Ellesmere! Expecting them to come all the way to the church for treatment was ridiculous.

  I held the frustration inside and smiled wider. "Why thank you, sir."

  Aunt Grace smiled and dipped her head like a proper lady should. "As always, you're welcome to join us here for any dinner you'd like. However, with the business, it's rather hard to take a day and dedicate it to services."