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

by Olivia K Moto

I hurried downstairs and through the halls, taking mental note of the work that needed to be done around the house. Sylvie had been carrying most of the weight lately, but I could pitch in more now that things were clearing up with the Ellingsworths.

  If I could just make a little more money, I might even be able to get enough supplies to make Aunt Grace less worried.

  Perhaps I should ask Eli about it this afternoon? Gods, no. I couldn't see him until I got my emotions all sorted out.

  "Kaiya Maderoth." Aunt Grace's voice made me jump. I spun to see her tapping her foot in the doorway of her office. Her silver brow arched imperiously, and her red lips were pursed. "Where have you been these past few days?"

  My cheeks heated, and I dipped into a curtsy. "I'm so sorry, Aunt. I was actually on my way to speak with you."

  "Well, then. Shall we go to the sitting room and take tea? It feels like it's been forever since we've done that." She motioned towards the sitting room, then started walking, not waiting for my answer.

  My stomach growled, and I looked longingly towards the dining room. Perhaps I had time to grab a small plate …

  I slipped inside and grabbed a little plate from the sideboard, drooling as I piled it high with eggs and mash — the mashed orange tuber was one of my favorites. None of it was fancy, but it kept me full!

  Eating as I walked, I slipped into the sitting room and sat atop one of the spindly wooden chairs across from Aunt Grace. She quirked a brow at my plate of food, then smiled. "Hungry this morning?"

  I swallowed my bite, then sat the food down. "I'm sorry. I just — "

  "Was up all night thinking?"

  Damn. She knew me too well. "Yes. It works up quite an appetite."

  Her lips twitched. "Look, I know that you've been working on something to save us, but I want to remind you it's not all on you. I've spoken with the Harlsteds, and they said they'll take us in while we get back on our feet. Their nephew won't be here much longer, so they'll have room for us. I hate to lose our home, but sometimes you just have to accept when you've been beat … and Lady Ellingsworth won this time."

  I grimaced and swallowed my last bite of eggs.

  "Aunt. I — I don't think we're going to lose the house."

  Her jaw dropped. "What do you mean? Of course we are. I tried to get enough jobs, even going so far as to send advertisements to all the surrounding towns, but there was just no way."

  I shook my head. "No. I don't think you understand. That's why I've been gone. I made … some friends."

  Her foot tapped rapidly, and I grimaced. Perhaps I should have told her sooner … things just went so quickly!

  "Well, they helped me look through the ruins and we met this lady from the Capital and saved these vrytra and …" Gods, I was making a mess of this. I took a deep breath and focused on her face. Her grey eyes were narrowed, but she mostly just looked confused. "I turned in the Ellingsworths to the Seekers."

  "You what?!" she said, voice a sharp whisper.

  "I, uh … well, I had evidence, and they agreed to protect us and — "

  "How could you do such a thing?" she interrupted. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

  I grimaced and stood, pacing to the window and looking out. "I know, I know. But this time, there was proof. You see — "

  "Kaiya. There will never be enough proof. They have everyone in their pocket."

  I nodded. "I went straight to the Overseeker, and you know how he feels about Lord Ellingsworth."

  Her jaw dropped, and she relaxed back into her chair. "The Overseeker. You went to the Seeker Institute?"

  I nodded. "He seemed to take me seriously, at least. He just wanted some time to do his own research."

  "How could you take these risks, Kaiya? If they'd caught you …"

  I grimaced. "It was worth it, though, Aunt. I promised Uncle Calix I would take care of you, and I'm going to."

  She shook her head. "That man. If I could go back and force him to eat those damn words, I would. I can take care of myself!"

  My chest ached, and I smiled at her. "I like to help, though. And this time it actually worked!"

  She grabbed my hand and brought it close. "I never met your father, Kaiya, but I know your mother would be so proud of how you worked at this. However, please don't get your hopes up until it's all done. Things can change so quickly …" Her eyes drifted to the painted portrait of my uncle over the fireplace at the front of the room.

  My eyes burned, and my throat felt tight. I tried to pull my hand away, but she wouldn't let it free.

  Finally, she turned back to me, grey eyes intense. "You need to stop blaming yourself for your uncle's death. It isn't healthy."

  I swallowed hard. "It was my fault, though. The more I learn about my magic, the more I learn that I could have maybe even saved him!" The memory of Lunei the day before drifted in my mind … how I'd used that relic to pull her back together. If I'd had it when he was sick …

  Her jaw dropped. "No. That was not your fault, Kaiya! He was sick and you know there was nothing we could have done to save him. You know because we tried. Remember?"

  I nodded. We had tried. That was how we'd ended up in so much debt. The Ellingsworths had negotiated a loan for us through the Capital so we could pay for better medical care for him.

  I'd never forget the nose-tingling scent of medical supplies permeating the house, or the dozens of faces that came and went for days until finally they'd all just left.

  "You've been learning about your magic?" Aunt Grace's words brought me out of my thoughts and I grimaced.

  Oops. I had not meant to let that slip out. "Yes. A bit. It seems I may be some sort of bond mage?"

