Page 90 of Tangled Power
Aurora and Arie exchanged conspiratorial glances as they headed out of the mountain cavern the same way they had come.
“What?” Rose asked Arie when she walked beside him.
“What, what?” Arie replied.
“Are you and Aurora coming with us?” she asked. Rose was sure they would want some time to themselves, but no matter how much this problem needed to be solved by the Compass Points, Rose didn’t think the gods were off the hook this time. Zrak may have made most of the plans for the Covenant, but as she’d learned from Arie’s memories—he entrusted critical pieces of information to the remaining gods. Arie and Aurora might not realize the value of what they knew. Rose was determined to figure it out.
Selfishly, Rose also wanted to ask Arie about her connection with Luc. He understood more about godly power. Maybe Luc’s ability to communicate with her through his magic was part of his demigod nature. She didn’t think that was something the other Compass Points would be able to answer.
“We’ll meet you back at Compass Lake,” Arie said.
Rose wanted so badly to tease him about his newly reunited lover, but the thought only reminded her of the pit in her stomach. And the feeling of watching Luc throw himself beyond the veil with Aterra. She couldn’t bring herself to tease. She was just glad that Arie got this second chance with Aurora.
“Sounds good,” she said.
She was thankful for the push Arie had given her. Arie’s regret over lost time with Aurora had helped Rose admit her feelings for Luc. Now, with Luc beyond her reach, she couldn’t even imagine the scale of regret she’d feel if she hadn’t acted when she did. If she hadn’t told him she loved him when she did. She would hold every moment they had together close.
But she would also fight for the future they both dreamed of. A future of balance for the continent and those on it. Luc knew her and knew what she was capable of—he would have factored that into his plans. His belief in her and his grounding support was a craving she never quite sated. The scent of his power no longer lingered in the cavern. Her hands clenched into fists at her side, and she wanted to flood the space with water for allowing that smell to leave.
A thickness settled in the air around her—calming her. It didn’t hold the familiar scent she craved, but itfeltfamiliar nonetheless. It made a sound, she thought. Almost like a whisper on the wind, she swore the words “You’ll find me, my love” echoed through her thoughts. She searched their surroundings before they dove back into the waters of Lake of the Gods. No one was there—no one had spoken to her. She knew better, though. She felt it. There was something inexplicable between them.
She would do anything necessary to get him back.
