Chapter 19 Silver
Silver
“You sure you want to go to this party?” I asked, my hand laced through Ash’s as we walked across campus. “It can be a bit… intense I guess.”
“Well, I’ll have you there, right?” he smiled back, giving my hand a squeeze. “I know you’ll take good care of me.”
“Right,” I nodded. “Well, just don’t let people rile you up. The guys can be a bit much sometimes. They like to make jokes.”
“Then I guess I’ll just have to make them scared of me, won’t I?” Ash gave me a wink, the shadows around him wiggling in a semi-threatening manner. “So, explain to me how this stoplight thing works again?”
“It’s pretty simple. You wear green if you’re available, yellow if it’s complicated, and red if you’re taken.” I glanced down at the bright red shirt I was wearing. “Usually, people wear green to hook up, but the rest are just there for the drinks and stuff.”
“And you usually wore green to these, right?”
I couldn’t help blushing. Ash knew all about my reputation on campus. “I… uh… yeah.”
“Well, tonight you’re all mine,” he replied, adjusting the red bandana tied around his head. It was cute the way it pushed his dark hair back. “Everyone else will just have to watch and be jealous.”
I smiled, pulling him in tight against me. But my stomach was twisting as my nerves got the better of me. Going to a stoplight party wasn’t exactly the outing I had in mind. But Karrick had invited us to meet him and Phoenix there, so I couldn’t exactly say no.
Still, it was one of those places where people expected me to act a certain way, to choose one of them to go home with for the night.
Usually, the whole party was guys trying to wriggle their way into my good graces.
I wasn’t sure I wanted Ash to see that. Hopefully the red shirt would be enough to keep them at bay.
We reached the party house just as the sun was setting, the magical bass thumping through the walls loud enough that I could feel it in my chest. Students were already spilling out onto the lawn, red solo cups in hand, a rainbow of colored shirts mixing together in the crowd.
I felt Ash tense beside me as we approached. His shadows were more active than usual, swirling around his ankles in a way that made a few nearby students step back.
“You okay?” I asked, squeezing his hand.
“Yeah,” he nodded, though I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. “Just... there’s a lot of people.”
“We can leave anytime you want,” I assured him. “Just say the word.”
He took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. “No, I want to do this. I want to know what it’s like to be a normal college kid.”
Gods, I loved him. The thought hit me with startling clarity, and I had to resist the urge to pull him into a kiss right there on the lawn.
“As normal as a magic academy can be,” I chuckled in reply.
We pushed through the front door into chaos. Bodies packed the main room, dancing and grinding to music that was way too loud. The air was thick with sweat and alcohol and magic that crackled through the space like electricity.
“Silver!” Karrick’s booming voice cut through the noise. I turned to see him waving from across the room, his massive hairy form unmistakable even in the crowd. Phoenix stood beside him, looking small and delicate next to the Beastkin.
We made our way over, Ash keeping close to my side. His shadows were definitely drawing attention. Several people stared as we passed, and I saw more than a few nervous glances in his direction.
“You made it!” Karrick grinned, pulling me into a one-armed hug that nearly knocked the wind out of me. “And you brought your shadow witch.”
“His name is Ash,” I said pointedly.
“I know,” Karrick laughed. “I’m just messing with you.” He turned to Ash, extending a massive paw. “Good to finally meet you properly. I’m Karrick.”
Ash shook his hand, looking slightly intimidated by the size difference. “Nice to meet you too.”
“And this is Phoenix,” Karrick said, gesturing to the witch beside him. Phoenix gave a small wave, his orange eyes warm and welcoming.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Phoenix said to Ash. “All good things.”
“Really?” Ash looked surprised.
“Really,” I confirmed. “You’re kind of famous around campus now. The shadow witch who can break through wards.”
Ash’s cheeks flushed. “I’d rather not be famous for that.”
“Too late,” Karrick laughed. “Want some drinks? We’ve got jungle juice that’ll knock you on your ass.”
