Page 128 of Mistaken Magic

Brackenmoved me to one of the resting areas, and because he'd said something,Keirgot up to join us.Thethree benches were placed in aCshape, the spot next to the water for a place to sit while taking a break.Eachof us claimed the middle of a bench, and thenBrackenkicked his legs out and leaned back, making this feel a little less formal.

"First,"Brackensaid, "KeirknowsI'mcommitted toLiam.He'sbeen my apprentice since he came toSilverOaksyears ago.Ihad no idea you didn't know,Rain."

"Ijust want to know why you two aren't married,"Iadmitted.

Keirbit back a laugh - proving how inappropriate my question was.Iwinced, realizing it only after the words were out of my mouth.Thankfully,Brackendidn't look upset.Heseemed more amused than anything else.

"Well,"Brackenexplained, "to the fae, marriage means something different than it does here inAmerica.It'smore like a job than a relationship.Marriagesare usually to produce children, to ensure titles, or for a specific goal, and they're arranged like any other deal between the fae.Anexchange of services, which are clearly listed before the agreement is made.That'snot howIfeel aboutLiam.Ilove him,Iam with him becauseIlove him, and there are no expectations other than that."

"Oh."Thatactually sounded pretty sweet.Butsticking my foot in my mouth once a day was enough.Iquickly got back to the subject at hand. "Um, so, when theHuntcomes, you hide in your apartment?Imean, for lack of a better word, because 'hiding' sounds bad, butI'mcurious how that works."

"Yes, we hide,"Brackenassured me. "Yousee, if theHunthas proof there are fae in an area, they will let the storm pass them by.Theywill stay here and keep trying to get in, and the schoolisn't a fortress.Ifa fae is spotted, then the sentinels will come to defend.That'scalled stage two.Stageone is to simply give them no reason to miss their 'ride' to the next place.'

"Thestorm,"Irealized.

Brackennodded. "Exactly.Thereare a few rare instances where theWildHuntcan come without one, but now that the gates are closed, there's just not enough magic for them to be used often.Oncea century sort of events.Thequestion, though, is if you're willing to do that again.Rain, will you risk facing another hunter to make sure the doors are locked and the school is secure?"

Inodded quickly. "Yeah, of course.Imean, ifIhelp, thenJackhelps, and it seems like if he helps, then the other crows do too, right?"

"Exactly,"Brackensaid. "Youmay not realize it, but the crows saved us.Theonly reason we knew theHuntwas coming was because ofJack."

"Jack!" the bird said, proving he was listening too.

"Yes,"Brackenagreed. "Yousaved all of us."Thenhe turned back to me. "Butif you're going to do this,I'dlike to keep up with the after-hours practices."

Igroaned. "It'salmost midterms.Bracken,Ihavegotto study.I'mso far behind.Iwant to, andI'mok with it, but what ifIfail my classes?Literature, math, and biology aren't grading me on a curve!"

"We'llhelp,"Keirpromised. "Idefinitely will, andI'mpretty sure the entire court will.Imean,Aspenwill all but demand it."

Bracken'seyes narrowed. "Aspen?"

"Her, uh, best friend,"Keirexplained. "Andyou know that ifAspenwants something,Torianis willing to give it."

Brackenchuckled. "Thathe will.Theoffer for lessons is there,Rain.Idon't want your other classes to suffer, but sinceyou're going to be here over the winter, then we can just plan for then.Howdoes that sound?"

"Perfect,"Iagreed. "AndifIhave a free day, maybeIcan sneak something in then?"

"I'malways available,"Brackenpromised. "MostlybecauseLiamwould have my balls ifIwasn't."Witha grin, he shooed us away. "Getout of here, you two.Keir, talk to the court.Makesure she has everything she needs."

"Yes, sir,"Keiragreed, waving to the door for me to go first. "C'mon,Jack.Let'slet you stretch your wings for a bit."

Chapter Fifty-One

Thatevening, someone knocked on my door.Confused,Igot up to answer it, butAspenwas in her room reading through her botany lesson.Thatmeant it had to beLiam, because no one else came to visit me.AlthoughwhenIopened the door, it wasn't him.Infact, the guy standing on the other side may have been the last personI'dever expect to seek me out:Hawke.

Inhis hand was a strange pole of sorts.Morewere laying on the ground beside him.Mybrow furrowed, andIlooked from one thing to the other, then back to him.Icouldn't even figure out what to say.

"Hawke?"Ifinally asked.

Hecleared his throat awkwardly. "So,AspensaidJackwas perching on the headboard."Hebent to grab the smaller poles on the ground. "It'sa roost,Rain.Aplace for him to sleep, andIfiguredAspencan make some grass grow beneath it so you won't have to wake up in the middle of the night."

"What?Why?"Iasked, stepping back so he could come in.

"Becauseif he shits in the grass, it's fertilizer?"Hawkeasked.

"No!"Ilaughed. "Imeant why are you makingJacka roost, silly."

Thatearned me a little smile, and it may have been the first oneI'dever had him turn on me.Hisgaze softened for a split second, then he moved to an empty space in my room.Oneright next to the window.

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