by A. J. Macey
“Um, Kye?” I asked tentatively, almost afraid he’d snap at me. He looked angry as he stomped back-and-forth across the dark room. From the blankets on the bed to the huge tapestry of stars that hung on the wall, it seemed fitting for his broody side. His voice pulled me from my thoughts, his tone hard as he bit out his words.
“Why did you just take it? Why didn’t you fight back?”
I thought over his words for a second, thinking of how to explain to him the way Mixtas were usually treated. Sometimes, it was subtle and easy to miss, like little punishments that weren’t as fair, but often enough, others’ behaviors took on the aggressive, insulting tactics the Curse Crew liked best.
“Because I didn’t want to be punished for fighting. She could have easily told the headmaster I confronted her and had two more to back it up. I’ve lived as a Mixta my entire life, and I know the headmaster would have taken them for their word,” I said frankly, not wanting him to think I was being rude but wanting him to see the truth in it. “I’ve been punished or blamed for a lot for things other witches did. When you’re a Mixta, you’re seen as unworthy, less intelligent, and sometimes, even less of a person when you are below someone in status.”
He studied me for a second before letting out a sigh and flopping on his bed.
“I don’t like when people are mean to you. You’re too nice for this school,” he mumbled, placing his arm over his eyes, blocking everything out.
“Maybe I’m not as nice as you think,” I challenged, glaring down at him, trying to show him my inner strength. He finally sat up and stared back, his eyes narrowing at mine.
“Maybe I’m not as mean as people think I am,” he shot back, a slight vulnerability showing in the brown and gold depths of his eyes.
“I know that. I’ve known that since I first met you,” I said softly. “We all wear a mask from time to time. My chipper personality combats all the hate I’ve seen. Yours is your broodiness, though personally, I find it pretty hot.”
“Shut up,” he said, shaking his head at me like I was ridiculous. A hint of a smile played on his lips, and I really wanted to see it brighten.
“No, I mean it. The whole glowering, dark clothes, and stomping around really does it for me. Sometimes, I can barely control myself,” I joked, fanning my face like he had set me ablaze. “See, I’m all hot and bothered over here.”
This time his laugh bubbled out, and the deep rumble behind his softer voice was music to my ears. This was the Kye I liked, the Kye who showed how he really felt and didn’t shove it away.
“You’re ridiculous,” he said with a shake of his head. I gave an unapologetic shrug and smiled back at him, plopping on the bed next to him, tucking my legs under me. “I’m glad the hair is back,” he said softly, tucking a strand behind my ear.
“I like this smile on you. It feels special because you don’t just give them away,” I said quietly, brushing my thumb over his lip. We both had a way of hiding behind our exteriors, not easily revealing what we really felt to anyone.
“Well, you see, this cute little witch came into my life with her pink hair and her bubbly personality and pulled me right in,” he joked, bringing his hickory eyes to meet mine. A spark of magic danced between us as our eyes locked, his hand reaching for mine and holding it tight. The tingling sensation moved over me, dancing along my skin and seeming to pull me closer. Before I realized what was happening, we were leaning in, our lips meeting in a harsh kiss. The primal pull to touch him, to taste him was overwhelming. We were a rush of movement as we pulled our clothes free, my hands trailing over his heated skin as soon as it was bared to me. He was much calmer than I was, his fingertips grazing softly over my pale skin.
“You’re just as beautiful as I imagined,” he said reverently, leaning me back onto the bed as his lips moved to mine. He kept murmuring sweet words as he kissed over my body, his soft lips gently roaming over me, setting my entire body on fire.
The magic refused to let me sit back and take it, needing to make him feel just as good. Sitting up, I pushed him back until I could move out from under him. Lowering to the floor, I pushed his legs further apart as I scooted closer. His thick erection jutted up, begging me to wrap my lips around him. He groaned as I licked up his cock before sliding my mouth over him. His fingers tangled in my hair as I focused on what I was doing to him, his pants of pleasure, sending a wave of heat through me. Bobbing my head over his soft skin, I swirled my tongue around him, moving my hands to his thighs.
