Free Desire and Duty by Marie Medina Page A

she
almost wished for a show of temper, as she knew his seemingly calm demeanor
only proved how weak he was. “Well, you can be as angry as you like. We don’t
care. You really expect me to believe Arion will refuse to come? He could hate
you to this day for all I know, but I can’t imagine anyone just letting another
person die for spite. Or pride. Or other such nonsense.”
    Vane’s voice cracked a bit as he
said, “But if he comes and saves me, watching him leave a second time will just
break my heart all over again. I won’t want to live.”
    “Quit feeling sorry for yourself.”
Gwynn stood up and climbed onto the bed, folding her legs under her so she
could sit right next to Vane in the middle of the large bed. “Think of your
parents. And Ash and Byron. The rest of your family. Me and everyone else in
your dominion.”
    Vane stared down at his hands and
didn’t say anything.
    Grunting in frustration, Gwynn
leaned over him and got right in his face. “Look me in the eye and tell me you
won’t feel bad about me crying my eyes out at your funeral. You tell me that,
and I’ll pack my bags right now.”
    Vane did look her in the eye, but
he didn’t say anything. Some tears glistened there, and then he turned his head
away. Gwynn lay down beside him and put one arm around him. “See? Can’t say it,
can you? You’re just hurt and acting out like a child.”
    “That is not what I’m doing. My
pain’s real.”
    Gwynn sighed. “I know it is, but
you have so many people who love you. If you get hurt again, they’ll all be
here for you. And so will I .”
    Vane shifted in her embrace.
“Gwynn, I’m not sure this is appropriate. Someone might come in.”
    Gwynn laughed. “If anyone thinks I
want to fuck you, they’re crazy.”
    “Thanks. That’s cheered me up,”
Vane said, his tone flat.
    Gwynn sat up and put her hands on
her hips. “You’re in no state to be amorous. Plus, you’re like an older brother
or something. And there’s the fact you aren’t the type to seduce the help.”
    “I know. I just thought Orman might
come up or something.” He cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t want to make him
jealous or give him the wrong impression.”
    Gwynn hesitated. Why was everyone
carrying on about that all of a sudden? Had Orman said something to Vane or one
of his brothers? Even Ash’s mate had said something about it. Orman liked her
because she wasn’t lazy. She got things done, and she did them right the first
time. What steward wouldn’t favor a servant like her? She got the job done and
didn’t let anyone or anything intimidate her. “He’d know better than anyone
that I’m not interested in you. And why is everyone insisting that he’s got
some kind of thing for me?”
    “Because he is interested in you.
Very.”
    “And he’s said this outright?”
    Vane shook his head. “No, but it’s
pretty obvious.”
    “And I’m just stupid? Is that what
you’re saying?”
    “No one’s saying anything like
that, but it happens all the time. One person usually takes an interest first,
and then the other person notices. Or the first person acts on it. Eventually.
Since, as you just said, everyone is insisting it’s true, why are you so
skeptical?”
    Because
it’s crazy! She ignored the voice in her head and gave a more rational
reply. “Because I think you’re all making assumptions and seeing something that
isn’t there.”
    “Or you aren’t attracted to him and
don’t want it to be true.”
    “You’re fishing.”
    “I’m what?”
    “Trying to get me to say whether I
think he’s attractive or not.” She got off the bed. “I never figured you for a
matchmaker. I’m disappointed.”
    Vane narrowed his eyes. “Why? If
all of you are allowed to poke your noses into my business, why can’t I say
what I think? Orman likes you. He’s too serious and works too much. Makes him a
great steward, sure, but he’s unhappy.” Vane lay back, sighing and looking more
drained now. “He