Page 31 of Tangled Power
“And why didn’t you?” she asked.
“I’m sorry.” He set the knife down and sat up straight, giving her his full attention. His magic reached for her, still trying to slip the leash he kept on it. “I didn’t intend to keep it from you. I just kept hoping that the compass would turn us away. That we wouldn’t have to come here. Maybe we wouldn’t have to deal with this.” He gestured faintly to the market square. “Along with everything else.”
She walked to the window, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she looked down on the square. “What is it you don’t want to deal with?”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t see the hole,” he replied.
“I did.” She paused. “What is it to you?”
“Juliette didn’t tell you?”
Rose turned to face him, moving back toward the bed, where he sat. She slid onto the edge, one leg folding onto the mattress, leaving space between them. He stared at it. He’d created this space by making her doubt him—making her question why he would keep this information from her.
“I don’t want to hear it from Juliette.” Her gaze held his. “I want to hear it from”—she gestured to him—“whatever you are to me,” she said, her voice growing quiet.
Rose thinking he was an idiot was acceptable, but Rose doubting what she meant to him was not something that could stand. He reached for her hand, and she let him take it. “You are mine.” His magic thrummed as the words left his lips. “My partner for as long as you’ll have me.”
Her gaze fixed on their joined hands. He clasped her tighter than he realized. The uncertainty sketched on her features was more concerning than he wanted to admit.
“I didn’t mean to make you doubt me,” he said. “Not sharing the story of what happened in Loch had nothing to do with you, and everything to do with me.”
“Then please explain. A partner wouldn’t carry whatever this is alone.” Her tone was even but firm. She was allowing him to do what he should have done days ago.
He considered his power. His claim—that she was his—had appeased it. Especially since she didn’t object. A little mind shadow should be manageable without risk to her. “I think it would be best if I showed you this one,” he said, offering his other hand so both were joined.
She took it. And the small win he gained with that unquestioned gesture was everything to him. She always trusted his magic. That he trusted it with her, even when he didn’t want to, even when it was unpredictable, was something only she would appreciate. He gripped her hands tightly, never wanting to let her go, as he let the shadow of his power sweep over her.
“Aaron!”Luc called as he searched the market square. It was packed. The village center was awash in hastily assembled aisles. Merchants of all kinds were here to sell. He heard the soap merchant shout at him as he pulled up the cloth covering his table to look beneath it. Where was Aaron hiding?
Hide and seek in the market was the only good thing about the square being so busy. Luc had been searching for an hour, though. He was beginning to worry. Aaron wouldn’t have left him there to go play with the other kids, would he? Maybe Zachary and Edward had shown up and wanted him to join them. They never wanted Luc around. They said he didn’t knowhow to have fun. Luc shook his head. Aaron wouldn’t have left the square without telling him.
Tension crept further into his shoulders as he looked under the fruit seller’s table. A hand swatted him where he held up the cloth.
“What do you think you’re doing?” the seller asked. She sounded angry. Her arms folded squarely over her chest after he dropped the cloth.
“I’m looking for my brother,” he said absently, moving to the next stall.
Maybe he didn’t know how to have any fun. Hide and seek was supposed to be a simple game. No magic required. He could play without constant focus on keeping his power tamped down.
“Get out of here!” This time, he dodged a broom and snuck behind one of the sturdier wooden booths to see if Aaron hid behind it.
He ignored the shouts and continued his search. The next aisle was just as packed. There were villagers everywhere, doing their shopping. He narrowly avoided running into someone carrying a large bag of oats.
“Aaron!” Luc called again as he dodged out of the way of passersby.
“Your brother finally ditched you?” a voice asked from behind him. Luc turned to see Anthony with a sneer on his face. “About time. We don’t know why he keeps hanging out with you. He would be much better off leaving the bastard fae to fend for himself.”
Luc ran a hand through his hair. He didn’t have time for this. This fae only ever brought trouble. But he couldn’t shake the possibility that Anthony may have seen Aaron. “Have you seen my brother? I’m looking for him.”
“Well, that’s obvious.” Anthony’s laugh was unkind. He feigned an attempt to search the market row. “I see him there.” He pointed.
Luc turned his head, unable to stop himself.
“Running away from the fatherless fae.”
Luc rolled his eyes. Why had he tried? “If you’re not going to help, please, just stay out of my way.” Luc turned to continue on his path down the aisle.
Anthony jumped in front of him, forcing Luc to stop. “It’s my duty to give Aaron as much time to escape you as possible. If he has finally decided to make a run for it, I should support him.”