“Sweets, you have to stop,” he moaned, gently pushing me away as a shudder of pleasure raced through him. He pulled me up from the ground for another searing kiss, not caring if he tasted himself on my tongue. “My turn to torture you, I think,” he said, tugging me onto the bed and leaning me back, so I was lying on his dark sheets, my pale skin nearly glowing in contrast. He licked his tongue down my chest, swirling over each nipple torturously slow, grazing his teeth softly over the peaks as he dipped a hand between my thighs.
A jolt of pleasure pulled a moan from my lips as he slid a finger over my folds before flicking his thumb over my already throbbing clit. My hips bucked into his hand as he dipped a finger inside me, making me beg him for more. Bringing his mouth back to mine, he continued to swirl his fingers over my sensitive bud, teasing and pleasing me until I was shaking with my impending orgasm. When I let out a whimper, he didn’t stop, picking up his pace until my body gave into him, shaking as my orgasm pulsed through me, his name bursting from my lips. He didn’t stop pumping his fingers into me as my body pulsed around him, only pulling away as it subsided.
He didn’t give me time to recover before his cock replaced his fingers, sliding the head over me, gathering my wetness before slowly sliding inside. He was thick, stretching me deliciously as he pushed further in. Not as patient, I wrapped my legs behind his back, forcing him to bury himself fully.
“Fuck, Sweets,” he moaned, slowly thrusting his hips. His eyes locked onto mine as he fucked me, being gentler than I had anticipated. My body sang for him as each movement awakened even more waves of desire until I was a whimpering mess. I gasped as the room descended into shadows, a beautiful mix of colors sweeping through the darkness, illuminating the room in their vibrant glow. A mixture of blues, greens, pinks, and purples bathed us in their light, giving the entire situation an ethereal glow. The colors pulsed as he shifted us, sliding his hand between us to tease me again, sending me crashing over that edge once more. This time, my body coaxed him to follow, his orgasm pulling a low, sexy groan from his lips as he stiffened under my touch, his muscles flexing deliciously above me—a glorious sight to behold.
Pulling out of me, he laid down, tucking me into his side. We watched the lights dancing above us as our breathing slowed back to normal, the pull of magic starting to slowly fade and letting my mind settle back down. And that was the moment reality smacked me in the face.
You bonded with another guy… again! Who does this? Aris, you’ve never even managed to keep ONE boyfriend before, now you’ve got three guys for eternity!
“Shit, what the fuck was that?” he asked, his voice still husky with lust. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for what I was sure would be an intense reaction.
“Uh, I think we’re bonded. Welcome to the club?” I said slowly, peeking up at him as he processed my words. He sat bolt upright, dropping me down on the mattress with a soft bounce before standing up to pace. “Hey!”
“What do you mean, ‘bonded’?!” he asked, a slight panic in his eyes he was really trying hard to suppress.
“I don’t know, it’s not exactly something I can pinpoint or even help. It’s a magical pull that seems to happen when our thoughts or spirits or whatever align. With you, it felt like we had a mutual empathy for each other nobody else would understand. It’s been a completely different feeling with each bond. Either way, the magic overwhelms us, and apparently, makes us seek a deeper connection… hence the sex,” I explained, scooting off the bed and pulling m
y clothes back on. I had a feeling he was about to freak out and kick me out, or I would get frustrated and leave on my own. I hoped desperately he would prove me wrong. I didn’t want to feel used or tossed aside.
“So, this bond is… permanent?” he asked quietly, sitting back down, resting his hands on his knees. His eyes pleaded with me to prove him wrong, but I couldn’t. That wasn’t how this worked, how it was supposed to go.
I didn’t ask for this any more than he did, but it always feels like it’s somehow my fault.
“Yes,” I answered, my voice cracking. He nodded slowly before standing again and pulling on his pants.
“I need a minute,” he said, his tone oddly clipped. I nodded slowly as a tear fell from my eye.
“I’m sorry,” I said, bolting for the door and slamming it behind me, tears falling as I hurried up to my room.
