Children of the Gods - A Chosen Novel by Monica Millard Read Free Book Online

bells.
The hole slowly opened. Griff turned as I stepped through the wall.
He froze mid turn.
    “Anaya!”
    My mind registered his shock but it was
quieted by the reverence I felt.
    “Did you—” I spun in a slow circle. “Did you
do this?” I asked finally able to form the full question.
    “I was only following orders.”
    I walked over to a large concentration of
Easter Lilies that now peppered the entire room, inhaling deeply as
I touched the silky petals. There was no scent like that of an
Easter Lily.
    “Thank you, Griff.” I kept my face turned
toward the flowers, smelling each one as I walked around the room,
the tears spilling silently. “This is the kindest thing anyone has
ever done for me.”
     
    Chapter 7
    The bells announced Jaxson’s arrival. He
peered in at me through the widening hole. I was so happy I did not
even mind the look of adoration that seemed to be increasing in
frequency and intensity.
    “Hungry?” he asked, holding his hand out.
    “Starving,” I said, standing to join him. His
eyes widened then swept over me, lingering on places that made me
blush.
    “I will have to compliment the tailor. He has
a perfect eye.”
    He took my hand to help me through the wall.
I tried not to notice how he continued to watch me like he was just
now discovering the joy of infatuation.
    “How was your day?” he whispered, leaning
close as we walked.
    “It was perfect.” I thought of the pond and
the flowers and the lamb. “How was yours?” I asked, remembering
myself.
    “It was also perfect.”
    The way he said it made me want to find out
why, but I did not want to have to share my day with him in
return.
    Curiosity got the best of me.
    “Oh? What made it perfect?”
    He seemed genuinely surprised by my question
and took a moment to speak.
    “I got to do something different today.” His
face brightened. “Something special.” There was a far off look in
his eyes. I squeezed his hand and he snapped back to reality. “And
I went outside.”
    “You went into the City?”
    “Well, not the City.”
    “You did not go into the woods did you? And
without Griff?” I stopped. “Are you limping?”
    I turned and stared forward, crossing my
arms. It was real concern I was feeling for him and not just the
kind you have for strangers. It was the proprietary kind you gain
when you care about someone. I wanted to run.
    “Are you angry?” he asked.
    “What if something happened to you? You
cannot think only of yourself. You have responsibilities.”
    “I am aware of my responsibilities. This ship
would survive just fine without me.” His tone was harsh.
    I turned away. “I am not talking about this
ship.”
    The silence was suffocating and I could not
bear to look at him, feeling like I did. So I started walking
without him. He caught up quickly and grabbed my shoulder, turning
me to him.
    “Everything I do, I do with you in mind.” He
pulled me into an embrace and I hated how safe it made me feel.
    Less than a week I shared his bed, and I
could not imagine life without him, even though I wanted to be free
of him, of them all. Internally I pleaded with Anaya to help me
hate him.
    I felt nothing from her, not even the normal
little things. Why was she absent when I needed her most? Was she
really so angry with me that she wasn’t going to help? All I needed
was her reassurance, but she remained silent.
    The light squeeze of my hand reminded me that
Jaxson, however, was here for me.
    Maybe this was what she wanted, someone else
to be his focus, but it did not make sense for her to push me to
rely on him. Eventually I would die, then what?
    “Are you hurt?” I finally broke the
silence.
    “I am just tired.” I examined his face trying
to see the truth there. He stopped trying to hide the limp. “And
just a little sore,” he added.
    As we approached the dining room, he
straightened and walked normally.
    They really were like sharks, and they could
smell blood. I did not want them to know he