Page 71 of Bound Paths
He nodded, finally sitting down to start his meal.
“I’d love to meet your daughter if you ever want to bring her by the house,” Rose said.
“She’d love that. She’s been obsessed with you since she overheard the elders in the market.” He chewed thoughtfully. “Do you think we can bring more of the Norden by to meet you?” he asked. “Most don’t agree with Meg and Catherine, but that hasn’t stopped them from sharing their thoughts…on you.” He took a sip of his water. “It could benefit the Norden to hear things from you more directly.”
“That’s a great idea. I’m ashamed I didn’t think of it myself,” she said.
“I won’t pry, but it does seem you’ve been a bit busy since you returned. The rumors of the Suden Point missing make your behavior a little clearer. I’m sure he works with you, but if he’s not here, that must mean you’re trying to get to your bound partner—wherever he is.”
Rose gave him a soft smile. She wouldn’t undercut what Aaron had told the Suden court. “We are all doing everything we can to right the wrongs on the continent.”
That was enough for Walter. He said he’d gather some of the Norden tomorrow, and they spoke of his family and life at Compass Lake as they shared a meal. Layers of stress peeled off Walter with every word. And their conversation gave Rose no small amount of hope—she could bring change to the courts simply by being herself.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Rose had exhausted herself in the forge yesterday. Though their mind connection became more accessible with each conversation, she didn’t search for Luc at her lake of power again. She wouldn’t let him put himself in more danger than he was already in.
It was only day two of waiting, and Rose was restless. This would be even more challenging than she thought. She took a walk, this time heading east toward Osten house.
Once again, she was at the door, probably too early for a Compass Points meeting. To her annoyance, it was Lela who greeted her. The Osten Point’s protege hadn’t joined them since her last trip through Osten house. Rose assumed it was because she was left with the more mundane tasks of ensuring the court continued running as required.
“It’s too early to see the Osten Point,” was Lela’s gruff response.
“Lela.” Rose tried to put on a smile. “We’ve been through this already. She said I had an open invitation. We were both there. We both heard it.”
Lela’s features pinched like she was trying to determine if she had to follow this line of reasoning. And possibly how much trouble she’d be in if she didn’t.
“Can we discuss what you find so off-putting about me?” Rose asked. Not for the first time, she wondered what it would be like to have someone so ready to bully others on her behalf. Lela’s dedication to Juliette was unparalleled—that much was clear.
“It’s my job to protect the Osten Point,” Lela said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Isn’t it actually the Osten Point’s job to protect you? You’re the future of the court,” Rose pointed out.
Lela tilted her head like she couldn’t determine if Rose was mocking her. “I don’t trust your intentions either way.” That much was unsurprising, but she wasn’t sure how to fix it. Lela had been in the room when she and Juliette had discussed their goals.
“I intend to return those impacted by the mist plague and bring balance to the continent. I also plan to get my bound partner back from his stupid decision to throw himself into another realm.” Rose was building up steam now. “I doubt you’d fault me for that.” She smiled sweetly. “I want to ensure the Compass Points will never be fractured like they were before me. And that”—Rose paused for emphasis—“is exactly why you and I need to work out whatever this is. Juliette won’t be Osten Point forever. And I won’t have all my work to unify the Compass Points dissolve because you don’t trust my intentions. Ask me whatever you need to, challenge whatever decisions of mine don’t make sense. But don’t stew on an opinion you haven’t tried to test.”
Lela’s spine straightened as she held the door between herself and Rose. It looked like Rose’s words had landed. Her features didn’t entirely give away which direction shewas leaning. Rose was ready for an onslaught of questions or challenges. Maybe Lela had them stored up. Or would she snap back in anger at Rose’s confrontation?
“She’s right, Lela,” Juliette’s smooth voice carried down the hall. Rose tilted her head around the door to see the Osten Point gliding toward them. “You’re certainly entitled to be wary of the other Compass Points—I’d be hypocritical to say you shouldn’t be—but you should challenge Rose directly with your questions. Test how honest she’ll be with you. It will surprise you.” Juliette’s lip curled into a smirk.
Lela opened the door wider, allowing Rose to enter as Juliette approached. Rose nodded to Juliette and Lela as she stepped inside.
“What brings you here so early again?” Juliette asked as she led Rose to the plush sitting room she was growing familiar with.
“I don’t know what to do to be useful while we wait for Aaron and Arie to return, so I wondered if we could talk about Zrak.” Rose shrugged as she took a seat on the green velvet chair.
Juliette requested food from someone in the hallway before she took a seat herself.
“Lela, do you want to join us?” Juliette called toward the doorway where her protege stood guard. “Maybe you can ask some of your questions while Rose asks hers.”
Lela’s eyes widened, surprised to be asked to join the leaders, but she didn’t hesitate. “Yes, of course,” she said as she sat beside Juliette on the couch.
“What did you want to know about Zrak?” Lela asked cautiously, testing her ability to question the Norden Point.
“I guess I want to know if Juliette trusts him,” Rose said. “It’s clear the gods want to. Luc even seemed inclined to believe Zrak’s intentions support the greater good of the continent.” Rose sighed. “I wanted the opinion of the one who has dealt with him most consistently over the past few hundred years.”
Juliette set her cup on the low table between them. She sat back in her chair and crossed her legs as she worked through Rose’s question. “Whether I trust Zrak is a complicated question.” She sighed as she glanced at Lela. “Zrak has put our people in a terrible position. No matter his intention or the necessity, that was the result. It’s not something I take lightly, and it’s not something I’ve ever been able to get him to acknowledge fully.”
