Page 69 of Mistaken Magic

Itook a careful sip, then twitched in surprise.Yes, it was sweet.Italso tasted like honeysuckle nectar.Thatwas the closest thingIhad to compare.Impressed,Itook another drink.Thisone was bigger.

Keirreached up to press a finger against the bottom of my cup, lowering it from my mouth gently. "Goeasy.Itpacks a punch."

"Isthis like fae alcohol?"Iasked.

Thegrin that claimed his mouth was all the answerIneeded. "Sinceit's not alcohol, and it only comes from the silver oak here, you're allowed to have it.Wecan also get in trouble for getting you young’uns drunk on it.Thinkwine at meals, not sloshed in the halls."

Ishifted to stand before him. "Isee.Soare you trying to get me drunk,Keir?"

Hisgrin grew, if that was possible. "Damnyou, woman."

"Youare!"Hecouldn't say no, because he couldn't tell a lie.SoIstepped around his legs, getting close enough to tap his chest. "What'syour nefarious plan, fae-boy?"

Hisarm snaked around my lower back. "Tosee you laugh."

Oh, butIwas figuring out how this worked. "And?"Iasked.

Hechuckled. "Thenext pretty human girlImeet,I'mnot telling her about fae quirks."

"Stopchanging the subject,"Iteased, definitely catching that part about pretty. "And,Keir?What'sthe rest of your big plan?"

Hetugged my hips against his, then leaned in toward my ear. "Stoptrying to get me in trouble.Ipromise my plan has all your clothes still on your body - and that's allI'msaying."

Ileaned back to meet his eyes.Hedidn't even look embarrassed.No, he met my gaze like it was a dare.Thatwas what made these guys so tempting.Therewas this arrogance about them, and yet it wasn't like most guysI'dmet, the kind who wanted to put me in my place.

Thenthere was his mouth.Thosefull lips that curled more on one side than the other.BeforeIdid anything stupid,Ilifted the glass and took another drink, butIdidn't pull away.

"So, how much amIgoing to regret drinking this later?"Iasked.

"Unlikethe crap you people drink, ours is revitalizing," he promised. "It'swhy we're allowed to have it.Promiseyou won't need coffee tomorrow."

"I'mgonna need a lot of this, huh?"

Thewords were barely out of my mouth before an arm snagged around my waist andIwas pulled away fromKeir.Turning,Toriansimultaneously shifted me over while placing his body between us.Thenhe shoved atKeir'schest.

"Whatthe fuck are you doing?" he snarled.

Keirpushed right back into him. "I'mhaving fun.I'mteaching her about oak syrup.Ialso told her to go slow, so back the fuck off,Torian."

Thepair just glared at each other for a moment.Torianwas dark like the moon at night.Keirwas golden like the sun in the middle of the day.Theywere about the same height, just as muscled, and yet so very different.Theywere also beautiful, but braced up like this, there was no doubt in my mind they were of equal power.

"Ifyou try to use her ignorance against her,Iwill make sure you pay,"Toriansnarled. "She'sours,Keir."

"Youdon't get to own everything pretty,Torian,"Keirwarned him. "She'shers, andIwill stand up for her right to prove it."Heleaned just a bit more. "I'malso not scared of you."

"Youwill be,"Torianwarned, turning to catch my arm. "Let'sgo,Rain.Youneed to pick your friends better."

Chapter Thirty-One

Toriandidn't ask.Usinghis grip on my arm, he simply hauled me through the crowd and away fromKeir.EvenwhenItried to pull away,Icouldn't break his grip.Withoutslowing down, he all but dragged me to the farthest corner of the atrium, to the back wall that looked out over the grounds.

Themoment his fingers released,Ipulled my arm away. "Dick,"Isnapped.

"Youfoolish little human girl," he grumbled, those green eyes flashing in anger. "That?You'remaking yourself a target."

"Incase you missed it,Keir'sthe one who carriedAspenback last night,"Isaid, thrusting an arm back in the direction of the silver oak. "Heis the one who got two human teachers to deal with the jesters and their iron!"

"What?"Torianseemed completely confused.

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