“That’s because no one knows,” he answers, shocking me.
“What? How can that be? I can sense the winter fae in you. Smell the frozen scent in your powers.” He had me seriously perplexed.
“Baby, you are very extraordinary. In my eighteen years, you are the only one who has been able to sense that I am only a half. Not just sense it, but point out my other half correctly.”
I take in his words still not understanding. Sure, I knew my aura powers were odd and not everyone could see the threads of magic, but I always thought every witch could smell the scents and identify the powers. “So you can’t smell the magic and your brain doesn’t conveniently name it for you.”
“No, baby,” he answers eyes wide. “That’s all you.”
"Oh wow, great, something else that makes me a freak,” I mutter under my breath.
“You’re not a freak,” he says, grabbing my chin so that I’m looking him straight in the eyes. “You’re beautiful and crazy powerful. Do you know how many witches would kill for your powers? I’m in awe just sitting next to you.”
I don’t know what to say. He could be wrong or just bias because, well he’s my fated mate and all that. Either way I don’t want to dwell on it so I change the subject instead.
“So who’s the fae? Your mom or dad?”
“My father. My parents couldn’t have a child so they discreetly seeked out help. A winter fae named Articus had all the answers for them, but my mother had to sleep with him. I guess they were so desperate for a child and to continue their legacy that they went along with it, then nine months later she had me.”
“Wow that’s crazy they'd do something so extreme,” I admit. I’m not saying I’m not happy Jinx was born, but the way they went about it was kind of cray-cray.
“That’s all the witch community cares about; money, power, and continuing the genes. Without an heir my parents would have been ostracized. That’s worse than death to my parents.”
“So they have been hiding your other powers, how?”
“When I was smaller they had to take me to the winter territory so that my real father could teach me how to control my powers. We were expected to return to him on a trip when he was killed beforehand so my parents found some shady mage that made a potion where it’ll suppressed my fae powers. I have to take it once a month, but it works.”
“Did your parents ever say who killed your father or how?” I know what happened to my mother, but not knowing about my father killed me a little every day. I get by from taking comfort in him not wanting me so he stayed away.
“They said they didn’t know, but sometimes I feel like they know more than what they’re telling me. My parents are not good people. You don’t get where my parents are in the witch community by being a goody two shoes.”
“I bet. My family is supposed to be nothing but good witches, the truth? They are the worst. My father’s side of the family never cared to seek me out. They just left me a bunch of money and called it a day. Leaving me to the fate of the good witches.”
“I don’t really know a lot about the Nightingales except that they are crazy powerful. They keep to themselves mostly, and the other witches don’t fuck with them because they are scared of them.”
“Yeah, I heard that when I looked into them. I found out my father was an only child and as far as public record shows I’m the only child he has.”
“Have you ever wanted to visit them?” He asks softly.
“All the time, but I know nothing good would come from it. If they wanted to see me they could have easily. I’ve been in the same two places all my life. My hometown in Silver Springs and the Academy. They didn’t want me.”
“I want you,” he says sincerely. “I’ll want you always.”
My eyes water at his kind words. “Look at us a bunch of saps. You better be careful before you have to turn your asshole card in,” I tease.
We finish up our meal. Leaving behind the heavy conversation. Technically we were on our second date and that topic of conversation isn’t second date material, or third, or probably ever. At least not in my world.
After we finished eating we hit the strip again. Winning all the time in the casinos was starting to get a bit boring so we took in the attractions instead. We rode the roller coaster around the fake Statue of Liberty, and took one of the sky tours where we zipped around the whole of Las Vegas in one of the blue cars connected to wires in the air. After that, we rode the ferris wheel where he kissed me tenderly when it stopped on the top like some cheesy chick flick. After that we went to the arcade where I kicked his butt in racing games and skee ball. In a basketball game he won me a huge purple teddy bear, and we walked around the strip with him holding my hand while we munched on cotton candy and funnel cake.