  She looked away, speculative. "I'm not even going to ask how you know that, but I assume it has to do with these new friends of yours?"

  I nodded, cheeks warm.

  "So when will I get to meet them?"

  My mind flashed back to the almost-kiss, and I swallowed hard. The last thing I wanted was to have him around here even more often. "I — I suppose we could have them over for dinner sometime? One of them is the Harlsted's nephew."

  Aunt Grace's eyes widened. "Eli? One of them is Eli? Why, I saw him at the shop a few days ago. I had no idea he was one of your gentlemen. He's quite handsome and so kind, too!"

  I laughed softly, ignoring the heat spreading from my cheeks down my neck. "He thinks so, too. But he's not 'one of my gentlemen'. We're just friends." I thought back to the night before and swallowed. Well, mostly just friends.

  "Well, I'm glad that you can have some friends, then. Who's the other one?"

  I thought of Lynk in his leathers and ever-present frown and grimaced. "He's different … you've probably seen him around town. He's a monster hunter."

  Her eyes widened, but she nodded. "I see. And what will they do when you leave?"

  I stared at her, mouth agape. "How do you know I'm leaving?" I hadn't even turned in the paperwork yet!

  She smiled. "I had an interesting talk with a certain Lady Frexin yesterday. It seems that you're uniquely talented to work in her Science Division?"

  Gods. She must have come straight here after leaving the shop! That woman was persistent.

  Cheeks hot, I nodded. "It does sound pretty fantastic, but I've been set on the Reapers for so long … I kind of want to apply there first. Besides, it's where Eli works, so I'd have at least one friendly face!"

  Aunt Grace nodded. "Just make sure you choose for yourself, not him. It would be terrible to be stuck in a job you hated just so you could be close to a man you once liked."

  I grimaced. I hated the way it sounded, but she was right. "Either option has a year-long apprenticeship, though. I can't just leave you here for a year! What would you and Sylvie do?"

  She scoffed. "We'd be just fine. Even if everything falls apart, I still think you should take the job. It's everything you've ever wanted. How could you say no?"

  "One, I don't want to be indebted to her. Two, I doubt the Reapers
will want me. Three, things aren't finalized yet. And four …" the guys. I didn't want to leave them. But it wasn't like I could tell her that! " … four, I'd miss you too much."

  "Hogwash. You'd miss these friends of yours, wouldn't you?"

  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?"

  37

  Kaiya

  "Lady Maderoth. Miss Maderoth. A Lord Elimri Westin is here to see you."

  My stomach dropped. Eli … was here? The almost-kiss replayed in my mind and my cheeks heated.

  "Please show him in." Aunt Grace's voice echoed in my skull and I met her curious eyes.

  Gods. What was he doing here?

  Eli stepped through the door, dressed in a suit that fit his lean muscles like a glove. He dipped into a bow and I forced my eyes not to stare at how his jacket stretched across his shoulders.

  His eyes met mine, and a shiver slid down my spine at the strange look in them.

  "Good morning, ladies," he said. He looked … determined today.

  "Ah, Eli. We meet again," Aunt Grace said.

  The corner of Eli's mouth ticked up, and he nodded. "It's a pleasure, Lady Maderoth."

  I shook my head and stood, smoothing my skirts that suddenly seemed far too tight. "Thank you for coming Eli — Lord Westin. How can we help you this morning? Perhaps you'd like to step outside and chat?"

  His smile grew, and he took a seat next to Aunt Grace. "Why thank you, Miss Maderoth, but I actually came to speak with your beautiful aunt this morning."

  I gaped at him. The sheer gall! He came to speak with my aunt? What if I hadn't been here? Was he going to tell her about our almost-kiss? Gods. I hoped not!

  He pulled his attention from me and focused it on Aunt Grace. "Lady Maderoth, I came to ask your permission to take Miss Maderoth on a carriage ride."

  She looked between us, brown eyes sparkling. "Of course, Lord Westin. I believe that Miss Maderoth could do with some fresh air this morning. She was just complaining of how little sleep she got last night."

  I glared at them and forced a calm smile, but my palms felt sweaty and my heart was beating way too fast. I just needed to get him out of here. The last thing I needed was him spilling all our adventures. Aunt Grace did not need to know just how much trouble I'd gotten into lately …

  "Why thank you both for planning my day. We'd better get going, Lord Westin."

  "Have a lovely time, you two. And Lord Westin, Kaiya said she'd speak with you to set a dinner date. Don't let her forget, please."

  Eli smirked at me and bowed to my aunt. "Of course not. It would be my honor."

  I grabbed his elbow and tugged him out of that room as quickly as I could. What in the seven hells was he thinking?

  We got outside, and Eli burst out laughing. "Your face, Kaiya! Oh gods. That was simply amazing."

  I turned to face him, hands on my hips. "Elimri Westin, I CANNOT believe that you just showed up here without talking to me! What if I hadn't told her about us being friends yet?"

  His brow quirked at friends, but he shrugged. "Then she would have learned today. If I'm going to keep courting you, she'll need to learn about me sometime …"

  Courting me? "Wh — courting me?" Did he just say he was courting me? Something twisted uncomfortably in my chest and I stared at him, wide-eyed. Surely he was joking? Wasn't he leaving soon?

