Born to be Witchy

  Epilogue Novella of the Not Your Basic Witch Series

  A.J. Macey

  Jarica James

  Blurb:

  Aris Calisto was not your basic witch in the world of Akasha; with pink hair, sass, and an unusual upbringing that gave her a unique perspective on society, she refused to accept being held back forever. Through many twists, turns, and uphill battles, Aris and her men fought for an equal Akasha.

  Going on the run, facing off with the council, and changing the world for the better… after that, anything should be easy. Witchful thinking, right? But with a batty bachelorette party, a wickedly fun wedding, and a lot of spelltastic sparks between them, they find themselves facing a whole new cauldron full of surprises.

  With her capricious coven behind her, can Aris use her i’magic’nation to navigate the world of married life? Or will she have to use every trick in the spellbook?

  Not Your Basic Witch Series Epilogue Novella

  Legends of Asteria Trilogy 1

  Warning:

  The Not Your Basic Witch is a WhyChoose/Reverse Harem trilogy featuring MMFMMM meaning there is M/M content, and the female main character doesn't have to choose between her love interests. This trilogy is the first in a series collection consisting of six trilogies titled Legends of Asteria. Each trilogy should be read in order.

  This book contains references involving violence, and other themes that some readers may find triggering.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Epilogue

  Queen of the Wild Ones

  Acknowledgments

  Also by A.J. Macey

  Also by Jarica James/J.J. Riley

  Stay Connected

  Copyright © 2020 by A.J. Macey and Jarica James

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover: Moonstruck Cover Design and Photography

  Editing: Personal Touch Editing

  Proofreading: Kelly Wuyscik and PollyAné Nichols

  Formatting: Inked Imagination Author Services

  Dedicated to:

  A.J.-

  My daughter, Evelyn Rose.

  Look up to the stars and remember how much there is still to explore around you.

  Jarica-

  My boys, Owyn and Kellan, who remind me everyday that there’s still good in the world.

  I love you

  May 31st

  Wednesday Morning

  Aris

  Hells bells and tarot tells. I finally made it.

  Graduation from Aether Academy of Crystal Magic and Witchcraft.

  The black ceremonial robe was laid out on my bed with the navy and burnt orange crest embroidered on the front with silver accents. The material was thick yet soft under my fingertips as I ran my hand across it. Three and a half years after everything changed for the better—the world, my life, my family.

  My men and I had only grown stronger, Kye, Drayce, and Xan, all having graduated over the years but never going too far. Drayce had taken over Torryn’s history class, growing into a well-respected and enjoyable teacher, while Torryn had taken the school by storm as headmaster. Not only were the school and its witches thriving, but he had grown into his job. He worked with students and professors to make sure they were getting the best education possible, and he’d shed his reputation as a harsh stickler for the rules. People even started calling him Headmaster T and fist-bumping him when they saw him.

  It was quite the hexing sight when it first happened.

  Xan had done the one thing he’d wanted to his whole life—paint and create some of the most beautiful art I’d ever seen. So much so, he had a permanent exhibit at the museum in the Volcanic Forest, which had officially reopened this last summer... after many extensive repairs to the building. Thankfully, there had only been a few small pieces damaged in the ambush.

  Kye had been working with his dad and Olive’s vlog team on technorunes and growing the reach and encryptions of the Witches Glass streams. Meanwhile, Caspian and I had been in school, but with the help of our coven and friends, he had opened up an ‘online’ potion shop, where witches all over Akasha could buy from the convenience of their Witches Glass. Kye and his dad had worked together to streamline the ordering process, using runes to make it run as smoothly and securely as possible. There was an actual storefront opening once we graduated, but one final touch still needed to be added.

  As for me, classes, spending time with my friends and guys, and learning what I could about the other academies had taken up my time. I had weekly meetings with Prime Minister Gennady and the newly revamped council, along with different professors and headmasters from the other schools. Each meeting was a bit different but no less important, and our hard work had finally paid off. Classes and courses had been added or expanded to include all types of magic.

  All in three and a half years.

  I stood stunned, lost in my own world of memories, until I heard a loud knock on the door before Olive’s strawberry blonde head and bright smile came skipping in.

  “What’s taking so long?” she asked, her eyes going wide when she saw me standing there awkwardly. “How are you not even ready yet, Aris? The ceremony starts in like five minutes!”

  “Oh, broomsticks,” I exclaimed, rushing to throw my robe on. “I got stuck in my own head and apparently, lost the last half hour.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me one little bit. Now, hurry it up! Cas is waiting down at the bottom of the stairs for us.”

  As soon as my robe was fastened around my shoulders, I darted over to the tree hammock, scooping up a sleepy Mr. Stripes on my way out the door. My fuzzy familiar made a cute, irritated, and huffy squeak before snuggling into my arms as I locked my door behind me. Realizing we were doing something important as we scurried down the staircase, Mr. Stripes perked up.