Like last night I drunk my weight in alcohol and generally had a good time. I loved hanging out with Jinx. He made everything so much more fun. We were like two kids exploring and just living as we both forget about our regular lives. It was nice to pretend we weren’t as fucked up as much as we were. We were two lovers, caught up in the euphoria of being with one another. When we get back to the hotel room he starts off making sweet love to me before his restraint snaps and he pounds in me like a wild animal causing me to scream his name for all to here. I don’t know how many times he takes me before I fall into an exhausted sleep.
In my dreams I dreamt Jinx took me to a chapel where he married me the human way, pledging himself to me forever and then completed the bond in the supernatural way with the exchange of blood. Maybe deep down I wanted this to be real. I know this is a future we could never have. From what I heard about his parents they will never allow it, but this trip was enough for me. It proved at least one person in this world cared about me. I sink in deeper holding onto the dream as I drift farther and farther in sleep.
I wake to a pounding headache. God how much did I drink last night? The light streaming in from the windows killed my eyes and I had to immediately shut them. I hear the curtains being closed and when I crack one eye open he’s standing in front of the window in nothing but a towel tied around his waist.
“Morning, wife,” he murmurs crawling on the bed, stalking me like a predator. When his lips meet mine, I still when my brain contemplates what he just said. Wife. What the hex?
“What are you talking about?” I groan. My throat was dry and scratchy, making me feel like I swallowed a cup a sand.
He gives me a ‘what do you think look’ while I glare at him with my own ‘I don’t know what the fuck you are talking about look.’
“You really don’t remember?” He asks aspirated.
“No, sweetheart, I don’t.”
“Now that’s something you don’t want to hear from your wife,” he mumbles.
“Wife? Why do you keep saying that?" My mind is foggy, but a certain realization was at the tip of my brain, and when I put two and two together. "Oh, shit! That wasn’t a dream?”
“Afraid not, sweetheart,” he replies, turning my words around on me.
“But we were sleeping, I mean you pratically fucked me into a coma, and I remember, then I saw a wedding, but I was dreaming, I mean, I think it was a dream, but fuck...Wife.”
“Baby,” he says, taking my hands in his interrupting my rambling or nervous breakdown. Whatever the hell you want to call this. “Stop and take a breather before you give yourself a panic attack.”
“Dude, how are you so fucking calm? We’re married. You parents are going to freaking murder me,” I shout, pulling my hand from his. I start to pace the room as my panic attack turns into a full blown war. I see a flash of purple when I move my hand and when I look down my eyes pop comically big. On my finger is a thick gold band with a huge purple diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds. It was exquisite and perfectly me and probably worth a fortune as purple diamonds are rarer than black ones. Remembering something else from last night, I move the ring on my finger, right where I cut it and we exchanged blood was his markin
g, a snowflake with swirls wrapped around my finger. On his own finger was a black band with a purple stones so dark it appeared black. He moves it revealing my own mark, a crescent moon and three small stars. Only witches leave marks like tattoos. We are so totally fucked. A small part of me that was also totally thrilled, I mean we were bonded.
“How are you so calm about this?” I ask bewildered by his behavior. We were both dead witches walking and he’s standing there in a towel looking like a dream with a dopey smile on his face. Maybe he’s high.
“Because it’s what I wanted, what we wanted,” he answers like that explains everything.
“Well I wanted a fucking unicorn when I was little, but you don’t see me downloading imaginativecreature.com, you asshole. We are so dead, so fucking dead,” I ramble. “Fuck, maybe we can fix this, get an annulment or something.”
“That won’t fix anything. With the blood exchange, we’re permanently bonded forever. That’s all that really matters in the supernatural community, and there’s no take backs with blood.”
“Okay, since you have the answers to everything, how are we getting out of this mess?” I shout, turning on him.
“There is no getting out, nor do I want to. Amethyst, I love you, you’re stuck with me forever. I told you I would do something to prove it to you, well there it is. You’re mine forever and no one, not even my parents will keep us apart.”
“Famous last words,” I mutter under my breath.