Before I could respond, someone bumped into me from behind. I turned to find a werewolf I’d seen before wandering around the edges of these parties. He’d always had his eye on me, though I never took the bait. But this time… well, let’s just say he didn’t look like he’d bumped into me by accident.
“Hey beautiful,” he said smoothly, those golden wolf eyes glinting. “I was hoping to bump into you.”
“You did,” I replied, no small amount of sarcasm in my voice.
“Yes, I did.” His hand came to rest on my chest, a single clawed finger tracing the groove between my pecs. “Wanna dance?”
A shadow shot forward, wrapping around the werewolf’s wrist and pushing him out of the way. Ash filled the gap, placing himself between me and the wolf.
“Can’t you see his shirt?” Ash growled. He barely came up to the wolf’s shoulders. “It’s red. He’s taken.”
The werewolf paused, his brows furrowed. “I… I’m colorblind.”
“Then maybe ask next time,” Ash shot back, not missing a beat. “Before you go putting your paws all over people that don’t belong to you. Because this one is mine.”
I felt myself shiver. The way Ash laid claim to me like that… it made my nipples perk right up.
The werewolf lifted his gaze to me. “Is he serious? You belong to him?”
I just shrugged. “Sorry, buddy. Looks like I’m spoken for.”
I watched the werewolf’s face fall as he processed my words. He glanced between Ash and me one more time before backing away with his hands raised in surrender.
“My bad,” he muttered, disappearing into the crowd.
Ash turned to face me, his shadows still swirling aggressively around his feet. The silver cuffs on his wrists were glowing faintly, working overtime to contain his magic. But his eyes... gods, his eyes were blazing with possessive fire that made my cock twitch in my jeans.
“That was hot,” I said, pulling him against me. “Really fucking hot.”
“He was touching you,” Ash said, his voice still edged with that protective growl. “I didn’t like it.”
“I didn’t like it either,” I assured him, my hands sliding down to grip his hips. “But I loved watching you stake your claim.”
Karrick’s laughter boomed beside us. “Damn, Ash! I didn’t know you had it in you!”
Phoenix smiled, leaning into Karrick’s side. “I remember that feeling. The first time someone tried to hit on Karrick after we bonded, I nearly set them on fire.”
“You did set them on fire,” Karrick corrected, grinning down at him. “Just a little bit.”
Ash’s tension started to ease, though his shadows remained more active than usual. “Sorry. I probably overreacted.”
“Don’t apologize,” I said firmly, tilting his chin up so he had to look at me. “I liked it. A lot.”
The music shifted to something slower, more sensual, and I felt Ash’s body relax further against mine. Around us, couples were pairing off on the dance floor, bodies pressed together in ways that left little to the imagination.
“Dance with me?” I asked, already pulling him toward the mass of moving bodies.
“I don’t really know how to—”
“Just follow my lead,” I interrupted, guiding us into the crowd. “It’s not complicated.”
I turned Ash around so his back was pressed against my chest, my hands settling on his hips as we swayed to the music.
He was stiff at first, uncertain, but gradually he started to relax into the rhythm.
I could feel every shift of his body against mine, the way his ass pressed back into my growing erection.
“You’re a natural,” I murmured into his ear, letting my lips brush against the shell.
Ash shivered, his head falling back against my shoulder. “This is... different.”
“Good different or bad different?”
“Very good different,” he breathed, his hands coming up to cover mine on his hips.
I let myself get lost in the moment, in the feel of Ash’s body moving against mine, in the way his shadows wrapped around us both like they were trying to keep everyone else away. The music thrummed through my chest, matching the rapid beat of my heart.
“Silver,” Ash whispered, his voice barely audible over the music. “Everyone’s watching us.”
I glanced around and realized he was right. Multiple pairs of eyes were tracking our movements, some curious, others envious. I slid my hands down to his ass, cupping both cheeks.
“Let them watch,” I said, spinning him around so we were face to face. “I want them to see.”
His blue eyes widened, pupils dilated with desire and something that looked like nervousness. “You do?”
