Page 43 of Beastkin
The question hit me harder than I expected. I hadn’t really thought beyond this moment, beyond having him in my arms. But he was right to ask. Widdershins wasn’t exactly known for being the most accepting place, especially when it came to a Beastkin and a witch together. The gay thing happened all the time, but mixed relationships? Not so much.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, hating how uncertain I sounded. “I mean, I want to be with you. That much I know for sure. But you’re right, it’s gonna be complicated. And your parents… if they found out…”
Phoenix nodded, understanding flickering in his eyes. “They can’t find out. Not yet anyway. Not before I’ve gotten away from them completely. I don’t want them to hurt either of us.”
“Do you think they’d actually try to hurt us?” I asked, my arm instinctively tightening around him. The thought of anyone trying to harm Phoenix made my beast stir, a protective growl building in my chest.
“I don’t know,” Phoenix admitted, his fingers tracing patterns through my fur. “But they’ve spent my entire life telling me to stay away from Beastkin. That you’re dangerous, uncontrollable. When they found out about our friendship as kids, they were...” He shuddered. “I’ve never seen my father that angry. My mother was crying like I’d died.”
I nodded, remembering how abruptly he’d disappeared from my life. “I can’t imagine they’d be thrilled about this.”
“And they’re part of the Purity Front,” he added. “They could find other people to…take care of it.”
My blood ran cold. He was right of course. We both knew what kind of people joined organizations geared toward the extermination of monster races. Phoenix’s parents were probably some of the more level-headed members, and that wasnota reassuring thought.
“We’ll figure that out when we get there,” I said, sitting up on one elbow. “For now… well, maybe we should keep this between just the two of us.” I held up a hand to reassure him. “I’m not ashamed. I’m still figuring it out, but definitely not ashamed. However…”
“No, you’re right,” he sighed. “Announcing it to everyone would just cause trouble. Best to keep it secret for now and just play our parts accordingly.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, though a part of me hated the idea of hiding what I felt. Still, it would give me some time to think it through. “Just until we figure things out.”
Phoenix leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “I should probably get back to my dorm before my roommate starts wondering where I am.”
I didn’t want him to leave, but I knew he was right. We both had classes later, and questions would start if he was seen leaving my room in yesterday’s clothes.
“Can I see you again tonight?” I asked, trying not to sound as desperate as I felt.
His smile was answer enough. “I’ll meet you after my last class. Out behind the athletic building. Nobody will see us there.”
We reluctantly untangled ourselves from each other and the magical vines that had wrapped around us during the night. As Phoenix gathered his clothes from where they’d been scattered across my floor, I found myself mesmerized by the lean lines of his body, the way the morning light played across his skin.
“You’re staring,” he said, a blush coloring his cheeks as he pulled on his pants.
“Can’t help it,” I admitted. “You’re beautiful.”
His blush deepened, and I decided right then that making Phoenix Emberwood blush was my new favorite hobby.
Once he was dressed, looking slightly rumpled but still somehow elegant in his cream button-up and suspenders, I walked him to my door. We listened for any movement in the hallway before sharing one last lingering kiss.
“See you soon,” he whispered against my lips.
After he slipped out, I leaned against the closed door, my heart pounding in my chest. What the hell was happening to me? I’d never felt this... this consumed by anyone before.
I needed to talk to someone who would understand, and there was only one person I trusted enough for that conversation. Fishing my phone out from my dresser drawer, I pulled on some clothes and headed out of the dorm building.
The wards around Widdershins interfered with cell signals, supposedly for security reasons, though I suspected it was just another way for the administration to keep us from posting pictures of magical classes online. I had to walk nearly half a mile off campus before my phone showed any bars.
Finding a quiet spot under a massive oak tree, I dialed my mom’s number, my stomach knotting with nervous energy. It rang three times before her familiar voice answered.
“Karrick? Is everything okay?” The concern in her voice was immediate. I rarely called during school at all, much less in the middle of the day when I should be in class.
“Hey, Mom. Yeah, everything’s fine. I just... I needed to talk to you about something.”
There was a brief pause. “You sound different. Did something happen?”
I let out a shaky laugh. Leave it to my mom to pick up on my emotional state from just a few sentences. “Yeah, you could say that. I, uh... I met someone.”
“Oh?” The interest in her voice was unmistakable. “A girl?”