Page 62 of Compass Points
Luc paddled them stoically, and they talked little as they traveled. They were both more than aware that they had plenty of onlookers, and conversation on the lake could carry for all to hear. Rose was glad no one but Luc was close enough to see her slight shudder as Norden house came into view.
She had never realized before how well the house was guarded against sight. From nearly every other point on the lake, one couldn’t tell where Norden house stood. Only when you were right on top of the structure could you see the path leading up to the house and the lights alive within. As a young girl, she had thought it was such a spectacular view. It was a power of its own to feel that you could see the goings-on of the lake but that no one could see you.
As they reached shore, Luc jumped out and offered his hand to help her. She leaned on his strength to make her graceful exit from the boat, and without his offer, she went ahead and slid her hand from his to wrap around his arm. The way she casually made the move without his request seemed to please him. She caught his self-satisfied smile as she peeked at him while they walked side by side on the beach and started the ascent up to Norden house.
Her spine straightened with every step she took. A feeling of power rolled up her body from her feet. She almost stumbled at the unexpected onslaught. She’d forgotten she was stepping into the Norden seat of power.
Her seat of power.
They were greeted at the door, and though receiving dubious looks from the caretaker, Rose and Luc were shown into the library. It was just as she pictured it, though she’d never been allowed in this room as a child—all rich wood bookcases and furniture with a fire already roaring in the fireplace. The table was circular and held four chairs. Though none were currently occupied, the presumed occupants were already in the room. Juliette was at the bar getting her drink. Her smile grew wicked when she saw Rose on Luc’s arm, and she quickly finished her drink preparations and made her way over to the fireside, where the Norden and Vesten Points were having a heated discussion.
“Where were you, Aiden? Our people were in danger, and you didn’t even show your face!”
“I think that’s what we’d all like to know,” Luc purred as he took Rose’s hand from his arm and positioned her slightly in front and to the left of him, his arm resting on her lower back.
“What’s this, Luc? This is a Compass Point meeting. Guests aren’t welcome,” Aiden snapped without even a cursory glance at Rose. “We all know you have a new infatuation, but you can’t bring her here.”
“She did more for Compass Lake today than you have in your entire tenure, Aiden,” Juliette chimed in from the sidelines of the conversation.
Aiden’s glare at her was immediate, but he still had yet to turn his attention to Rose.
“Yes, yes, thank you, what was your name….” His gaze finally lifted to her as he attempted the bare minimum of acknowledgment for her protection of the people under his care. His eyes snapped to hers, and he froze.
“Rose,” he breathed.
“Hi, Aiden,” her voice was even.
“You two know each other?” Juliette helpfully chirped. It was as if she knew this was the evening’s entertainment, and she never wanted it to end.
Rose watched Aiden work to choose his words carefully. Instead of “How are you alive?” or “Didn’t I kill you?” he schooled his features.
“What are you doing here? With him?” He sneered the last part as his blue eyes shot in Luc’s general direction.
“That,” she said, pausing to turn her head and give Luc an appreciative once over, “is none of your business.” She could hear Juliette’s barely disguised laugh and readied herself to continue.
“Excuse me, sorry, Rose, was it?” The Vesten Point interrupted what was sure to be a delightful reunion. “We are forever indebted for your actions today. Your arrival was nothing short of miraculous. I hesitate to even think about what would have happened had you and Luc not arrived when you did. You have our deepest thanks. Though…” He stuttered a bit. “I’m not sure what that has to do with you being at this meeting or how you seem to know Aiden. Do you have business for the Compass Points, or should I have the caretaker assist you to the ballroom? I hope it goes without saying that we want to celebrate you as the guest of honor at tonight’s ball.”
“Carter, I think we’re just about done with the discussion,” Aiden said from behind him.
“Done?” Carter repeated, dumbfounded. “Luc just got here. We haven’t even begun.”
“I said we’re done,” Aiden said flatly.
Rose felt the magic in the room shift. She expected the smell of sweet nectar, which had always been the smell of Aiden’s magic when they were kids. Aiden’s eyes flashed from their usual piercing blue to a dark grey, and the smell of magic was old—moss and oak. Rose remembered this. She’d experienced it more and more in their childhood. She could never figure out what it meant, but she knew that grey-eyed Aiden was very different than blue-eyed Aiden.
“Rose, I’d be honored if I could escort you downstairs to open the ball as the Compass Points’ honored guest,” Aiden said.
Luc stepped forward, moving between Aiden and Rose as Aiden offered his hand to escort her.
As tempted as she was to take the opportunity of time with Aiden, she was known to all of Compass Lake as Luc’s lover. Walking into the ball on Aiden’s arm would be a major slight.
She wrapped her hand around Luc’s arm as she replied, “I already have an escort downstairs if the meeting is over. I’ll save you a dance.”
Aiden balled his fists at his side as he seemed to decide how to proceed. He pushed his shoulders back as he replied, “Very good,” and walked out of the room.
“What just happened?” the Vesten Point asked.
“Don’t worry about it, Carter,” Juliette replied. “I assure you that wasn’t the last of whatever this was.”
