Page 41 of Tangled Power
Luc had been so uncomfortable in Loch. Here, under the stars, they were both a little freer. Luc was free from his past, and Rose from the weight of this journey. She knew she shouldn’t take so much of the responsibility on her shoulders, but she couldn’t help it. They needed magical blades—she was the weapons-maker. They needed to find Aterra—she had Aurora’s compass to guide them. Things just worked out that she was the required leader of their efforts. Not simply because of the things she could bring but because she was the one the Compass Points had decided they would trust—if only a little bit. That, more than the skills she brought, weighed heavy on her.
She may not have had time to say this to Luc, but his action showed his awareness. He did what he could to share her burden or make things easier. He took care of the campsite necessities while she forged, gave her space to talk to the other Compass Points without him, and was there whenever she wanted to collapse into him. She wanted—no,needed—that now.
His lips took full advantage of her neck as she rolled back. Her body, usually so tightly wound, sprawled open—giving him more access. He greedily took it. His fingers moved deftly under her tunic as his mouth left a blazing trail along her skin.
Her breath grew ragged when his hand slipped under the waistband of her leggings. She moaned as his fingers continued their progress to her center. He circled and teased her. She glanced over her shoulder and caught the self-satisfied smirk on his face.
“I’m not sure you’re capable of being quiet.” His mouth was again at her ear. His words were innocent, his actions anything but. Rose made a strangled sound as his finger dipped inside her. She was aching with need now.
“So impatient,” he said, slipping in another finger. Her hips rushed to meet him, to quicken his pace. She was burning up as he stretched her. Taking his time, unwilling to cater to her eager demands. Leaning back, further into him, she dragged her tongue along the side of his neck.
“That’s not playing fair.” His words were rough. She felt a power unrelated to magic at her effect on him. She was glad it wasn’t only her. This connection between them strengthened every day. She wanted him, all of him, even the power he seemed so unsure of.
“Luc,” her voice was breathy as she all but begged him to give her what she needed.
“I’ve got you, Rose,” he replied as his fingers circled and stroked, building her pleasure. Her eyes closed, and her bodytightened like a bowstring aimed and ready. Luc’s fingers moved faster, his thumb finally granting her the friction she sought. He tilted her body to him, capturing her moan with a kiss as she found her release.
Her tongue teased his, her teeth catching his lip like a lifeline. He held her as the waves of pleasure crashed through her body.
She rolled over to face him—her hands reaching for him beneath the blankets.
“Ah, ah, ah,” Luc said, sliding away but leaning forward for another breathtaking kiss. “I made no such promise of silence. I’ll wait for the next inn before we continue.”
She smiled softly, raising her hands above the blanket to prove her innocence.
“No one here believes that act, Rose.” His returning smile was wicked. His hand cupped her cheek. “I didn’t say it earlier, but I should have. I’m in awe of your progress with the Compass Points. I know you carry more responsibility on this journey than you should. But remember, you don’t have to carry it all alone.” His lips pressed to the corner of her mouth. “I see your progress—it’s the most cooperation among us in my tenure—probably in the Compass Points’ existence. Don’t give up.”
Rose’s body, already soft from release, went to jelly at his words. She wouldn’t have given up—even if she’d been failing—but she was content to hear her progress was noted. She hoped they all realized the trust they were building in time to put it to use.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The path grew wilder and more untamed the further they traveled. Given how fast she and Juliette had moved them yesterday, Rose wasn’t sure how much more land there was before they hit water.
“Is there anything out here?” Carter voiced what they were all wondering. He’d disappeared for a bit this morning, leaving his horse and going into the trees to shift. Whatever power the coin had given his shifter, Carter seemed eager to keep testing it.
“Did you see anything when you scouted ahead?” she asked.
Carter shook his head. “Though the path does end, or at least, it’s too overgrown to continue. We’ll need to walk the horses shortly.”
She held the compass in her palm again, watching the needle hold fast, guiding them west. Walking the horses would slow them down, but this was leading them to Aterra. What other option did they have?
Another day passed. Walking the horses was slow, but the compass’s direction was clear. Rose sucked in a breath as a landmark finally came into view.
A cabin. It was tiny—no more than one room. A small, wooden structure with a fireplace if the chimney was any indication.
The surrounding landscape was breathtaking. Whoever lived here had known what they were doing when picking the location. It was right on the edge of the continent. This wasn’t a seashore where the water gracefully rolled onto the sandy beach. This jagged cliff plummeted into dark ocean water—a rugged and stunning view for whomever spent their time here. Rose wondered what the owner had been hiding from. This wasn’t the warmth of a home, but it gave her a sense of safety, that no one could find her.
She held up her hand to stop the others. Smoke rolled out of the chimney. Glancing at the compass a final time, she announced this as their destination. Her mind started racing with all the questions she’d put off. Would Aiden be in there with Aterra? Would she be able to do what needed to be done to stop Aiden if he was there? Or would she pause again, wondering how many of his actions were his own? She still had no answers, and she hated it.
“It looks like someone is still here,” Rose said.
“How do we approach this?” Luc asked.
“Do we know if Aiden is in there too?” Carter added.
“Does it matter?” Juliette said.
“Aterra is definitely there,” Rose said, looking at the compass again. “We have to be ready to do what is necessary if Aiden is in there too.”
