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“It’s Cael’s hatred that will force me to kill him. He’s left me no choice.”
“What about your parents? Can’t they—”
“Our father is dead. And Cael’s mother murdered mine.”
“Oh.”
Judah picked up his suitcase. “Show me to a room near Eve.”
“The closest room to Eve’s, other than the nanny’s connecting room, is mine.”
“Is that an invitation?” Judah’s lips curved into a suggestive smile.
“Perhaps it is.” Mercy’s lips mimicked his, a smile without warmth or sincerity. “But if you come to my bed, you’ll have to sleep with one eye open to prevent me from murdering you in your sleep.”
“As tempting as the offer is…”
“There’s a guest room at the end of the hall. You can stay there tonight.”
“And tomorrow night?”
“You’ll be gone,” Mercy told him. “You and I will settle this matter tomorrow, and then you’ll leave the sanctuary and never return.”
As Judah studied her, she felt him probing her thoughts.
Don’t even try, she warned him.
If I show you a little bit of mine, will you show me a little bit of yours?
No!
Aren’t you the least bit curious? he asked.
No!
Liar.
“Come upstairs with me. I’ll take you to your room,” Mercy said aloud. “And when you wake later this morning, be sure to stay close to the house. If you venture too far away during the day, someone might see you and question who you are.”
“Don’t you think I could pass myself off as a Raintree?”
“Not with those ice-cold gray eyes of yours.”
“Point well made,” Judah said.
Mercy led him up the stairs to the second floor. He paused as they passed Eve’s room, pushed open the door halfway and looked inside at his sleeping daughter.
“Why do you suppose her eyes are Raintree green?”
“Because she is Raintree,” Mercy replied.
When Judah entered Eve’s bedroom, Mercy followed but didn’t try to stop him.
He halted beside the mattress, where Eve rested on her tummy, her arms thrown out on her pillow on either side of her head. He reached down and touched her long, pale hair.
Mercy held her breath. He lifted Eve’s hair, then parted it with his fingers to reveal the distinct blue crescent moon birthmark that proclaimed her heritage. The brand of the Ansara.
Judah allowed Eve’s hair to fall back into place. He caressed her little head, then turned, looked at Mercy and smiled. And for that one moment Mercy saw love in Judah’s eyes. Love for his daughter.