  “Hey, Cupcake,” Caspian greeted cheerfully when we reached the main floor, Coral hopping up and down on the ground when she saw Mr. Stripes.

  “Sorry I took forever,” I sputtered out between panting breaths. Caspian’s smile was understanding, his russet brown hair flopping into his ocean eyes. Glancing down, I appreciated the sight before me. His robe fit him nicely, showing off his broad shoulders and well-toned body, his lean swimmer’s build having filled out with more muscle mass over the years.

  “Pinkie here got distracted,” Olive teased before continuing her jogging. “Come on, slowpokes!”

  With that, we ran down the dormitory’s hall to the front doors. The ceremony was being held in the courtyard, the outskirts of the space filled with benches holding visitors, family members, and friends. In the middle, facing the front of the clocktower were rows of chairs, most seats filled with students, save for a few lingering about with their families.

  Glancing around the crowd, I tried to find Xan, Drayce, and Kye. It took a few passes before I finally saw a burst of pink sparkles in the air. I followed the burst of magic, and my arm came up, whipping back and forth in an enthusiastic wave. Their faces lit up, making the excited bubble that had been forming since Olive came to get me, grow larger.

  Caspian hadn’t been the only one to change over the years, my three witches at the other end of the courtyard, near my seat, had as well. Drayce had lost a little of his laid-back exterior, looking more like a dignified professor. Most days, he still dressed casually, but the well-groomed beard he sported made him even sexier. Xan’s hair had grown longer now that he had fully let go of his parents’ expectations. Today, it was tied up in a perfect bun, exposing his face for me to appreciate. His expression was full of pride as a smile stretched across his face. Kye still looked the same, dark clothes and cocky grin, but I knew all about the intricate runes he had tattooed onto his skin, now stretching across his chest and back. I’d taken advantage of every moment we could find to inspect them closely… with my tongue.

  After a quick kiss from Caspian, I shuffled down the front row to my assigned seat. My last name was still officially Calisto, so there were several witches between Calisto and Kersey. But not for long!

  My heart fluttered in my chest as Torryn walked onto the raised stage in front of our chairs, his ceremonial robes making him look dignified. He scanned the crowd as he walked, something I wouldn’t have been able to pull off successfully, and grinned when he spotted me. His eyes crinkled around the edges before he turned his attention back to getting into place.

  The crowd quieted as he turned to face us, muttering a spell to himself before his voice boomed over the crowd.

  “Welcome! It is my honor as headmaster of Aether Academy of Crystal Magic and Witchcraft to introduce our graduating class. These students have worked hard, showing integrity and dedication to their craft. Our students have seamlessly adapted to the new mastery classes, and we couldn’t be prouder.” He paused as the crowd erupted into applause, waiting patiently until it died out. “Before our students graduate, we would like to ask one of our graduating witches to say a few words. This student has shown exemplary innovation, creating a fully functioning Witches Glass channel that al lows interaction between the academies. Our student generation has never been so fully connected, and the leaders of this school believe it will lead to a more cohesive future. Olive Voss, please come to the stage.”

  At the sound of her name, I whipped around, trying to peer through the crowd and see my friend. When she came into view, I could see she was just as surprised as I was, her face flushed at the attention. This was a well-deserved accomplishment, and I was so hexing proud of her.

  The crowd cheered her entire way up to the stage, dying out as she stood next to Torryn, facing us all. He spelled her voice to project, the sound of her clearing her throat and taking a deep breath echoing over the courtyard.

  “Thank you for this amazing surprise. I feel so unworthy, knowing other students have dealt with so much more in their time here than me, but I’m also so grateful. Coming to Aether, I never imagined my life would take such a turn, but it honestly came naturally. When Aris and her coven were ostracized and hunted, I knew I couldn’t sit back any longer. The support Indigo and our team received was so overwhelming, I’m still in shock! After the Prime Minister rolled out the new changes, we switched from an underground team to an academy-wide one, and the representation from all types of witches was amazing. I’ve passed Indigo’s torch onto a new leader, who I know will do it justice. Our time here is over, but it’s important we leave our legacies behind, and I’m proud of mine,” she said, her voice growing stronger with each word. As she paused and took a breath, she shot me a wink. “Hells bells and tarot tells, witches! We did it!” At that, she practically ran off stage, Torryn’s laugh booming again as he spelled his voice.

  “Now, onto the pinning ceremony!”

  A row of banners floated up behind him, the names of the first row appearing on the canvas. Standing, I waited patiently as each name was read off, the witch stepping onto the stage where Tor would pin their alumni badge to their chest before they returned to their seat. The longer I waited, the more anxious I got. What if I tripped? What if I spouted something totally ridiculous by accident?