Instead of answering, I captured his lips in a kiss.
It started soft, gentle, but within seconds it deepened into something hungry and demanding.
My tongue slid against his, tasting the sweetness that was Ash through and through.
His hands fisted in my shirt, pulling me closer even though there was already no space between us.
I felt his shadows surge around us, felt the electric current that always sparked when we touched like this. The silver cuffs on his wrists grew warm where they pressed against my chest, but they held. His magic swirled and pulsed but didn’t explode outward.
When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, I realized the music had changed again. Something faster, more intense. But I couldn’t bring myself to care.
“Can we go somewhere?” Ash asked, his voice rough with want. “Private?”
Gods, I wanted to say yes. I wanted to drag him upstairs and claim him properly, make him scream my name until everyone in this house knew exactly who he belonged to. But we’d barely been here ten minutes.
“Soon,” I promised, pressing my forehead against his. “But Karrick will give me shit if we disappear too quickly.”
“I don’t care what Karrick thinks,” Ash said, but I could see the flush spreading across his cheeks, the way his eyes kept darting to the people around us.
“You’re not ready to leave yet,” I said gently. “You wanted to experience a normal college party, remember?”
He bit his lip, and I watched the internal struggle play out on his face. Finally, he nodded. “You’re right. I just... you make it really hard to think straight.”
“Good,” I grinned, stealing another quick kiss. “Come on, let’s get those drinks Karrick mentioned. Maybe some liquid courage will help you relax. Then we can grind more on the dancefloor and make everyone jealous.”
We made our way back to where Karrick and Phoenix were standing near a table loaded with red cups and various bottles. Karrick was in the middle of telling some elaborate story that had Phoenix laughing so hard tears streamed down his face.
“—and then the goose literally ate the wand!” Karrick finished, and Phoenix dissolved into another fit of giggles.
“Ugh… that story again?” I asked, reaching for two cups of the jungle juice. “Don’t you have anything new, Karrick?”
“That one is a classic!” he shot back, slopping his drink as he gesticulated. “Everyone laughs at that one!”
“Now if only you’d tell it ten fewer times at every party we go to.”
Karrick just waved me off, taking another swig of his drink. “You love it and you know it.”
I handed Ash one of the cups and watched as he took a cautious sip. His face immediately scrunched up in disgust.
“Oh god, what’s in this?” he coughed, staring at the red liquid like it had personally offended him.
“Everything,” Phoenix supplied helpfully. “Literally everything. Vodka, rum, tequila, fruit juice, and probably some things that aren’t legal.”
“It’s an acquired taste,” I admitted, taking a drink from my own cup. It burned going down, but in a familiar way. I’d had this particular concoction more times than I could count.
Ash took another tentative sip, his face contorting again. “I think I’ll stick with water.”
“Lightweight,” Karrick teased, but his tone was good-natured.
“I’ve never really drunk before,” Ash admitted, setting the cup down on the table. “Now I’m starting to wonder why any of you do.”
“It’s just… what you do at a party,” Karrick replied, taking another swig of his drink.
“Ignore him,” I said, pulling him close. “You don’t have to drink if you don’t want to.”
“Thanks,” he smiled up at me, and I felt that familiar warmth spread through my chest. I really was completely gone for this guy.
A new song started playing, something with a heavy bass that made the floor vibrate. Around us, people were getting more animated, the alcohol clearly starting to hit. I watched as a group of fae girls stumbled past, giggling and clinging to each other, their wings shimmering in the dim light.
Karrick and Phoenix linked hands and drifted away to dance, leaving us alone by the drink table.
I watched them for a moment, the way Karrick’s massive form moved with surprising grace, how Phoenix looked up at him with such obvious adoration.
They made it look so easy, being together.
Like there weren’t a thousand obstacles in their way.
I wished it could be that simple for us.
“Hey,” Ash said, his hand on my hip. “Dance with me again?”
All I could do was smile, those sapphire eyes filling me with joy from head to toe. “Alright,” I nodded, letting him take my hand. “Let’s go.”