“Come here,” he orders, and like a dummy I walk into his open arms. “We’ll be okay. Don’t you have faith in me to protect you?” He asks, and I hate how sad he sounds from thinking I don’t believe in him. Don’t want him. I know that feeling. I have lived it all my life. Automatically I feel bad because I never want him feeling like that, or me being the one to bring upon that feeling.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper against his neck.
“Why don’t you come show me how sorry you really are,” he says, giving me a cheeky grin. I’m starting to think Jinx is a sex addict or maybe he’s using sex to deflect from the problem at hand. I also find that with either reason I didn’t care because I do as he asks joining our bodies together as I forget for now what we have done.
Chapter Eight
Jealousy
The trip back to Draiochta Academy was a whole lot more nerve racking than flying to Vegas. This time I didn’t notice the same stewardess flirt with Jinx or his reactions, I wasn’t fascinated by the splendor of the jet or the scenery outside the window. The whole time I was picking at my skin, or picking my brain for a way to hide this. I know it’s silly, but I felt like I had a neon sign on my forehead that screamed ‘I’m married to Jinx.’ The honeymoon phase is officially over. Reality will soon hit us as soon as we step foot off this jet. I kind of wished we would have stayed in Vegas, enclosed in the hotel room fucking each others brains out. Maybe that’s what happened. My vag was so epic his brain was powerless to stop the stupidity of his decision to marry me.
Jinx has been quiet the whole flight as well, letting me freak out in peace. Maybe he’s following the logic of ‘a happy wife, a happy life,’ but in our case it doesn’t matter how happy we are, we’ll be dead as soon as he reveals to his parents what he has done. I try to settle myself. Maybe the consequences won’t be too bad. I’m doubtful they’ll murder their own son, maybe they’ll just disown him or something. That won’t be too bad. I have enough money to take care of the both of us, granted he won’t be living such a high scale life as he used to, but I’m sure he’ll adjust. Maybe I’m freaking out for nothing. Maybe they’ll actually like me. I am a full witch, after all, just a foot on both sides and my good witch powers are practically nonexistent.
“Are you still stressed out?” He asks already knowing the answer to his question since he can feel everything I’m feeling. We’re in his car as he drives us back to the academy.
“How can I not be?” I huff, folding my arms across my chest childishly. Sure I’m being a brat, but I hate how calm he is about this, and well maybe I am being a bit of a bitch. He loves me and did something extreme to prove that love. Most people would get their significant other’s name tattooed on their skin, not get fucking married and drag someone else in their stupidity. Oops, there I go, being a bitch again. I take a deep breath and exhale, trying very hard to focus on the positives. Jinx loves me, he has a big dick he knows how to use, and he’s crazy powerful. See, the important stuff.
“I told you I’ll take care of you,” he states.
“I know. I just need time to wrap this around my head that’s all. It’s not every day one wakes up married.”
“Especially to one as hot as me,” he adds and I laugh.
“Conceited much,” I tease.
“Nothing wrong with being truthful.” When he parks in the garage, he turns his body toward me and gazes deep into my eyes. “I will never lie to you or hurt you, Amethyst. You believe me, don’t you?”
“Yes," I answer automatically. I can feel the sincerity through our bond. I don’t think he can lie to me even if he wants to.
“Here," he says handing me a powder blue rectangle size jewelry box.
“What’s this?” I ask, raising my brow.
“Just open it,” he presses and I take pity on him and pull the top off. Inside is a long rose gold chain.
“I’m keeping my band on since it looks like a regular ring, I’ll just wear it on the opposite hand. I thought you would like to wear your ring still just around your neck. The chain is long enough for it not to be seen, and if I’m being honest I want my ring on you at all times.”
“Wow Jinx, that’s so thoughtful, thank you.” My eyes water as he pulls the ring off my finger and threads it through the chain before looping it around my neck. I love how he thought about me.
“I also spelled the ring. It’ll protect you as best as it can within dark witch limits.”