  “Aris Calisto,” Torryn announced. As soon as I stepped up onto the stage, my men and Olive cheered obnoxiously loud, silencing my worries. Tor’s eyes were filled with happiness, his smile bright as he pinned my badge to my robe.

  “I’m so proud of you, Gorgeous,” he murmured, the projection magic gone as he whispered the sweet sentiment.

  “I love you, Tor,” I told him, starting toward the other end of the stage.

  “I love you too, Aris,” he echoed before turning back to the crowd and announcing the next name.

  I took my seat, giddy and excited to watch Caspian and Olive walk. The other students’ names went quickly, and when Tor reached Cas, he broke tradition, hugging him tightly after pinning the shiny badge on. The display made me tear up. The brotherly love between them was stronger than ever, and I couldn’t help feeling emotional about how far they’d come since we got together.

  After another little while, Tor was at the final row, announcing Olive. When she got to the stage, I jumped up and hooted and hollered like she had done for me, not caring how ridiculous I looked. She was my best friend, and I wanted her to know I was proud of her. Her cheeks turned bright pink, her hand coming up to wave at me, Allain, and my guys who were cheering for her as well. As soon as she reached her seat again, we were all officially pinned.

  We did it.

  “Congratulations, graduates!” Torryn announced. His voice switched to normal volumes as he said a spell, warmth blowing through the crowd of graduates, letting us know he’d used his magic. Looking down at my robe, I saw my pin, the school’s crest, expand to include the word alumni underneath. I couldn’t stop smiling at it, or the deafening noise as the ceremony came to a close. As soon as we were dismissed, everyone moved toward the dining hall, Caspian hurrying to my side and taking my hand.

  The dining hall had been transformed into a magical anomaly. They’d rearranged the tables, the centerpieces flashing a continuous holo loop of pictures from our years here at Aether.

  Nostalgia slammed into me as I let Caspian lead me further in, claiming a table and pulling out a chair for me. I blinked away tears, realizing this was officially the end of this chapter of my life. It felt like I owed so much to Aether. My life had changed so much since that first day I walked into the school and had a grumpy tour guide lead me around.

  “It’s weird, isn’t it?” Caspian said, wrinkling his nose as he glanced around the quickly filling hall.

  “Which part?” I asked, feeling like there were so many things that would be weird until we got used to them—new life, new place, so many changes—but part of me was so happy Aether would continue to be part of our lives. With Torryn and Drayce working here, we’d never go far. Well… unless we went on vacation at the summer home. It needed some major changes to make it ours, so we might have to combine some time away from work with some home improvement fun. Already thinking of a custom mural Xan could paint in our room, I grew even more excited about it being ours. I was glad I hadn’t let my feelings for my parents get in the way of keeping it. The parents I hadn’t heard a peep from since they’d fallen from grace.

  “Being done with classes, all the changes,” he mused, pulling me out of my decorating dreams, “but I’m so ready for what’s next.”

  Before we could say anything else, his parents joined us, along with the rest of our guys. Hugs and congratulations came in so fast, my head was spinning. I loved Cas’ parents already, though, so it was welcomed. Between them, Xan’s, and Kye’s parents, I had a real family for the first time in my life.

  Once the tables were filled, it was like a magic switch was flipped, caterers filing out and filling the buffet line with way fancier food than we were ever served in school. I started to relax as we ate and gossiped while random students stopped by to say their goodbyes. It was funny how their view of me had shifted when we’d come back to school after being on the run. We were heroes to some, a marvel to others, but either way, I was treated so much better than before I let my magic slip.

  The best part was the Curse Crew. Once we came back, they tried to go back to their old ways, but it was shut down real quick by the other students, especially the Mixtas. I barely had time to speak before an entire army of students surrounded them. I’d never seen those three witches run so fast, despite that no threat was actually given.

  Once Mixtas were told change was coming, it was as if they lost their filters and need to hide, no longer just blending into the background, and I was so damn proud of them. I’d found my way to speak out, and so had they.

  With classes expanding and changing in all the academies, we lost some Mixtas when they moved back to home for schooling, but since we had the highest population of them out of the academies, we still had plenty of students to sustain our student body.

  Prime Minister Gennady was true to his word, things were moving in the right direction, albeit a bit slowly, but changing, nonetheless. Working with him was amazing. I’d had such a negative view of the council, for obvious reasons, but seeing those members who were left and the new members working to make things right, was great. The fact they wanted help from the little people like me was still mind-boggling, but if I could have even the smallest influence to better Akasha, then I was happy to do so.

  Xanthius

  “Too much serious thought over there, Muse,” I teased, moving to her side and kissing her cheek. “Let’s go get us a drink.”

  “I’d love to,” she said, grinning up at me as I led her away from the table. She looked as though she could use a breath of fresh air after having to talk with half of the student body. Since coming back to school, she was suddenly everyone’s friend and way too nice to tell them to go away. The downfall of changing the world, I guess.

 

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