Hook-up to Holidate: Sapphic Monster Romance, page 1
contents
Content Warnings
Pronunciation Guide
Glossary
Playlist
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright © 2023 by Priscilla Rose.
All rights reserved. Neither this book, nor any parts within it may be reproduced in any form, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, with the exception of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, companies, and events in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Editing: A. E. Mann Editing Services
Cover Art: Fallnskye Illustration
Typography: Priscilla Rose
Chapter Headers, Map: Eternal Geekery
Internal Art: Ram (@alta.riff)
Formatting: Jess Wisecup
For anyone who has ever fantasized about giant lady orcs. This one’s for you.
content warnings
Generally, this book is very sweet, but there’s a few pieces of content I feel like you should be informed of…
Adult language, consensual sex between adults, sex under the magical influence (consent received while not under the influence), vague and brief mention of parental and sibling death, discussions of mental illness and mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and mood swings, as well as difficult relationships with family.
pronunciation guide
Adeib Ali: uh-deeb ah-lee
Alitha Taylor: uh-leeth-uh tay-ler
Augury University: aww-guh-ree university
Aura Nguyen: or-uh win
Barac: buh-rock
Dahlia Torres: dolly-uh tor-rez
Dean Archeron Bariel: dean are-chur-on berry-ell
Elara Lothial: e-lara loth-e-uhl
Freja: fray-uh
Indigo Watson: in-dih-go watt-son
Magia Island: ma (like mad)-g-uh island
Malik Hills: mal-ick hills
Momiji: mo-me-g
Vega Daelor: vay-guh day-lore
glossary
TERMS/PLACES
Augury University: a university on Magia Island where mages can study and further develop their magic.
Familiar: a mage’s animal companion, and conduit for their magic.
Mage: a being who practices magic.
The Convergence: a magical collision of multiple planets (Barac, Earth, Hel, Loria, and Moonflower), resulting in changes to Earth, as well as those prospective planets, including magical beings living on Earth and shifts in our geographical and sociological features.
MAGIC TYPES
Botanical Crafts: the ability to communicate with plants.
Charms: the ability to move and utilize an object, or alter it, without touching it.
Creature Crafts: the ability to communicate with animals.
Illusions: the ability to create and project illusions, or images, with your mind which look real to those around you.
Potions: the ability to create potions which can change objects, bodies, and other things, sometimes permanently.
Sight: the ability to see visions of the possible future, as well as glimpses of the past.
MAGICAL RACES
Cambion: half-human, half-demon from the planet Hel.
Centaur: half-human, half-horse nymph from the planet Moonflower.
Elf: a tall, magical race of beings with pointed ears and longer life spans from the planet Loria.
Faun: half-human, half-deer nymph from the planet Moonflower.
Kraken: half-human, half-octopus or squid. This magical race comes from the deep depths of Earth and other planet’s oceans.
Merfolk: half-human, half-fish or fish-like creature. This magical race comes from the deep depths of Earth and other planet’s oceans.
Orc: a tall and muscular, magical race of beings with green skin and longer life spans from the planet Barac.
Satyr: half-human, half-goat nymph from the planet Moonflower.
Serpentine: half-human, half-snake magical race whose origins are unknown.
Hybrid: a being descended from multiple magical races.
Orcling, elfling: a person born with one human parent and one orc or elven parent.
Elfborn, orcborn, merborn, etc.: a person who has some distant ancestry of magical descent.
playlist
Let’s Fall in Love for the Night - FINNEAS
girls girls girls - FLETCHER
IDK You Yet - Alexander 23
I’ll Call You Mine - girl in red
I Do Adore - Mindy Gledhill
From Eden - Hozier
Love Is an Open Door - Frozen
Glittery - Kacey Musgraves
Symmetrical - Allen Stone
Underneath the Tree - Kelly Clarkson
prologue
INDIGO
“A few thousand years ago, a massive black hole caused multiple galaxies to collide with one another, resulting in The Convergence. Because of this rare cosmic event, many magical races bred with humanity, which created Earth as we know it today. Some beings returned to their home planets, while others stayed. Now, in the year 6004, you can find humans, elves, orcs, serpentine, and many other races, including hybrids of all of the above. With this in mind, the leaders of Earth focused their efforts on advancing magic, rather than technology.” I take in a breath, trying not to shake. This is the first class of my first week as an adjunct professor, and I want to do everything right. Augury University is the most prestigious magical college in the Americas, after all. An elfling girl waves at me, smiling wide, and I smile back. My parents were wrong. I’m not too young to be here. “Welcome to The History of Mages 101. I’m Professor Watson, and it’s a pleasure to meet all of you.”
