Page 36 of Compass Points
The setting sun’s rays danced across the smooth surface of the lake as they strolled the grounds. It was such a calm lake. The only waves created were by those paddling it. As they approached the property’s eastern edge, a figure moved toward them.
Luc stiffened at her side, tension evident, he placed his body in front of hers—a half-hearted attempt to block her from view. She looked around, trying to assess the threat as the smell of pine and cinnamon met her nose. Luc seemed to quickly give up on trying to shield her—they were too exposed, and a figure was moving toward them from the east. It was clear they had already been seen.
Luc linked their hands together. He squeezed hers with some meaning hidden from her as he gave a solemn nod to a breathtaking woman who came into view before them.
She was tall with light brown skin and generous curves. Her dark hair fell in wild curls down her back. Her bright, emerald-green eyes perfectly matched her sweeping green day dress. She smiled warmly at Rose as she approached.
Rose’s heart rate escalated as recognition caught up with her—recognition and understanding of Luc’s desperate attempt to keep her hidden.
The Osten Point stood before them.
Luc believed Rose to be Osten from the incident with the archer. Of course he’d assume it was the Osten Point she hid from.
“And who might this be, Luc?” the woman purred.
Every instinct Rose had told her that the Osten Point was not to be underestimated. She was beautiful, yes, but she was a Compass Point. Only the most powerful made it to that position, and this woman had held hers for a long time. She had come upon them when they had no chance to disengage politely. Rose was sure that she was here on a mission. While Rose held no illusion that the Osten Point would know who she was, a lowly daughter of the Norden house groundskeeper and a swordmaster, she had been Osten Point when Rose last lived at Compass Lake. She may not be the Compass Point that Rose hid from, as she was sure Luc supposed, but she was still a danger to their current plans.
Luc seemed to be still waging an internal war. His magic swirled around them as if he were readying himself for a battle. Rose put her hand on his arm as she briefly shook her head, hoping to signal that this was not cause for attack.
She knew Luc had promised to keep her from the other Compass Points, but she was still more than a little baffled that he was preparing to fight the Osten Point on her behalf.
Luc acknowledged her touch, at least putting off an outright attack for the moment. He slid his arm gently around the small of her back.
It was showtime for their fake relationship.
Making introductions, Luc said, “Juliette, may I introduce Rose? Rose, Juliette is the Osten Point.”
Rose could feel Juliette’s gaze raking over her from head to toe. Her appraisal seemed quick, but her eyes lingered.
“Pleasure. You must be the one Luc brought across the lake today. It caused quite the stir through the village.” Her smile lacked warmth. “I’m not sure Luc has ever promenaded on the lake in such a fashion.”
Rose felt Luc’s magic start to stir again. At Juliette’s lingering gaze on her? He was in his seat of power. Not even the Osten Point on her side of the property could touch them here. That didn’t seem to calm Luc as his body went more rigid with every second that Juliette’s gaze was locked on Rose.
Rose decided to feign ignorance on the import of the gesture. “It was such a peaceful ride. Easy enough to forget how on display we were.” She didn’t like how Juliette looked at her either, but she wasn’t sure why Luc was so unsettled.
“If you were mine to promenade with,” cooed Juliette, “we would have put on a much more lascivious display.” She winked.
Rose couldn’t hold back a genuine laugh at the boldness of Juliette’s words, cutting the tension building around Luc and his magic.
Luc—she was here as Luc’s partner. She found herself becoming a little defensive on Luc’s behalf. If he hadn’t brought anyone to the Lake before, he certainly didn’t need this beautiful wind fae to ogle and flirt with his choice. She instinctively reached her hand down to place it on top of his where he held her. She pulled his body forward to meet hers.
She could feel his magic pulsing around them, building and swirling, as she pulled them flush together. Their connection seemed enough to bring him from his staring contest with Juliette.
“Don’t mind Juliette,” Luc muttered, putting both arms entirely around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder. His lips were close to her ear as he spoke. “She can come on a little strong before you get to know her.” He nodded again at Juliette, not in greeting this time, but in some unspoken acknowledgment.
“And once you get to know her?” Rose asked. She worked to control the shaking in her voice, not at the danger that Juliette, a Compass Point, represented, but at the sensation that Luc’s nearness caused.
“Oh, still strong, but it’s much more expected.” He shrugged.
Juliette laughed, her eyes dancing as she looked between them. As if she was delighted with today’s proceedings. As if this had been a test. The way her eyes glowed as she watched Luc’s fingers start to glide casually up and down Rose’s side told Rose that they had passed her test.
Did she believe that their relationship was genuine? Or had something else transpired between the Osten and Suden Points here?
Rose did not believe the Osten Point’s joy was because she was happy for Luc to have found a partner. No, Juliette was already making plans, and Rose and Luc’s relationship appeared to fit nicely into them from her expression.
“Rose, I’d be honored to have you over for coffee or tea during your stay. Nothing stirs gossip like the newcomer jumping between Compass Point houses.”
Luc stiffened but was decidedly unwilling to speak for Rose. She wondered at that but instinctively knew it was bad form for a Suden guest to visit the Osten. Even though she’d lived in an area with few fae for the last ten years, she knew this hadn’t changed. The fae didn’t intermingle.