“Thank you,” I tell him again, turning the ring over in my palm. When he leans over, I kiss him deeply, falling into his as his love consumes. God, I love him. In such a short time he has captured my heart and me as well. I find that I’m happy he has it and never want to be let free. This moment is perfect, so I’m not surprised when someone ruins it. A loud knocking on the window has us jumping apart and when my eyes meet the golden gaze of the interloper I curse.
“What the hell does he wants?” Jinx asks furiously.
“Hex if I know,” I mumble.
Aiden steps back from my window, and I open my door tempted to hit the cocky wolf with it. Why is he even here? The parking lot does not seem like a place an Alpha wolf would hang out.
“Where the hell have you been? I have been looking for you all weekend,” he practically growls.
“Why?” I question as I ignore his hostility. When Jinx gets out of the car he stands close enough to me that he’s shielding my body from Aiden, a move the angry wolf in front of us notices as he raises one of his perfect blonde eyebrows.
His eyes seem to glow when he turns toward me and I can just make out a low growl in his throat. What the fuck is wrong with him? Can wolf shifters get rabies?
“Did you forget we have a project to complete, or is it your intention to have us both fail the academy?” He spits out. His gaze never strays from my own and I don’t know why, but I feel a twinge of guilt which is crazy. Aiden is nothing to me. Sure I may have had a tiny crush on him, fine maybe a big crush, but let's face it, he’s my tormentor. He hates me, and if it weren’t for this stupid project he wouldn’t even be talking to me unless it’s to dole out insults.
“I haven’t forgotten. In fact, while you were busy ignoring me all week, I got most of it completed. All you need to do is stand upfront when we present it to class and look pretty.”
“That’s not how it works,” he gripes.
“Well, you should have thought of that when you were ignoring me. Look, it’s still early, we have a couple of months to finish, nothing has to be finalized just yet. We can se
t up a schedule and work on it later,” I say, offering an olive branch. I have bigger problems. I don’t need to add the hostility of the local wolves on top of it. Hex knows what they’ll do if Aiden fails because of me.
“What’s your deal?” Aiden questions, turning to Jinx and ignoring what I just said completely. "Why was she coming out of your car? Has she been with you all weekend?”
“What the hex, Aiden? I’m not one of your wolves. It’s none of your damn business who I’m with,” I shout, pointing my finger into his hard chest, which I quickly regret when purple sparks shoot out of my finger, into his skin, and back into me. A thread just like with Jinx forms, this one connecting me to Aiden. I’m the only one looking shocked, so I’m guessing they didn’t see it.
“It’s okay, baby, I can answer the big bad wolf,” Jinx replies sarcastically as he throws his arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer to his body staking his claim. “Yes, she has been with me the whole weekend. Amethyst is my girl now so I’d appreciate it if your bitch of a girlfriend and her lackeys leave her the fuck alone from now on. Amethyst is under Moonstone protection now, and I will not hesitate to retaliate. I’ll make that pig nose look like a fucking holiday if they try to hurt her.”
Wow, you can practically choke on the tension as both the Alpha males glare at one another, and shit, Jinx just claimed me publically. I can already feel his magic wrapping around me like a vise, and did he just call Julbie a bitch? I mean she is but only to me.
“Girlfriend? I didn’t even know you knew what that was,” Aiden snarks.
“I do, and trust me, I won’t be following your example,” Jinx snarks back. Glad to know that I’m not the only one who thinks Aiden’s and Julbie’s relationship is nothing but drama.
“Okay, good chat,” I say getting in between the two before they get into a smackdown in the middle of the parking lot. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow in class about the assignment and show you what I have so far. Good plan.” Without waiting for an answer I pull on Jinx to get him the hell out of here. Whatever is going on, I don’t want to know or have Julbie show up seeing me talking to Aiden. She wouldn’t care if it’s about schoolwork or that Jinx is with me, and I don’t want to have Jinx make good on his threat when she comes after me.
Draiochta Academy: All Genres Academy Anthology Page 5