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Chapter Nine

RAIN

" M orrigan!" Jack croaked.

I chuckled even as I finished my eyeshadow. "I'm not being the Morrigan tonight, Jack."

Because tonight was New Year's Eve. There was going to be a big party. Supposedly, the event Torian had created last semester had been a small party, and yep, Aspen insisted there was a difference. So I wanted to just be me, have some fun, and not worry about magical bullshit tonight.

"So you know, you're always the Morrigan," Aspen called from the bathroom, bursting my bubble.

"Well, yeah," I agreed, "but I'm going for cute here. Maybe sexy?"

"Always sexy," she assured me, peeking her head out to reveal her half-painted face. "Oh, you mean the kind that will make my brother do a double take?" Her grin made it clear she was giving me shit.

"No," I huffed. "He is not who I'm trying to impress."

"Oh..." She made an overly-dramatic thoughtful expression. "So it must be Keir."

"Wench!" I laughed, rushing out of my chair just to grab her around the waist and pull her up against me. "Not Keir either!"

Aspen simply pressed into me, guiding me backwards until I bumped my ass into the door. "No?" she teased. "So who?"

"You." The word came out as a breath.

Fuck, but she was gorgeous. From her full lips to her long and lean legs, this girl was absolutely perfect. Aspen's silver hair not only looked like silk, but felt like it, begging me to push my fingers into it, so I did. Immediately, those glacial eyes of hers slipped closed.

Yeah, I liked that look on her too. My pulse was pounding harder - and dropping lower - but we were supposed to be getting ready. The guys were coming to pick us up soon. And yet, I didn't want to let her go.

"Hey," I breathed. "This is still ok, right?"

She lifted lids that looked very heavy. "Which part?"

"That I asked Keir to kiss me."

"Oh!" She leaned back, but not enough to pull out of my arms. "That? Yeah. The fact that you haven't kissed me yet? Not so much."

"Maybe I prefer to get kissed," I countered.

Those icy blue eyes hit mine and held me trapped. Pale but electric. Powerful. Framed in pastel lashes without mascara to darken them. Looking in Aspen's eyes was almost like its own spell, and I was completely captivated.

Taking her time about it, she slowly leaned in. Yep, my pulse cranked up another notch, but I waited, loving the way she made me feel. One part excitement, a bit of nervousness, and three parts passion. That was the best recipe I had for explaining the rush of emotions she always gave me.

Then our mouths met. The kiss was soft. Her lips gave instead of demanded.

When her tongue bumped with mine, it was gentle and seductive, encouraging me to press in.

Clasping the back of her neck, I held her to me, savoring the sweet taste of her, the delicate feel of her body, and the shape of her that I was still not used to holding.

And we kissed. Slowly, taking our time about it and caring about nothing else, our mouths moved.

Her fingers traced my cheek. Mine teased the short ends of her hair.

With my other hand, I reached down, pressing her lower back enough to pull her closer.

That earned me the softest sound I'd ever heard, and for the first time, I understood exactly why guys loved it so much.

Then she tipped her head. "Makeup," she whispered breathlessly. "They'll be here in a minute."

"Yeah." But I didn't let go. "Remind me again why we have to keep this secret?"

"Because you'd get moved to a different room." She stole a quick kiss, then stepped back, putting a little breathing room between us.

"Even though my dads are ok with it? "

Aspen just nodded. "School rules. Until we graduate high school, it's not allowed. Something about minors and sexual conduct being illegal."

I groaned, but also turned back to my desk where I had a mirror set up. "Fucking stupid rules. You know you should be the one kissing me at midnight."

"How about I leave that for your boyfriend? I'll take the morning kisses in exchange."

I claimed my chair then glanced at her deviously. "Is this where I agree and make sure of it?"

"Wench," she laughed, using my term against me. "I'm also not stopping you." But she did head back into the bathroom to use the mirror there.

"You know," I said, raising my voice a bit so it would carry to her, "I still don't know what happens if you break a deal."

"Well, we can't. But for those who can? It gives power to the one who kept to the terms," she explained.

"The kind that binds the breaker, becoming a sort of control.

If you don't do what you agreed to, I then have not only the social right to make you repay me in any way I choose, but also the magical power to ensure it.

To force you, Rain. That's why making deals with our kind is such a bad idea. "

"And yet it's worked so well for me."

"Rain!" Jack agreed.

"Hush!" Aspen told him, clearly joking. "No one asked for your opinion, Highness!"

