Page 77 of Compass Points
“No one, not even the gods, knows what happened to Zrak when he sacrificed himself. I don’t know where he resides or what power is available to him, but you were right on the beach—a sacrificed god is likely not really dead.”
Rose took the win but there was no joy in it. Zrak’s involvement only complicated matters further.
“What about why the mist didn’t impact Rose or me?” Luc brought them back to the question at hand.
“I think, again, we can thank Rose’s lineage. My belief is that it had to do with your weapons. Though you tailor your magical blades to the power of the user, you can’t help but put some of yourself into them,”Arie explained.“I’ve seen it while you worked. Those blades bore the Osten wind. I think that that kept the mist at bay. It would have been like fighting itself.”
“I didn’t realize,” Rose said, looking at her fingers as she rubbed her hands together. “But Osten fae fell to the mist….”
“They did, but we have no idea the strength of their magic. The Osten magic you mold into your weapons is quite concentrated, Rose. Almost as powerful as your Norden line.
“And so, what, you two confronted Aterra on the beach, and he took an escape hatch through the earth?”
“Basically.”
“I’m sure he just transported himself to safety, wherever he thinks that is.”
“So what next?” Luc asked, and Rose put her hand on his knee.
“Our first goal is to install Rose as Norden Point,”Arie replied.
“Arie, that’s so five problems ago. Does it mean anything now?”
“First, it is yours. It was always yours. Second, it is a current problem and will remain a problem. A false Norden Point still means that the Compass Points themselves aren’t balanced. It breaks the strength of the entire system. How can an unbalanced Compass keep the gods in check?”
“You’d think the gods might have put rules in place to prevent this from happening,” Rose said dryly.
“You’re pushing your luck here, Rose,” Luc said, though he couldn’t conceal his laugh.
“I’m going to ignore that comment.”
“So, what, I tell the elders it’s me? That I’m the rightful Norden Point?”
“I think they already heard you say that, along with the other Compass Points,” Luc pointed out.
Rose looked around. The Norden elders were still clustered on the hill. Juliette and Carter stood slightly apart but in the same area. They must have moved up there when the sandstorm started. She was sure they had a lot of questions. She was sure many of them had opinions about what should happen next. Likely some that she would disagree with.
“You think I should become the Norden Point?” Rose asked as she turned back to Luc. Her eyes searched for something in his. She wasn’t quite sure what she hoped to find.
“The better question is, why wouldn’t you?” he replied.
“If it was so easily stolen and corrupted, is it something I want to be a part of?” she asked. “And I just found you. What if they try and make me give you up,” she added in an even softer voice.
“The seat is what you make it. You know that.” Luc tilted her chin upwards, forcing her to meet his eyes. “And you and I get to decide what happens between us.” His voice was that of the commanding Suden Point. “No one else does.”
“I hoped you’d say that,” she said, looking back at Arie, who was staring out over the water, tail flicking as the only indication that he was listening.
“I agree with Luc. About both points. Of course, the elders will fight you on the latter, but change is always a struggle for the fae courts.”
“Fine, I’ll do it. And after that?”
“With the Compass Points’ strength returned, we’ll have to go after Aterra. I’m sure the mist won’t stop until he’s taken care of.”
With a deep sigh, Rose asked, “Is that all? Do you think we can go home now?” She noticed the word as soon as it had slipped out. She’d been thinking of Suden house and had saidhome. She looked at Luc and found his warm brown eyes waiting for hers. They brought their own light to the beach as the sun set, casting a dusting of reds, blues, and purples cascading through the clouds.
He’d caught her phrasing too.
“I think you’ve had enough for one day,”Arie replied.“We start early tomorrow. Though you two should go clear things up with the others. They look antsy.”
