by A. J. Macey
“You make her happy too, Torryn. We’ve just had more of a chance to hang out, and I know what she needs right now,” I added in a gentle tone. I hated the rift between us and didn’t want to make it worse, but Aris had to come first right now. “It’s not about us.”
Turning away, I left to hurry back to my group in time for the clocktower to chime the end of class. Aris tossed Lulu the last of her marshmallows and stood, giving me her broken smile. I gave Thane a nod when I saw his look of concern. Even he’s unsure how to handle the change.
“What do you say we grab dinner, then head up to your room for a night of Boos and Brews and some junk food?” I asked, hoping she would like the idea.
“Works for me. Can we just take our food upstairs?”
“Yeah, and you don’t have mentoring today. I convinced Torryn to give us a night alone,” I said with an exaggerated eyebrow wiggle. For a moment, her shoulders relaxed as she laughed, the sweet sound permeating the air and giving me a glance at the easygoing and cheerful girl I’d fallen in love with. “We’ll start in on our show, then head down when it’s time.”
We walked in companionable silence through the grounds and up to her room. Dropping my bag on the floor, I kicked off my shoes, getting comfy before pulling my Witches Glass out. She was already wrapped in her blanket and waiting for me on her bed. I think some cuddles are exactly what she needs. I slid in behind her and pulled her into my chest as I leaned against the headboard, turning on our show before playing with her hair.
After a while, her fingers started tracing little circles over my chest, a wash of goosebumps appearing in the wake of her invisible doodles. My fingers barely brushed over the skin of her neck behind her ear when the softest moan escaped through her parted lips. Tilting her head up, I captured her lips, kissing gently as I held her against my body. A rumble of thunder radiated through the room, and I felt the faintest hint of drizzle before I pushed back with my power to make the storm cloud recede.
“You’re so beautiful,” I murmured against her lips, shivering as her long and nimble fingers worked their way down my chest and over the front of my jeans. “Cupcake, we don’t have—”
“I want to. Please?” she cut me off, her eyes pleading as she looked up at me. I felt my heart crack, seeing the fear swirling around in the steel depths, but if this was what she wanted, I wouldn’t say no. I wanted Aris happy and to have the memory of our sleazy-as-hellsticks headmaster fade, replaced with good memories, so I nodded. Her lips curled up in a tiny smile before kissing me again. Cupping her jaw in my hand, I poured everything I felt into my kiss—all the love and strength—so she would know she wasn’t alone.
Working slowly as her hands shook with need, she finally got my pants undone, wrapping her fingers around my hard cock. I groaned, bucking my hips as she stroked leisurely. Cupping her breast, I squeezed, running my thumb over the hard nipple, peaking underneath the fabric. I rolled us, so I could be on top, shifting her shirt up as far as her sling would allow and peppering her pale stomach with kisses as I undid the button to her bubblegum-pink skinny jeans.
Peeling the fitted material off her legs, I quickly did the same with her underwear. She watched with half-lidded eyes as I pulled my shirt up and kicked off my own jeans. Positioning back over her, her legs parted so I could line up. I was careful of her healing arm as I rocked, inching my way into her already soaked pussy. A shiver ran down my spine as her legs wrapped around me, pulling me in even deeper. Her moan was like music to my ears, her slick walls heaven to my senses, and I couldn’t get enough as I started to thrust.
Grabbing the back of my head, she tangled her fingers in my hair and gripped tightly. The hold urged me faster, my lips fusing to her neck as she pulled me down to her. Pressure built, my body buzzing with need as I drowned in her little gasps and heated moans. I wrapped my arm around her waist, holding her hips up as I pounded deeper, making her cry out as she neared release. When she came apart in my arms, her walls clamping around me, I didn’t stop until the pressure was nearly too much, then I came, spurting deep within. Thank God for birth control potions. One less thing for us to worry about!
