“It shouldn’t be,” he said bitterly, eyes flicking away. “But it is. That is the way of this world, and all worlds beyond. If you are not powerful in the highest way, you are cast out as nothing. What difference does it make how I see myself, if I am alone?”
“If you see yourself as useless, lost — all the things others have placed on you, how can you ever be willing to see the people who don’t see you as different? You’re so sure no one can ever see you as worthwhile — because you can’t see it.” She closed her eyes, clearing her throat. “You aren’t alone.”
He traced her profile with his eyes, imagining the feeling of the soft curves beneath his fingers. More empty words to soothe his wounds. If only he could believe such warm lies, but he knew what he was. What he always would be. But the sting was lessened at the thought of her still being there, thinking he was better than he was.
Perhaps he was missing the point, but he was tired, and she was beautiful.
“It is alright, Lady Summer. You need not…” he trailed off, swallowing.
“You don’t believe me.” She swallowed hard, trying to force down the lump in her throat. “Of course you don’t believe me. Of — of course I couldn’t possibly convince you, how old are you, how long you’ve been … ” She jumbled to a stop, gulping again.
She let go of his hands to rub at her face, forcing back involuntary tears. “Humans have a thing we do, sometimes. We say we have a family of blood, the family we were born to or raised in, and a family of the heart, the people we choose and share our lives with.”