Chapter 62. Victims

JACOB

The horse was in as much of a hurry as I was; it seemed like it could feel the world ending at our every step. My men followed me with the appropriate obedience, but they weren’t enough; I knew that well. I couldn’t enter a forest with an entire army; I had to take that risk.

I thought of Dove as we approached our destination; she was so different from the other women I had known. I would do anything for her to keep her by my side. I didn’t want to return with bad news. If Clarisa were dead, I would have to make a very important decision. Lion had threatened me, saying that I had to tell him the truth, but I didn’t know if I would. Her loss would break not only him but also my wife.

I wondered if she had chosen to stay when I gave her the choice. Of course, I would follow her wherever she wanted to go. I couldn’t imagine a life without her; that was just who I was. The idea of having to lie to her echoed in my head, and I wasn’t happy about it.

The ter