The Heartwood Omak

Kannoyak's question should've been simple enough—a yes or no could've sufficed. But, unfortunately, it was more complicated than that.

Not anymore, she answered quietly, averting her gaze. I was young and foolish when we fell in love, and I thought that I could be with a man whose views were radically different than mine ... but circumstances had changed her beliefs on that; she needed a man who could at least participate in the Sunshine ways. But growing up and becoming an anaa has taught me many things ... and I have different priorities in life. I have my family, and my people, and ... she needed to belong. She needed someone who was also accepted.

She couldn't meet his gaze—she was too worried of what he thought of all of this.