Wicked Path (The Daath Chronicles Book 2) by Eliza Tilton Read Free Book Online

months of feeling confused about what had happened in Daath, I’d finally found peace in making beaded necklaces and working for my grandfather. No longer did Lucino haunt my mind. While I did miss parts of what we shared, our relationship was a lie… it had to be.
    No, I wouldn’t dwell on him. I had promised myself I wouldn’t after I had left Lakewood and hurt Derrick by refusing his proposal. He didn’t understand why I said no, and how could I explain it to him? Leaving had been my only choice.
    Poppa had screamed and yelled when I mentioned staying with Grandfather. He couldn’t understand why I wanted to leave, especially when I had just returned, but I needed time to heal. I couldn’t do that with Derrick so hurt, Avikar not home, and Jimri gone.
    Staying with Grandfather wasn’t supposed to be permanent. A few weeks, nothing more.
    “Jeslyn, food’s getting cold!”
    “Coming!” I put the brush away and dashed downstairs.
    Ms. Gen sat at the wooden table, breaking off a piece of fanna that she handed to Grandfather. She had a glint in her eye whenever he smiled at her. She never spoke about her true feelings, but any sensible person could see how they truly cared for one another.
    “Good evening, Ms. Gen,” I said, sitting in the chair next to her. “How was your day?”
    Ms. Gen’s curly gray hair was pinned up in sections and framed her face, the curls accentuating her round cheeks. “Business was good. I tried a new recipe today. Grooben bread.”
    “Ugh, no one should try to make anything with that smelly fish.” Grandfather frowned.
    Ms. Gen pointed her fork at him. “That’s exactly why I made it. That fish is good for the skin. And I’ll be a soiled pig if those sailors didn’t eat every last piece.”
    Grandfather grumbled.
    “I bet it tasted delicious,” I said.
    Ms. Gen smiled. “You are always such a dear. Your grandfather could learn a few manners from you.”
    “I’ve got perfect manners.”
    “Hmpf. Manners like a grumpy old dog.”
    I smiled in between bites. I prayed one day they’d both get over their stubbornness and wed.
    Ms. Gen was a fabulous cook, and the trout she made nearly melted in my mouth. Butter, thyme, and lemon smothered the fish, and every time I bit into it, I sighed. Food at Luna Harbor differed from Lakewood. With a sea full of fish just outside, there was plenty to eat. Every day, one could try a new fish or crab, and sometimes the sailors brought back giant lobsters that sold out before they could all be unloaded. I had never eaten such a variety of dishes before.
    “Harold tells me you’re becoming quite the jeweler,” Ms. Gen said.
    Grandfather smiled and I blushed. “He’s taught me a lot.”
    “I may have taught you, but it’s your eye that turns those necklaces into real beauty.”
    I was proud of how far I had come in my training. One day, I hoped to be as good as Grandfather was.
    “Jeslyn will run this shop once I’m gone, and she’ll be the best jeweler this land has ever seen.”
    “Grandfather…”
    “I believe that,” Ms. Gen said. “You have a real talent, dear.”
    “Thank you.”
    I’d tried my best to make the necklaces and bracelets like Grandfather did. At first, beading was just a way to clear my mind of the past. It gave me focus. The more I learned about the art of beading, the further I fell in love with the craft. I’d even begun choosing my own shells along the shoreline. Now, I spent my free time searching for the perfect shells and beading them into beautiful gifts.
    My technique had improved, and Grandfather spoke of letting me wrap a few gemstones—none of the precious ones, of course—but he had a few rough gems I could practice with. Wrapping the gems in thin metal seemed simple enough, and my time watching Derrick work the forge had taught me a little about bending metal.
    The weight of Lucino’s emerald locket pressed against my skin. Many times, I’d thought of selling the necklace, but I