Page 68 of Bound Paths
Luc laughed.“Figures that would be his first response.”
Arie, in bird form, chose that moment to land on her shoulder. He projected his speech for both Rose and Aaron to hear.“Rose is very good at making things possible that shouldn’t be.”She swore he winked at her, though it was challenging to confirm as a bird.“I’m Arctos, by the way. You can call me Arie. You must be Aaron.”
Luc couldn’t hold the laugh from his voice.“This is a lot for my brother.”
Rose agreed as Aaron looked up to the sky, likely contemplating if he wanted to continue the conversation with someone who was clearly—in his mind—delusional. Now, one of the gods of the continent was introducing himself.
Rose watched Aaron take a few deep breaths before returning his gaze to the pair. “It’s nice to meet you, Lord Arc…ie.” Rose saw his mouth trip over the informality of the god’s nickname. At least Luc had told his brother Lord Arctos traveled with them. He wasn’t nearly as shocked by the talking bird as he should be.
Aaron nodded, guessing Rose’s thoughts. “He might have mentioned a shapeshifting god before he left.”
“For the safety of the continent, of course, in case I didn’t return…”Luc said
“Honestly, it’s one less thing I have to convince you of,” Rose said. “Arie will travel with you to retrieve the book. You can pick wherever you think will be farther away and send him there to search. Then he can bring it back to you on the road.”
Aaron nodded. He bent to pick up his pack and finished securing it as he looked at Rose again. “Why did you tell me you were bound? It’s not something you’d share without reason.”
Rose smiled. “In a perfect world, I would have let Luc share with you in his own way.” She sighed. “I told you because I can speak with him—even while he’s beyond the veil. He wanted me to tell you because he has something else to ask of you on your trip.”
Aaron’s face gave nothing away as she spoke. Not disbelief. Not surprise. It was as if she’d shocked all emotion from his expression.
Luc spoke into her mind again, laying out his request. He was still worried about Aterra’s plan—how Aterra might use him. Rose wasn’t surprised he’d come up with a countermeasure. As Rose passed on Luc’s request, Aaron’s eyes widened.
“What are you two up to, Rose?”Arie asked only into her mind.
Rose shook her head in response to Arie while Aaron seemed to weigh a decision. She couldn’t answer him now. This was too important. She had to ensure Aaron believed this was from Luc.
“You’re asking a lot,” he said, his eyes pinching as he glared at Rose. He rubbed his brow in indecision. “You smell like him, but…can I test you?”
“Oh, this will be good,”Luc said.“Bring it on.”
“He says yes.” She sighed. He sounded far too excited about it.
“Where did we spend our time when he got kicked out of school?”
Luc scoffed.“What an easy one. The tree out back.”
Rose repeated his words, and Aaron’s eyes widened impossibly further.
“Who was faster in a footrace?” Aaron asked, narrowing his eyes as if this one would get her.
“Oh, this is how he will get me to admit it? Fine, if that’s what it takes. Father always beat us both.”
Rose passed on Luc’s answer.
Aaron rubbed the back of his neck, considering. He only would have admitted that to prove a point. Rose didn’t say a word. Aaron was working through it all on his own. The less she tried to convince him, the better.
“Fine. I’ll do it. But I want to talk to Luc again when I return, before we do anything that can’t be undone.”
Rose beamed. “That sounds fair.” She also didn’t quite understand the why of it yet. But if Luc felt he needed backup, she wanted to ensure he had the flexibility to shift his plans. If he believed Aterra was still scheming, even in their imprisonment, she didn’t want Luc stuck with whatever Aterra sprung on him.
“So, do you want to send me to your father?”Arie said, reinserting himself into the conversation. “I should go wherever is farther away. Since I can fly faster than you can move.”
Aaron nodded. “Yes.” Aaron pulled a map from his bag and pointed to an area with few settlements farther south than Loch. “He said he was working in this area. Find the largest farms or farming communities, and he’ll be there. Usually in the center of everything.”
Arie nodded. “Try to keep yourself out of trouble, Rose.”
“I wrote my father a note you can give him.” He sifted through his pack to find a rolled-up piece of paper and handed it to Arie.
