by A. J. Macey
“The clock tower?” I asked, not bothering to look over at him but saw him nod in my periphery before I continued on. “It’s beautiful.”
“You are,” he breathed, his voice so low, I didn’t think I was meant to hear it… I peeked over at him, finding his eyes focused on my face. A blush colored my cheeks at his soft gaze before he reached over and brushed his fingers along my cheek in a caress that had the magic jumping between us until I felt like it was buzzing through my veins.
“Thank you,” I said, unsure of what else to say before I looked back up. It took everything I had to peel my eyes away from his, but I knew it was for the best. I could see the internal war in his eyes, and despite what I wanted, I didn’t want to make his life any harder. Besides, you have Caspian, who cares about you. The tension in my chest squeezed harder as I remembered Torryn’s younger brother.
Torryn cleared his throat as he stepped away, finally releasing my hand.
“Alright, let’s see if you can do a basic spell,” he said, his voice holding a husky quality. He gently grabbed my shoulders and turned me, this time to position me. When he seemed satisfied with where I was standing, his eyes met mine. A visible spark lit up between us, causing both of us to jump. It grew brighter for a moment, a mix of pale pink and green before fizzling out.
He shook it off quickly, but from the quirk to his eyebrow, he was just as surprised as I was. Finally letting go and stepping away, he walked away and turned to face me. Only when he walked away did I glance down and notice he had positioned me in the center of a rune circle perfectly aligned with the center of the clock tower.
“Now, I need you to say ignem accende while you focus on the light,” he commanded, waving his hand for me to begin.
I closed my eyes for a moment, reveling in the charged energy of the crystals around me, letting them bolster my own magic. I focused on the light filtering in, picturing it growing bigger and brighter as I chanted the words. A wave of power built within my chest, the swell radiating toward my arms and legs before I could feel the power tingling within my fingertips as if I had been shocked by a giant static charge. I yelped, and my eyes popped open in time to see a bright set of the pink and green sparkles arcing between my fingers and Torryn’s.
“Fucking hellsticks, ow!” he shouted, suddenly hopping as he shook his hand vigorously. “How the hex did you do that?”
“Me? I’m a Mixta, you’re the one with powers,” I accused, rubbing my palm to ease the ache.
“I’m a Spell Caster, and you’re hardly a Mixta… you’re more of an anomaly,” he said quickly. I rolled my eyes at the accusations.
“We aren’t going to get very far in these lessons if you keep throwing around accusations and ending class early,” I challenged, crossing my arms in front of my chest. He huffed but didn’t really argue.
“I end class when things amp up, and I need to do research. It has nothing to do with not trusting your magic. Mentoring you comes with some challenges I didn’t expect, and I wouldn’t be much of a mentor if I went into this blind. For now, it’s dinner time, and we have quite the walk back. In the meantime, I’ll be researching these arcing powers between us and try to find a source,” he explained, looking offended he had to explain himself.
“Fine, dinner it is,” I agreed, grabbing my bag from the entrance of the room and starting off down the long, winding tunnel.
Of course, I’m an anomaly—Mixta just wasn’t good enough for me.
September 12th
Thursday Early Morning
Aris
Sleep eluded me until I finally gave up and tried to find anything to distract me, waiting out the clock until it was late enough for me to go to breakfast. Eyeing the boxes of stuff I had yet to finish putting away, I grimaced. That was so not what I wanted to do right now. I groaned and turned back to the front of my room before heading out, my focus on finding Caspian, his hurt gaze from yesterday burning in my mind. It only took a few moments until I was standing outside what I thought was Caspian’s room. Although it’s been a week and a half, so I could be wrong, but I was pretty sure this was where his room was. I took a deep breath and knocked.
“Can I help you?” the boy with wide-frame glasses asked when he opened the door, his eyes narrowed in confusion. I flashed an awkward smile; definitely not Caspian’s room.
“Do you by any chance know where Caspian is? I knew his room was around here, but I can’t remember exactly,” I rushed through my explanation, trying not to let the nerves get to me. His scrunched face smoothed over in understanding before widening into a bright smile.
