Page 62 of Bound Paths
At this point in the day Rose didn’t even care for the walk through the cavern tunnels. She was exhausted, emotionally and physically. Her bad mood wouldn’t help anyone though. They were all fraying. She held an arm before her, gesturing for Juliette, their guide, to lead them. “Shall we, then?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
It would be too soon if Rose ever had to face the staircase again. Its ability to prey on her worst fears was one she didn’t care to relive as she walked back to Norden house. Her failure to bring Luc home—her fear she’d never bring him back—was a decadent feast for the staircase today. Without Arie kicking her leg, she would have taken up permanent residence there.
“Rose?” Arie’s voice called from behind her. He and Aurora walked more slowly, hands intertwined but in the same direction. “I’m sorry to interrupt whatever spiral you’re in…”
He didn’t sound sorry. His voice sounded chipper. It held too much energy for the end of a too-eventful day.
He continued. “I do need to clarify… We’re following you because we plan to stay at Norden house.” Rose heard him grunt but didn’t turn around. She assumed Aurora had elbowed him in the stomach.
Rose laughed and turned to face them. “Did you elbow him for his presumption?” Rose asked Aurora.
Her blue eyes danced with delight. “It’s polite to ask first,” she replied.
Rose smiled. “Hopefully, you’ll be a good influence on his manners,” she said wryly. “But yes, sorry. My head is elsewhere. You’re both welcome at Norden house. You can have your choice of the open rooms.”
“Thank you,” Aurora said more formally than Arie could ever pull off. “We know it’s a bit of an imposition, but we’d rather stay close to continue to help.”
“I assure you, it’s no problem,” she said. “I give Arie a hard time, but he knows he’s family and welcome in whatever home I have.” Rose continued her walk, leaving the two of them to chat a little ways behind her while her mind wandered over the day’s events.
Arie caught up with her as she opened the door to Norden house. “Where were you just now?”
She gave him a sad smile. Of everything she had to plan, her mind kept returning to the fears the staircase preyed on. “Just thinking about how my fears seem to keep coming to life.”
Arie seemed to know exactly what she was referring to, even if her thoughts were muddled. “You did the right thing leaving him today,” Arie replied. “In fact, I’d bet it wasn’t even your decision to leave him. Luc would have given himself up as soon as he realized you couldn’t all make it out.”
Rose rolled her eyes at the god’s presumption. He was right, of course, but she didn’t need to give him the satisfaction of a response.
“Welcome home,” Walter greeted them in the entryway.
“Good evening,” Rose said. “Do you mind helping these two find a room in the house?”
“Of course.” He turned to the god and goddess. “Please, follow me.”
“Let me know if you need anything, but you’re welcome to anything you find,” Rose called as Walter led them away.
Rose knew she wouldn’t find sleep until she tried to connect with Luc again. He may have told her to go. He may have sacrificed himself—again. But now that she’d acknowledged their connection, she wanted desperately to see if they could connect more fully within the heart of her magic.
She wanted to let him in completely. Slipping into her room, Rose was ready to push her and Luc’s bond further than she had before.
Physical exhaustion threatenedto overtake her as soon as she was under the covers. Her mind was far from rest though. It took almost no thought as she closed her eyes, leaving her body still in bed while the rest of her fell into the heart of her magic.
It was only this morning she’d acknowledged aloud they were bound. That acknowledgment had strengthened the mental bond between them. She was sure it would have done the same for this connection through their magic. Desperately, she needed reassurance that he was okay.
The gentle breeze across her lake drew her attention; the trees circling it swayed in the same wind. It was peaceful here, whether Luc would meet her or not.
But she knew he would.
She dove into the refreshing waters, this time knowing exactly what she was searching for. Her arms stretched as she swam, her fingers itching to get closer to the lakebed—to see the black stone she was certain spiderwebbed through it. A moment later, she reached the bottom. Her eyes lit as the black swirl became visible in the water’s movement. Rose pushed the sand away, and the material became even more apparent.
This wasn’t the tunnel she’d entered when their magic merged. What was a spiderweb of stone streaking across the lakebed yesterday was now large stone slabs replacing the sandy bottom of her lake at every opportunity.
Her hand reached again for the onyx stone. The familiar magic pulse around her. At this point, she could not determine whether the feeling came from her chest or the lake itself.
“We’re bound,” she said to the stone. That nagging thought—the worry she was being ridiculous, was no longer present. Some part of her knew the words were magic. Her acknowledgment and acceptance strengthened the connection.
His low chuckle sounded through her very bones. It brought her body to life in a way she couldn’t explain—didn’t want to explain. She just wanted to feel.