We didn’t move, her arms wrapping around me as I grew soft. I shivered as her fingers trailed mindless patterns against my skin, each soft trace of heat, drawing my focus to her delicate touch. When I looked down at her, nearly holding my breath in the hope I’d see happiness instead of bone-deep fear, I saw a bright smile shining up at me and nearly sighed with relief.
“Ready to go grab dinner, Cupcake?” I asked, moving back to grab a towel and cleaning up us both.
“Uh, Cas, dinner’s almost over.” She chuckled, pointing to the time on the clock she had hung on the wall. My stomach growled, my lips turning down into a pout at the thought of not having dinner or dessert. “Why don’t we have one of the others grab us food and bring it up? Maybe Drayce will watch the next few episodes with us?”
“That’s an amazing idea,” I exclaimed, hopping up and jotting down the question on a plane before getting dressed again. It definitely wasn’t going to make me sad to spend more time with him, even if he did have an amazing ability to fluster me. “Okay, hopefully, he won’t be too long. I want some cake. And a brownie. And some ice cream,” I listed as I pulled on my shirt and a pair of sweats I kept in her dresser for times like these.
“You would eat an entire bakery and still want more treats,” she teased, pulling on a pair of fuzzy pink plaid pajama pants that pooled around her feet. “Now come over here and cuddle. I want to see what else they’re making in this episode.”
With a smile, I rushed over and slid under the covers, curling her into my arms.
Now, this is what life should be like.
November 5th
Tuesday Afternoon
Aris
Stirring the last of my crushed roses into the poultice we were making, I flopped down onto my stool. Mr. Stripes was next to me, happily munching away on his treats I had started bringing, so he wouldn’t get into any trouble. Class felt so weird without my potions partner, but then again, that tends to happen when said partner turns out to be six kinds of batty.
The thought of Delilah triggered a memory I wished would have stayed forgotten. She leaned over me in the abandoned shack, her resting witch face leering unflinchingly, a wide psychotic smile full of anger and jealousy, splitting her stoic expression, her eyes blazing with an unsettling intensity. I could even hear her maniacal laughter as if she were in the room with me still. I fought to keep the panic at bay, a shudder running through my body while tension locked my jaw. Soft little paws rubbed my face as Mr. Stripes gave me a quick hug.
“Thanks, baby,” I cooed, giving him a scratch on his head. We were interrupted from our quick snuggle as the Potions Master came our way.
“Miss Calisto?” Professor Brogan asked, his voice full of pity. Ugh, no thanks. “Are things going okay over here?”
His question had merit since I’d nearly melted my cauldron on more than one occasion, but I hated to think it had anything to do with now being known as a victim. “I’m fine, just a little out of sorts.” I tried to play it off as if it was no big deal, but judging from the piercing stare, he wasn’t buying it.
“Well, I had a girl in my last class who was without a partner, so I sent an airplane to the admissions building to switch her to this class. Ah, here she is now,” he said, gesturing to the door where a tall witch with shocking red hair, emerald eyes, and an intimidating frown was walking in.
Clearly, she’s really on board with switching classes.
“Hey, I’m Aris,” I mumbled, giving a quick awkward wave and overly bright smile before turning to our professor.
“Olive,” she offered, flopping onto her seat with a huff.
Holy hellsticks, please don’t let this girl be friends with the cursed crew!
“I’ll leave you two to it,” he practically sang out, looking excessively proud of himself. I half expected him to give himself a pat on t
he back or a one-man high five.
“Figures. Clueless men trying to fix our lives for us, huh?” Olive joked with an exasperated sigh. I turned to her with my eyebrows raised.
Wasn’t she just super angry with me?
“Well, it beats my previous partner,” I snorted, standing up and mixing in the final ingredients of today’s poultice. It was supposed to be a fun, easy class. The idea was the poultice would temporarily change our hair color if applied to the roots. I chose a shockingly bright aqua color, mixing in the proper flowers to dye it. We had to let it rest for fifteen minutes before using it, so I sat back down, trying to figure out what else to say to her.
“So, did you have a good Samhain break?” she asked, absently looking at her nails. She looked as if she was uncomfortable as I was, and it immediately made me more at ease.