“He’s right next door,” he explained, tossing a thumb toward the door he pointed out. I thanked him quickly before taking the few steps to Caspian’s door and knocking.
“It’s open,” he called, his words muffled through the wood of his closed door. I opened it and stepped inside, my eyes falling on Caspian’s long body lying on his unmade bed. His gaze flickered over me, and before he could speak, everything just came tumbling out.
“I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you about everything lately. It’s just really hard because I haven’t had anyone who actually cares about me, and I’m just so used to being alone, ya know?” I rambled quickly, my hands fiddling with the tulle of my tutu as I explained. “There’s just been a couple of girls who have been saying some mean things the last few days because I’m a Mixta. Which really isn’t that much different from back home, so I just keep going on with my day. I didn’t mean to make you think I didn’t trust you or something, and I didn’t mean to hurt you. So, I’m sorry that I did...” I mumbled, trailing off awkwardly as I looked at him. “Are you mad at me?”
Caspian rolled off the bed, his long legs closing the distance between us in three quick steps. His blue eyes were soft as he looked at me, his hands coming to cup my face.
“Of course, I’m not mad, Cupcake,” he reassured quietly, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks. “I just want to make sure you’re okay, and that you’re happy. I don’t like it when people are mean to my Cupcake, but I understand not being ready to explain it. If there’s anything you want to talk about at any time, ever, I promise you can come talk to me. Now,” he murmured, pulling me closer, “come here.” I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face as I stepped into his waiting arms.
As soon as I was cocooned in his embrace, I felt such an intense wave of relief I wasn’t expecting, not having realized just how much I cared about how Caspian felt. It had always been only me, so I didn’t know how to connect with others, but Caspian made it so easy. We had meshed right from the beginning. Without a second thought, I popped up onto my toes and kissed him.
His arms tightened around me, holding me tightly to his lean muscles as he kissed back. Tangling my fingers in his hair, I deepened the kiss, sucking his bottom lip between my teeth. He moaned, deep within his chest as I nipped his lip, his hands shifting lower to cup my ass. Taking a step forward, he pressed me back against his door as he lifted me. Surprise flooded me as I instinctively wrapped my legs around his trim hips. His deep blue eyes lit up with a hint of laughter at my gasp and wide eyes, but he didn’t tease me before peppering my neck in a string of kisses as he made his way back up to my mouth.
A small rumbling startled us, and our eyes pulled to look up at another forming storm cloud. I really don’t want to get rained on. I would like water-free sex this go-around since we aren’t in the shower. As soon as the thought popped in my head, the cloud started to dissipate, the gray floof thinning but not fully disappearing.
“Cas, think about not wanting to get rained on,” I murmured, afraid if I spoke too loudly the storm would intensify and pour down on us. Caspian gave me a quirked brow but did as I suggested, and the impending storm evaporated, not a drop on us or his room. “Holy shit that’s so cool.” I whispered. “But we can talk about that later. I would rather have you right now instead of talking about weird magical phenomenons, so kiss me like you mean it.” I smiled as his
eyes heated, his grip on my ass tightening as I spoke.
“You got it, Cupcake.” Caspian did exactly as I asked, peppering me in dominating kisses and teasing bites as his lips moved with fervor against mine. Grinding his hips up, the rough material of his jeans and hard cock confined underneath rubbed against my thin underwear. A pulse of desire shot straight through me to my core as he moved his attention from my lips to my jaw and neck as his cock rolled over my sensitive clit.
Pulling me away from the door, he walked us over to his bed, dropping on top of me with a cocky smile. He pushed my shirt up, nipping my stomach and chest until he finally reached my breasts. A hand wrapped around my back, unclipping my bra to bare my chest to his hungry gaze. I gasped as he cupped one before sucking the pebbled peak into his mouth, his teeth barely grazing the sensitive skin as his other hand cupped between my legs.
