Page 6 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

The tears gush down my face, my entire body shakes. I can’t hold back my grief any longer. In the safety of Harek’s presence, I can’t push down my pain for another moment.

“Eira, I’m so sorry.” My best friend pulls me into his arms and squeezes me so tightly against his chest I can barely breathe. “When did it happen? Did you get to say goodbye?”

My tears soak the fur on his jacket, making it smell even muskier than before. Somehow I manage to find the words. “She died just a little bit ago.” My voice cracks. “I barely had time to pack my things and sneak out. Mother no sooner took her final breath before I heard about Vog.”

“You want me to mess him up? I’ll do it. Just say the word. Or I can go for Gunnar. You know I’ve always wanted to put that scat weasel in his place.”

“No, forget about them.” I sniffle, choking back more sobs. “I’m running away. I’ll never have to see either of them ever again.”

“Fine, I’ll put them out of my mind for now. Let’s focus on you.” He pats my back. “Come with me.”

“Where?”

“My place. You need food and water.”

“I can’t. Me being there will put your family in danger.”

“We’ll deal with that later. What you need is time to mourn. You can stay with us as long as you need. My parents and I will go with you to the funeral.”

“Gunnar took that from me. I have to get out of Skoro. Staying isn’t an option—not even with you. Especially not with you. He’ll go after you and your parents. I’d never be able to live with myself.”

“We can handle him. That dung licker doesn’t know what… wait. Did you say you’re leaving? You can’t mean for good.”

“I have no other choice, Harek.”

“We’ll hide you. Lie to his face if it comes down to it. You’re staying with us, and I won’t take no for an answer.”

There’s no point arguing with him when he has his mind made up. At least I’m with someone who will take care of me. Maybe I can stay with Harek’s family during the mourning period before fleeing town. I could even watch the funeral from a distance.

Then I’ll be able to make a plan to figure out my fae heritage, crazy as that sounds. Seriously, will I ever get used to the fact that I’m part fae?

I should use the proper term. Halfling. I’m neither fae nor human.

At least I’m used to a life of not being accepted. Now I simply have another reason to be hated. Because of my very essence.

“Come on.” Harek takes my bags from me, heaves them onto his back, then guides me down the road. We stay near the edge of the tree line, making it harder for anyone to see us.

It’s nice to have someone taking care of me. I wish I could tell him my secret, but I can’t share that I’m a halfling—not even with him.

Nobody can know. My mother was right about that much.

I’ll spend a few days with him, enjoying some last moments and memories with my best friend before taking off on my new journey. After that, I’ll find both my father and my destiny then start my new life… whatever that might look like. That’ll depend on whether my one remaining parent accepts me.

Given when my mother was pregnant she fled from him—I can only assume, since she didn’t have time to tell me much—he must not have wanted anything to do with their child. Or he didn’t realize Mother was only human when they got together. Finding out would’ve been unacceptable.

It isn’t like fae look any different in their natural form. I’ve only seen a few in my time, but had I not known what they were, I’d have just thought they were like anyone else. Hopefully things will make more sense once I’m out in the wild and reach my first fae territory.

Before I know it, we reach Harek’s home. It’s small compared to mine—myformerhome—but it works for his little family. His father doesn’t see having kids as building his empire. Not like Gunnar, who wanted Mother popping out babies one after another so they would all work the farm for him. Everyone except me, because I don’t look like him. If I had his pale hair, eyes, and skin, would he want me to stay instead of selling me for a dowry? Probably not. Regardless of my appearance, my very existence is a reminder he wasn’t the first man in Mother’s life, and Gunnar wants to be first at everything. That alone could be why he hates me so much. Or it could be one of a dozen other things. Whatever the reason, I really don’t care. I’m about to start my own adventure.

Harek pulls me into his house and immediately sets a glass of water on the table in front of me.

I gulp it down, only now realizing how parched I am. All my crying must have dehydrated me. I’d mostly held it together until I saw him. Something about Harek breaks through my walls.

“What are you hungry for?” he asks.

“Nothing.” My stomach roars loudly.

He lifts a brow. “Really?”

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