Page 6 of Bound Paths
“I think it helps the spirits see me for what I am. Now that I’ve unlocked that power, they are drawn to me when I shift,” he said.
She swallowed around a lump in her throat as her gaze lingered on Suden house at the lake’s southern shore. They had so much to do, but she needed to see Aaron. Luc’s brother deserved to hear the news from her, no matter how much she longed to avoid it.
Rose tried to rally as she looked between her fellow leaders. “I hope you can see why I bring this up…” She hesitated. This was her second option if Zrak proved unhelpful, but she needed Carter to agree. She sat up straighter in her seat. “If veil cats can ferry spirits beyond the veil, then you”—she nodded at Carter—“need to be our backup plan.”
Carter sighed. “I had a feeling you’d say that.”
“That’s not a yes,” Rose said. She swore she saw Juliette smile out of the corner of her eye as she pressed the Vesten Point for his answer.
“Of course, I’ll try, Rose. But you must know I’ve never done it before.” He scratched the side of his head. “After seeing the space Luc created to cross beyond the veil, I have some ideas, but it will be risky.”
Rose nodded through the punch in the gut she felt whenever Luc’s name was mentioned. Risky wasn’t an issue for her. Carter’s response was the best she could ask for. It was still wise to attempt to get information from Zrak before blindly crossing realms. As both Carter and Juliette said, the borders were closed. History indicated the Lady of the Veil didn’t appreciate visitors. Rose’s heart pounded in her chest as she wondered what it meant for Luc upon his arrival.
“Has everyone shared their secrets now? Is there anything else we need to discuss?” Rose choked out, forcing a change in her thoughts.
Carter looked sheepish, but Juliette met Rose’s gaze head-on.
“You still don’t seem to understand what you’ve done, Rose,” the Osten Point said. “Some of these secrets you pull from us have been buried for hundreds of years—it’s no simple feat to ask if we’re done. It’s as natural as breathing for me to keep things from the Compass Points. Only time and trust will reveal everything.”
So, Rose thought, that was a no, then.
CHAPTER TWO
As much as she wanted to avoid this conversation, as much as she’d prefer to settle into Norden house, she knew she couldn’t. Luc’s brother deserved to know what he’d done and where he was.
Rose’s face must have said more than the words she couldn’t get out. Andrew opened the back door, and rather than greet Rose, he turned to yell into the house.
“Aaron, I think you have a meeting. The boys and I are going to get ready for bed.” He smiled gently as he left the door open for Rose and continued. “Boys, upstairs.”
“Noooo,” three voices whined in chorus.
Andrew ushered them away, not letting the young fae catch sight of Rose’s grief-stricken face. She was frozen in the entryway as Andrew followed his charges, leaving her alone. It had taken everything she had to knock on the door. The sun had set, making it later than socially acceptable to drop by unannounced, but she needed to talk to Aaron tonight. She tried to swallow around the emotion lodged thickly in her throat as bedtime preparation noises drifted down the stairs. She was thankful Aaron’s husband had shepherded the children away. Nothing could prepare her to tell Luc’s nephews that while shehad returned, their uncle hadn’t. She barely believed she’d be able to tell his brother.
Aaron found her standing in the open doorway, looking like she might dart away at any second. Like Andrew, he only had to see her face before leading her into his study on the first floor. He handed her a glass of water as she sat in the plush chair opposite his desk. She hadn’t even realized he’d disappeared to retrieve it. Aaron walked around the large wooden desk and leaned forward, his palms resting on the surface, his head hanging, unwilling to meet her gaze as he asked the question she dreaded answering.
“Tell me,” he whispered, steeling himself for the answer. “Where is he? What did he do?”
Rose’s lip twitched in an attempted smile. His questions were so apt—questions only a brother would know to ask. This was hardly how she wanted to begin her relationship with Aaron. He already blamed her for Luc keeping secrets from the other Compass Points. Telling him his brother was gone wouldn’t endear her to him. Still… He deserved to know.
Aaron lifted his palms from the desk, one hand poised to drag down his face, a gesture so Luc, her heart cracked again in her chest.
She couldn’t do this.
She couldn’t tell him his brother had sacrificed himself for the continent—that he was now beyond the veil.
“Forgive me, Rose. I know you’ll come for me.”Luc’s words echoed through her entire being. They expressed an uncompromising faith in her as he leaped into the unknown. He didn’t doubt she would come for him. She swallowed a drink of water and glanced at the fae before her. Would he believe the same? Or would Aaron think his brother was gone?
Her breaths shortened, panic taking over. She closed her eyes, trying to suck air deep into her lungs. Unable to calm herself, she reached for her magic instead.
For ten years, she’d masked her power. Since embracing it and claiming her seat as the Norden Point, it became a strength she could rely on. But like her heart, her power was restless and untamed in Luc’s absence. The emptiness where Luc’s magic had taken up residence demanded to be felt. Rose sighed, nodding slowly to herself, acknowledging the loss.
This wasn’t helping.
A tear dripped down her cheek as she met Aaron’s gaze. His nostrils flared as he sniffed the air. He’d anxiously moved back around the desk, giving the appearance of patience now as he sat on the corner. The way he crossed and uncrossed his muscled arms gave away his nerves.
Where did she even start?
“Luc is a demigod,” she blurted. This fact was shocking on its own. If he fought it, Rose would know how to temper the rest of the news she delivered. If he believed it? Rose hoped it would provide reassurance.
