Page 61 of Compass Points
“I’m glad you’re ok. You did great.”
“Arie, were you in the mist? I remember trying to get to you, but you were…” Rose hesitated. She was going to say he was talking to the mist. She thought she’d seen him doing that at Bury too, but she’d convinced herself it was just her imagination. What had he been saying?
“I’m fine, Rose.”The cat looked toward the door, and Rose could hear Luc moving around in the bedroom.“You should worry about how much the Suden Point has been fretting over you. I’d never have believed him capable, given his reputation.”
She glared at the cat. “You and me both. I never could have imagined this when agreeing to be in a fake relationship with him.”
The cat looked up at her and blinked its eyes.“You have a partner in him that could do more for you than I ever could. Someone to be there with you day in and out.”
Rose tilted her head as she maintained eye contact with the cat. She couldn’t figure out what he was trying to say.
“Don’t look at me like that, Rose. As someone who has had experience having love ripped away from them, I’m telling you not to spend too much time worrying about what the Compass Points or the fae courts will think. If you like him, which I think you do, focus on that, not the mess of what it means for the Norden and Suden Points to be in a relationship.”The black cat’s large yellow eyes looked into hers, blinking more than strictly necessary.
She wasn’t sure what to say. Arie never spoke of his past. She couldn’t even pick which question to ask him when he interrupted her thoughts.
“So, what’s next?”
“Next?” Rose pondered aloud. “I think today’s events, though taxing, may have been an unexpected boon. Where was the Norden Point when the village was attacked? Where was his strength? Instead, the Suden Point and his magic-wielding partner arrive in style to save the day. I think I can work with that.” She smiled to herself. It had worked out better than she could have anticipated.
“Rose?” Luc must have heard her talking to herself. “Is Arie in there? Can I brainstorm too? I’d like to know what we’re planning.” Rose wasn’t quite ready to get out of the bath but wasn’t prepared to have this conversation with Luc while she was naked.
“Give me a second. I’m done. We’ll come out there.” She shooed Arie into the bedroom and gathered herself to leave the comforting waters.
She emerged from the bathroom feeling different from when she had gone in. Wrapped in the coziest robe she’d ever worn, she wandered over to the fire to find a plate of food sitting between the two high-back leather chairs. Arie had already placed himself directly in front of the fireplace. She grabbed some of the food and sat down.
“The Norden Point has called an emergency Compass Point meeting tonight. Better late than never, I guess.” Luc sat down in the accompanying chair.
“What is the guest policy at these types of meetings?” Rose asked as a sly smile crept across her lips.
“Usually frowned upon,” Luc said. “I’m sure an exception could be made for the savior of Compass Lake Village. I’m surprised that the Norden didn’t ask to speak with us directly. The meeting seems as good a place as any to ambush him if you’re up for it.”
Rose’s smile was all teeth. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The Compass Points were expected to be at the Solstice Ceremony ball that evening, so the meeting was scheduled for just before. If the situation weren’t so serious, Rose would wonder if this were a ploy by the Compass Points to force Luc to show up for the festivities. The attack today made the social responsibilities of the Suden Point irrelevant. The meeting would make for a tense beginning to the evening’s events, but when all was said and done, they’d know where they stood.
Rose held the ball gown that Luc had picked out for her in front of herself in the mirror in the bathroom. She had told Luc that she wanted to make a statement. It seemed that he took that to heart.
The dress was stunning, even more so when she slipped it on. It was a floor-length gown the color of the darkest storm. Its light grey pattern was barely visible on the dark fabric, with swirls that suggested movement. She couldn’t decide if they were meant to represent a windstorm or waves but decided that maybe the point was that it could be either or both. The dress had a form-fitting bodice with a plunging neckline, and the silky skirt pooled at her feet. She couldn’t remember ever wearing something so beautiful.
It was perfect, giving her confidence and a layer of armor to face her past. She spun a few more times for herself in the mirror before finishing twisting her hair up and walking out into the bedroom. She stopped, catching her breath as she glimpsed Luc stepping out of the closet. He looked perfect in his formal wear: well-tailored black pants with a black shirt and jacket, as would be expected of the villainous story that he sold of himself. Her eyes took in the way the clothes showed off his trim and powerful body. After staring longer than what was socially acceptable, her eyes found his, and she realized that he’d been doing the same.
He stepped towards her. “You look exquisite.”
He held out his hand, and she took it. Not sure what he was getting at, her body understood before her mind as he effortlessly signaled a spin with his hand as if they were already on a ballroom dance floor.
“You chose well. Keep this up, and you’ll have to pick out an entire wardrobe for me,” she teased.
His face held too much emotion when she glanced at it, like he thought doing something so mundane together might be fun, but he wasn’t sure if that was something for which he dared to hope. The thought crossed his face as quickly as it had come, and she recognized his version of a cool mask as he offered his arm to her.
“Ready for this?” he asked.
“Of course not, but we’re doing it anyway.”
The Solstice Ceremony ball and the Compass Points meeting were both to be held at Norden house. The appropriate conveyance for such a formal evening was by boat. Rose hated herself just a bit at the excitement she got from such a traditional journey around the lake. Like their first promenade when she arrived.
Night descended on the lake, candle-lit lanterns at the front and back of the boat ensured people could see the Suden Point and his presumed lover as they made their way.
