Page 66 of Bound Paths
He seemed to sense the request in her gaze and nodded, a Luc-like smirk crossing his features.
“We were just explaining to the baker that the Suden Point is working with us to return those impacted by the mist plague to their former state.” She smiled sweetly at him.
“Ah, yes, Christopher.” Aaron stepped around the group and toward the counter to shake the baker’s hand more familiarly. “Luc is whole-heartedly supporting these three. May I also get an assortment of pastries? Extra chocolate ones for the boys, please.”
“If that’s true, where is he?” the baker asked, his brows raising.
“Christopher, you know it’s not the Suden Point’s job to declare his whereabouts to everyone. Trust that he is doing what needs to be done to help restore those impacted by the plague.” Aaron’s words were so genuine. Rose was glad she’d told him more than he needed to know about Luc’s current whereabouts.
“If you say so,” the baker replied skeptically, passing a box to Carter and setting to work on Aaron’s. He seemed to have Aaron’s order ready as he quickly handed him another box from behind the counter.
“Have a good day.” Aaron waved to Christopher as he left with the Compass Points. They stood together momentarily, moving just out of earshot of other shoppers.
“Thank you, Aaron,” Juliette said. “The timing was perfect.”
Aaron nodded. “I’m surprised you’re all out together like this.”
“It’s our new normal.” Rose beamed. “But really, thanks again. We were actually on our way to see you. We received your note last night.”
“I’m sorry, Rose. I couldn’t find anything else at Suden house, but I think I know where they are.” His gaze shifted around the market as he spoke.
“Where’s that?” Carter asked.
Aaron glanced between the other two Compass Points and must have decided speaking plainly in front of them was acceptable. “My father has always had a collection of pre-Flood texts with details to magically improve farming. Of course, they were humans using blood magic to tend the soil, but he always said it was the foundation, the origins of the Suden’s earth magic as we know it. Any I can’t find here must be with him.”
“Really?” Carter’s voice raised in pitch, too excited by half. Rose shot him a glare as he continued too quickly. “What does your father do?”
“He’s an agricultural researcher. He works in programs that try to pair human farmers with fae who can support them with various techniques.”
“No wonder Luc was so passionate about funding that program,” Juliette quipped.
Aaron’s reply was sharper than Rose had heard from him. “He cared so much because he knew it was our duty as fae. It was your duty as leaders of this continent to protect the balance, and supporting farmers in these efforts is a huge part of ensuring we have food for everyone.”
Juliette lifted her hands in peace. “Apologies, Aaron. I meant nothing by it. It sounds like you both had a strong example of the benefit of these programs and how they help the communities.”
Aaron bristled but let it go. “I think they may still be at my father’s house in Loch.”
“Your father lives in Loch?” Rose was startled. They were there recently, and she couldn’t believe Luc wouldn’t have stopped to see his stepfather.
“Yes, but he’s not often home. He spends most of his time traveling to human communities to teach. The texts are there because he still uses them occasionally to reinforce specific techniques with humans. He also tends to carry journals of humans wielding magic when he travels. For the humans more reluctant to accept his help, he tries to show them another human’s perspective.”
That made sense. Rose was impressed by the lengths Aaron’s father went to in order to reassure humans about magic use.
“I’ll have to go get them. It might be a long trip if he has any of them with him in the field.”
Rose’s shoulders fell. So much for taking her mind off their current problems. She couldn’t wait days to try to get to Luc again. Not having a plan wasn’t exactly a strength of hers. None of this was Aaron’s fault though. “We understand, Aaron. But we would appreciate them as soon as possible.”
Aaron nodded.
Rose perked up momentarily, realizing she had a way to speed up Aaron’s trip. “Actually, when will you leave? I can get you some help for your search.”
Aaron looked skeptical. “I can leave today.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you back at the Suden stables. I have to retrieve someone from Norden house.”
It was clear Aaron disapproved of this plan. Likely because he knew the others at Norden house currently were gods. He nodded anyway and left the village with his pastry box.
“Are you sending Arie with him?” Carter asked, a bit of a smile surprisingly present on his face. “He will not like being treated as a messenger bird.”
