Page 5 of Monster's Mystery

“She can be. But so am I.” I thought eagerly about my own thesis advisor. He’d been my Magical Nexus professor last year and hardly ever took students. I’d have him again this year, plus I’d be his teaching assistant for the lower level classes. I couldn’t wait to start. I hadn’t needed to submit a proposal for my thesis, the way Hazel had, but Professor Akhtar had assured me that he would help me develop it. He’d also cryptically hinted at the idea of traveling.

“Do you have your map?”

“Stored carefully along with everything else,” I said, patting my purse with all my shrunken belongings.

The ferry rang the bell, announcing its imminent departure, and I jumped.

“Golly, we must be running late! I’ll see you during the holidays, Grandfather!” I gave him a tight hug and kissed his cheek, running for the ferry in the next second.

“I’m only a mirror away!” he called after me.

I waved to let him know I’d heard him and stepped onto the ferry. The dock workers lifted the ramp away and the motors thrummed to life under my feet.

Not a moment too soon!

The water reflected the sunlight, blinding me, so I retreated under the canopy and found a seat near the front where I could watch for Northumberland Island. It was invisible until we had passed the barrier, but I couldn’t resist searching for it anyway. I didn’t bother looking for familiar faces amongst the other students; most of my friends traveled from the other ports on the UK side of the sea. I’d be seeing everyone soon.

The school popped into view at the same time as a surge of energy hit me; the added magical effect of being close to the nexus point under the school was potent. Every year, the bonus energy hits me upon arrival, like drinking a cup of coffee with six shots of espresso. The huge boost waned after a few days, settling into a normal pattern of studying, eating, and sleeping, but until that happened, I could get a lot more done than usual. It sure helped beat the homesickness.

Wellspring appeared as we moved around the south of the island, the docks busy with activity. I could see the carriages that would take us to the school in the distance, but once I saw a familiar figure on the dock, I had no attention for anything else.

Aiden had come to meet me! I was already excited to see him again.

I thought he would be arriving after me!

The minutes it took for the ferry to arrive at the dock felt interminable. They hadn’t even put the gangplank down before I jumped out onto the wooden boards. I only faltered for a second, getting my balance. Then I raced across the dock to leap into Aiden’s arms.

He caught me, not staggering under my weight in the slightest, his hands holding my thighs securely.

“God, I missed you!” I cried, peppering his face with kisses until I reached his mouth.

He caught my lips with his, drawing me back to him over and over again until I was dizzy with need. “Aiden…” I gasped, pulling away.

He grinned at me. “Something you want?”

“Some privacy.”

Aiden laughed and set me on my feet. “Well, we might be able to get one of the carriages all to ourselves. What do you think?”

“I think that if anyone else climbs on, they’re going to leave immediately,” I said, tugging him over to the line of students.

“Why is that?” Aiden asked, his tone a slow drawl.

“Because the instant you’re sitting down, I’m going to climb you like a tree.”

He growled low in his throat. “Looking forward to it.”

“Thought you might be.”

Fortunately, we didn’t scar any other students, and we got a carriage to ourselves. I sat on Aiden’s lap and we made out, fingers re-mapping our bodies.

“Can I touch you?” Aiden asked, his hands sliding under the hem of my skirt.

“Yes,please,” I begged.

His fingers danced across my wet panties, slipping underneath them at last to thrust deep inside me.

“You’re dripping for me,” Aiden rumbled in my ear. “Can’t wait to feel you around my cock again.”

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