Although my secret dream was always to work with potions, my mother pressured me into studying charms, just as she did, and so that’s what I teach: Charms 101, History 101, and a few other history classes. I blame Eldest Daughter Syndrome. Carrying the load of my family wasn’t easy, but neither was the pressure I put on myself either. I graduated high school early and went on to Augury University, where I completed an accelerated Bachelors-to-Masters program in Charms. Unlike my mother’s wildest dreams though, I accepted a position here upon graduation. I love being a professor. It’s thrilling to watch young mages make new discoveries about themselves and their magic, but I think a small part of her will always be disappointed I didn't follow in her footsteps to the infrastructure sector.
I teach the students an ice breaker. They’re to tell me their names, their major, and to show the class a trick. One at a time, each student walks up to the front of the class and does something unique.
A tall elf named Raven, with pitch-black long hair, walks up with a dark, rainbow-feathered bird perched on her shoulder and snaps her fingers. Instantly, the bird transforms into a massive dragon, flying close to the ceiling, smoke coming out of its nose. It’s just an illusion, but we all stare in awe at the magnificent creature. She smirks with amusement and snaps again, the bird falling back into place.
We clap as she heads towards her seat, and an adorable faun makes her way to the front. She has tan skin and long brown hair with flowers wrapped around her small horns.
“Hey everyone! I’m Eden, a seer. Professor Watson, would you mind being a part of my demonstration?” she asks, a happy lilt to her voice.
“Not at all,” I reply, walking towards her.
“Perfect.”
Her fingers are ice cold as she takes my hands in hers and closes her eyes. A few seconds go by, and they fly open, white as snow.
“You are going to spill coffee on yourself in November,” she says, her voice now robotic, diluted of all its previous vibrancy. “This is all I am sure of.”
What a weird vision. I mean, I know they’re never certain, but that’s so… odd.
“Thanks for the heads up,” I say. “But I won’t be avoiding coffee, especially not in November.” The class laughs, everyone breaking out into different jokes.
“Pack an extra shirt!” a masculine cambion shouts. He’s right, I probably should. Chances are I won’t remember by then though.
Eden leans in close to me. “Your future is full of anxiety and uncertainty, but also joy and romance. Be kind to yourself,” she whispers.
This exercise was supposed to be a fun little get-to-know-each-other, not an ominous warning from the beyond. Romance, huh? A girl can dream.
one
INDIGO
On my to-do list:
Finish grading midterms
Go grocery shopping
Buy a portable charger
Not on my to-do list:
The sexy orcling standing in the corner making far too much eye contact
But they say life is what happens between
“Are you gonna keep staring at her or are you gonna go say something?” Dahlia asks with one eyebrow raised.
I ignore her, trying to push down the overwhelming feeling of desire as my knees go weak, and wave a hand at the bartender. I need some liquid courage. “Could I get a lemon drop shot, please?”
He nods and grabs for the liquor. Dahlia lets out a small laugh, the pleasant sound resonating in the air. “Make it two, and you can put them on my tab.”
Dahlia is my boldest friend and the only non-elfborn human I hangout with. Most folks without magic are jealous or afraid of those of us with it, but Dahlia thinks of it as a fun party trick. It’s interesting to her, but not all that we are as beings. She runs a hand through my hair, inspecting it.
“I’m so glad I used that opalescent dye. You look amazing. White with just a touch of that lilac.” Dahlia smiles, impressed with herself. She’s the island’s top hair stylist, with some pretty intense clientele. Magia Island’s main attraction is Augury University, but there are some celebrities who live here too. If it weren’t for Dahlia, I’d look less like them and more like a wet mop.
“You did a great job. I wish I was in the Potions Department,” I say, because it’s true. I’ve always wanted to be a potions mage, but it wasn’t in the cards. Dahlia and my coworker Alitha have been working together to experiment on different hair potions, and I’m their favorite test bunny.
The bartender places both shots down on the table, and we clink our glasses together before throwing them back. The alcohol only intensifies my heady desire. My blood, like my throat, is on fire at the sight of this woman—at the look in her eyes as I shift in my seat to get another look at her. I turn around and get out my phone. I start typing out a text to Alitha when I feel a warm, towering presence behind me. Dahlia’s face is like a deer in headlights, with her deep brown eyes suddenly widening.
“Well.” She coughs. “I’m actually meeting someone here tonight. I’ll catch you later.” Dahlia walks away, her hips swaying in her orange two-piece, long dark hair flowing down nearly to her butt. She’s leaving me alone with this woman? Oh boy.
The orcling sits down next to me, a mass of muscle. Her scent is intoxicating, some kind of woodsy cologne with hints of orange blossom. I love being an elfborn, however distant my lineage is, because I can make out the specific scents that cause her to smell so… alluring. I have to shut my mouth to stop myself from drooling. What the hell kind of mind-altering substance is in her cologne? Whatever it is, I’m addicted.
