Page 105 of Mistaken Magic

Aspenjust reached over to pet his back, stroking the length of his feathers. "Thingsthat live near the gateways often are touched by magic," she explained. "Isn'the big for a crow?"

Icould only shrug. "Noidea how big they're supposed to be.Googledoesn't really help much with that."

"Ihave a feeling he's the most magnificent bird here."Thenshe pulled out the rollI'dgiven her and pinched off a piece. "Friends,Jack?"

Caw!he agreed.

ThenAspenrolled onto her butt, sitting on the cold ground like it was completely normal.Whenshe looked up at me,Idecided to join her.Sheshifted over, leaned her head onto my shoulder, and broke off another piece of bread for "my" bird.

"Thisis why you're interesting," she said. "Jackseems to know it."

"Canyou talk to him or something?"

Shelaughed. "No! it's just that the fae folk are known to be friendly with animals.It'swhy we don't like the idea of eating them.Theyhave minds and thoughts and opinions.Notlike plants.Mostpeople don't notice that - but you did."

"Hemade sure of it,"Iadmitted, tossing him a piece of bread from the rollIhad.

"Jack!" he agreed.

Aspensighed, relaxing into me. "You'reso fae in some ways, and so not in others.Idon't know how else to describe it, but we all feel it.It'swhyKeirkeeps wanting to talk to you too."

Imoved my arm around her shoulders, hugging her against my side. "Ikinda told himI'minto you."

"Hefigured it out when you saved me from the iron."Shelooked up. "It'sok,Rain."

"Iwas talking more about him always flirting with me, and howI'vekinda ended up in a situation where it'll keep happening,"Iadmitted. "Ilike you,Aspen.I..."

"Don'twant to cheat," she realized. "No, this isn't cheating.Faedon't think like that.Iwant your time and attention.Solong asI'mnot missing out, why doIhave any right to say who else you can enjoy being around?"

"Yeah, but it's different,"Iadmitted. "Um,Ilike guys too.Imean,I'vealways liked guys, and you're kinda the first girlI'vethought about like this."

"Likehow?" she teased.

Ishifted my hand to push her hair back. "ThewayIalways want to hold your hand.HowInotice the sparkle in your eyes andIsmile when you whistle or hum to yourself.Theway you make me feel like an idiot, but the smiling kind.Youknow, like a girlfriend."

Shetossed the rest of her roll atJack. "Smallpieces, my friend."

Caw!

Thenshe turned toward me, our hips still side by side.Gently, her hand traced the line of my cheek, her face so close.Myeyes jumped between hers, making her smile softly.

"IknowIshouldn't, butIlike when you're nervous," she admitted. "Yousay more, andIcan feel the truth in it.Rain,Ihave only dated one girl in my life.Wewere fifteen!Idon't know whatI'mdoing either, butIreally like doing this with you.Ifeel..."Shegestured to her chest. "Giddy?Ididn't think you'd like me.Ithought you'd likeTorian, andIkeep waiting for youto change your mind.Idon't mind that you likeKeirtoo.Iget it, ok?"

"Getwhat?"Iasked.

"Youlike boys," she said with a little shrug. "Boyslike you.So, let's make a deal.Abinding one,Rain.Wewill be friends first.Wewill accept and understand the other as much as we can, and when we don't, we'll ask.Imay be your girlfriend, butI'myour friend first, and if you like a boy, or kiss a boy, or anything else, you will tell me.IfIlike a girl - or any boy happens to catch my eye, which isn't likely -Iwill tell you.Wewill be friends first, and we will celebrate each other before all else.Andwhile we do, we will still be this.Stillbe happy and excited to see each other."

"Ilike that,"Iagreed.

"Isit a deal?" she asked. "Doyou agree to the terms,Rain?"

"Ido,"Ibreathed, and the power rushed over us, spiraling through the currents of the wind and locking our words somehow.

Aspenjust smiled. "Thentell me about this boy you like."Sheshifted to lay her head in my lap. "Ithink it's cute when you get all blushing and giggly."

"Whatabout this girlIlike?"Iasked, running my fingers through her hair.

"Oh, you can do that too," she agreed, "but best friends sometimes talk about boys, right?"Shewas smiling just a little too much. "That'swhat you toldHarper.Besides, if some guy wants to hit on my girlfriend, thenIdeserve to know about it.Sowhich guys at school do you think are cute?"

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