CHAPTER 59

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 could she 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 turned 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 didn't 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!

Rune dragged the Ra'Voshnik below the surface as the clerk smiled at Faye, leaning his hip on the counter. He filled her order and brushed his fingertips over hers as he collected her payment.

Rune left the shop, stifling a growl. He was not jealous of an Anarian candy merchant.

Faye met his gaze for a moment before brushing past him. In a hushed whisper, she asked, "Why is your eyeliner showing?"

Rune didn't answer, following her along a dirt path north. It led out of the village and ended as they reached the top of the hill. She turned to him wide-eyed. "You did this?"

Faye could only stare at aunty Clara's house. The lawn was covered with thick grass, and the gate was rebuilt. The large house was repaired and repainted, white with red trim. It looked better than it did when she was a child. It looked… new.

Rune returned her look with one of confusion. He caned his head and said, "I kept my terms of our bargain. Is this not what you required?"

Faye threw her arms around him, pulling away before anyone saw her hugging nothing. She couldn't find the words to express her gratitude. "Thank you," stumbled from her lips.

She turned from him and hurried to the gate. The children all wore matching uniforms. Adults with the same outfits walked the grounds with the children. The little ones squealed her name as they ran to her. Faye needed to talk to Aunty Clara. She spotted one of the older girls and stood on her toes to wave. "Kimber!"

The tall brunette smiled and walked over to Faye. She turned sixteen this year and had an interest in making potions like Faye to support herself when she outgrew aunty Clara's house.

"Kimber will give you your treats, guys," Faye informed the children, dropping an arm around the younger ones that hugged her waist.

Kimber took the package and beamed. "Can you believe it? Aunty Clara has workers, and we have teachers. We even have horses."

"How did this happen?" Faye could hardly believe all the changes.

"The High Queen. She rebuilt the orphan homes in five villages."

Faye smiled as she grappled with the new details. The High Queen? That bitch didn't do this. Faye's temper flared, thinking of the High Queen's parting words to her.

Feel free to call your court to war against the Shadow Prince.

Faye turned back to Rune, his expression revealing nothing as he trailed behind her.

"Darkness, look at all the candy Faye gave me!" Kimber clutched the bag to her chest.

"It's not only for you."

"Hey, that's for all of us."

The small children gave chase as Kimber ran off to the new swing set and slides.

Faye stood overwhelmed for a moment. Rune came up beside her, his expression concerned. She smiled up at him. "You got them teachers and a staff."

"This is how orphans are cared for. Did they require something additional?"

This was not how orphans were cared for. Was this normal in Necromia? "You gave the High Queen credit and did this in five villages."

"It would be suspicious if I only rebuilt this orphanage and claimed credit. Lyssa rules this land. The people should look at her."

The high bitch didn't deserve credit for Rune's kindness.Kindness you blackmailed him into,she couldn't help but remind herself. Faye pushed the thought aside. She didn't care how it happened. The home she loved was restored.

Aunty Clara came out to the porch, and Faye waved, rushing to the old woman to hug her in greeting. Faye went about restocking the supplies and found every drawer full. All her tonics and ointments were stocked, and there were other jars and vials she didn't recognize.

The old woman swatted her bottom as she entered the kitchen. "The High Queen set up accounts to Necromia for all that. You don't need to worry about us."

Faye sat with the old woman, conflicted. She was glad they had supplies, and the repairs were made. What would Faye do now that she didn't need to help out around here?

Movement caught her eye as Rune glided past the doorway. Faye guessed he took a seat on one of the chairs outside.

Aunty Clara made tea as they sat. They talked for hours, gossiping and eating pastries. The elderly woman recounted all the mischief the children were getting into and went on to explain all the renovations and her small staff.

"I sent one of the boys to your place to have you come to dinner, but they said you weren't home." Aunty Clara's day-blood shard glimmered as it swirled into itself.

"Sparrow and I are spending some time in Necromia." Faye lied.

The old woman's eyes lit as she smiled. "You finally found a boy to settle down with?"

Faye looked down at her tea. "Not yet."

"You're so hardheaded."

Faye heard Rune chuckle and found him standing in the doorway. She tucked her hair behind her ear, casting him a discrete rude gesture.

Aunty Clara stood up to peer out the kitchen window. "You should go before it gets dark. It's no good to walk in the dark."

Faye stood up and hugged the old woman goodbye. When she turned, the doorway was empty. Faye stepped outside and caught sight of Rune's long white-blonde hair. He stood on the other side of the gate, waiting for her.

Faye hugged the children on her way out. As she crossed the gate, Rune held his hand out to her. "Shall we?"

"They can't see me disappear." Faye motioned for him to follow her as she headed up the road.

Faye cut across a field to the road that would lead back to her home instead of walking through the village again. She glanced at Rune. The setting sun cast hues of red and orange over him, lighting the edge of his hair.

Handsome wasn't a fitting enough description for him. This man was otherworldly. They couldn't be more different. He seemingly didn't comprehend why his repairs would surprise her. And he did this in four other villages. He had to be obscenely rich to afford and maintain all of this.

Rune's voice drew her from her thoughts. "I would like you to accompany me to the Artithian princess's wedding."

Faye's mind blanked, and she blinked at him. "You want to bring me? In front of all the realms."

He smiled, arching a brow at her as they walked. "That is the intent."

"Take someone else," Faye muttered, glancing down at her bare index finger. Being surrounded by dark-bloods was uncomfortable enough, being surrounded by royal dark-bloods sounded like a nightmare.

"I am pursuing you. There is no one else." Faye gave him a sidelong glance. Longing filled his gaze. "How can I prove my intentions to you?"

By choosing me and not trying to discard the parts you don't like."When is it?"

"A month's time."

Faye stopped on the road. They were far enough from the village now. "Then you have a month to win my affection. Shall we?" She held her hand out to him.