Page 53 of Bound Paths
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
There was a moment as they crossed when the already active magic of Aurora’s dagger flared to life around them. The ripples spread, the drops fell—and icy water soaked her clothes. The splash into the river was an unwelcome surprise. Rose swept her arms as she searched the river for Carter. He was swimming to the riverbank in his fae form.
A deep cold pulsed in her bones as the river rushed against her. Though they’d entered from a different location, the river appeared to be the same.
Hauling herself onto the riverbank next to Carter, Rose let her breathing return to normal. “That is not a welcoming entrance,” Rose said.
“Some would say it’s quite unwelcoming,” Carter said wryly. “It’s like she doesn’t want any visitors to make it into her realm. I’m shifting back. I want to be able to get us out of here at a moment’s notice,” he said. She didn’t have time to reply before a veil cat sat beside her.
Rose used her magic to squeeze water drops off both of them. Then she squinted to try to confirm if the magic of Aurora’s dagger was still working. It wasn’t as easily seen here as in the Norden library, but peering hard enough, Rose could see theripples fanning out and the droplets around them obscuring their location.
The river might be the same but the bank was different than last time. They were still in a forest, but there was a structure in the distance she didn’t recognize. Rose pulled her compass from under her tunic and looked down. Her heart skipped a beat as the needle stopped its endless spinning. Having a direction to follow, she tugged gently on Carter’s scruff.
“Luc?”She sent the thought out, hoping they could speak freely now that they were closer.
“Come here often?”His voice slipped into her head with all the tact his shameless pickup line deserved.
“I’m glad you’re in such good spirits. It looks like we have a bit of a walk—it’s time you tell me everything.”
Luc sighed.“We’re in her castle dungeon.”
Rose’s heart was in her throat instantly.“We?”
“Aterra and I. She found us as soon as we arrived, just like what happened with you and Carter. I’ll tell you the details later.”
Rose looked around again. The sizeable structure could certainly be a castle. Rose bet this was their destination. It would be a few hours’ walk.
“Carter, can you carry me for a bit?” It was an awkward question, but she wouldn’t ask if they had other options.
The veil cat nodded.
“I think you have time to show me now,”she pressed. They’d danced around the details of this connection. She wanted to test it—to see what they could do. If she went into the heart of her magic, could his mind shadow reach her?“Can you show me?”
Luc’s mind shadow was a gift few Suden had. He’d shown her scenes before. This seemed like the next step, since she could feel his magic on her skin in the lake. Could he showher his arrival through their connection, which usually required physical touch?
“We can try.” She could the slight furrow of his brow as he spoke the words. As soon as she settled on Carter’s back and dove into the heart of her magic, Luc’s washed over. Rose felt herself fall into Luc’s memory just as she had in Loch.
Darkness surrounded her.
It was a darkness so complete Rose wondered if she’d ever see the light of day again. Lifting her hands, she felt for…something…anything as she wandered in the darkness. Nothing was available to touch, so Rose continued to meander. With her, she dragged a heavy weight, one that seemed to be struggling to free itself from her hold.
The path was unclear. Rose turned left and right, trying to find her way. Nothing guided her. She might be lost in this expanse forever.
Something pulled below her sternum—a heat flared that Rose was all too familiar with. It tugged her in the direction opposite of where she was headed. She sighed deeply and nodded to herself, continuing opposite the tug.
Rose landed with a splash. Icy water enveloped her before she could organize her thoughts. She moved her arms, treading water as she looked around. The river was, unfortunately, familiar at this point. She’d fallen into it enough times to realize it must be the entry point for all those passing beyond the veil. Pushing one hand through her hair, she noted it was black and much shorter than her own.
She was in Luc’s memory. That made her Luc for the time being.
If this was his entry beyond the veil, then where was…
Aterra was swimming toward the shore next to her. He appeared fully recovered from the stab of the Suden ring. Thinking of the ring, Rose didn’t see it on Luc’s finger. He must have had to remove it to pierce Aterra the way he did. Rose felt Luc’s arms move as he started swimming after the earth god.
The pair pulled themselves up on shore. Aterra glared at Luc.
“What do you think that accomplished, boy?” Aterra growled. “All you did was delay the inevitable.”
Luc’s mouth opened to respond, but no words came out, his gaze lifting over Aterra’s shoulder to a new threat. Rose barely had to process what she was seeing. It was all too familiar from her journey beyond the veil.
