Page 102 of Mistaken Magic

Nowords were spoken, but none were needed, not until we'd kissed ourselves out.Iwas breathing harder and she couldn't stop touching me, drawing little circles on the skin of my arm.Theentire floor was quiet, only the shifting of the building proving time hadn't stood still, and allIwanted to do was look at her a little more.

"Bemy girlfriend?" she whispered softly. "Mybest friend too, but also my girlfriend?"

"I'vebeen thinking about it since you said that earlier,"Iadmitted, "butKeirsays we can't.Ifwe're official, we won't be allowed to share a suite."

"Sobe my girlfriend and we won't tell anyone?" she offered next.

"Yeah,"Ibreathed. "Ilike 'girlfriend.'"

"Thenlet me stay the night?" she asked next.

"Definitely,"Iagreed.

Soshe shifted to shove her arm under my neck, moving a little higher.Withoutthinking about it,Imoved closer, cuddling against her side.Shewasn't a big, strong pillow like a guy, but that didn't make it any less amazing.Herarm curled around my back, mine wrapped around her waist, and we fit together so well.

"Ikinda hate that we can't make this public, though," she said softly.

"Mhm,"Imurmured against the side of her neck. "Iknow the court knows.Keirknows."

"Ilike him," she told me. "Hemakes you happy."

"Heflirts with me pretty much constantly,"Iadmitted.

Shegiggled. "Rain,Iflirt with you pretty much constantly.Prettysure my brother does too."

"Yeah, but you're my girlfriend and your brother's a dick most days."

"There'sthat," she agreed. "Andyou're mygirlfriend.Goto sleep, beautiful one.Giveme one more thing to be thankful for today."

Iclosed my eyes and she whispered a string of words in another language.Theglow from my plant faded, obeying her command without question.JustasIdrifted off to sleep,Irealized she'd spokenFaeril.Itwas even more beautiful thanI'dimagined - kinda like my first girlfriend.

Chapter Forty-Two

Thenext morning,Iwoke up alone, butAspenwas flitting around the bathroom.Sheskipped, twirled, and looked like she was in the best mood ever.Icouldn't help but smile.Shewas adorable in so many ways.Powerfulin others, but it felt like she let me see her softer side.

Wedecided to have breakfast together.Fruitfor her.Fruitand yogurt for me.Therewasn't a lot of talking about what had happened last night, butImay have found myself giggling for no reason.Iwas nervous, excited, and a little shy - yet it felt likeIwas on cloud nine.

Atsome point,Wildershowed up.Hefound himself a meal and moved to join us.Aspengiggled, flashing a glance at me.Mycheeks turned warmer, and the guy hadn't even said a thing.Hisdark eyes scanned the both of us, then he just nodded.

"So, good night in the girls' dorm, huh?"

"Hush!"Aspensaid, tossing a grape at him.

Hecaught it much too easily, then tossed it into his mouth. "So, guess this means we get to chase the peasant off now?"

"No!"Aspengasped. "Shelikes him."

"Kindamy point," he countered.

Whichwas whenIrealized they were talking aboutKeir. "No, he, uh, knows."Wow,Isounded like a moron. "Imean, some people saw me in his room so no one would... you know."

"He'splaying your beard?"Wilderasked. "Why?"

"Weshare a suite,"Aspenpointed out.

"And?"Wilderasked.

Aspenjust huffed. "Wilder!Youknow they'd try to split us up.Someonewould complain about theWinterbitch getting what she wants and all that.Imean, you at least haveTorianto back you up."

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