Page 40 of Tangled Power
“What do you mean?” Rose asked, doing her part to encourage Juliette’s conversation.
“She means that she thinks I’m in league with Aterra,” Luc grumbled as he lifted his spoonful of stew to his mouth. Rose glared at him. He was right, but he wasn’t helping.
Juliette had no qualms admitting her line of thought, either. “I did. But that is because of a tradition between Compass Pointand patron, of which the rest of you seem unaware. It almost makes me question its validity.”
“What tradition?” Luc asked.
“I can only describe it as a sharing of power—a connection between Compass Point and their god that helps to strengthen both.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Luc said, his brow pinched. “That’s why you thought I communed with Aterra? You think I’m sharing his power?”
Juliette nodded. “It was one of my theories for your unprecedented strength. That somehow Aterra found you early and started communing with you in this manner even before you were Suden Point.”
Rose’s eyes widened. It hadn’t occurred to her that others would have theories to explain Luc’s power. It probably should have.
“I’ve not seen or heard from Aterra. Ever,” Luc added.
“Do you know if Michael communed with him? Did he pass down any information about the connection to you?”
“If he did, he didn’t tell me, or he didn’t put it anywhere obvious. The only thing he passed down was the knowledge of the Suden artifact. I didn’t need it because I already wield the power of mind shadow.”
Heat flared in Rose’s chest as she realized Luc was making his own peace offering to Juliette. Offering her more information than she requested in this exchange.
Juliette’s brow raised, she, too, taking notice of the gesture. “Carter?” His name was a question on Juliette’s lips.
“No, though the Vesten don’t tell the histories so much as they make the new Vesten Point read them. I’ll admit, I’ve not completed my study of the Vesten histories. The knowledge you mention could be in there somewhere.”
“Weren’t you a scholar?” Juliette asked.
Carter flushed again. “Only the Vesten Point and select scholars can read these works.”
“Interesting. Where are the histories kept?”
“In Sandrin,” Carter replied. “And they can’t be taken from the Vesten stronghold there. It’s quite inconvenient, especially for a new Vesten Point who needs to spend time at Compass Lake.”
“And made even more difficult to find time with the mist plague’s growing threat,” Rose added. The Compass Points hadn’t wanted to be far from their seats of power. She bet it had been challenging for Carter to spend significant time reading in Sandrin.
“So, what does the connection entail?” Luc asked.
Hot, dripping blood fell onto the cold gray stone. A male voice echoed around her. Rose’s mind immediately flashed to what she’d seen when forging Juliette’s blades. It made her think she had an idea of what the ritual entailed. Juliette’s gaze locked on hers as if she waited for Rose to make the connection. Rose tilted her head, acknowledging that it was Juliette’s information to share.
“For me, it’s a blood ritual,” Juliette said quietly as if daring the others to judge her for such a practice. The fae courts were so enamored with their elements and the purity of those lines that any other magic was looked down upon. Blood magic, in particular, was something only used by magic-wielding humans. Juliette would do anything necessary to protect the members of her court. It didn’t surprise Rose that she would use methods of magic other fae leaders would reject. “I’m unsure if it would be the same for each fae court or if others would have different ways, like with the ways we test for power.”
“I can’t believe that none of the other fae courts know or talk about this,” Rose said. She considered her next words carefully,not wanting to offend Juliette. “Do you think it has anything to do with your patron’s sacrifice?”
Juliette nodded. “I believe that is why Ihaveto do it.” She paused. “I’m not quite sure if the other gods are unaware or uninterested.” She paused again. Rose could see by the way she swallowed and straightened her spine that she was carefully considering her next words. “I can tell that most of you don’t know or don’t believe that the Osten court was weakened with Zrak’s sacrifice. But knowledge from my predecessors assures me this was the case.” She looked pointedly at Luc.
“I can only explain that the consistency of my ritual with Zrak lessens the impact of his sacrifice. By offering my blood and mixing it with Zrak’s in a sacred location, I am able to strengthen Zrak enough that he, in turn, continues to strengthen the Osten.” She stopped. Rose didn’t dare interrupt. She was afraid anything she might say would stop Juliette’s words completely. “I can only describe it as a balance, similar to what we’re entrusted to keep for the continent. I can sense when the balance between my power and Zrak’s is at risk, and that’s when I perform the ritual.”
Rose’s gaze met Juliette’s. Rose offered a soft smile as she said, “Thank you for telling us.” This conversation brought forth more questions than answers, but Rose knew the effort and trust shown tonight was unprecedented. It was the first time she had seen the fae courts sharing information without requirement. If they could do this, maybe the continent wasn’t doomed.
“You’re certainly satisfied with yourself,”Luc said as his arm snaked around her. Rose was on her side on their joined bedrolls, her back to him, admittedly thinking of the progress they had made that evening as a group. For once, it wasn’t justher magic, and it wasn’t just her compass. They’d used their power together to close the hole. They had each shared things about their courts and magic that were previously unknown to the others. This was a win for the Compass Points.
“I am,” Rose said as the scent of Luc’s magic wrapped around her with his arm. Between the comforting smell, her tunic raised in her relaxation, and his fingers grazing lightly over the skin of her stomach, suddenly, she wasn’t so satisfied anymore. Her body craved a different kind of satisfaction—one only Luc could give her.
She leaned back into him. His body went taut next to her as if he sensed the change in her mood but was unsure what to do with it. “We don’t exactly have privacy, Rose,” he whispered, his lips teasing the skin behind her ear as he spoke. He trailed gentle kisses down her neck, seeing what she’d do with his comment.
“We can be quiet,” she replied, scooting back further into him. Luc needed no more encouragement. His right hand continued to trace a path across the skin on her stomach, teasing her as it slid up her ribs and the side of her breast. She let her head fall back onto his shoulder at just his touch. This—this was what she needed.