"Jack!" he shot back. "Jack, Jack, Rain!"

"And Aspen," she said.

I was grinning, adoring their little debate. No, I didn't really understand what Jack was getting at, but it was clear he was standing up for me. Best. Crow. Ever.

But the clock was ticking and I wasn't even close to ready. "Hey, what's the dress code for this?" I called out.

"Jeans," she assured me. "It'll be warm in the atrium, too. With that many people, the dancing, and the oak syrup? Probably very warm."

"So, jeans and a tee?" I asked.

"That's what I'm wearing."

Then she fell quiet, but I could hear rummaging. It sounded like she was in her room. I turned back to my mirror and finished up the shading on my eyes, added a little too much eyeliner, and then mascara. My new curling iron had worked wonders for my hair, so all I had left was lipstick .

I'd just finished that when Aspen marched into my room and spread her arms wide. "See, like this!"

I turned to see her in medium-blue jeans covered in distressed holes. Her shirt was a rich burgundy color that matched her lipstick and fit her form perfectly. Only belatedly did I notice the print on it, which was why she had her arms out like that.

It was an artsy drawing of a woman with dark hair, almost like a cartoon. She looked badass, was wearing solid black, and had sparkles of silver coming off her fingers. Above it, words said "Morgan le Fae."

"Where did you get that?" I gasped, loving it.

"Torian found it." She shrugged. "I may have gotten one in all the colors, but I like this one the best. The dark cranberry seems fitting for you."

"Oh, if that's the way we're going to be..." I headed for my wardrobe and rummaged until I saw a baby-blue shirt. Pulling that out, I flipped it open and held it up for Aspen to see. "Then I'm wearing this!"

She squealed in glee. "Yes!"

Because on the front was Elsa from Disney's Frozen. I'd thought of Aspen when I'd picked it, so if she was wearing a shirt for me, I'd wear one for her. It felt like a little way of declaring we were together without actually saying anything that would get us in trouble.

She opened her mouth to say something, but before a word could come out, a thumping sound came from her side of the suite.

"Jack!" my bird cawed.

"No," Aspen corrected. "I'm pretty sure that's Wilder."

Caw! he replied, looking frustrated. Then he tried again, this time the sound more like Kraa! . Twisting his head, he hopped in frustration, looked at each of us in turn, and pulled in a deep breath.

"Court!"

My mouth fell open. "What?" I breathed.

"Court!" Jack said again, bouncing in place. "Court, court, court!"

"Wilder!" Aspen realized when the thumping came again. "Shit, Jack's trying to say he's here! That's what his word means!" And she hurried through the bathroom to answer her door.

I took the chance to pull off the shirt I'd been wearing and change into the Elsa one. I was pulling it over my ribs when both Aspen and Wilder made their way into my room. Wilder just chuckled, his eyes on the middle of my chest .

"That's a statement," he said.

"Hers is a Morrigan," I countered.

"Yep." And he pulled open his hoodie to reveal a navy-blue version of the same shirt. "So's mine."

I groaned. "I do not have a shirt with a Black fairy on it." He started to reply, but I lifted a finger, cutting him off. "Disney has fairies, not fae. This time, I'm right."

"She kinda is," Aspen agreed.

"I mean, unless you're gay?" I lifted a brow, then sucked in a breath. "Oh my god, you're not gay, are you? I didn't mean..."

"I'm not gay," he assured me.

"Straight?" I asked next. "Not that you have to tell me, I just realized - "

"Rain!" he said, sounding both exasperated and amused. "I'm not straight either. I'm fae."

"Ok?"

He looked at Aspen like he was confused, then back. "Being straight or gay isn't common for us."

"Pansexual," Aspen told me. "Almost all of us go either way. I mean, Torian and I both like girls, but that's kinda like a gay human, you know? It's considered weird to actually have a preference for gender."

"Oh."

Ok, they'd told me that, but not the same way. This time, it actually made sense. Granted, I'd learned a lot more about the fae lately. Becoming the Morrigan did that to a person. I still had a ton of questions, but it was all starting to feel like it finally made sense.

"Wait..." I said as the implications of that hit me. "Torian's straight?"

"So he says," Wilder assured me.

"And Aspen's a lesbian." I giggled once. "And I'm bi."

"Just like a fae," he said, nodding like that was a good thing. "So, who's your date for tonight? Aspen said it would be exciting."

"It's just Keir."

My girlfriend giggled right on cue, making Wilder groan. "Of course it is," he said. "Means Torian's going to be annoying all night."

