"I have no intention of getting between Aspen and Rain - in any way. Not even that one. My goal is to be included in their friendship, and hopefully that will become something more with me and Rain. I'm actually hoping Aspen will give me a hand with it."
Wilder hummed thoughtfully. "Ok, good answer. And when shit gets weird because you went from being one of the cool guys to a social outcast?"
"I was never a cool guy," I assured him. "Wilder, I'm a nerd. Ok, more like a jock, but not the cool kind. I like hitting people with sticks. I think snow is beautiful. I love spring, summer, and even autumn. Now here's the bit that's going to blow your mind." I had to struggle not to smirk. "Mypower isn't waning right now, but both my parents were Summer peasants."
That made the guy do a double take. "What?"
"Mhm," I said, knowing he'd heard me. "My fucked-up, defensive-only magic? It doesn't seem to give a shit about seasons - or courts."
"I actually didn't know that," he admitted.
"Which puts me well into the realm of outcasts, and is why the magic chasers like Torian so much. His Summer magic is blatant andpowerful.Mine isn't even really Summer magic." I rocked my head in a type of shrug. "So, it means Iamone of the social outcasts already. The more people get to know me, the more they realize I'm kinda shit at being a pure fae."
"Yeah, that's a good point," Wilder conceded.
"How about Hawke?" I asked. "Does his wane? Because it's the closest to mine I've ever seen."
"Hawke doesn't talk about his magic," Wilder assured me. "Trust me, do not ask. It's not a safe subject."
"Gotcha." But I tipped my head towards the large tree in the center of the atrium. "So, you gonna keep grilling me, or can I at least buy you a drink?"
Finally, Wilder let out a laugh. "Yep, I'm a cheap date." He turned, slapping my shoulder as the pair of us headed towards the silver oak. "We also need to get something for the girls. These were my first friends, you know."
"Aspen?" I asked, making sure we were still on the same page.
"Yep, and Hawke." He jerked his chin at someone, then lifted two fingers. "He made Torian be nice. Made. Once Hawke accepted me, Torian backed down. When Aspen got here, she was so excited to meet someone else like her, and Torian decided I might not be so bad after all."
"How'd Hawke end up sharing a room with you instead of Torian?" I asked.
Wilder scoffed. "Teachers were worried they were too close."
"Mm, and yet Torian's never been seen with a guy." I paused as a sophomore carried over a pair of glasses filled with syrup from the tree.
"Nectar, Wilder?" he asked. "And you?"
"Gladly!" I said as I took a cup, aware he didn't seem to know my name - but did know Wilder's.
"Welcome to the court," Wilder told me, lifting his cup up like a toast. "May you never need to use that defender title."
"And succeed if I do, regardless of who I'm defending," I agreed just asthe song changed to something with a much faster tempo. "Male or female, because I'll stand with Rain's friends."
Wilder tapped his glass against mine. "I like you, Keir. I hope those girls do drag you into a bed. Just remember to keep your dick out of the pale one."
"I may joke about it," I assured him, "but I really do get what 'lesbian' means. I'm liking the whole friend thing, though."
"Thought you were friends with Fin," he countered.
I gave him a scathing look. "I'd rather share a room with Harper, but someone has to watch that dumbass."
Wilder just smiled. "I see. Well, next time you need to ward some doors, lemme know. Hawke and I will help."
"Because Aspen invited me into the court?" I asked. "Or just because you're good guys?"
Wilder turned to look over at the mob of people dancing. "Because itisnice to have friends. We don't exactly make them easily."
"You could."
He just shook his head. "It's not worth the effort. Most friends want answers."
