“I’ve got time,” Karrick said, his voice gentler than usual. It was strange hearing the normally boisterous beastkin speak so softly. “And Phoenix always says I give decent advice about this stuff. Apparently, I’ve got a knack for it.”
I couldn’t help but smile at that. “Fine. You remember that shadow witch I mentioned? Ash?”
“The cleaning guy you were all hot for? Yeah, what about him?”
We reached a small pond just beyond the quad, and I picked up a stone, skipping it across the water’s surface. It bounced four times before sinking.
“We went out for coffee last week. I kissed him. It was his first kiss.”
Karrick whistled low. “Damn. A super-virgin, huh? That’s new territory for you.”
“It’s not about that,” I said, feeling defensive. “There’s something about him, Karrick. When we touch, there’s this... spark. Like actual electricity. And his magic… it responds to me in this weird way. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.”
“Sounds intense,” Karrick nodded, picking up his own stone and throwing it. It hit the surface with a dull sploosh and sank immediately. “So, what’s the problem?”
“We were in my room, things were going well, and then he just... bolted.” I kicked at a clump of grass. “All because I mentioned having to go back to the Twilight Realm after graduation.”
“Ah.” Karrick’s face softened with understanding. “And humans aren’t allowed there.”
“Exactly.” I threw another stone, harder this time. It skipped across the water, traveling farther than the first before disappearing beneath the surface.
“And that was it? You just told him you had to go home and he bailed?” Karrick frowned, his furry brow furrowing. “Seems like an overreaction.”
I shrugged, trying to act like it didn’t bother me as much as it did. “I think he was hoping for something more. Which is ridiculous. We’d just met.”
“But you like him.” It wasn’t a question.
I kicked another stone into the water, watching the ripples spread outward. “Yeah. I do. And that’s the problem.”
“So don’t go home after graduation.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“Isn’t it?”
I bent down, grabbing another stone. “No. It’s not.”
“You know, you’ve never really talked about what’s waiting for you back there,” Karrick said, grabbing a stone for himself. “Why do you make it sound like you don’t have a choice?”
This was dangerous territory. I’d never told anyone at Widdershins about my royal status. Not even Karrick, who was probably my closest friend here. I’d always been vague about my life back in the Twilight Realm, letting people assume I was just another dark elf from a well-off family.
“It’s complicated,” I hedged, avoiding his gaze.
“Everything with you is complicated,” Karrick said, nudging me with his massive shoulder. “Come on, man. We’ve been friends for years. What’s the big secret? Are you like, married or something back home?”
I laughed despite myself. “No, not married. Not yet anyway.”
“Not yet?” Karrick’s eyes widened. “Wait, is that it? You’ve got someone already waiting for you?”
I winced. He was too close to the truth for comfort. “Something like that.”
“Holy shit, Silver.” Karrick stopped walking, turning to face me. “You’re engaged? And you never thought to mention this small detail?”
“I’m not engaged,” I said quickly. “Not technically. It’s just... expected. My parents have someone picked out for me.”
“And you’re going along with it?” He sounded genuinely shocked. “That doesn’t sound like the Silver I know. You’ve never let anyone tell you what to do.”
I laughed bitterly. “You don’t know everything about me, Karrick.”