“Uh, yes, and no. How was yours?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from my awful experience, in case I said something stupid. It won’t be the first time… or the last, I’m sure.
“It was nice. My boyfriend went to the capital with me. It was our first,” she gushed, and I could practically see the cloud of happy glitter emanating from her.
“Oh, fun!” I said excitedly. “It was my first Samhain with my guys, too!” I blurted, immediately regretting it. It’s not like most girls at our school have five dads or anything; our relationship is anything but normal. But normal or not, I’m not embarrassed about it.
“Oooh, boyfriends? Who are they?” she asked excitedly, leaning forward.
“Drayce, Xanthius, Kyelerian, Caspian, and T… that’s it,” I finished, almost telling her our secret. Way to go, bat brain.
“Oh, I have classes with Caspian. He’s a nice guy!” she said before switching the subject without much of a pause. “So, have you guys been bogged down with homework already? That Professor Callahan is ruthless. I have an essay due next week.” I gave an awkward chuckle, agreeing with a hum.
Of course, Torryn would have given an essay already. Why would he ever be a normal professor?
“Yup,” I replied, popping the p at the end, “I have a test coming up on the chapter we’re covering in Magic 101. Professor Ruslan is also ruthless.”
“Heh, Ruthless Ruslan.” She laughed at her own joke, which in turn made me laugh, and before I knew it, we were giggling up a storm. Not literally, thank my broomsticks. “Oh! Our time is up, let’s move on to the last step,” Olive instructed cheerfully, pointing at the aqua blob.
Picking up the bowl of goo, I took a decent handful and slowly massaged it into my scalp. A slight tingle followed before my hair slowly faded from pink to aqua. It was actually a pretty fun color. Hmm, I may have to make some of these in every color!
“It doesn’t last long, unfortunately, but mine is still going strong,” she said, flipping the bright red hair over her shoulder before gathering her bag up. “Want to study with me later? My boyfriend Allain and I always claim one of the couches in the library and study after dinner.”
“That sounds fun! It’s probably more effective than studying in my room.” I laughed, following her out of the class as the clocktower chimed, ready to meet Drayce for his shift of witch-sitting duty.
Holy hellsticks, did I just make a friend?!
November 5th
Tuesday Evening
Drayce
“You made a friend… all on your own?” I teased Aris as I played with an aqua blue curl. I kept my grin in place to let her know I was only teasing. With how bad her week had been, I didn't want to upset her more. I’d make it my mission to bring some playfulness back in her life—she deserved it.
“Oh, ha ha ha,” she deadpanned, tossing a breadstick at my head. I snatched it out of the air and took a bite before pointing the rest at her.
“So, who do you want to go with you?” She raised her eyebrow at our question. Yup, I knew she accepted that arrangement way too easily earlier.
“Someone can walk me there, but I’m capable of studying alone,” she shot back, taking an angry bite and grumbling around it. “Why can’t people just stop attacking me so I can live a normal freaking life?” Her tired gaze watched our familiars cluster in the middle of the table as they ate, giving her an out of looking at the four of us.
“Sorry, Cupcake, but we just want you safe,” Caspian added, scooting closer to my side as if I’d protect him from her wrath. I hated she felt so claustrophobic around us, but the idea of her meeting up with someone new, alone, had me anxious. And I was one of the more relaxed ones of our group.
“Still sucks,” she said, only perking up when Cas slid a cupcake her way as a peace offering. I smiled, watching him bring her out of her feelings so easily. That’s part of the reason I found Caspian so damn cute. He was so thoughtful, you couldn’t help but feel special when he was around. That, and he had a great ass.
“I like getting those extra moments alone with you.” Xan’s words were punctuated with the sweetest smile that had her melting.
“You’re right,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve just always felt like the weak one, and this isn’t helping.” Xan opened his mouth to argue, but she put her hand up to stop him. “I said I felt like, not that I was. I know I’m capable of a lot now, but it’s still a secret. Here, I’m a Mixta like I’ve always been.” We all tensed at that, hating how little she used to think of herself. She’s changed since we first found each other, her confidence and abilities becoming stronger. I loved how bubbly she was, but the fire she kept hidden was sexy as hell.