She looks at me and raises a hand, her forearms flexing as she places her thumb near her lips and licks it, seductively staring at me while motioning towards my face. “Your mascara is smudged; let me get it.”
The cold wet feeling of her thumb rubbing against my skin is oddly appealing. Normally, I would feel icked by a stranger’s touch, especially their saliva, but not this stranger. I’d let her do whatever she wants with me. In fact, if I knew this was going to lead to her touching me, I would have fucked up my makeup a lot sooner. The bartender comes by and nods, waiting for our orders.
“Could I get an Irish Coffee? And the lady will have…?” She gestures to me, waiting for my response.
“Oh—uh—I’ll have a… sex on the beach.” I’m so used to douchebag guys at the bars who order for me that this is refreshing. Still, I wish my favorite drink didn’t have such a weird name. It’s uncomfortable to say aloud, and I feel my cheeks heat. I don’t know if other people experience the same amount of embarrassment that I do, but moments like this make me want to curl up into a ball and die. This is the kinda stuff I need to bring up in therapy.
“I’m Vega, but you can call me V, if you’d like,” she says, and I take her in. She’s huge. Broad, athletic shoulders lead to swollen biceps. I think she could crush my head in her arms, and maybe I’d let her. She’s tall too. We’re seated, but I’d bet money she’s well over a foot taller than me. V has seductive golden eyes and green skin. Not green like a Christmas tree, but more of a mossy sage. Her black hair is tied back in a bun, with shaven sections on either side of her head. I could look at her for hours, counting every freckle on her body.
“I’m Indie. It’s nice to meet you.” Indie is the nickname only my family calls me, but I’m not sure I wanna tell her my real name. Most people don’t recognize me by look or even name… better to be safe than sorry though. I reach out to shake hands before realizing how weird I’m being and flinch it back.
She chuckles, her voice much deeper than mine, and fucking hell. This woman is so hot, and I am so awkward. I don’t know how to talk to the people I’m interested in. My latest hook-up last weekend, on Halloween, was with a guy dressed as a Mandalorian from one of the old Star Wars shows. I didn’t look much different from my typical day-to-day vibe, donning a black dress as a vintage witch. He didn’t wanna talk, and I was totally fine with the helmet staying on.
“You’re quite cute,” she says. “Tell me about yourself.”
This is the part where everything goes sour. I’m going to say I’m a professor at Augury University, and she either won’t believe me; or she will, and she’ll want information on some kind of research we’re doing. That, or she’ll be totally normal until she finds out who my sister is, and then she’ll just use me to try and get to Iris. I don’t want this to be about my job or my family; I want this to be about me. Unfortunately, I am a nightmare. I realize I’m zoning out when the bartender places our drinks in front of us.
“Or don’t. How about this, how about we give each other no specific details? Keep everything vague and just talk as… beings.” She takes a sip of her irish coffee, and the smell drowns out her cologne. Bummer. I guess I’ll have to get close if I want to smell her again.
“That sounds lovely,” I say, feeling as though she read my mind. No specifics. I can do that. “Do you practice magic?”
“A bit. My focus is charms,” she says and leans in close. “Though I’m just as good with my hands, no magic necessary.” Her breath is hot against my neck, and I squirm in my seat, pressing my thighs together.
I clear my throat. “Me too, although I’m secretly passionate about potions.”
She tilts her head, and I notice the gold hoop in her nose. I’d never been into piercings much. Suddenly, I feel much different about the subject. V licks her lips. “Why not do what you’re passionate about?”
“Because I’m better at charms, and because—my—it’s complicated.” I frown, playing with my straw. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. Normally, I obsess over something unrealistic, anxious over things that’ll likely never happen, but this anxiety feels… warranted. I could really fuck this up and lose her interest.
She bumps me with her shoulder, her taut, bare skin brushing against mine for a split second. “It’s okay. I think it’s cool you do a little of both. What potions do you enjoy making?”
V sounds genuinely interested, and it makes my chest warm. Many people think magic should only be done for work, never recreationally. “I just make potions for fun, so it’s nothing life saving. Mostly stuff with food and cosmetics.”
“Like what?”
“Perfumes, oils. Right now I’m working on a potion that enhances an individual’s pheromones,” I say and take another sip of my drink.
“What’s your intended goal?” she asks, her voice like honey.
I shrug. “A lot of things. It can help someone sense danger more easily, or—”
“Or attract others,” V says as she finishes her drink. She stands up suddenly, the movement unexpected. She walks towards the exit and leans against a wall.
