Page 79 of Bound Paths
The slight nod of Cassandra’s head was the only acknowledgment she’d heard Rose’s words. Her gaze remained fixed on Carter.
“And why should I give him to you?” Cassandra asked. Her gaze finally bothered to turn to Rose.
“You do not need him here.” She was unable to help herself. A pit opened in her stomach as she saw Cassandra’s gaze return to Carter. This was getting uncomfortable, but Carter didn’t seem ready to enter the conversation yet. He stood tall and unflinching against the Lady of the Veil’s stare. His shaggy brown hair fell in waves around his face. His eyes held the yellow-green shine usually reserved for when he was in his veil cat form.
Rose was sure Cassandra noticed.
“You know nothing about what I need, Norden Point. Having him here suits my current purposes,” Cassandra said.
Well, that was concerning. Rose had hoped Luc was an unfortunate bystander in this game. There was no way Cassandra actually needed him. He was a demigod of the continent—his magic should be impacted at least half as much as Aterra’s had been. He couldn’t be useful to her.
Then again, what did Rose know about what Cassandra needed to heal her realm?
“What good is having the Suden Point here? And two gods?” Carter spoke. “We know you’re aware the balance on the continent is in shambles. We know it continues to impact your realm. Work with us to fix it.”
Rose was impressed by how boldly Carter spoke to the Lady of the Veil. His words held a confidence that was usually overlooked because of his quiet demeanor and unwillingness to make eye contact. Carter had a strength all his own.
Growing up a veil cat shifter could not have been an easy thing. Hiding what he was—what he could do—for so long had shaped him. She felt a kinship with him over this, as it was similar to the way she’d had to hide her wind magic. It renewed her focus that, as one of the fae leaders, she didn’t want future generations to carry the burden of hiding a part of themselves.
“The continent’s business is not mine,” Cassandra said, pushing her long white-blonde hair over her shoulder. She stood and moved around her desk, perching on the front corner, her eyes focused solely on Carter. “Your gods have done nothing but take. I should take something from the continent in return.” As she crossed her arms over her chest, a fire shone in the Lady’s eyes. It wasn’t a flame like the Vesten’s, but a rage Rose understood too well. The actions and inactions of the gods had caused catastrophe even in this realm. Cassandra would continue to do what it took to hold this place together.
Carter bristled. Even in his fae form, Rose could tell this was the equivalent of his hackles rising. “It’s easy to blame. We could do the same. None of the Compass Points caused this mess,” he replied. His fingers balled into fists at his side. “We’re trying to make it right.”
Cassandra’s answering laugh was low. The sound was one more appropriate for a bed chamber than a study. Rose suddenly felt out of place in this negotiation, though she couldn’t quite understand why.
“That remains to be seen,” Cassandra replied. “The Suden Point dropped into my realm with your baggage, like it was a dumping ground for things that harm the continent.” That fire flared in her eyes again. “I can’t keep cleaning up your messes.”
“Well, she might have me there.”Luc’s thoughts slipped into Rose’s mind. Yes, Cassandra’s words were valid, but they ignored the intent. The Compass Points were blind to the history between this realm and the continent. They were simply stuck in a no-win situation.
“How could you have known? We only knew Zrak had done it. It didn’t seem unreasonable to…trade one god for another,”Rose replied.
Carter shook his head. “We didn’t mean it like that, and I think you know it.” He raised his hands, gesturing to the realm around them. “This place isn’t so mysterious. It’s an independent realm, to be sure, but its existence is necessarily tied to the continent. You should want to help us.”
Cassandra’s lips twitched in barely masked amusement. “My realm is a mystery to most, Vesten Point. You’d be wise to remember that, lest you give too much away.”
Rose was more than convinced the Lady of the Veil knew to whom she spoke. The how of it and what she wanted from him were the current mysteries. “We hoped you’d be reasonable,” Rose said, trying and failing to break the tension between the Lady of the Veil and the Vesten Point. “Already, you harbored one god. We hoped to make a trade.”
“Reasonable? Was it reasonable that the gods of the continent ignored my warnings? Was it reasonable the Osten god inserted himself into my realm with false ho—” Cassandra cut herself off, shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is my realm and the continent remain separate.”
Carter gave Cassandra a doubtful look. “Lying to yourself won’t fix it.” He paused. “Give us back the Suden Point. KeepAterra here and let Zrak return with us. We’ll restore balance to the continent. It will start to right whatever is wrong with this place.” Carter’s hands gestured back toward the city.
Cassandra pushed herself from her seat on the desk and stood. “What makes you think something is wrong with this place?”
Carter didn’t get to answer as the door opened again, and Zrak walked in.
The Lady of the Veil’s glare would have withered a lesser man. The Osten god barely acknowledged it as he strolled unconcernedly into the room. He sat on the chaise lounge, lying back and putting up his feet.
“You’re not needed here—you may return to being lost, Zrak,” Cassandra said through clenched teeth.
“And miss the fun? I don’t think so.” A smirk curved the Lost God’s mouth. “Please, continue. The least you could do is let me see the fruits of my labor.” His hand flicked as if to usher on the conversation he’d interrupted.
Cassandra rolled her eyes. “You overvalue your talents,” she said coolly.
“And you overplay your hand,” Zrak replied just as quickly, a hint of challenge in his voice.
Rose tended to agree with Zrak. Whatever their discussion, the fact that Cassandra let Zrak barge into the room and remain told her all she needed to know. Zrak’s talents, whatever they were, were important—important enough to allow his irreverence.
Cassandra appeared to make an effort to ignore him and focused again on the Vesten Point. “What will you give me for the Suden Point?”