What if he blames me?
What if he won’t forgive me?
September 15th
Sunday Evening
Kyelerian
I paced my room for what felt like the hundredth time. After how I reacted, it was likely she’d never talk to me again. Fuck. Way to go, asshole. I wasn’t one for pretty, flowery words. I didn’t date or talk to girls for exactly this fucking reason—I sucked at it.
The fact it was her I hurt bothered me even more. I couldn’t shake the image of her tear-filled eyes that clearly reflected every ounce of pain. I grunted as my fist made contact with the stone walls, hating myself more than ever.
The truth? I wasn’t even mad, not at her, anyway. There was something about the pink-haired witch that had called to me from the first time I met her. I tried and tried to push her away, but she always came barreling in with her smiles and sunshine, making it so I could never forget her. The other night when I heard Caspian was her boyfriend, I was angry. I wanted that. That, more than anything, was what bothered me. If she was dating Caspian, where did that leave the rest of us? I didn’t want to go all-in if I was only going to be left disappointed and depressed in the end.
Fuck, what do I do to fix this?
Do I want to fix it?
Knowing the answer already, I pulled on my shirt and walked out, locking the door behind me. I fought myself the entire way up to Aris’ room, part of me wanting to talk this out, the other demanding I run away and take no part in the chaos. I paused outside her door, my hand raised to knock but unable to bring myself to do it. Fuck, man up and knock, you fool! My hand finally made contact with her door, the sound echoing beyond the door. No turning back now, just talk to her.
“Kye?” she asked, her voice raspy and hollow. In fact, her whole appearance was disheveled, all the way up to her puffy eyes.
Man, I’m such a dick.
“I’m sorry, Sweets. Can we talk?” I asked timidly, hoping desperately she wouldn’t slam the door in my face.
“Sure,” she said, turning and heading back into the room, sitting on her bed and waiting for me to talk.
“I’m sorry I reacted that way, I shouldn’t have freaked out. I just… after finding out you were dating Caspian, I didn’t want to be the deadweight left behind. What does this make us?” I asked bluntly, desperately needing to hear her answer.
“Cupcake?!” Caspian’s voice echoed from the door as his fists slammed against it. She gave me a relieved look as she hurried to the door, dodging the answer. Caspian burst in as soon as she pulled it open, taking one look at her tear-stained face before he was in front of me, our noses practically touching.
“What the fuck did you do?” he shouted, but there were no words I could use to defend myself. He was right, I fucking made her cry.
“Hold on, Caspian, it’s complicated,” Aris said, rushing forward and pulling him toward the bed until he was sitting. Once she had him under control, she looked at me expectantly.
Fuck. Well, I guess this conversation is happening with the three of us now.
Unable to look either of them in the eye while talking about something that made me feel vulnerable, I focused on a spot on the wall.
“We bonded and had sex under its magic. And now, I wanted to know what happens from here… what I am to her. She’s crying because I freaked out at first and said I needed a minute,” I explained. “After she left, I realized how much of a dick I’d sounded like.”
Caspian stood back up at my words, his eyes narrowing as he moved forward. A dark and rumbling storm cloud formed above them, swirling angrily, Caspian’s frustration clear as he approached. My eyes narrowed at him as the shadows from Aris’ room shifted and moved around him, pushing against the impending storm. The moment Caspian pushed me, she dove between us and pulled us apart. The shadows and storm clouds disappeared as we focused back on her.
“No, you don’t get to fight in my room! I don’t want all my shit wet again, and I don’t want to see either of you hurt. It’s my fault we all keep fucking bonding. I’m sorry, Caspian, I didn’t mean for it to happen, it just did. I’m such a shitty girlfriend,” she said, her tears spilling over again, deflating our anger.
“Cupcake, you’re not a shitty girlfriend. I’ve bonded with you, remember? I know the magic isn’t exactly something you can ignore. I don’t necessarily like that you bonded with him, but I get it. I think I’d also like the answer to his question, though. Our party is up to four now, and honestly, I’m still wrapping my head around the fact my brother is one of them,” Caspian said with a sigh, plopping down on the bed.
