Page 28 of Married By Treachery

“They’rechildren.”

“Yes, but they’reourchildren.”

Raquel set the goblet on the chair’s armrest. “And? I have no grievance with them simply because they are yours.”

“But theybecomeus.”

“Is their future already decided? Have they no choice? Perhaps an act of kindness from a mortal is all they need in order tobecomesomething different.” Raquel shifted beneath the new intensity in his gaze. She didn’t quite know what to do withseriousJake. “Anyway, whatever their futures, they are still innocent, and I wanted to help them if I could.”

Still, he studied her. “Have your…objectives changed, then?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

He bent his legs and sat forward as he looked at her. “You are not behaving like a woman set on exacting vengeance upon the people responsible for ‘murdering’ her dearest friend.” He made quotes in the air with his fingers around that one word.

“I’m exacting vengeance on a person, not a people, and those children had nothing to do with Adina. I won’t make them suffer for what Edom has done.”

“But you want Edom to suffer.”

“That depends: You say Adina lives, but what of the others?”

Jake’s silence was answer enough, and Raquel gripped her goblet so tightly her knuckles blanched.

“Why, Jake?” she demanded.

His lips parted, but then his brow furrowed and he closed his mouth. “I cannot answer that,” he said a moment later.

“Cannot orwillnot?”

A muscle ticked in his jaw, and he considered her. “Is that why you took my coat? You saw an opportunity to escape, and you thought my coat would disguise you, despite my saying it wouldn’t?”

“That’s not why I took your coat. I took it to hide my hair”—Jake’s brows shot up—“and anyway, the matter of your coat pales in comparison to the fact that five of Harran’s women are nowdeadbecause of you!”

“Because of Edom.”

"You didn’t exactly help them!”

“Neither did your elders, and I don’t see you exacting yourrighteousvengeance upon them.”

At this, Raquel stammered and fumed. He had a point, curse him!

“Suffice it to say,” Jake continued, raising his goblet and tilting it, “we all play a role in this game that is life. Edom made his moves, as did your elders. Now it is my turn.” He took a sip from his goblet.

“And what, pray, is your next move, Highness?” Raquel cut back.

Jake lowered the goblet and licked his lips. “I am reevaluating at present.”

“Because I’ve been asleep the past two days?”

He looked at her over his goblet. “More because my coat has been rendered functionally useless.”

Oh. Then, “How is that?”

Jake sighed, lowered his goblet, and looked to the flames. “There’s a large gash across the front that severed all of the enchantments, thanks to your little scuffle with thatoversized rat.” He glanced sideways at her.

That gash probably mirrored her new scar. “Can it be fixed?”

“By the one who made it, yes. I think.”

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