The Chosen Mate (3)

Elizabeth refused to cry, least Marcus know the satisfaction of his power of her. Her mind frantically searched for a solution. There had to be a way to escape. She couldn't stay here, forced to live with a centaur and be his slave. This was absurd. Unreal. "Hello there." Called a soft voice. The older woman she'd seen earlier entered the longhouse carrying a tray of food. Her graying hair was left loose over shoulders and she wore a fine gown of green that looked expensive. Elizabeth wondered at the beauty of such a gown. Did they make their clothes here? In her village, it was rare to find a gown as beautiful as this woman's, even in the shops that sold ready-made ones. "You are Orcanus's mate?" The older woman, with her lined face and kind smile nodded. "My name is Jewel. Marcus tells me your name is Elizabeth." Elizabeth nodded. Jewel set down the tray and took a seat herself. "I felt the same when I was brought here." And then she laughed softly. "When I was kidnapped." "Did you