Page 48 of Compass Points
The hard line of Rose’s mouth slipped up into a smile. Only Arie could phrase something so terrible so eloquently.
“I haven’t slept well since we decided to return.” Rose shrugged. “I knew that would be the case when I agreed to come. We have bigger things to worry about than my repressed memories.”
The bird on her shoulder tipped his head as he appraised her. She knew if he had a human face, he’d show a little pity and a lot of concern. Thankfully, those emotions were difficult to display with a beak.
Still sitting on her shoulder, Arie replied,“Unfortunately, there is much more for you to worry about while you’re here than the tragedy that happened to your family. You are still stronger than you know, dear. I’m going to go ahead and scout the market for us.”Arie took off, flying ahead of them.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Any lingering gloom from the morning was whisked away as she stared in disbelief at the display of pastries before her. There were more than she remembered, and it took her adult self-restraint not to push her face up against the front window to get a better look. A broad smile crossed her face as she imagined how good they would taste. Luc followed her inside the shop.
“Good morning,” came a call from somewhere in the back. The baker made his way out to the front counter, taking in his guests. Rose saw the exact moment he realized that the Suden Point was in his shop again. His whole body straightened and he gave a half bow over the counter.
“You honor us, sir. Please, tell me what I can get for you. Would you care to sample anything?” Rose looked back at Luc, her smile still wide as she realized that people in town would respond differently to him. Had it only been a day since they walked through the market together? She was so comfortable with him that others’ discomfort still surprised her.
During her first interaction with the Suden Point, with his brisk and arrogant attitude, she certainly hadn’t known who he was, but she’d been able to tell he was used to getting his way. But these people? Those who lived and breathed Compass Lake and its politics couldn’t help but know the faces of the Compass Points. She could tell by the slight rise of his shoulders that he was not a fan of these deferential interactions, no matter how expected, and it made her smile just a little wider to watch him try to hide his embarrassment.
He caught her enjoying his discomfort and narrowed his eyes at her, before responding to the baker, “Thank you, sir, no need to sample. I think we already know and love your pastries. Can you give us a dozen, a little of everything? And can you wrap it up for us?”
The baker made quick work of the task. He seemed to select each item carefully before adding it to the box he was putting together. He was serving the most powerful Suden on the continent. He clearly revered the power of Luc’s position.
She wondered how many Compass Points stopped in the village for breakfast like this. That thought set off a string of anxieties she hadn’t even considered. What if they ran into another Compass Point while here? She couldn’t believe she’d been so careless. She’d been too distracted by her nightmare this morning to think about it.
Eager now to be on their way, they paid for their breakfast and headed back to the market square. Rose had taken the box when the baker offered it. Luc only laughed and decided not to get between her and her pack of sweets. She let the warmth and fresh smell of the goods comfort her as she focused on getting out of the market without running into anyone unexpectedly.
Taking a quick turn around the small square looking for Arie, Rose tried to gently rush their progress.
Chills broke along her spine as she felt it—the moment she dreaded. A pair of eyes rested on her back. She could feel it in the icy tingle that crept down her neck and the excited bubbling that came over the previously tame market crowd. A buzz of energy filled the air as the one man she’d been trying to avoid entered the market.
The Norden Point was here.
Her grip on Luc’s arm inadvertently tightened, her stress seeping into everything she touched. Luc was instantly at attention, assessing the threat.
It didn’t take a genius to narrow the targets based on the new arrival. Rose didn’t have time to appreciate Luc wiping his hand across his face, usually a sign that she’d gotten under his skin. This time, the display showed his exasperation.
His process of elimination about who she was avoiding and what her unnamed second fae heritage was must be complete.
He quickly took her hand and pulled her down the closest alley. She couldn’t think. All of her energy was spent on pushing breath in and out of her lungs. She was in no state to put a plan together. She knew she had to get out of there before he recognized her.
And Aidenwouldrecognize her.
The alley was a dead end. Luc must be panicking too.
“Luc, we need to get away from the market.”
As if he didn’t already know. As if he couldn’t already tell the severity of the situation by the clamminess of her skin or the raw panic in her eyes.
“The Norden Point, Rose? I know I shouldn’t be that surprised, and I realize that now is not the correct time to discuss this.” That fact didn’t stop him as he whisper-yelled, “ButtheNorden Point, Rose?”
He moved his body entirely in front of hers. Anyone looking down the alley would see only his back.
“Not the best time, Luc,” she snapped. His sharp tone undoubtedly helped raise her temper, freeing her from her frozen panic. Anger instead of fear; she could work with that. She looked down the alley, back to the main square. She could see the Norden Point strolling toward their side of the market. She dragged her eyes away from him and met Luc’s deep brown eyes staring at her, taking in every inch of her panic.
“We have to wait for him to pass,” Rose mumbled. “He’s headed our way now, but I doubt he’ll come down this alley. Once he’s passed, we can slip out behind him and leave the market the way he came in. We should be able to blend into the crowd.” She was thinking out loud, but as she finished the last sentence, she looked at Luc and remembered that they would not be “blending into the crowd” as long as she was on the arm of the Suden Point.
“We can do it, Rose. Let’s wait for him to pass, and then we can go. No one stopped us in the street on our way to the market. This will be no different.”
She relaxed slightly, a tiny bit of the stress seeping from her shoulders. But when she looked over Luc’s shoulder, the Norden Point had already gotten closer. He looked around, eyes lingering down other alleys as he passed them.