“So wet,” he murmured, his eyes and smirk centered on me as he kissed his way to my other breast. My eyes fluttered shut as I clutched at Cas’s sheets, his fingers circling before barely dipping into me, teasing me in the most torturously delicious way. A breathy moan escaped me as he sank two fingers into me, curling slightly to hit the perfect spot. My core tightened, my body buzzing with an impending orgasm, but before I could reach my release, Caspian pulled his fingers away, taking my underwear with him. Prying my eyes open, I watched him shuck his shirt and unbutton his pants, pulling them down just enough to let his hard cock free from behind the dark fabric of his jeans.
Without much fanfare, he crawled back over me, the head of his cock pressing into me before slipping in slowly. Both of us groaned, needing... craving this connection without magic fueling our actions. When he was fully sheathed inside me, I whimpered, feeling so deliciously full. And when he started to fuck me in earnest? I was completely lost in a sea of pure desire. I was a puddle of need, melting in his arms as he moved slowly, quickly picking up his pace until the only sounds surrounding us were our moans and his hips crashing into mine.
“Caspian,” I cried out as I finally reached my release, my eyes squeezing shut as I clamped around him. Frantic kisses swallowed my moans as he kissed me like he was drowning, and I was the only thing to save him, his hips continuing to pound into me before he followed me into a satisfying release. Our panting filled the space as Cas pressed a sweaty forehead into my shoulder, neither of us wanting to move as we came down from the post-sex high.
“Boos and Brews, now?” Caspian asked softly, looking down at me with such softness, I felt my heart nearly burst with warmth. I nodded, a happy laugh bubbling out as he pulled out, flopping next to me to cuddle.
“Are you going to give me back my underwear?” I asked as he curled himself into my back, already pulling out his Witches Glass and scrolling through the magical tech, mumbling the incantation until our favorite cooking show materialized in the middle of the room.
“Nope, they’re mine now,” he teased with a tiny kiss on my cheek. “Now shush, Cupcake, they’re making my favorite food.”
I shook my head but couldn’t argue when there was a small portion of me that liked knowing he’d have that piece of me to remind him of our fun.
September 12th
Thursday Afternoon
Aris
My day had once again been filled with taunts from the Curse Crew, despite my continued attempts to ignore them. I even turned down a few offers to change my hair back because I wanted to show them I could rock whatever they threw at me, so today, I was rocking makeup in browns and earthy tones, my outfit coordinating nicely. And I look amazing if I do say so myself. I tried to brush off my hurt feelings while I made my way to mentoring.
“Hey, there,” Drayce’s smooth voice pulled me out of my inner musings, his smiling face helping to wash away the sour mood that was forming.
“Fancy meeting you here,” I teased, pulling my bag further up on my shoulder. “What brings you to this side of campus?”
“I also have mentoring, though my first year isn’t as adorable as you,” he said with a wink. “Oh, hey, he’s right over there.” He pointed to a burly witch who looked like he’d just rolled out of bed, his grungy clothes wrinkled and a grumpy look on his face. Ouch.
“I’d like to think I’m a bit more cheerful than that,” I snorted, knowing it was a vast understatement.
“And a whole lot sexier,” he said, his eyes roaming slowly over my body. Despite the fun I’d just had with Caspian, my body was already perking up at his flirting.
“Not as much as Caspian though,” I joked, hiding my grin as I turned my eyes back to the path in front of us.
“As hot as Caspian is, he’s got nothing on you,” he murmured, starting to walk away from me as we reached the mentoring hallway. His lips curled in a tiny smirk, and he winked. “See you later, Angel.”
Giving him a tiny wave, I couldn’t stop the blood from rushing to my face in a flush or the surge of wetness that now coated my underwear. I took a deep breath, trying to push dirty thoughts away as I started toward the room I knew we would be in. Xanthius was pacing outside the door when I got closer, his hands in his pocket as he waited for me.
“Hey, Xan!” I called cheerfully, hoping he wasn’t upset I shortened his name. It felt too formal to call him Xanthius. He looked surprised for a moment before eyeing my hair and looking even more shocked.
