"Let'sget this party started!" she said, and then tapped it.
Musicinstantly began playing, but the sound came from everywhere.Itwas as if there was a sound system set up out here.Mymouth dropped open andIlooked around.Nope,Iwasn't missing anything.Thatwas definitely magically enhanced.
"Let'sdance!"Aspensaid, catching my hand to pull me outside the ring of trees. "Keir!"
Hefollowed behind us, laughing like we were being cute.Ok, maybe we were, but there was a group of people quickly forming.Almostas if it was scripted, everyone began to move clockwise, dancing as they made a slow but steady circle around the outside of the trees.
"You,"Aspensaid, "will not dance yourself to death.Youhear me,Rain?" she asked.
Icaught her hand and spun her around. "Nottonight,"Ipromised.
Soshe did the same thing back, but with a little push to keep me moving.Thatpropelled me right intoKeir.Hecaught my waist and spun us both, then sent me back to her.Itwas fun.Therewere no real steps, and the music worked with all the spinning, but it didn't last that long.
Whenthe next song started,Hawkepulled me out of the line and pushed a plastic cup into my hands. "Ihave been ordered to keep an eye on you tonight," he said, steering me back toward the warmth inside the trees. "So, drink as much as you want, be as crazy as you intend, and know that if anyone tries anything, the court has your back.Otherwise,Aspenmade it clear she'd hang my balls from my ears."
Isnorted out a laugh. "Oh,Isee.Scaredof her, huh?"
"Tonight,Iam," he assured me. "It'sher season,Rain.Iknow that doesn't make sense to you, but it means she's the most powerful thing you can imagine tonight."
Ilifted the glass and took a long drink, decidingIliked the sweetness even more this time. "Areyou sure it has nothing to do with wanting to kiss me?"
Hislips split into a devious little smile. "Inever said it didn't."
"Whichmeans it plays a part,"Icountered.
Hejust moved closer. "Itplays a part.Whathappened to your pretty littleSummerboy?"
"Keir?"Iguessed.
Hawkenodded.
"Why, are you chasing him too?"Itook another drink soIwouldn't smirk too much.
Hawkepointedly ran his eyes over me. "I'mstarting to thinkIwill never understand you."
"AspensaidI'mallowed to play.I'mplaying tonight,Hawke.That'sall it is.Ipassed my classes,Ididn't get kicked out,Ihave the coolest uncle in the world, and a pretty kick-ass crow.Mybest friend makes me happy, and tonight is going to be a very good night."
"Thendrink more, foundling, because the fun is just getting started," he said asWilderappeared with a pair of cups.
Hawketook one and tilted it up, gulping back the contents.Ilifted mine, matching him.Witha laugh,Wilderdid the same until all three of our glasses were empty.JustlikeAspenhad, the guys tossed theirs into the air and the things vanished, sent to some garbage bin somewhere.ThenWilderpointedly reached over and took mine, doing the same thing.
"Andnow she should dance like she's fae," he joked, grabbing me from behind by both shoulders to drive me back to the line. "Coming,Hawke?"
"Wouldn'tmiss this for the world,"Hawkepromised. "Evenmore fun knowingKeir'sgoing to hate it."
"Exactly,"Wilderagreed as we reached the line.
Aline that was moving a lot faster, to music with more beat than the first song.Well, if that was how they wanted it, thenIwas more than willing to let them show off a little.Toobad for them,Keirwas currently dancing withAspen, and the pair seemed to be laughing like old friends.Ihad a funny feeling all of this was going to backfire onHawkeandWilder.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Itdidn't take long before the fae nectar began to have an effect.Theworld became a little blurry around the edges, and there was always another glass.Thestuff was dangerous, though.Drinkingit made me feel refreshed and ready to do a little more.Itwas like liquid energy with a dose of extra giggles.
Atsome point,KeirandAspenjoined us, and then the guys began twirling us girls between them.Itripped, was caught, and then spun on again.WhenAspenandImet up in the middle, we forgot to care if anyone else was watching.Wedanced, hugged, laughed and more.Betweenall of that, there was always another glass of nectar.
WhenIstarted breathing too hard,Aspenshoved me out of line.Theproblem was thatIstaggered right into - of all people -Harper.Withan annoyed huff, she shoved me back, but that was the wrong move.Aspenimmediately surged into her face.
"Notin the mood tonight,Harper," she snarled.