Page 15 of Married By Treachery

However.

Jake appeared to be willing to talk, and perhaps if she indulged him in this, he would answer some of her questions. Namely: who in the heavens deserved her vengeance now? If Adina still lived, what had happened to the other five brides? Why had Jake come this time, and what did he plan to do with her?

Besides, she couldn’t run blindly into the mist, and while she was determined, she wasn’t an idiot. If she was to escape and find a way to put an end to Harran’s suffering, she needed an accurate picture of her circumstances.

In her deliberation, Jake added, “I won’t bite.” He flashed his teeth in jest, but something wild danced in his eyes.

Raquel was swiftly reminded that he was not human. He waskith. As dangerous as he was beautiful—and hewasbeautiful.

Jake arched a brow and leaned forward in his chair. “Unless you want me to, my bride.”

“Mynameis Raquel,” Raquel snapped. “And the only thing I want is for you to answer my questions.”

Jake sat back in his chair and let his goblet dangle from his long fingers. “Careful what you wish for…Raquel.” His gaze flickered to her, full of derision. “Answers don’t always speak in a language we understand, and even when they do, they oftentimes reveal things we do not wish to know.”

“I am willing to take my chances.”

Jake sighed and dragged his goblet to his lips. “They always are,” he murmured, and he took another sip.

Raquel wondered at that comment, but only briefly, and took a step forward, then another, until she found herself standing opposite Jake. His gaze lifted to hers, where it locked, following her every motion until she sat primly down in the chair opposite him.

“Relax,” he said.

“I am relaxed.”

“You’re sitting like you’ve got a sword at your back.” And then he pulled his goblet away and eyed her. “Doyou have a sword at your back?”

“If I do, you’re losing your touch.”

His eyes gleamed all over her. “Unlikely.”

“And anyway,” she continued, ignoring the sudden warmth that filled her belly, “youabducted me from my home—”

“You offered yourself…”

“—and then you dragged me through a forest—”

“That was my horse, actually.”

“You took all of my daggers—”

“Save the one you tried to murder me with a moment ago…”

“—andlocked me in a room… How can youpossiblyexpect me to relax?”

He frowned. “Do you find your bedchamber inadequate?”

“Prison,” she amended.

“You callthata prison? Clearly, I have underestimated your upbringing—”

Raquel growled in frustration. “Would you just…” She’d raised a hand as if to throttle him or grasp hold of all the words thathad beenthere a second ago, but then Jake gave her that infuriating smile again. “This is all just a game to you, isn’t it?”

“Life is a game, my bride. One long, exhausting game. We win. We lose.” He raised his goblet. “And we drink to endure it all.”

Raquel regarded him flatly. “How inspiring.”

“That is wisdom you mortals can never quite comprehend, given your meager little lifespans. You’re welcome.” He tipped his goblet toward her.

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