"Hence why she's called mad," Ms. Rhodes explained. "But I'm curious who explained the courts to you. Bracken?"
"Kinda everyone," I admitted. "I've been trying to figure it all out, and Liam said not understanding the people around me could be dangerous."
"And so you fell in with the court," she chuckled. "I expected the jesters to claim you, actually, since they all have mixed heritage."
"Yeah, but Aspen said I'm a pureblood." I shrugged, trying to show it didn't matter to me. "And Keir says the faelings hate that they're parthuman because it means weaker. So me being human means I'm lesser in their eyes."
"More true than you know," she admitted. "So how did Keir end up helping you?"
"He's in my gym classes." Again, I shrugged. It seemed to be my best move today. "Bracken made him help me catch up, and he kinda explained Aspen to me."
"But you were kissing him the other night," she pointed out.
"Um..." I groaned. "Supposedly, fae can't lie, right?"
"Correct. At least, we cannot use words or phrases that are not true. We can, however, deceive with the truth, and most of us are very good at it. Why?"
"Because I've been told it's ok to date a few people at the same time, and that it's a fae thing, and that there are pleasures of the heart, the mind, and the body, so it's completely normal."
"For those from Faerie," she clarified. "On Earth, we find ourselves living with monogamy so we don't stand out." She canted her head as if that was inconsequential. "But how does Aspen feel about you kissing Keir?"
"She said she likes him. They've gotten to be friends."
Ms. Rhodes narrowed her eyes. "And Torian doesn't approve?"
"Torian's a dick," I shot back before sucking in a breath. "Uh, I'm sorry. A jerk. I meant he's a jerk."
"And there's another rule for this hour," she said. "In here, I will not limit your colorful language, and you will not spread my secrets. Is that a deal?"
I nodded quickly. "I'll try not to, but what if I slip up and say something to Aspen or Keir? Or my dads!"
"They all know my secrets," she assured me. "I simply do not want the entire school talking about my Winter Court family, or other topics that could weaken their respect."
"Oh." I nodded quickly. "Makes sense, but if someone needs to know, I'll have to tell them. I mean, that's what this Morrigan gig is all about, right? I'm supposed to protect the fae?"
"Yes, that's exactly what it's about," she assured me. "I will also accept your changes. That makes our deal final."
And the air shimmered with the magic that now bound us. I looked around, trying to see it, but this was the sort of thing which was only felt. Like a ripple of wind across my skin or something, but completely invisible.
"Can I do that?" I asked.
"You will before this semester ends," she said. "Now, how about we start with the most important thing. Rain, what does Keir do that makes the shadows fade?"
"He reminds me to let them go," I explained. "Like, he talks me through what to focus on, or he distracts me. I mean, he kinda kissed me when the atrium filled up, so I forgot about being pissed at Torian, and that made them stop pouring out and start fading."
Slowly, Ms. Rhodes nodded. "Well, let's start there. Can you call the shadows on command yet?"
"No," I mumbled. "They just sorta happen."
"So let's make them happen." And she began describing my very first magic lesson: calling my own magic.
Needless to say, I sucked at it.
Chapter Sixteen
RAIN
Oddly, when I left my new first period class, I felt completely exhausted. Ms. Rhodes had made me try so many different ways to summon this Wild magic of mine, but I hadn't had much luck. Losing it - rather embarrassingly - was the only consistent method I had right now.
