Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

R ose and Carter spent the next few hours testing the dagger’s ability to shield them both. It was more challenging than anticipated. The blade’s magic did not hide their voices, and two people moving together required coordination. Though Rose would travel with a veil cat and not the Vesten Point, practicing this way was even more difficult. It may have helped stop their voices from carrying but being able to signal directions between veil cat and fae made for slow movement.

Plus, the longer they were under the dagger’s protection, the more visible they became.

“If we’re going to use it this long, we’ll need to provide multiple offerings.” Rose shrugged as they let the magic fall from their latest test.

Carter nodded after shifting back to his fae form. “You’ll have to help with additional offerings when I’m in my veil cat form.”

Rose didn’t like that. She’d have to randomly poke his cat form with the blade to retrieve more blood. Conceptually, she knew it was still Carter in there, and he wouldn’t attack her, but she’d been taught a healthy respect for wild animals.

“At least we won’t be separating,” Carter offered. They briefly discussed if they could accomplish more by splitting up when they arrived. The blade allowed them some distance, but it was evident, with the multiple offerings required, that distance couldn’t last for long. And if the compass worked beyond the veil, it could only guide them to what one of them desired. Rose needed to find Luc, retrieve him, and try to understand Zrak’s place beyond the veil—in that order.

While there were infinite ways for it to go wrong, Rose held higher hopes for this trip than the last. They would at least have time to get their bearings and explore.

“You two ready to take a break?” Juliette asked, looking up from her seat at the Compass Points table. She’d started reading the books Aaron had brought them in earnest while Rose and Carter practiced. Aurora also sat with her, reading while watching Rose and Carter’s tests.

“I think we’re ready to try crossing.” Rose clapped her hands together. She was not looking forward to the trek back down the stairs in Osten house and the caves. But she’d do it all—as often as necessary—to find Luc and bring him back.

“I’d do the same for you; it’s just, this time, I’m a bit tied up.”

Rose had tried desperately not to focus on Luc’s situation beyond the veil. He knew she was coming for him, and he’d tell her more as she got closer. His words now bubbled so many questions to her mind.

“I’m fine,” he reinforced her thoughts. “I’ll tell you everything when you’re beyond the veil. Communicating will be easier when we’re in the same realm.”

She nodded to herself at his words, then turned to Juliette. “Can you take us back to the caverns?”

“I think there might be a faster way for you and Carter,” Arie said from where he lounged, in human form again, across the wingback chair.

“What?” Rose asked as all three of the Compass Points gazes narrowed on the Vesten god.

“That is if you don’t want to try talking to Zrak.” Arie shrugged. “I’d recommend crossing beyond the veil on Vesten property.”

“Arie, explain yourself,” Rose said, glancing at Carter, who looked equally bewildered. There was no way the Vesten Point knew there was a way to cross beyond the veil on his property. Rose spoke again when it was clear that Carter couldn’t find the words. “We don’t know of a place to cross at Vesten house.”

“Don’t look at me like that,” Arie said, pointing to himself. “I wouldn’t be able to cross there, but I believe the tree where my coin was buried will get you where you need to go if you have a veil cat to take you.”

Carter finally found his voice. “If it won’t work for you, how do you know it will work for us?”

“I’m a god,” Arie said simply.

Aurora rolled her eyes at his statement. “What Arie means to say is that the tree was planted due to the negotiation between Cassandra and us. She insisted on its location.”

Carter’s eyes went wide. “The Lady of the Veil chose the placement of the willow tree?”

Aurora nodded and continued. “It’s the only way we knew something had happened. She accused us of vast mismanagement of the continent and said it impacted her realm. She demanded something for our crimes against her.” Aurora had the good grace to look ashamed. “We were, of course, guilty of the mismanagement, but we were unaware of any crimes against her.” Aurora flipped through a few more pages in the journal. “As I said before Carter and Juliette arrived, I don’t think these journals offer the full perspective.”

Juliette and Aurora shared all they had read. They detailed what Rose had only skimmed and Aaron had only hinted at: the village’s desperation, use of blood magic, and a deal with the Lady of the Veil. The village healer’s journal spoke of another woman with Celeste regularly—Andie—though Andie didn’t appear to have a journal in the stack Aaron had provided.

“Our sins were generally those of negligence, not plotted destruction,” Arie added. “But Aurora’s right. Zrak was the one who talked to her and decided on the tree as recompense,” he said, clearing his throat.

“Mind you, the fae courts were not established then,” Aurora added. “It was quite a surprise to us when we realized this was the same location where we set the Compass Points’ seats of power.” She shrugged as if trying to convince herself it wasn’t all that odd. “This is a place of its own unique magic. It’s why we selected it. Cassandra must have felt that much as well.”

“You are right to be suspicious,” Juliette said oddly reassuring the Norden goddess. “This place does have magic, but how could she know how important it would become or how it would grow with time? It seems more likely that she knew something about the future of this place.”

“That’s not possible, is it?” Rose asked.

