Page 101 of Mistaken Magic

Butthat was the thing, wasn't it?Iliked pretty.I'dnever gone crazy for square jaws and dimpled chins.Iliked high cheekbones and long lashes - on both guys and girls.Ihad a weakness for the lithe look of the fae.Aspenwas a waif, the kind of girl who would've made a perfect ballerina, with her lean form and long legs.Shedidn't have big breasts or a bubble butt.

Iliked her eyes, though.Icouldn't get enough of the icy blue color.Itreminded me of picturesI'dseen of glaciers.Herhair was just dark enough at the roots to not be platinum blonde.Thecut of it was a little punk, making the slip of a girl look like a tough little wild spirit.

Andher lips.Eversince she'd kissed me,I'dstarted to think about them.Whenshe painted them pink or red.Whenshe left them bare to show the natural blush color.Theway they curled so easily, always ready for a smile, and how they felt when touching mine.Howsoft they were, the feel of her breath sliding over them.

Iflopped down on my bed and sighed heavily.Iwas a mess.WhenI'dcome toSilverOaks,I'dconvinced myself that pretty didn't matter, butIwas wrong.Therewas only so much perfectionIcould take beforeIsuccumbed to the temptation.Butof all the prettyIcould be chasing, the one who kept drawing me in was also the sweetest.Ihonestly likedAspenas a friend - and more.Somuch more.

Imeant to grab my tablet and read about faelings.Ineeded to know whatHarpercould do to me.I'dconsidered looking up the defensive options forLegaciesin combat.Instead,Iclosed my eyes and tried to imagine what it would be like to be out asAspen'sgirlfriend.Mymind filled with images of laughing as we ran through the halls, slipping into corners to steal kisses.Lyingout in the sun - never mind that it was winter - and talking for hours with our hands intertwined.

Somewherein there,Iforgot to open my eyes again.Whenthe lights went out,Ifinally did.Suckingin a breath,Istared into the darkness before remembering my plant.

"Glow,"Ibreathed.

Thething immediately unfurled its buds and a soft green glow filled the room, about as bright as a glow stick.Halfwayacross the room,Aspensmiled at me.Thelight from the plant allowed her to navigate her way toward me a little easier.

"Youdidn't even make it under the covers," she said.

SoIshifted around to do that, then slid back.Hereyes jumped from the open spot in the bed to me and then back. "Rain?Whatare we doing?"

"Idon't know, butIlike it,"Iadmitted.

Shelifted the edge of the blankets and slipped in beside me. "I'mconfused," she breathed.

Ijust scooted a little closer, until our faces were almost together. "Ilike you,Aspen.Iturn stupid when you're around, andIknowI'macting like an idiot, but that's why.Youkissed me, and thenIthought you were mad at me, and now you aren't, and it all keeps coming back to that."

"WhataboutKeir?" she asked.

Ishrugged. "Hetold me aboutHarpermaking your life hell.Hesaid she bullies you because your magic isWinterand because she knows it gets underTorian'sskin.Soundslike pissing him off is her real goal."

"Revenge," she clarified. "Butbeing with me doesn't stop that."

"Iknow,"Iassured her. "That'swhy my hair was a mess.Keirsaid to let people think what they would.Itwould buy me some time to learn how to defend myself - and maybe you."

"Ican defend us,"Aspenpromised. "That'swhy they came at me with iron.It'sthe one thingI'mweak to.Ijust can't always be there for you, andIdon't want you in the middle of my mess."

"Whatmess?"Iasked, palming the side of her face. "Ican tell there's something going on,Aspen.Iknow there are things deeper than how much fae blood and what magic you four can do.Thisisn't just about you usingWintermagic, is it?"

Shepressed her cheek into my hand. "Ican't tell you that," she breathed. "Ireally can't.IpromisedLiam."

"Isthis becauseHarperdated bothTorianandKeir?"Iasked.

"No," she said softly. "Harper'sa bitch, but who she sleeps with isn't why.It'snot about jealousy or competition.It'sbecause she's convinced they think she's lesser because she's half human.Wedo think she's lesser, but it's not because of her parents.It'sher selfishness.She'sthe same kind of crazy we ran from inFaerie."

"That'sa hint, isn't it?"Iasked.

Aspennodded. "It'sthe bestIcan do, sweetie.Believeit or not,I'mtrying to take care of you."

"WhendoIget to take care of you?"Iasked.

"Youalready are," she promised. "Pleasedon't let me push you too far,Rain?"

Imoved a little closer. "I'venever made out with a girl before.HowcanIknow what's too far unlessItry, hm?"

Icaught a flash of teeth in her smile, and thenAspenleaned in.Ourlips met in the middle, the kiss more intense than the last one we'd shared, but just as amazing.Thistime, she led.Hertongue swirled against mine like a dance.Myfingers moved into her hair, and for just a moment, nothing else mattered.

Herlegs tangled with mine, our arms wrapped around each other, and we kissed untilIforgot about the rest of the world.Herlips, her cheeks, and down her neck.Everytime my mouth roamed, hers took that as permission to explore.Thegive and take was so sensual as we learned each other.Ifelt her chest pressing against mine.Mypulse dropped lower, and it wasn't weird at all.

Thisfelt right.EveryguyI'dbeen with had been chasing one thing.Aspenwasn't.Everytime she touched me,Ifelt like she was touchingme, not the currently available way to satiate her lust.Herfingers trailed down my arm, exploring my skin.Hereyes shined in the soft glow, watching me as we moved.

---