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He gives a small smile. “Think about it like watching an incredible athlete win a race. You might say that you could never do that. But, technically, our bodies are made to do some incredible things. With the right training, maybe not everyone could win a race, but it’s possible.”
I frown and stare down at the ancient book on his table and the scribbling of notes on a paper beside it. “So with all your practicing, you haven’t been able to prove you can use their powers yet?”
He sighs. “Not yet. But I think I’m close. And I think the order has realized that I’ve stolen texts that could prove who they are and that they’ve purposely set out to make the world believe that dark and light fae are different.”
I turn away from the desk and stare at this man. This incredible man. I’m not sure I can ever believe that a light fae can learn the powers of a dark fae. But the thing is, I believe thathebelieves it. And for some reason, that’s enough for me.
He moves closer to me and tucks my hair behind my ear.
A shudder moves through my body in response, and I feel myself leaning into him. It’s strange. I’m not a virgin, but I’m also not the kind of woman who feels this comfortable with a man so quickly. I usually prefer a bit of a personal bubble until I get to know someone. But it’s like with him, we already know each other on some deep, profound level. Now, we just need to learn the surface things.
“What do you think, my Ann? Am I a fool? Is this quest of mine doomed to fail?”
I look up into those dark blue eyes of his, and my breath catches. In his face, I can see that this is not something he can walk away from. And realizing that makes something else hit me. Thisispersonal to him. Technically, he takes after his mother. But does his sister? Are the rumors about her true? Is that what this is all about? Saving a young woman?
My heart aches.
“You wouldn’t ever abandon this, even if I begged you to, because it impacts someone you love. Right?”
His hand drops, as does his gaze.
I cup his chin and force him to look at me. “You don’t have to say it. You never have to admit it. But it’s okay. I won’t ask you to stop this quest. All I ask is that you include me in it. If we’re mates, and this is important to you, then it’s important to me too.”
To my surprise, he reached behind his neck, unclasps a chain, and lifts a stone from under his shirt. A gasp catches in the back of my throat. It’s the largest, most exquisite blood stone I’ve ever seen in my life. These gems are only found on the lands owned by the Bloodmores, and they’re considered rare and precious.
“I want you to have this.”
I feel my eyes widen, and I’m already shaking my head. That stone could buy an island. It could buy things my family could never even imagine. “I can’t. Someone like me would look ridiculous wearing something so rare and precious.”
Thunder seems to crash over his face. “Someone likeyou? What the hell does that mean?”
I struggle to find the words. Does he really not know? He must. But I’ll explain the truth if he wants me to. “I’m plain, Rayne. I’m not the smartest or the prettiest. I don’t come from some amazing family. People would laugh seeing me wear something that beautiful.”
His movements are oddly well controlled as he fastens the chain around my neck. “Let’s get something straight right here and now. There is nothing plain about you. The blood stone pales in comparison to not only your beauty but also your good heart. If anyone says a word otherwise, they will see why the Bloodmores have been feared for so long.”
I swallow hard. Maybe I should be worried as the heavy stone falls on my chest. With any other man this might feel like a collar around my throat. But with Rayne, it feels like he’s given me wings. Like he’s just given me permission to be exactly who I am, like that’s enough for him, and that he’ll protect me in a way I’ve never been protected before.
I draw in a deep breath and move to close the distance between us, but something about the twist of my hip and drawing a deep breath at the same time makes pain shoot from my ribs. Instead of kissing him and showing him just how much I valued his words, I’m suddenly gasping and gripping my side.
“What is it?” His arms are around me in an instant.
Shaking my head, I close my eyes. I’m embarrassed. I want this man to know me, everything about me, but not this weakness. Not yet.
Before I can stop him, he lifts my shirt to reveal my stomach, and it feels as if the room drops several degrees. “What happened?” he asks, and there’s shock and barely controlled fury in his voice.
I open my eyes and stare at his horrified expression, then down at my horribly bruised and battered body. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not.”
For some reason, tears gather in my eyes. “My stepfather just gets angry sometimes.”
He’s silent for a long minute. “Is this the worst of it?”
I can’t even answer him, because no, it’s not. My whole body looks like this right now, and I’m mortified that he now knows. This man I’m supposed to marry, to love for eternity. He knows that someone treated me like a worthless punching bag.
“I want to see all of you,” he says softly.
I meet his gaze. “It’s bad,” is all I can manage.
