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Rune ignored the creature, glancing over the simple dwelling as his night breeze rushed away from him, into her room. He took a breath, fighting for patience. How she could hold on to this place— This village, with all he could offer? She clung to her old life with such desperation, unable to see how ill-suited it was for her.
It is her preference, we bow to her will, the Ra’Voshnik purred.
She preferred this hovel because it was all she knew.She deserves more than this.
It is not our place to question her.
Rune tuned out the Ra’Voshnik as Faye returned to him. Anger simmering in her gaze. “Are you invisible?”
“I will not be detected by your Anarians,” he answered.
Faye exited her home and Rune followed, closing the door behind him. He walked beside her in silence. He resented the rags she dressed in but held his tongue, knowing she would only dig her heels in. He appreciated her fiery nature but couldn’t fathom why she held so tightly to this miserable life.
The unpaved road they walked dusted his shoes. Rune turned toward her. Her long silken black hair fell in a glossy sheet down her back, shining in the afternoon sun. She was lovely to behold even in her subpar garments. His night breeze was an enigma. A beautiful puzzle he was eager to solve.
“I would like to understand you,” Rune began. Faye gave him a sideward glance and he continued, “Why do you cling to this?”
The Ra’Voshnik clawed at his awareness.Stop talking.
She rolled her eyes at him and looked forward. “Why do you?”
“I would not cling to this,” Rune paused, looking for a term that would cause the least amount of offense to his queen as the creature ordered him to remain silent. “Lifestyle,” Rune said after a time.
“Why do I have to change for you? You could just as easily live in Anaria.” She shot him a pointed look. “Join my circles.”
Revulsion filled Rune, surely, she jested. “Weare dark-blooded, as far removed from the Anarians as they are from the animals they herd.”
Rune realized he’d misspoke as Faye’s eyes blazed with fury. “They are not fucking animals.”
“Apologies, I did not mean to offend you.”
She grew more flustered with every word he spoke.
Shut up. You are turning her from us.
Rune fell silent as her village came into view. How could she prefer this? Rune scented livestock and unwashed bodies. The odor grew thicker as they entered the meager village. Rune tensed expecting the Ra’Voshnik to seize on what it would consider prey. To his surprise, it ignored the villagers and remained focused on Faye.
Rune’s gaze fell to a small altar burning at the center of the open square. He stepped away from Faye to glance at the offerings and his brow lowered. These mortals burned offerings to The Creator, Saith.
His mentor’s voice dragged through his mind.All my efforts on you will be wasted.
Their efforts were wasted. Saith would never lower himself to acknowledge an Anarian and his one-time mentor was long dead.
Rune turned back to Faye, watching as she smiled warmly, speaking to several of the villagers. Darkness, he would commit atrocities for her to look at him with that same affection and acceptance.
Bow to her will and she shall.
Be silent.
Rune stepped around a young girl leading a goat as he made his way back to her. He surveyed the handful of shops and homes, attempting to find anything here he would prefer.
He found nothing redeemable.
Faye continued on her way, ignoring him entirely. She entered a store where she traded her potions for a miniscule amount of coin. He wanted to set up an account for her but worried his hot-tempered minx would take offense.
She entered a store that sold remedial confections next and the confection clerk’s pulse increased. Rune stepped into the shop and parted his lips, taking a slow inhalation. The male’s want crossed his tongue and Rune tensed.
Kill him! Tear his head from his shoulders!
