Page 92 of Forsaken Secrets

35

Kaiya

Iyawned again as the clock struck six. Aunt Grace and Sylvie would be up shortly and I still hadn't made it to sleep. When Eli had dropped me off at the back gate, I'd checked for Aunt Grace, but she'd already fallen asleep. I'd climbed into bed, but my mind just kept replaying that almost-kiss, or whatever it was, for the rest of the night.

Finally, I'd gotten up and forced myself to look through the Reaper Guild paperwork. I'd been debating all night, and still hadn't decided.

Something had bothered Eli when I said I wanted to join. It shouldn't matter to me, but any time I tried to put my pen to the paper and sign, my heart started racing and I remembered that look on his face before he'd kissed me … or almost kissed me … or whatever it was.

No. I wasn't going to think about that anymore. It was over. Done with. We'd continue as friends and I wouldn't think of it again.

A sharp knock at the door had me sitting up straight, and I slid the paperwork beneath a couple of books stacked on the corner of my desk.

"Kaiya?" Sylvie's voice was impertinent, as always, and she slipped into the room, the door clicking shut behind her. "Did you stay up all night again?" She looked once around the room, taking in the barely rumpled bed and nightdress that I'd never put on. "You did. Of course you did. You know, it's hard to get things done when you don't sleep …"

I grimaced. She was right, of course, but it wasn't as though I hadn't tried.

"Will you be able to help with changing over the beds today?"

I groaned, but nodded. "I've been slacking on my duties around here. I'm so sorry. I'll be there, though."

Gods, I hated flipping the beds, but it needed to be done and I really had been slacking lately.

"Are you planning to talk with your aunt today?"

I nodded. "I finally have some good news, too."

"Finally." She helped loosen my gown and exchanged it for a new set. These were a deep green, one of my favorite colors.

I smiled at her. "Thanks, Sylvie. I know these past months can't have been easy for you."

"You know I wouldn't have it any other way, miss. It lets me care for Ma … and I happen to like your Aunt. You? Not so much." She winked. "But I make do."

I smiled and my eyes slid to the book that hid the Reaper papers. "If I had the opportunity to do what I wanted, but it meant that things would be harder for a while … do you think that would be worth it?"

She cocked her head to the side. "Perhaps. If it's something you love, I'm sure your aunt would support it. Is this to do with the Reapers?"

I nodded. "I think I found a way to stop the Ellingsworths, then this opportunity came up, and it made me think …"

"I'd do it, miss," she interrupted.

"But what about you? What would you do?" I stared at her as she adjusted my corset to fit better. Surely she wanted something beyond this life?

"I suppose …" she clucked her tongue as she tied the bottom row and started on my hair, " … If I had everything I needed and didn't have to worry, I'd open a food shop with Ma in the Capital. I've heard that you can make a fortune selling exotic food to the snobs there."

My jaw dropped. I'd had no idea! "You like cooking?"

She smiled. "I do! That's actually why your aunt hired me. I was training under Cook, but then Lord Calix passed and …"

I nodded, sadness tugging at me. "I'm sorry. Hopefully, someday we can have enough money that we'll hire you any help you want and you can leave to pursue your dreams of cooking more than eggs and oats.”

Her laugh was bright. "Thank you, miss, but I really am happy here. You just focus on yourself and that aunt of yours. You know she's been worried about you …"

I winced. "Yes. I know." I sighed deeply and rolled my shoulders. "I thought I'd make myself presentable and then throw myself at her feet and beg forgiveness."

Sylvie giggled and motioned for me to stand. "That would be quite a sight! She hasn't left for the shop yet, so you could probably meet her in the dining room if you hurry."

I looked in the mirror and smiled. She'd worked magic with my hair, as always!

Grabbing a shawl and sliding into my slippers, I took one more look at the room before slipping out. "Thanks, Sylvie. I'll see you later for the beds. Wish me luck!"

"Luck!" Her shouted word was muffled by the door, but it still made me smile.

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