Free Children of the Gods - A Chosen Novel by Monica Millard Page A

a soft kiss to my shoulder.
    “Are you feeling up to this?” he asked. I
nodded and leaned against him. “Are you sure?”
    I took his hand in answer, and led him out of
the room.
    As we walked through the dining hall all eyes
were on us, as usual, but only a few openly stared.
    “Anaya!” Duester called out in an overly
friendly tone that sounded more poisonous than pleasant. She
approached with caution. Both Griff and Jaxson took defensive
positions around me.
    “There is no need for this concern, my
friend.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I only want to pay Anaya
a compliment.”
    Neither Griff nor Jaxson relaxed. I shrugged.
“You cannot fault my boys for their devotion.” I stepped forward
into a false embrace, touching each cheek to hers.
    “No, I certainly cannot. In fact, this new
host Jaxson chose is clearly bringing out a lust for life I have
not seen from you in hundreds of years. I can see why he would be
protective of it.”
    “Yes, she is strong. We do enjoy her.” I
stroked my hands against my sides and slid them down to my
hips.
    There was a glint of menace in her eyes.
“Maybe I will take her sister when she is of age.” She smiled a
wicked smile.
    I smiled back, but I am sure she could see
the flames burning in my eyes. “Yes, I believe she would suit
you.”
    “Oh?” Her eyebrows arched.
    “Yes, the girl is also missing important
parts.” My smile widened as hers disappeared. “Have you never
noticed the limp? I believe the girl is lame.”
    She turned and stormed away. I gritted my
teeth and tried to steady my breathing. My heart thundered in my
ears. My thoughts drifted to the knife I was only recently aware
was stealthily tucked into Jaxson’s pant leg. To keep from crying,
I imagined plunging it deep into Duester’s back, finishing what
Lennie started.
    Jaxson put his hand on my shoulder, and I
looked up to see the concern in his eyes. It softened me. I did not
want to feel soft. After the previous night, I could not afford to.
So I took his hand and looked away.
    My thoughts kept returning to Anaya as I ate,
but I needed to focus on the current issue. Duester. She continued
to send stares my way that chilled me to the bone. There was the
question; if she was out to hurt Anaya, why did she threaten my
family? Did she know?
    The walk back to the room was a quiet one. It
made the echo of Griff’s footsteps more obvious, like a percussive
reminder that I was a prisoner here, and there was no escape.
    “Are you okay?” Jaxson asked as we stopped in
front of the room.
    “I am. Why do you ask?”
    He traced his fingers over my eyebrow, across
my temple and down my cheek. He smiled, but his eyes seemed
sad.
    “I know you are fond of this one.” He brushed
his finger across the tip of my nose. “Duester’s comments have
upset you.”
    I nodded.
    “We will keep her away from Reka’s family. Do
not let her trouble your mind.” He leaned in and kissed my nose. “I
will be back before dinner, maybe sooner,” he said, turning to
Griff. My guard nodded and followed me into the room.
    Griff took up his post in the chair Jaxson
made for him. His dark eyes felt like they were probing my soul now
that we were alone in the room with nothing standing between
us.
    Again, thoughts of Anaya invaded my brain.
She was the worst kind of selfish, leaving me to fend off her
enemies, and now she had robbed me of all my allies. Even Griff,
sitting there watching me, looked guilty. He too, played a part in
the circumstances that brought me here.
    “Do you intend to just stare at me for the
next four hours?”
    “You know I am required.”
    “Do not act like you are just a servant,
Griff.”
    “I am as free as you.”
    The silence that followed his words was
oppressive. What could I say to that? Did it mean Jaxson would do
anything to keep him too?
    “I am tired. I think I will get some
rest.”
    “Yes, it has been a draining morning. Sleep
will help bring you clarity.” He nodded his