Adela's Curse by Claire M Banschbach

Author:Claire M Banschbach [Banschbach, Claire M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Campitor Press
Published: 2018-02-10T22:00:00+00:00

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When they arrived back at the castle Adela excused herself, saying that she would rejoin Stefan before dinner. She went to her room. There, she fingered the grass bracelet as she listened for Marek. She had learned to identify when he was focused on her. His presence was dim in her mind, meaning she had a few moments of privacy to contact Damian.

Unsure what to do, she closed her eyes and whispered, “Damian, please come. I need your help.”

An instant tug of concern came from his faint presence connected to her through the grass bracelet.

“No, I’m all right. But something’s been hurt, a creature, and I don’t know what to do.”

She felt no response. A quick pang of despair replaced her hope that he had understood. Then Marek invaded her consciousness.

“I almost worried about you today. How moving, that you remind Count Stefan of his dear lost love!”

Adela made no reply, distracted by trying to tamp down the swirling emotions from the fight and the possibility of seeing Damian again, before Marek could latch on to any of them.

“Do I sense that you are falling for the count too?”

“No!”

“Not that it matters, because I don’t want to wait much longer. I’ll let you know when the time comes. And just remember what will happen if you try and disobey me.” Marek’s presence faded with that last threat.

Adela sank onto the bed, fighting back tears.

For the thousandth time, she wished that she knew a way out of this.

Brygida came rushing in a few minutes later.

“I just heard the news!” she exclaimed. “You were so brave.”

Adela forced a smile. “No, not really. I was frightened the whole time. I think the griffin decided I was moving too fast and left.”

Brygida shook her head in admiration. “I still think it’s the bravest thing I’ve heard in a long time. But you’d better get changed. It’s not too long until dinner now.”

The hall buzzed with the events of the day, and Adela found herself lauded for what everyone considered to be a sacrificial deed.

“She saved us from that awful thing!” Lady Cecylia loudly exclaimed.

“How did you drive it away?” a lord asked her.

“I didn’t,” Adela said, readying her same response. “It must have decided that I was too small to be worth anything.”

There were a few chuckles.

Stefan spoke for the first time that night. “I’m glad it did.”

The head table fell silent. Adela felt a twinge of sadness. Daniele. Everyone knew what had been on the count’s mind. They had let him be until now, speaking in delicate terms about the creature.

“I hear you want to go back out tomorrow, my lord?” someone asked.

Stefan set his jaw. “Yes, the griffin needs to be dealt with. I don’t want it to harm anyone.”

There were a few volunteers among the lords before the subject was changed for the count’s sake.

To Adela, the meal seemed to drag on forever. She didn’t know when Damian would come to help. She only knew that he would be able to find her.

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