“I thought we decided this morning we shouldn’t hold ourselves to assumed conventions of what is possible. Bound fae from two different courts, for example, shouldn’t be possible.” Juliette spread out her hands. “But here we are.”

As if summoned by her words, Luc chuckled in her head. “She’s got you there.”

Rose pressed forward. “Okay, so Carter and I will go to Vesten property and try to cross at the willow tree.” She looked at the others. “What will you three do?” Rose added as she moved her hand to her hip.

“I think we’ve read everything we can here,” Juliette said. “I hope Aaron finds Celeste’s journal. Maybe she’ll have a slightly more detailed understanding of what happened.”

“He should have an update for us tonight,” Rose replied.

“As long as you don’t mind missing it, Rose, I’d like to try to talk to Zrak,” Arie said. He looked to the Osten Point with a question. “Would you take us to the caves where you commune with him?”

Juliette glanced at Rose, who shrugged in confirmation. “I can do that though I’ll warn you to temper your expectations.”

“He owes answers,” Arie said.

Aurora cut off any further discussion. “We can meet back here this evening to continue reading and discuss our attempts. Zrak may not come, but we must try. He will have more relevant information than even these journals if he chooses to share it.” She sighed.

“We have no idea what he did to ensure he could stay beyond the veil,” Arie added. “Or how that is connected to his Nebulus spreading the mist plague. Just as you and Carter were discovered immediately, it’s safe to assume Zrak was also.”

“He seems resourceful,” Carter said. “Maybe he charmed her?”

Arie snorted. “Zrak is many things, but a charmer he is not.”

“Agreed,” Juliette added with a scoff. Rose wondered again at the Osten Point’s interactions with her patron god over the years of her rule.

Aurora sighed. “I agree. I just don’t think we can rule anything out. He’s been able to send the mist plague, and he’s been able to commune with you.” Aurora gestured to Juliette. “He seems free to do many things beyond the veil. Rose has carefully avoided the topic, but I assume Luc and Aterra are not so at liberty. What has Zrak done to earn his freedom? Especially when we know Cassandra’s perspective on intruders to her land.”

Arie’s brow furrowed. “There’s only one way to find out.” He shifted into his black bird form and flew out of the room.

Trying to call the Osten god would be its own burden. Rose didn’t envy the others as she and Carter left Norden house and walked to the Burning Garden. The last time she was here was the night before the Compass Points went after Aterra. She shook her head, remembering when they thought the Suden god was their biggest problem. Even before that, when they thought the mist plague was a symptom of a single problem with the balance on the continent.

They were well past that now.

What Aurora and Arie were saying, what Juliette was hinting at, was that all of this was bigger than one god seeking to disrupt the balance. If this tree’s presence predated the Flood, what other problems were further entangled with the continent’s history?

It was fitting, then, to begin to see how all of the pieces wove together. Zrak paid penance for the greed of the gods. He bargained with Cassandra, the Lady of the Veil, to exist there. Aterra continued with his selfish ways, unconcerned with Zrak’s sacrifice. It was almost like Zrak knew Aterra would do it. At least, he’d prepared accordingly, convincing the Lady of the Veil to allow his Nebulus to alert the continent’s leaders of Aterra’s disturbance.

It fit too neatly to be coincidental. And Cassandra negotiating to have this tree planted on Vesten property, hundreds of years before the fae courts were created? That was the icing on the cake. Rose agreed with Juliette. Someone knew these pieces would fall into place eventually. Did Cassandra have some gift of foresight as she ruled over the spirits beyond the veil?

Rose hoped not, as they were about to, once again, circumvent her hospitality. Suppose she had another way of knowing when visitors arrived—some sight? Rose wasn’t sure Aurora’s dagger would protect them.

She shrugged. They would try regardless. Fleeing last time had worked, and hopefully, it remained an option on this second venture.

They walked through the garden. Only blooms of oranges, reds, and yellows were allowed in the Vesten garden. Each flower was chosen to represent the Vesten’s element. It made the entire garden appear aflame when it was in bloom.

Rose marveled at the tribute to the Vesten court. What would she do with the Norden property now that it was hers? She’d always loved living in the caretaker’s house as a child, but her father had made it clear they couldn’t truly customize the property.

It wasn’t theirs.

Now it was, and she would make the changes her father always dreamed of. He loved greenery. He always said he’d love to grow ivy everywhere, even on the house. It was a small way to honor her family when this was all over.

Rose envied the way Luc had made Suden house his. It was a stark contrast to how she currently felt about Norden house. Admittedly, she had her own history with the place she needed to overcome, but Suden house felt like a family home the moment she walked into it.

She could admit she wanted that same feeling in Norden house. Her stomach churned. It wouldn’t be a family home without him—without her bound partner. She didn’t even care if they forever held two households, calling Norden and Suden houses their own. It was inconvenient but workable. If that was their biggest challenge after saving the continent, she would take it.

“We’ll make it feel like home, Rose,” he whispered. She wondered how many of her thoughts he could hear. Did he know of the future she dreamed of for them?

