Page 33 of Bound Paths
Something new was in its place. Luc was responsible for the onyx at the base of her lake of power—she knew it the same way she knew the sharp lines of his face—it was him. This stone was more cemented within her very being than the tunnel had been. It felt like a foundational part of her magic.
It felt more permanent.
Rose’s thoughts fixed on the last time they’d made love in her workshop before fighting Aterra. The worship from his mouth and his magic were seared into her skin. Their magic hadspun together in a way she had never experienced—intertwining internally and externally, unable to get enough. There was a moment?—
Something had changed.
“You can’t be bound.”Juliette’s words echoed in her head. Juliette had said it so boldly, like she knew the word was at the center of a maze in Rose’s thoughts—a maze she couldn’t find the right path to complete.
Juliette wasn’t being harsh. She was being pragmatic. They couldn’t be. Everything that was known about bound partners was against them.
But what really was known about bound partners? The thought sprung free from a hidden place within her mind, where she kept the hope for hers and Luc’s future tucked away, ready to pluck out when she needed it most. Everything she knew about bound partners was from children’s fairy tales. A fae’s perfect match in magic and heart seemed beyond reasonable expectation.
Then again, another thought sprang from that well of hope inside her—when had she and Luc adhered to reasonable expectations? Rose was the Norden Point even though her magic was of two courts. Luc was a demigod, the most powerful Suden in generations, born of the literal god of earth. They weren’t normal.
Together, they seemed to make the impossible possible. Why not this, too?
She rubbed her chest again. The place that throbbed like a knock at the door—she wanted to let him in.
Rose had seen the black stone enough times to no longer doubt it. The stone was a part of her lake of magic now. Rose suspected access to Luc—the connection to his magic—was still there.
She just needed to learn how to let him in.
Her own magic danced beneath her skin at the challenge. It was a new evaluation of her magic’s favorite partner. If she figured it out, she was sure the connection would flare back to life. The strength he’d harnessed to go beyond the veil was exactly what she knew him capable of—exactly what her magic knew of the heart of him. He protected first and worried about himself second. Though the action aligned with what she knew, he’d broken her heart by leaving her.
No matter how good his reasons.
Her thoughts scattered as she entered Norden house.
“Welcome back,” Walter’s low voice greeted her on her path to the library.
“Hi,” she said, waving awkwardly. She winced, adding learning how to engage with the staff to her mental to-do list.
“Can we prepare a meal for you?” he asked.
“Thank you, but I’ve eaten.”
“At Osten house?” It wasn’t judgment in his tone but curiosity. She knew the difference from her few conversations with the Norden elders.
“Yes, we made progress on our goal today.”
He nodded. “I’m glad to hear it.” He coughed like he would say something else.
“What is it? You can ask,” she said. She’d much rather answer his genuine questions than deal with the hypocrisy of the elders.
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it. I’ll get out of your way.”
She stared after him for a moment, seeing if he’d turn around. When he didn’t, she entered the library. Hopefully, he’d warm to her in time. She ran her fingers along the ornate books that lined the shelves and lit a fire. The plush chair called to her. Before she could select a book, she was sinking into the cushions. With her legs tucked under her body, she sank into a quiet moment—a moment at the end of an exhausting day that she wanted to share with Luc.
She closed her eyes and dove into the heart of her power. It was so much easier to do when she was still like this. Whatever part of her was here felt like a physical thing. The wind kissed her skin as she landed in her usual spot on the edge of her lake. Peering into the bright blue waters, she still couldn’t see the onyx streaks from where she stood. Now she knew what to do to find them though. She dove into the water, swimming deeper until she reached the bottom.
Her hand stretched for the sand of the lakebed. She knew—like she knew the pine and cinnamon scent of Luc’s magic—the black stone would be beneath the sand. The sand shifted under the strength of her power, revealing what she knew to be there.
Her heart beat wildly in her chest as she reached for it.
It was cool and smooth as her fingers slid over it—as grounding and calming as the touch of Luc’s magic.
With their original connection, she’d had to dip her hand into its depths. His magic had required her consent—her desire—her need to use his.
