Page 92 of Mistaken Magic

Shebit her lower lip and those big blue eyes looked up at me. "Ididn't mean to say that out loud."

"Whichpart?"Iteased.

"Girlfriend," she breathed.

Underthe edge of the table,Icaught her hand. "I'mnot scared of the jesters."

"Ireally do like you," she said softly. "I'mjust not being a very good friend."

SoItraced my thumb over the back of her hand. "Ilike you too.Ijust feel likeIdon't know half of what's going on."

"It'sok," she promised. "Mybrother's an ass.Acute one,Iknow, but he's still pompous, arrogant, and full of himself."

"Withgood reason,"Torianadded. "I'llmake up for it,Aspen.Ipromise."

"Wait, so they all know, um, about us?"Iwhispered to her.

Shenodded. "Idid warn you that we talk about cute girls.You'recute.You'rea girl."

Icould feel my cheeks getting warmer. "Right.I'mso bad at this."

"You'reperfect," she told me. "Ialso think you should hang out withKeirtoday and really make the jesters confused."Butshe shifted her hand so her fingers slipped into the gaps between mine. "Later, though.Forjust a minute, let me enjoy the fact you didn't say no."

Withmy other hand,Ireached up to brush a lock of hair behind her completely round ear. "Ididn't,"Iagreed, taking in this beautiful girl so close to me. "It'sjust becauseIwant to keep the dress, though."

Shelaughed. "Blatantlie!"

"Completely,"Iagreed.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Bythe time the food was done and we'd all finished a glass of nectar, the whole table was laughing.Mostly, they were laughing at me, but this timeIwas just as bad.Hawkehad tears coming from his eyes, andWilderwas making a gesture, trying desperately to get my attention.

"Doit again!" he begged.

"I'ma boy,"Isaid.

Toriansnorted, shaking his head as he waved away whatever sensation they got whenIlied. "That'sso wrong!"

"Thesky is pink,"Itried next.

Aspengrabbed her waist, a smile plastered on her beautiful lips. "Howdo you even do that?" she begged.

"They'rejust words,"Iinsisted.

Hawkewiped at his eyes. "Withmeanings and intentions," he pointed out. "Youcan't feel the dissonance?"

"That'sa good way to put it,"Aspengiggled. "Likereally bad music, but in the back of my mind."

Ijust shook my head at her. "Nothing."

"Wait."Torianleaned across the table to look at me. "So, how can humans tell if someone is lying?"

"Thelook on your face,"Iexplained. "Idon't know.Wejust see it."

"Showme?" he begged.

Ilooked to the snowy ceiling trying to think of something else. "AspenandIare just friends.There'snothing there."

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