Page 54 of Compass Points
She fought the slight curve of her lips at his attentiveness and consideration. Not fast enough, though. He saw her smile start and responded with a bright, wide one of his own that he rarely showed.
Self-satisfied and amused—a dangerous start for a long ride with the Suden Point.
Chapter Thirty-Two
It was slow going down the narrow switchbacks that made the path to and from Compass Lake. Exhausted but feeling like she was finally taking action, Rose made camp with Luc for the night at the base of the mountains while Arie had disappeared that afternoon and had yet to return.
They traveled comfortably. She couldn’t believe they’d only known each other for a week. They seemed in sync as they unpacked their bedrolls, started a fire, and prepared dinner, each easily accommodating the other in their activity. The conversation flowed, but it wasn’t required. The silence was just as companionable. Rose wasn’t quite sure how she felt about the entire situation. She stared at Luc as they sat beside each other by the fire, finishing their evening meal.
Remove the Suden Point title, and he had many qualities she had always pictured for her future partner. He was strong, even brutal when required, but also, quietly considerate. He knew how to present the face the world needed to see, but he also knew how to care for those he loved. It was evident in the easy way that he interacted with his family. The fact that he had his family as part of his Suden Point household said it most clearly. Many of the Compass Points left their families out of the power they inherited, except in cases where they were specifically trying to train or coach particular offspring to inherit the next title.
And there she was, thinking about the Compass Point titles again and that he held one. That fact seemed inescapable.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
She gave him the glare that he deserved. “Talk about what?”
“Whatever it is that’s getting you all worked up over there. I’d hazard to guess it’s the same thing that you were working through this morning, and if it involves me, it might be best to ask me about it.”
His eyes were cautious, but the rest of his face was all feigned nonchalance. It was clearly important to him that she trusted him and talked to him about her concerns, but he wouldn’t beg her to. He’d done more than was necessary at every turn since they’d made their way to Compass Lake. He at least deserved to know where she was mentally.
“You’re the Suden Point,” she said flatly.
“Are you just noticing?” His easy charm was back, but the wariness never left his gaze.
“You know what I mean. I understand why you are helping who you believe to be the true Norden Point to reclaim their place, but I can’t help but realize that if we succeed with that, we will find ourselves on opposite sides of the Compass table.”
“Yes, I am the Suden Point, and you will be the Norden Point.” He left no room for argument on the success of their endeavors. “That doesn’t mean we have to be enemies after this. The Compass Points preserve the balance on the continent. That is all. I think we can easily do that and remain…friendly.” He stumbled over the last word.
“Friendly,” she repeated. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed.
“Whatever word you want to apply,” he quickly amended. “Our current and future relationship is our own.” He took her hand. “All you need to worry about is what type of relationship you want with me. I assure you that whatever you decide, we can still carry out our duties as Compass Points flawlessly.”
She saw nothing but sincerity in his face and a bit of hope in offering her their relationship definition. She wanted to lean into his warmth and offer but knew she had more to consider.
“I’ll be sure to add your thoughts to all those already spinning around in my head,” she replied. It was the truth but also flippant, so it worked for her.
“Just don’t shut me out, Rose.” He paused, hesitating slightly. “Can you tell me if you decide to do something drastic?” His voice got quieter as he said the last, and he let go of her hand.
She immediately missed the feel of him—his grounding and calming touch.
“Fine.” She didn’t like that he thought she would do something drastic, whatever that meant, but he deserved to know whatever she decided. She would give him that.
“I’m exhausted. I think I’m going to get some rest,” she managed. Her thoughts kept spinning as she tracked what looked like resignation on Luc’s features. How could this all seem so easy for him? For the calculating Suden Point, he didn’t seem to consider what a real relationship between them would mean. Didn’t he know that this could cause an uprising from the courts?
Maybe that didn’t matter.
The secrets between the fae courts, specifically surrounding the Norden power testing, had caused her entire situation in the first place. If more people knew the parts of the test or understood how to interpret the results, would Aiden have been able to do what he did? Those secrets had ruined her life and got her family killed. Were they worth protecting?
She fell asleep late, tossing and turning, and didn’t sleep soundly until she found a heat source on the forest floor that she wrapped herself around. Too tired to care, she decided that the problem of why there was a cozy heater on the ground in the middle of the forest was future Rose’s problem.
When future Rose opened her eyes, the morning light had invaded the campsite. She decided she hated past Rose and her terrible decision-making. The heater on the forest floor was Luc.
Of course it was Luc.
She’d rolled over to his bedroll and thoroughly entangled their limbs. She couldn’t even pretend it was his fault since her bedroll was empty, and she had essentially accosted him on his.
Judging by his continued sleep, he didn’t seem to mind. His even breath rose and fell while she considered her options.
