Page 44 of Tangled Power
“Rebecca of Loch is my mother, and my father is unknown.”
“Finally,” Luc swore the Norden Point whispered, but the slow smile that spread across his pale face made Luc uncomfortable.
“As I said,” Luc replied. “Expect my rebuttal to the fund reallocation proposal shortly.” He held the gray-eyed gaze for another moment before exiting the room.
Luc pulled them back,his hands still clasped to Rose’s.
“That was the only time you saw them?” Rose asked.
“I think so….” Luc paused. “I can’t say that I studied Aiden’s eyes with any frequency. That scene sticks out because I saw the change happen. And the way he looked at me then. It was so similar to how Aterra looked at me today.”
“What do you think it means?” Rose asked.
“I don’t know what to say except that I think my power matches his.” Luc shrugged off the massive statement. He was doing everything he could to downplay the insanity of his words.She would see through that, though. She didn’t respond, letting him process his thoughts and continue.
“Do you ever wonder what he’s done to try to disrupt the balance?” Luc asked.
“Aterra? You mean besides taking Aurora hostage and interfering with a Compass Point?” she said. “What else do you think he did?”
“I don’t know. I suspect those are simply steps on a path that seeks to increase his own power. But I can’t figure out how they fit. I just can’t imagine a god would risk it all to bully the Compass Points. There has to be more.”
She tilted her head, evaluating his words and where his thought process was leading.
Luc continued, “You know how the Compass Points and the fae came to be. Aterra was the only one who didn’t think the gods owed the continent anything. Yet, he had to follow the compass scheme because he couldn’t overrule the other gods.” Luc shook his head again. “I’m sure the first thing he did once the fae had been created and the Covenant was made was to find a way to ensure he never had to do something like that again. I bet he searched for a way to overpower the others next time, should it come to that.”
Rose scrunched her nose. “That makes sense, but I’m not sure we can know that. It also doesn’t get us closer to understanding what he would have done to pursue more power. How does a god increase their power?”
“If there is a connection between gods and Compass Points, then maybe the action is simple—make sure you have a powerful Suden Point in place…” Luc trailed off.
Her eyes widened briefly as he knew she heard what he wasn’t saying.
Luc pulled his hand down his face. “I don’t know.” Maybe if he kept repeating that, he would find a different response. “Whatam I supposed to do? It wasn’t all of us working together—it was just me. And even that was only successful for seconds.”
Rose took his hand. She had a crooked smile on her face as she replied. “Didn’t you tell me last night that you wished I didn’t have to carry so much alone? That you supported me? Let me do the same for you. That’s what partners are for.”
The laugh lines on her face calmed him somehow. “That doesn’t sound like me.” He shook his head.
“You’re wonderful, Luc. I’m a big fan.” Her smile grew wide. “But not even I think you alone are meant to save us. We need to figure out how we unite our magics—across elements. I do not doubt your messy power is required for our success.”
How did she do that? With so few words, she supported him and teased him for the self-importance of his thoughts. She didn’t just soothe him. His magic calmed with her words. It was no longer restless and eager for use. He was able to regain his usual hold on it. He would never know how he got so lucky as to find her. She was exactly what he needed, what he wanted—always.
His lip curled into a wry grin. He saw Rose’s eyes light up before he even spoke. Apparently, she could read him as well as he could read her. “What would I do without you to put me in my place?”
“Probably brood over here for another few hours,” she said.
His hands covered his heart, as if her words stabbed him there. “Maybe we want to talk about the attributes of mine of which you are a fan? It would help my crumbling ego.”
She playfully shoved his shoulder. He caught her hand and wrapped it around his neck. Her fingers didn’t need encouragement as they laced themselves in his hair. He stepped into her space. He wanted nothing between them but knew this wasn’t the time. “Thank you.” He pressed his lips to the edge ofhers, then felt them curve at the contact. Her face turned, and her mouth sought his as she returned a lingering kiss.
It took all his self-restraint to step back. He watched as her eyes danced at his movement.
“Tease,” she said.
He would get lost in her for days if he could. His smirk was back as he shook his head slowly. “We should go learn how to unify our magic, right?” He knew the correct answer was to return to camp, but he didn’t want to.
She laced her fingers in his as they left the natural meeting point of the deadly cliffs and mighty ocean.
“So, what’s next?”Carter asked as they were back within earshot of the others. Luc didn’t understand the Vesten Point. Sometimes, he seemed so afraid of his own shadow, and others, he was ready to persevere.