“Green?” he asked pointedly, staring at my hair in confusion before shaking his head and continuing. “Either way, I found some information on that question you asked last week. Essentially, there is a possibility of a Mixta gaining powers from a magical bonding, but they would be minimal at best. And though powers can be suppressed by certain charms, the magic would still wear off or be overpowered by the Mixta’s latent powers. So, in summary, no, it’s not possible for a Mixta to gain strength or even normal powers later in life.” His words were punctuated by that annoying sympathy.
I think the fact I dumped a waterfall on Torryn would dispute your claims, Mr. Know-it-all.
“The only other thing it mentioned was a slight boost of magic could be awoken within partners if the physical bond was strong enough. It didn’t get too far into the details, but from what I understood, their magic has to align and be aided by the physical bond for it to make a difference. I’m unsure how reliable it is though since it was centuries old, and it’s the only mention I’ve found,” he explained, looking frustrated at being bested by my query.
“Thanks for looking, Xan. I’ll add that to my essay for Mixta Basics,” I said cheerfully, stepping around him into our mentoring room. I dropped into my chair with a sigh, slightly disappointed he hadn’t found anything more worthwhile. Knowing my recent luck, it was probably just another odd quirk that would be unexplainable to every expert in the field.
A loud knock resounded through the tiny room, Xan’s mouth curling down in a frown at the interruption. He stood and walked to the door, opening it to reveal… Headmaster Tallis and my parents? My pulse pounded in my head, and my vision tunneled for a moment at the sight of them. When I said I wanted them to see me flourishing, I didn’t mean literally!
Note to self—be careful what you witch for.
“Aris!” my mother called out, pushing past the headmaster and my father, arms outstretched toward me. To an untrained eye, it would look like she was going to hug me, but I knew better. She might catch Mixta that way. In true Mother fashion, she stopped just out of reach and air-kissed each cheek before pulling away.
“What is this hair color? It looks positively dreadful on you!”
My cheeks heated, and I purposely avoided Xan, not wanting him to see how much she got to me.
“Aris has been a delight to have in school. She’s always cheerful and helps out her fellow students. She’s been showing promise with her mentors as well,” Headmaster Tallis boasted, giving me a proud smile though a hint of a threat was there, challenging me not to prove him a liar. I put on a fake smile as I turned to them, still refusing to say anything.
&nbs
p; “I’m glad to hear that. Calistos are known for their leadership, even Calistos who are a bit… different,” my father said, saying different as if it were distasteful. By different, he meant I was a disgrace to his family and his name. Dick.
“Good job, honey!” Mom said brightly, the saccharine sweet smile making me want to vomit. She loved to put on a show for anyone willing to listen. “I can’t wait to see the school, it’s beautiful. Of course, it’s not quite as prestigious as the one in Ignis, but it’s lovely, nonetheless.” Nothing like giving an insult mixed with a shitty compliment. My mom, always the classy one.
“Shall we take a tour of the campus?” the headmaster asked with a slight hint of ice in his tone. I doubt they’d notice, but I could see how offended he was about them insulting his institution.
“Come, Aris, show us around,” Father demanded, gesturing for me to go with them, a clear command to his tone. I nodded and grabbed my bag, following him out of the room.
Tallis started the tour, giving bits of history and what I’m sure was a gripping recount of the finer points of Aether. I tuned it out, following along dutifully like the good daughter. I was always taught to fade to the background, not make myself stand out. That way, people were more likely to miss me during conversations with my parents, not asking about their secret shame... me.
At one point, they closed a door in my face, completely forgetting I was tagging along. The longer I spent with them, the lower my mood seemed to drop. Nothing killed a mood quite like being treated like a shameful little secret. Our procession garnered quite a few curious stares, which I continued to ignore. I was itching to ask why they were here in the first place, but nobody would shut up long enough for me to ask.
By the time the dinner bell rang, I was hangry and annoyed, just wanting to slip away. For the first time since I’d arrived, the usual crowd of students hung back and walked slowly behind our group, showing respect to the headmaster and his guests. Which, of course, only spotlighted the weird drop-in even more.