Free Griffin's Daughter by Leslie Ann Moore Page B

it’s even more urgent that we leave Amsara as soon as possible. Since you have no idea when this ability of yours will choose to manifest again, we can’t take any chances that it will flare up in front of witnesses.”
    “ How am I going to tell Claudia?” Jelena murmured sadly. “How can I tell her that I have to leave her?”
    “ Just tell her the truth, Jelena,” Magnes responded. He reached out to tenderly stroke her hair. “She’ll be terribly sad, but she’ll understand.”
    “ I know, but it’s still so hard. I don’t know if I have the strength.”
    “ You are the strongest person I know, Jelena Preseren,” Magnes said. He leaned in and lightly brushed her forehead with his lips. “You’ll get through this, and I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
    “ I know you will,” Jelena said. You always are.

Chapter 6
    A Story, A Gift, And A Clue
    Jelena did not feel steady enough to return to the kitchen until well past mid-day. Unable to conceal the ugly bruise that discolored the left side of her face, she endured the stares and whispers of the other drudges in cold silence. Her thoughts were consumed with escape—she would need to plan carefully if she were to succeed—and how best to break the news to Claudia.
    Ruby steered clear of her most of the time, and when she did have to pass near, she pointedly refused to even so much as glance at Jelena. Jelena couldn’t tell if the other woman felt motivated by a newfound respect for her former victim or by fear of Jelena’s newly revealed abilities. If Ruby was aware of Jelena’s magic, she gave no direct sign.
    The mellow gold light of late afternoon had faded to the purple shadows of evening by the time Claudia came to the kitchen in search of her foster daughter. “Gods preserve us!” she exclaimed in dismay upon seeing the bruise staining Jelena’s face. “What happened, child?”
    “ Nothing, Heartmother. I fell, that’s all,” Jelena lied, unable to meet Claudia’s discerning stare.
    “ Don’t lie t’me, child. Tell me what truly happened,” Claudia demanded, taking Jelena’s chin in her hand and turning her face first one way and then the other, as if hunting for clues.
    “ Please, Heartmother, not here,” Jelena whispered imploringly. “After the evening meal…I’ve something very important to tell you.” Claudia frowned, clearly upset, but she did not press. Jelena gave her a quick hug and hurried off to fetch plates and cups for their supper. 
    When the last dish had been put away and the kitchen fires were banked for the night, only then could Jelena return to the small room she shared with Claudia. Her foster mother waited for her, nervous anticipation evident in the way she held her large body, much like a she-bear poised to leap against any danger that might threaten her cub.
    Jelena sat down beside Claudia on the edge of her bed and in a soft voice told her all that had happened in the duke’s study that morning. “I can live as a kitchen drudge or a maid… even a stablehand if need be, but I’ll not live as any man’s slave, Heartmother.”
    “ You’d have a far better life bein’ the concubine of a duke, child, than you’d ever have otherwise,” Claudia responded gently.
    “ I’d still be a slave!” Jelena cried. “Duke Sebastianus would own me like he owns his horses or his cattle, and he would be free to use or abuse me however he wishes. No. I won’t let my uncle dispose of me like a spare piece of livestock!” Jelena paused, took a deep breath, and forged ahead. “I’ve decided to leave Amsara Castle.”
    Claudia’s lower lip began to tremble. The fire hissed and crackled in the grate. The room suddenly felt overheated and stuffy. Jelena edged closer to her foster mother, and waited for the storm to break.
    Claudia let out a wail and began to bawl uncontrollably.
    “ Please, Heartmother, don’t cry!” Jelena begged as she fell into her foster mother’s arms. She tried to hold back