He turned for his room, but those words didn't tell me much. "Ok what?" I asked.
With one hand on the bathroom door, the guy looked back, those spring-green eyes of his traveling down my body, judging me. "Ok, I'll show you how. Not tonight, though. I need to find my center again. I've lost it, but when I can touch magic safely? I will show you."
"My magic is defensive," I reminded him.
He just smiled. "It's also not waning with the season. Yeah, trust me. I know how to work with that." His eyes dropped to the floor. "And she's right, you know."
"Who, and about what?" I pressed.
"Rain," he clarified. "She said you were a good guy. I was happier hating you, but you're making it fucking hard."
"Maybe because we're on the same side?" I offered.
He just laughed. "You're not on my side, Keir. You really don't want to be. Now here's the important thing: I happen to think you're right."
Then he wrenched the door open, stormed into the bathroom, and only slammed the door on his side. The one on my side was still hanging open. It felt like some kind of backhanded invitation, making it clear the bathroom - our shared space - was not where he was drawing the line.
Right about now, I was willing to take that as a win, but just when I was sure I wouldn't see Torian again, the guy returned. He rapped at the door frame between my room and the bathroom, waiting until I looked over before setting something on the closest shelf.
"It's a Moon Shine," he said. "They like to be spoken to gently and touched often. Name it and it will respond." He chuckled. "They're often used as a form of passive protection, lighting up when someone intrudes into a room. That's why they're given as housewarming gifts on Faerie."
"Is that why Aspen gave one to Rain?" I asked.
He shrugged. "It's why I'm giving one to you. Welcome to the court, Keir. It looks better on the outside, though."
"Dunno," I said. "I happen to think that from the inside, it looks like afucked-up group of friends. The kind who don't have to always agree to make things work."
"Close enough," he said, retreating again.
But this time, the kid didn't seem angry. Yeah, maybe I could make this work. Hopefully! All I had to do was lie low until Torian got used to me, and then maybe - just maybe - he might stop hating my guts.
I also wasn't willing to bet on it.
Chapter Fifty-One
RAIN
When Keir told me he was in the process of moving, I had a moment of panic. For some reason, my first thought had been that he was leaving Silver Oaks. When he explained he was moving into Torian's suite, I was conflicted. Yes, Torian needed help. No, Keir wasn't leaving school. But those two living together?
Not a good idea.
Oddly, the rest of the week was uneventful. Torian made an effort to be respectful of Keir's presence. Keir went out of his way to stay out of Torian's space. At lunch, the pair had even started talking! It was almost like the tension in my friend group had finally started to ease. Granted, it wasn't gone completely, but it was now at manageable levels.
So when Aspen asked me to help her carry a few more plants down to the atrium on Saturday, I did what any sensible friend would: called in help. Because while her magical issues were getting better, they were far from gone. On the upside, I always had the available power needed for my own lessons. Sadly, that meant Aspen was still dumping magic into both me and her plants on a regular basis, and we weren't allowed to live in a jungle, according to Ms. Rhodes.
Keir and Wilder showed up at the door to offer some muscle. Aspen opened her gate, which led to a less popular corner of the atrium, making it safe. Yet when we got down there, Torian and Hawke were waiting withgardening supplies. They had those little spades, a rake, and three bags of what only said "top soil," but I had a feeling they were fae plant specific.
"So this is a thing now, huh?" I asked, heading over to pet the Burst. Bubbles immediately filled the air, making me smile.
"Aspen?" Keir asked. "When are you growing Rain one of those?"
"Shh!" she shot back. "Don't ruin the surprise."
"I was just asking," Keir drawled, "because maybe it's easier to grow two? I need one to torment your brother with."
Aspen just scoffed. "That's Tor's favorite plant. He keeps one by his desk."
Keir's brows lifted as he turned to gape at Torian. "You've been holding out on me?"
