"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."
