Page 71 of Compass Points
“Arie.” She glared at him. “You said you had to leave! What did you do?”
“Oh, nothing you won’t forgive me for. I ensured no one was in the shed or close enough to get hurt. We just needed to remind the Norden Point who they were messing with. I think it went perfectly.”
She held in another eye roll, but just barely. “That was rather reckless. What if I hadn’t stepped in?”
“Oh, there was no chance of that. You are quite predictable in that regard. Less so when it comes to sticking to a ‘fake dating’ plan, emphasis onfake,”he said dryly as his black eyes turned toward Luc, stepping out of the closet, dressed for the day.
Rose knew he was joking since he’d encouraged her just last night, but she enjoyed watching Luc squirm as Arie’s piercing glare remained directed at him.
“Keep in mind, I can only hear half the conversation,” Luc said, raising his hands. “But let’s remember I am not the bad guy here.”
“He always thinks it’s about him.”Arie probably would have rolled his eyes, but it was hard to accomplish as a bird.
“Well, we are staring at him. And honestly, Arie, you look menacing.” She couldn’t help but smile. They still had a lot to do, but she was happy. She walked over to Luc and let him wrap his arms around her, a rather affectionate move, but she wanted him to know there was no real question about him.
“Arie is just being overprotective while also being a troublemaker. Did you catch that he directed the firework that started the fire last night?”
Luc nodded. “A risk, but it paid off. Most of Compass Lake witnessed your water magic on display. It was protecting them from the fire and delighting them with the continued water show. That, plus the wild tales about you singlehandedly fighting off dozens of Nebulus. I think it’s safe to say that everyone knows you are a powerful Norden.”
She nodded in agreement.
“At least he gets it,”chimed in Arie.
“I didn’t say I didn’t get it, Arie. I just said it was dangerous, and it might have been helpful to talk to me first before manipulating me into a position!”
“Noted.”
She looked at Arie, ready to press him further on what he had needed to confirm before the fireworks and why it was so quick, but Luc interrupted her thoughts.
“Let’s get going,” Luc said. “We don’t want to be late.”
“I’ll meet you over there,”Arie said as he flew out the window he’d come in.
Chapter Forty-Two
Sooner than she cared to, Rose and Luc stepped from their boat and on to Norden house beach. Rose took Luc’s hand and felt the Norden seat’s power fill her. He squeezed back as they made their way through the crowd.
Their moment of happiness didn’t last long as the other Compass Points met them on the beach. Carter gave Rose a bashful smile. Juliette nodded, though she raised her brow when only Rose was looking.
Rose turned to face Aiden. For a moment, it was just the two of them. His blue eyes shone brightly in the morning sun. He looked so much like her childhood friend today. Her stomach roiled; Rose wished she knew more. She wished she’d had time to press Arie on what she was dealing with. She needed to know if her friend was still in there at all. If there was a chance he wasn’t wholly responsible for her family’s brutal deaths. Some part of her, she suspected, wanted to know her friend hadn’t destroyed her life on his own.
“I doubt it will help if I point out that guests aren’t allowed at the Ceremony?” The moment over, Aiden directed his words to Luc.
“It’s on the beach, Aiden. Everyone comes to the lake’s edge to watch. If it makes you feel better, Rose can stand a few steps away from us to preserve the exclusivity of your Ceremony.”
“Now, now, boys,” Juliette tsked. “The Compass Points remain indebted to Rose, don’t you agree, Aiden?” She ran her fingers carelessly through her long hair as she said, “We can’t make a hero, a returning Norden, watch from the sidelines.”
Rose stiffened imperceptibly at Juliette’s words. “A returning Norden.” Rose knew she’d exposed herself as more than half-fae last night. The wielding of water could only be done by a Norden fae. No, the word that caught Rose off guard was Juliette’s use ofreturning.
Aiden glared at Juliette, knowing she had painted him into a corner. He couldn’t make Rose leave now.
“Fine.” He pointed to the beach. “Stand over there. Don’t get in the way.”
Rose walked over to the water’s edge and sank to her knees, the proper observance of the ceremony to honor balance with the gods. She tried to get a handle on the Norden magic she was feeling. She assumed it had something to do with this morning’s ceremony.
She felt her magic dance with the lake water as the Compass Points began.
“Let’s get this over with,” was Aiden’s inspirational speech. While it was mostly the Compass Points in hearing distance, Rose’s gaze skimmed the Norden elders farther up the hill, whispered amongst themselves at the Norden’s disrespect.
