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Faye crossed her legs and faced him, her expression solemn. “Our village has an Anarian healer, but without magic there is only so much she can do. I do what I can to help my village.”
His night breeze carried responsibilities for a village she should have never belonged to. Responsibilities, he realized, she would never relinquish. “I could hire a healer for the village. Perhaps some other vendors and rebuild some of the homes.”
Faye’s gaze softened and Rune’s heart leapt into his throat. Darkness, did he finally find the right path with her?
“You would do that for me?”
“I would do a great many things for you.”
Faye took his hand, brushing her thumb over his knuckles. “Thank you.”
Her small gesture moved him so deeply. Rune gave her hand a light squeeze. “I will arrange for the village to be cared for, and we could perhaps use your newly found free time to learn court protocol.”
Faye’s mouth went slack as she pulled her hand away. Her slight frame going rigid. “I will still visit my village every month.”
“Vsenia, dark-bloods do not belong in Anaria.”
Faye pulled further away from him, bringing her knees up. “I’m not a dark-blood. Anaria is my home.”
Rune exhaled and spoke gently, willing her to understand. “You are dark-blooded and you should never have been abandoned to that village.” Rune couldn’t understand why Faye would choose a dirt road village over what he offered. She should be glad she wasn’t one of them.
She stood, taking her basket.
“Faye.”
She ignored him, marching out of the gardens.
How could she be so stupid? Faye clenched her jaw. She thought he finally understood her. That his geriatric brain finally clicked, and he could see why she was loyal to her people.
No, she was an idiot, and he was trying to buy her.
Rune materialized in front of her, catching her against him. She pulled away, shoving at his chest. “Don’t magic in front of me.”
“Tell me what I’ve done to anger you,” he said too gently. His pale blue gaze was pleading.
Faye made an exasperated noise. “That I have to tell you is the issue.”
Rune exhaled, stepping closer to her. “That you refuse to speak to me is the issue. I cannot learn if you never offer the context of your mind.”
“You want me to abandon my village!” Faye screamed.
He took her hand, giving her a gentle squeeze. “You are not one of them. You do not belong there.”
“Why am I the only one that has to change? Why don’t you give up your life?”Why can’t you accept me?
“I am where I belong. Where you belong.”
Tears pricked her eyes. “I don’t want to belong here.”
Rune stabbed his fingers through his hair. “You will never let go of that village.”
“You don’t want me.” He would never accept her.
Rune looked at her like she’d struck him. “You are the only woman I will ever want.”
Faye pulled her hand away, embracing her fury to keep her tears at bay. “You want the idea of your dark-blooded queen. Not the minx who wears rags and won’t abandon her village.” Rune reached for her, and she took a retreating step. “I’m not one of you. If you want me, you need to start with accepting me as I am. Not what you think I should be.”
Rune nodded at her, taking a slow step toward her. “I am sorry.”
