Page 32 of Bound Paths
“Now, back to the veil cats,” Carter said after swallowing a bite of his own. “We discussed on the ride from Bury that some of the history about the Lady of the Veil didn’t make sense. I think we have further proof that our suspicions were correct.”
“The proof being a pack of veil cats who greeted and chased us as soon as we arrived?” Rose asked.
“Yes,” Carter said around another large bite. He must have been as hungry as Rose was. He reached immediately for another as he continued. “The stories about their extinction seem to have been exaggerated.”
That seemed like an understatement, but Rose kept going. “The woman that arrived, I assume, was the Lady of the Veil?” She felt sure of the answer already, but wanted Carter’s assessment.
Juliette’s brows raised. They hadn’t talked about this part on the walk back.
“I think it’s safe to assume,” Carter said. “But what did you feel at her approach?”
“You felt her magic as she arrived—even before the roots tried to hold us?” Rose asked. Her magic had been so potent, it had echoed in the realm they’d landed in. Rose was unsurprised the land had risen to her call and tried to trap them.
“I did,” Carter said. “It felt...big.” He scratched the back of his neck. “It felt aligned with the realm.”
“What does that mean?” Juliette asked.
“It’s interesting because there is a connection between Lord Arctos and Vesten land, but it’s subtle and only this specific spot on the continent… The Lady’s magic was too similar, too connected to the realm to mistake.”
“You sensed the connection as well?” Juliette turned to Rose.
“I had a feeling that the land would do her bidding—and it did. But I’m not as in tune with the realm as Carter seems to be.” Rose shook her head. “The magic that woman put out though—it was big. I agree with that.”
“So…you fled without speaking with her?” Juliette asked.
“You think we should have let the roots trap us?” Rose asked sarcastically. “The Lady of the Veil is known not to appreciate guests. We were intruders and were being treated as such.”
Carter shrugged and then turned to Rose. “Did you get to test the connection to Luc? I know I had to pull you back, but...anything?”
“Our connection has changed. It’s not the same as it was before he left. It’s almost like I have to reactivate it,” she said. Based on their experience, she didn’t want to think too hard about Luc’s arrival. How quickly had the land trapped him and Aterra in place? She shook her head—she had to believe he was fine.
“You were able to make your initial connection with him quickly when we were testing our magic together,” Juliette continued, ignoring Rose’s inner turmoil.
A blush heated Rose’s cheeks. “That was because his magic had so actively played with mine while we traveled. It made finding the source of the connection simple. Knowing how to let him in now is a little harder.” She scratched her head and then reached for another scone. They’d eaten almost everythingJuliette had provided. Rose sighed, returning to the problem of the ruler beyond the veil. “Can we review what the Compass Points think they know about the Lady of the Veil again?”
Carter and Juliette shared a look. “As we indicated on the ride, the current information leaves much to be desired.” Carter licked his lips and continued. “The story takes place just before the Flood. So, the human villages on the continent faced natural disasters that led to destruction and, eventually, famine. It indicates the Lady of the Veil took a governor’s daughter. The woman was human before the fae’s creation but was said to have worked blood magic. No one is quite clear on why, but the village of Marcil seemed spared from the continent’s devastation due to some deal with the Lady of the Veil. It wasn’t a happy deal though. The villagers recorded that whatever happened caused the death of the veil cats—they were never seen again. The story of the Lady going mad and being the one to kill them came along with that.”
“Anything to add, Juliette?” Rose asked.
“No, that is the story as I know it.” She shrugged.
“Where does the story come from?” Rose asked.
Carter nodded. “The Suden hold the only texts that give some form of the history. From what I understand, many key magical farming techniques the Suden still use today are in villager journals from the time. I don’t know where the histories are, but I know from my duties in Sandrin that the Suden still use them.”
“It sounds like we need Aaron then,” Rose said.
Juliette raised her brows at the casual way Rose stated including the Suden Point’s brother.
“Does the Suden historian know what we are researching?” Juliette asked.
Rose scrunched her shoulders. “He knows more than he probably should.” She sighed. “But he needed to know the reality of Luc’s situation.” Rose stood. She didn’t regret what she’d toldhim. “I’ll stop by before going back to Norden house. I’ll tell him what we need and see what help he can offer.”
Aaron knew exactlywhat Rose was looking for. He said he’d bring what he could find to Norden house tomorrow. Her task complete, Rose cleared her head of thoughts about the Lady of the Veil on the walk home. She wanted the time alone to focus on her magic and its connection with Luc.
Something had always been unique about their bond. That was obvious. The first time they met, his otherworldly beauty had overtaken her in a way she had never experienced. She’d been equal parts excited and terrified that she’d angered the powerful earth fae, demanding to see the weapons master.
Even then, his magic called to her. As they traveled together, the feeling solidified. The way his magic opened to her and sought her in every situation. Their connection worked differently than with the other Compass Points. She may not have acknowledged it—but she knew it. It was disappointing that the connection didn’t rekindle when they were in the same realm, but she had learned something: Their unique connection had changed.