“I dream of it, too. I’ll do anything to make it happen,” he whispered into her mind.

She took a deep breath. They would have plenty of time to figure this out when she got him back.

As they approached the familiar weeping willow, Rose steeled her spine and readied herself for the next part of the journey. They would find Luc on this trip if everything went according to plan.

Carter parted the long, wispy branches of the ancient tree, and they walked under the canopy. The ground was still disturbed at the trunk where Rose had dug up the Burning Coin at Arie’s command. They had done a terrible job covering their tracks. Rose saw Carter’s hand slip into his pocket, likely touching that same coin. Giving him the Vesten god’s artifact was a game changer in their relationship and journey. This wouldn’t have been possible if the coin hadn’t successfully helped unlock some of the unique abilities of his veil cat form.

“Ready?” Carter’s voice broke into her thoughts.

“That’s it? We’re here, and you know what to do?” Rose put her hand on her hip as she asked the question.

“Kind of.” Carter shrugged. “I hadn’t been back in the garden since we returned. I like to think I would have felt the tug of magic at this tree if I had been. I have to assume that having the coin, having this new connection to Cassandra’s realm, would have made the magic here more recognizable.”

“Do you know how it will work? Or is it best if I don’t know, like last time?” she said as she elbowed him.

“Less is more on this trip. I’m not positive what will happen, so it’s best not to set any expectations.”

Rose gave him a heavy dose of side-eye.

“I know with complete certainty that we will be able to cross,” he said with a finality she believed. She was less reassured as he tilted his head from side to side, seeming to take the tree in from all angles.

“Fine.” She brushed away her concern with her hand. “You got us there and back last time. I trust you to do it again.”

He nodded. “I’m going to shift now. The same rules apply. You have to hold on to me. And this time, don’t let go once we make it across. Holding on to my fur will ensure we stay close, to let the blade’s magic do its thing.” He coughed. “And to let you replenish its magic if necessary.”

“Are you giving me permission to stab you?” she asked.

“I was hoping for a gentle poke, but don’t worry about hurting me. The magic is more important than a little scratch.”

She gave him a wary glance but agreed. “It probably makes sense to enable the dagger’s magic now, right?” They wanted to have the magic active before they arrived in the Lady’s domain.

“Yes. Once I shift, it should only take a few moments for us to cross. It’s better to do it now. Who knows where exactly the border is that alerts the Lady to arrivals.”

Rose pulled Aurora’s dagger from her belt and slit the tip of her finger, letting her blood drip onto the blade. Carter did the same. She felt the magic as soon as her blood touched the weapon. Turning to check that Carter was also covered, a veil cat prowled where the Vesten Point had stood. The magic rippled around them both, the water droplets obscuring their origin point. She stepped forward, the magic moving with them, and latched her fingers into the scruff of fur at the cat’s neck.

“Ready when you are,” she said since Carter could no longer speak to her. Unsure what to expect, she was slightly surprised when the veil cat growled loudly. She searched the area, thinking he was signaling danger. His growl pierced the silent garden again, and a yelp slipped out of her mouth as the old tree before them shifted.

She blinked, trying to make sense of what she saw. The branches swayed, and the trunk widened. Her eyes were fixed on the tree as it grew. It cracked loudly. Rose’s head snapped up, thinking a branch was falling on them. Instead, the trunk hollowed out at the center, the bark disappearing. It created a dark passageway straight through the center of the tree. The willow’s canopy hid this mysterious passageway from the view of any passersby.

Her grip tightened on the veil cat beside her. She had a sinking feeling about where they were headed. Carter stalked forward, and she matched his pace. They stood at the precipice of the dark passageway. It was large enough for them to walk into. If the tunnel were straight, it should simply take them through to the other side of the tree trunk, but Rose knew that wouldn’t be the case. The darkness was unending.

“You want to go through that, don’t you?” Rose asked wryly.

The veil cat dipped its head and continued their forward progress. With their first step into the passageway—Rose realized what this was.

Her connection to Carter’s magic.

The way she was able to connect with his power source as a Compass Point to share magic—it had been through a tree just like this one. The way the magic of the Compass Points worked together held more answers than she had realized.

Carter hadn’t known about this tree’s magic until today. Sure, it was an essential feature in the Vesten garden, but until today, it had been just a tree. She had watched the surprise cross his face in Norden library as Arie revealed a passage beyond the veil on his property. So, the real question was, what did it mean about Carter’s magic that it chose this tree, this pathway, to represent it?

Rose had no answers. They had already known Carter could see spirits and that his magic was connected to the land beyond the veil, especially with his shifter form. This felt like more. She shook her head, refocusing on the goals of this trip. She was determined to save Luc and, hopefully, the continent.

A shiver raked her spine as they crossed beyond the veil. She thought of Cassandra demanding this tree be planted, Zrak and his Nebulus, and Aterra and his plan to make a Suden Point. How many other players had stakes in this game of which they were unaware?