  Eli laughed it off and gestured towards the large white carriage sitting in the drive. "Miss Maderoth, if you'd care to join me?"

  I gaped. He had a carriage? I thought he'd just been telling Aunt Grace that, but he actually had a carriage!

  I stalked ahead of him and climbed up, not waiting for him to help me. We didn't need a repeat of the previous night.

  He laughed quietly and jumped up on the other side, taking the reins and sliding close to me. We weren't actually touching, but the heat of his body warmed me, nonetheless. I swallowed and forced myself to ignore it.

  "Do you know how to drive this?" I asked, clearing my throat.

  He shook his head and jostled the reigns a bit. "I know how to talk to the horses, though, so that will have to work."

  And then we were moving. I watched, jaw agape, as Eli steered the horses adeptly. "Gods, you are a strange man."

  "I try," he said, a smug grin on his face.

  "So, Lord Westin, where are we going this morning?"

  "You'll have to find out when we get there.” He winked. "It'll be fun, though. I promise."

  I leaned back in my seat, watching as the forest sped by and tried not to think about the fact that we were alone … again.

  We bounced over a hump and Eli threw his arm out in front of me. It pressed into my chest and I gasped. He pulled it back quickly, but the heat was burnt into my skin.

  Desperately, I searched for something to distract myself from these odd feelings. Beyond the bluff was the ocean. It was barely visible between the trees, and we were too far away to make out any details, but I wanted to imagine I could see Renhira and Lunei frolicking with their pod in the water.

  "Do you think Solyn is okay?" I asked, chest tight at the thought of her in that cage still.

  Eli looked over at me. "I have to think so. The Overseeker said he'd take care of her, and she's survived all this time without us."

  I bit my lip. He was right. It just felt so strange to be moving through my life as though everything was normal while she was still trapped in that cage …

  The carriage turned a corner, and a tall man with a familiar head of chestnut hair strode out of the forest to our left. He had a bounce to his step and turned to face us with what could almost pass as a smile. He held up a silver flask and waved. Oh gods. Was Lynk drunk?

  "Gods be damned. That man's timing," Eli muttered, slowing the horses.

  I looked over at him, surprised. "Are we inviting him along?"

  "Unless you've got a better idea. We can't just ride past and pretend we didn't see him!"

  I grimaced, but nodded. He was right.

  We drew to a halt, and Lynk hopped up, squishing in next to me. The scent of herbs and rain filled my nostrils as his arm and leg pressed into my own, pushing me harder into Eli. I looked straight ahead, but my body was on fire. It had been bad enough being so close to Eli, but now I had Lynk, too?

  Gods give me strength! My body just wasn’t used to so much close contact …

  Lynk lifted that flask to his lips and took a large swig. I stared as a drop escaped his lips. It slid slowly down his chin, and I gripped my skirt tightly to stop myself from touching it. His hand beat me to it, strong thumb catching the drop and bringing it to his lips.

  My tongue flitted out, moistening my lips in response.

  No. No! I pinched my eyes closed and turned away.

  This was all wrong. We were friends. And I was flirting and almost-kissing Eli the night before! My mind had no business thinking these thoughts!
<
br />   I forced my heart and breath to slow and my thoughts to calm.

  "Where are you kids headed?" Lynk's voice rumbled against my shoulder.

  Eli chuckled, the motion sending a vibration down my other arm.

  Heat blossomed in my core as I was assaulted by sensations from both sides, and I shifted in my seat, pressing my legs together. I was on edge after the night before, and now this?

  Fuck. I was so fucked.

  "It's a surprise," I muttered, desperately trying to keep my thoughts in line. "Eli showed up at my house this morning and said we were leaving, but won't tell me anything."

  "I see. Well I hope you don't mind me tagging along?"

  Eli shook his head. "Of course not. The more the merrier."

  Really? I quirked my brow and looked at him. He'd sure seemed intent on some time as just the two of us.

  "We're here!" he said, motioning to a large clearing. It was at the edge of the Ridge, just before dropping into the forest that led to the Fort.

  We pulled to a stop, and both men hopped out. Lynk reached out to help me.

  I narrowed my eyes, but pressed my palm into his. It was strong and wide enough to swallow mine. He tugged on me and I stepped down … straight into his arms. Firm heat surrounded me everywhere as we toppled to the ground.

  I'd fucking tripped on the step! Oh gods. Today could not get any worse.

  When I opened my eyes, though, Lynk's chiseled face was directly in front of mine … silver eyes wide with surprise and something darker, his lips just inches from my own.

  My body, already hot, ached with something heavy and tense. I swallowed hard.

  I'd spoken too soon.

  Today was definitely getting worse.

  38

  Kaiya

  "Eh — am I interrupting something?" Eli's honeyed voice sounded far away as I stared at Lynk's mouth. If I leaned a bit closer …

  No! I jumped to my feet, brushing my skirt off quickly and forcing my heart to calm.

  Gods. What had I been thinking? Had I actually been about to kiss Lynk? And after the moment with Eli the night before?