“It’s not only up to me. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have feelings for Kye and Torryn, the same feelings I have for you. And that hint of magic I felt with you guys before we bonded… I’ve noticed it with Drayce and Xan too. You five are the only ones who’ve ever triggered that feeling or magical pull, so you should know about them too,” she rushed through the words, collapsing on her rug, pulling her knees into her chest as she curled her arms around them like they were the only things holding her together through all the chaos.
“If you like them too, I think you should date them. It would be a super shitty existence to be bonded to someone and not be with them,” Caspian said quietly. Relief flooded me at his words, not even realizing how much I wanted him to say it. Even though it seemed like I was fine with being alone, I was starting to feel like that wasn’t truly what I needed.
“I can share. I mean, it seems we have little choice, anyway. I’d rather have this with you than be without you,” I admitted, feeling relief at the revelation. I never considered myself a guy who would share a woman, but something about this just felt right.
“Really?” she asked, her voice wavering as her shoulders sagged in relief. Caspian swooped in and scooped her up, snuggling her in his lap for a moment before speaking.
“I just want you, and I want you to be happy. It’d be selfish of me to keep you to myself in this situation. We were all clearly meant to be a group, so we’ll be a group,” he said simply like that was that. I couldn’t argue with him. Something about the situation felt right—even if I still wished I could have her to myself.
“Let’s go grab something to eat,” I said, reaching down to help them stand. Her stomach rumbled on cue at the mention of food, erasing the last bit of tension that hung in the air.
Now we just need to talk to the last two.
Maybe this will actually work out.
September 16th
Monday Afternoon
Aris
“Hey, Angel,” Drayce’s smooth voice reached me, his denim-clad legs coming into view as he stepped up next to my seated form. Looking up, I saw him giving me a cute smile that lit up his face. “How’s it going?” he asked, sinking to sit on the grass next to me.
“It’s alright,” I said with a half-hearted shrug, deflated. “It’s been a long few days.”
“Aww, I’m sorry.” His arm curled around my shoulders and pulled me into his side, the warmth from his body seeping into my drained one.
While Caspian and Kye had worked everything out, and our semi
-group date went amazingly well, the fact none of us really knew what was going on with the bondings or our new powers was stressful and wearing on me. Also, can’t forget that my notes are still missing even though I’ve looked everywhere.
“Want to know some good news? You’ve got me for mentoring today since Professor Callahan is still recovering from the last bit of the effects from that hex.”
At the mention of Tor, uneasiness settled in my stomach. I knew I should probably send him a note or go see him, but I was still worried he wouldn’t react well. Holy hellsticks, what if he doesn’t even remember the bond?!
“We can make it an easy session,” he teased, bringing me out of my inner worries, putting a tentative smile on my lips. It was hard to stay upset with Drayce around.
“Really? You’re willing to help this little witch out?” I perked up, realizing I’d barely seen him since Friday.
“Oh, I am definitely willing to help you out,” he murmured, his words laced with heat as he tossed a wink my way with a tiny curl of his lips.
“I don’t think that’s the kind of mentoring they were thinking,” I teased, but his lighthearted playfulness helped ease the stress of the last few days. “Do you have anywhere, in particular, you would like to work?”
“Is there somewhere you guys have been doing your sessions? I don’t want to throw off too much of your progress by changing it up.” We both stood, grabbing our bags off the ground as we did so. “Hold on, Angel, you’ve got some grass on your skirt.”
My face heated as his hand brushed gently down the back of my skirt. Is he... purposely cupping my ass? No, Aris, you’re being ridiculous after all that extra attention this weekend.
“Alright, show me where you usually practice.”
Feeling a swell of confidence, I grabbed his hand and started down the path between the buildings toward the crystal cave. I wasn’t sure if Torryn would be okay with us going there, but he didn’t say it was off-limits. Not to mention, if the vibes between Drayce and me were potential bonds, I didn’t want whatever chaos that came next happening inside.
