Page 103 of Mistaken Magic

"Youdo too,"Ireminded her.

"Sorta," she said. "Differentdorm, different hall chaperone.Ms.Rhodeswould not be as understanding asLiam."

"Whochaperones us,"Wilderadded as explanation.

"Ah, ok."BecauseLiamwas a bit of a pushover.Iknew that firsthand.

"Besides,"Aspensaid, "Keir'sbeing cool.He'shelping out."

"Huh.Didn'texpect it of him."Wilderpopped a piece of melon into his mouth. "Hawke'snot going to be happy."

"He'llget over it or step up," she assured him. "Don'tworry,Wilder.You'restill my main man."

"Meansan easy date to school functions."Thenhe leaned in. "CanIpretend to take you to theWinterSolstice,Aspen?"

Shereached over and tapped under his chin playfully. "Always,Wilder.Who'sToriantaking?"

Wilder'seyes jumped back to me. "Yeah,I'mno longer sure."Thenback toAspen. "Knowinghim, he'll make a production of going alone.MightmakeHawkefeel better, though."

SoAspenturned to me. "HasKeirasked you to go with him yet?"

"Don'teven know what you're talking about anymore,"Iadmitted. "Aspen,I'mso lost.Whenis theWinterSolstice?Mostof all, what's so special about it?"

"It'sthe most powerful day of winter," she explained. "Ourlast exams are onFriday, and technically the semester is over after that, but withWinterSolsticebeing theMondayafterwards, everyone will stay untilTuesdaymorning.It's..."Shepaused as if searching for the right words.

"It'sa powerful holiday for the fae,"Wilderexplained. "It'sthe shortest day of the year.Thepivot point whereWinterstarts to recede, so those who useSummermagic celebrate their power returning.Thosewho useWintermagic celebrate it as the strongest day of the year.Differentreasons, same party.Therewill be drinking, dancing, and making very merry.It'sheld out back near the gateway.We'llhave bonfires, warmth glamours for cuddling in the dark, and a lot of rules always get broken."

"Oh, god,"Igroaned, realizing something else.

Wilderleaned back with a devious smirk. "Oh, you can call me that if you want."

Irolled my eyes at him. "Dreamon.No,Ijust realizedIhave to go back to theSparks'!"

"Nope,"Aspensaid. "Wecan stay here through the winter break.Mostof us do."

"Thankgod,"Ibreathed.

"Andagain,"Wilderjoked. "Youdo know you're supposed to be under me when saying that, right?"

Ididn't even get the chance to smack him beforeAspendid. "Findyour own girl!"

Hegrabbed his bowl and stood. "ButIlike yours better."Thenhe moved to kiss her cheek. "PromisedHawkeI'dbring something back for him so he can eat in peace.Youtwo, don't have too much fun today.Rememberto close the door if you don't want company."

"Promise," she said.

Thepair of us finished eating, but there was something elseIwanted to do.So, grabbing a pair of rolls,ItoldAspenI'dcatchup with her.Iwanted to make sureJackknewIhadn't forgotten him.Aspen'sface lit up, though, and she asked if she could come feed him with me.

Whydid that make me want to smile so much?Unableto hide my expression,Ilinked my arm with hers and we headed the long way around, aiming for the door closest to the gym.Theweather was biting outside.Notjust cold - which her glamour could fix - but also windy.WhenIsuggested it,Aspendidn't seem to mind at all.

Wewere walking down the main hall, heading for the library, when someone scoffed loudly.Weboth looked up at the sound in time to seeHarperpulling a suitcase behind her.Thescorn on her face was made of pure hatred.

"MaybeIshould turn you two in to the dean.Thereare rules against sleeping with your suitemate, you know," she sneered.

Icouldn't help myself.Myfeet stalled out andIturned to face her, letting go ofAspen'sarm. "Kindalike the ones against burning another student with iron?Wait.Youthink those apply to everyone but you, right?Well, let me explain to you how the real world works."Ipointed back atAspen. "That'smy best friend.Ifshe andIwant to go feed the birds, be giggly, and maybe talk about boys, then that's what we'll do.Ifyou don't like it, you can fuck right the hell off.Idunno, tell your mommy or something."

"Mymotheris nothing to trifle with,"Harpersnapped, storming into my face.

ButIdidn't back up. "Don'tknow.Don'tcare.Didyou miss the memo about howI'mjust a plain, boring little human?"Yeah, there was a bit of attitude in my voice. "Ialsoreallyhate bullies,Harper."

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