“So, what’s she like? Are we sure we can trust her?” Kye asked, looking suspicious. I couldn’t say I didn’t have the same thoughts. We all thought Delilah had been harmless, and look where that got us.
“She seemed mad when Brogan switched her to potions with me, but she’s just as friendly and awkward as I am,” she explained as she finished off her food. “It’ll be nice to have a girlfriend around here. We all know I need more study time, and some boyfriends like to use that time to distract me.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I scoffed, leaning over and nibbling on Caspian’s ear, grinning when he squirmed in his seat.
“Yeah, I bet you don’t,” she said, her words and the accompanying laughter breathier than normal. I smirked at them as I leaned back in my chair. I love the effect I have on these two. The slight blush on their cheeks sent heat coursing through me. I shifted in my seat, adjusting myself discreetly before changing the subject again.
“We were talking about Aureus, the human realm, in class before break. I wish we all had some way to communicate that didn’t take as long as the airplanes. They can instantly reply back and forth. All of this magic and we don’t have that?” Aris asked.
Kye scoffed, his scowl at full force. He clearly didn’t like the idea of her going anywhere alone, even if we did have a way to reach her quickly.
“I could possibly find something. We learned about these scrolls that you can write a message on one, and it appears on another. Maybe we could do some alternative to that,” Xan said, already flipping through a textbook as he spoke. After a few moments, he snapped it shut. “I’ll walk her. I want to grab a book from my room, anyway.”
November 5th
Tuesday Evening
Aris
An hour later, I found myself nervously walking through the library after Xan kissed my cheek and practically sprinted away. I scanned the nearly empty room, looking for Olive’s fire-red hair. As soon as I stepped into the main study area of the library, it was easy to spot her, sitting near the back under a window, despite the red fading back to what I assumed was her normal hair color of a light-honey blonde. Apparently, the several hours of the rest of the school day and dinner meant the potion had run its course. Guess that means I’ll be back to a pink witch soon enough. She was alone, which helped my nerves, although they didn’t disappear completely. At least I can get settled a bit before her boyfriend shows up.
“Hey, Aris!” she greeted with a wave. Her
bright smile had the rest of my nerves melting away. “Onto this boring history essay,” she whined, pouting as she talked. “Who cares about the inner workings of the council?”
“I mean, it could come in handy,” I answered with a shrug, pulling out my Magic 101 book and flipping to my chapter.
“Not really. We’ve learned this stuff since we were kids. I have zero intention of going into council law or anything like that.”
“Neither do I, but they didn’t go into much detail on the main council at my school, even though my dad was on the local council.”
“You didn't grow up here?” She sounded shocked, but from my understanding, it wasn’t that unusual.
“Nope, I’m from Ignis. My parents thought it would be better for their lowly Mixta daughter to come here,” I explained, my voice sounding much more bitter than I anticipated.
“Wow, they sound like trolls. They aren't wrong, though. We’re the most accepting of all the academies. I’m happy you’re here,” she said, giving me a genuine smile, I didn’t hesitate to return. I was just happy she didn't seem upset at my overshare or that I was Mixta. “Alright, time to focus before your boyfriends don’t let you study with me anymore.”
“They’re overprotective, but they don’t get to tell me what to do.” I snorted, thinking of how hard they tried to do just that.
“Good. I don't let mine either.” She winked before turning back to her essay while I dove into my homework with a bit more enthusiasm. Studying here might have to become my new routine. It was nice to hang out with someone other than the guys. Not to mention, I’d never really had a friend like this before.
We worked in companionable silence for a while, her writing her essay and me taking notes from the chapter. We were so absorbed, we didn’t notice the guy approaching. This must be Allain. He has the whole boy next door look down. His blond hair’s perfectly styled, and he’s sporting preppy clothes with a dimpled smile.
