Page 35 of Bound Paths
“Rose… Rose… Are you there?”
Arie, in bird form, was at the library window. Rose stood from the unnatural curl in which she had fallen asleep in the plush chair. She stretched and went to rub her chest, out of habit, glaring at the black bird perched on the ledge.
It didn’t pulse. The ache wasn’t present.
There was no denying she had been fully awake last night when she went into her magic. Rose knew what she had said—what she had felt. The all-consuming power that had flooded her with Luc’s laugh was even more potent than the first time she’d evaluated his magic.
As glad as she was to see Arie, she needed a moment. She slowed her steps to the window as she considered what happened. Her words—her truth—had releasedsomething. No matter how unlikely. Had she restored their connection? She wasn’t sure what the sign would be other than the already present relief from the discomfort of their separation.
Arie’s beak tapped on the window again, urging her to move this along. She rolled her eyes. His return would lighten her spirit even while she sassed him—family did that.
“How was the trip?” Rose asked as she let him in.
“It was uneventful.”Arie flew into the library, landing on the high wingback chair she had slept on, and surveyed the room.“What were you doing in here?”
Rose ignored his question momentarily and replied. “You mean uneventful besides the fact you and the love of your existence were reunited?” Rose leaned out the window and looked toward the front of the house. “Where is Aurora anyway?”
Arie’s bird shoulders seemed to hunch. He looked sheepish, and Rose delighted in it. She crossed her arms over her chest and waited.
“She said coming to the window and waking you was rude.”
Rose couldn’t hold in the laugh. It was loud and raw and lifted a weight she hadn’t noticed she carried. “I see she has some manners you may have missed learning. Is she in the entryway? I don’t hear Walter, but we can go get her.”
Arie flapped his wings.“She’s out back. That Walter character said you were still asleep, and she refused to let herself into the house when I planned to wake you.”
“Arie!” Rose chided. “You left her outside? You are the worst.” Rose looked down at the mess that was her. She was still wearing the tunic and leggings she had traveled in through the Osten caves and beyond the veil. “Give me just a moment. I’m going upstairs to change. I’ll meet you in the back entry. Please, go let her inside.”
Rose went about a brief morning routine in the bedroom she’d claimed before returning to the main floor of Norden house. Arie had switched to his human form and convinced Aurora to enter. She stood beside him, their backs to Rose as she entered the kitchen.
“Are you cooking?” Rose asked. The smell of eggs and sausage crackling caught her attention. Annabeth stoodnervously on the other side of the counter. At the surprise in Rose’s tone, she couldn’t help but respond.
“That’s Lady Aurora…” she stuttered. Though Compass Lake didn’t have any statues of the gods, many villages on the continent did. Rose wondered where Annabeth was from that she recognized the Norden goddess. “They said they needed to cook breakfast to make up for waking you. I wasn’t in a position to kick two gods out of my kitchen.”
Rose smiled at Annabeth. “It’s fine. They’re mostly harmless.”
Arie shot a glare at Rose over his shoulder.
“Good morning, Rose. We’re sorry to disturb you so early,” Aurora said as she turned away from the food.
“Welcome. I’m more than happy to have you.” Rose skillfully avoided any names or titles for her patron goddess. Honestly, she wasn’t sure what to call her. She called Arie ‘Arie’ before she knew he was a god. By the time she found out, it was too late to change. She couldn’t help but notice, though, that the others called him Lord Arctos. Aurora, being her patron, seemed to indicate she should have a level of deference.
Her thoughts must have been written across her face as Aurora said, “You can call me Aurora. No formalities are needed between us.”
Rose nodded. “Thank you.”
Annabeth sucked in a breath of surprise.
Aurora glanced at the cook before turning back to Rose. “Would you walk with me while Arie finishes our meal?”
Rose’s gaze skimmed toward Arie. He had his back to her, but he nodded all the same as if realizing she would look to him for guidance. “Of course. Lead the way.”
Aurora was unsurprisingly familiar with the house. She may not have been there in a hundred years, but it must not have changed much. She led them out the back door, away from thelake. Rose had purposefully avoided this part of the grounds so far, but she wouldn’t tell the Norden goddess that. The property was large, but even a short walk would lead them past the caretaker’s house.
The tension in Rose’s shoulders must have given her away.
“Is this okay?” Aurora asked, her gaze searching the grounds for the problem.
“It’s fine.” Rose waved off the concern as they walked. She took in the workshop and caretaker’s cottage. Too many emotions were competing for the top spot—thoughts of the family she lost and the new life she’d found in returning to Compass Lake. This new realization with Luc was so fresh—she would need to ask Arie if he knew anything about bound fae when they got back.