"Not my problem." I went to find my shoes, grabbing a hair tie when I came across one. "What time is it? Keir should be here at nine."

"Five after," Aspen said.

"He's late," Wilder added.

"Giving her time to get extra pretty," Aspen countered .

"Or dealing with his asshole of a suitemate," Wilder said. "You heard about the thing in the cafeteria, right?"

"No," I said.

"Yeah..." Aspen muttered.

"What happened?" I found my shoes and dropped my ass onto my bed to put them on. "I'm guessing it was a big deal?"

"It was Fin," Aspen said. "Nevaeh is powerless, so Fin enticed her. Like mental mind control, right? I guess Keir and another sentinel saw it and put a stop to things."

"Then Baby Hawthorne tried to stand up for her," Wilder pointed out.

"Who?" I asked.

"Poppy Hawthorne," Aspen clarified. "Ms. Hawthorne's daughter. I guess she's like three-quarters fae? Her dad's half, her mom is from Faerie, so yeah. She's an eleventh grader."

"A junior." I nodded to show I was keeping up.

But Wilder was shaking his head. "Because we have the Advanced Placement thing, we tend to call those of us in high school by the grade number. Juniors and seniors are college rankings. Makes it easier."

"Really?" Ok, that kinda made sense.

"Does prevent confusion with the terms," Wilder pointed out smugly.

"Fuck off," I groaned, finishing my last bow before standing. "So, am I ready?"

"You look amazing," Aspen assured me. "I might even be a little jealous at midnight."

"You can kiss Wilder," I told her.

"Uh, how about no," he said.

And now I was feeling a little mischievous. "Torian?"

"Definitely not!" Aspen huffed.

"Jack!" my crow said.

Aspen simply flashed him a smile. "Ok, Jack. I'll kiss you."

He shook his head, then made a production of ruffling his feathers. "Jack!"

"I said yes," Aspen joked.

The damned bird hopped in place. " Jack! "

But I was already headed to the door, figuring out what he meant. Pulling it open, I found Keir on the other side with his fist raised to knock. Confusion took over his expression, then his eyes jumped behind me.

"Uh, sorry I'm late?" he offered. "I had to make sure Fin couldn't walk through a doorway with anyone who'd been enticed. "

"All doorways in the entire school?" Wilder asked.

"Yeah..." Keir sighed. "Fucking asshole. He's not allowed at the party tonight, so I had to figure out another way to keep an eye on him."

"You ok?" Aspen asked, stepping forward to stand beside me.

"I'm good," he said. "Just more doors than I thought."

"Aren't the teachers supposed to do that?" I asked.

"Yep," Aspen said, "but if Keir asks for it, then they'll ask why, and that's just a mess. I simply didn't know you were strong enough to do that many. I would've helped!"

Keir smiled at her. It wasn't a patronizing kind, or like he was ignoring her offer. No, this was almost protective. It made me realize this guy really did like Aspen, at least as a friend.

"You need to worry more about dancing tonight, I think," he told her. "Maybe even wear my date out a bit so I can keep up."

"An excuse," Wilder said, nodding to show he understood. "Well done, Keir."

"Court!" Jack said out of the blue.

"No," Wilder said, correcting him.

"Court!" Jack insisted. "Rain, Jack, Court, court, court!"

"Huh..." Aspen began to nod. "I think Jack's right."

"What?" Wilder and I asked in unison.

"Totally lost," Keir admitted.

Aspen simply hooked her arm in Wilder's and pulled him into the hall. "I think Keir's part of the court now. Torian, me, Wilder, Hawke, Rain, and now Keir. I mean, just to shake things up."

"Court!" Jack agreed, taking off to fly after her.

"Coming?" Aspen called back. "It's a party, you two. That means there needs to be some making out!"

As they headed for the elevator at the end of the hall, Keir offered me his arm. "Madam le Fae?" he asked.

"Sir Delaney," I replied, impressed I'd remembered his last name from class.

"Not a sir," he countered. "I'm not a knight."

I just reached back to close my door behind me, then slipped my arm in his. "I dunno, Keir. I think Aspen may have just made you one, hm?"

"Oh, that's going to piss Torian off," he said, sounding a little too happy about it.

"And Sir Keir does sound good," I added .

"Sir Keir," he said as he turned me up the hall, "knight of the Morrigan?"

"No." That didn't sound right. "Sir Keir, defender of the Morrigan."

He looked down at me, something soft and warm in his eyes. "Yeah, now that would be one hell of a title to have."