Author's Note: I'm really sorry about the long update time on this guys. It's been absolutely nuts between my sister Rayne's wedding and my other sister Jezabelle (yes we're triplets and yes those are their FFN account names) and I have been helping her prepare because she's eight and a half months pregnant and can't do much. Thankfully, our mom has given us the rest of the week off so we're both updating our stories. Anyways, here's the next chapter. Hope you like and remember: the review button won't bite. Thanks guys!

Lilac Swan Riddle Russo

Chapter Three

Max

If there's anyone that should be nominated for the "Master Of Suspense" award it should be Justin. He made Alex and I wait a full two minutes before he said a word about his newfound discovery. By the time he did speak Alex and I were either about to hit him…or turn him into a girl…maybe a donkey.

"Hey genius, care to tell us what the big news is?" Alex asked using her 'I'm going to scream very soon' voice.

I grinned and turned to look at Justin. He rolled his eyes and started speaking, ignoring Alex's 'genius' jab.

"You guys don't have to participate in the Wizard Competition." He said.

Alex and I looked at each other, silently asking who was going to ask the question that was running through both of our minds. After a second I asked it, raising an eyebrow at my brother.

"But…then we forfeit…right?"

"No, you just opt out. There's a whole history lesson on that one but you two never listen so I'll explain it without the good part." He sighed here, as though History was the best thing on earth. Alex and I shared a grin.

"It's simple really. When it comes time for the Wizard Competition, you two will be either married by a Wizard Minister or legally declared separate from the Russo family. It's complicated and I won't even try to explain it all. But we'll all get to keep our powers in this case…if you're still together."

"That's awesome! But…that means mom and dad will find out." Alex said, looking a little nervous at the thought of mom and dad finding out.

I squeezed her lightly and kissed her temple. "They'll find out sooner babe. Don't worry too much. We have six months until the competition, we'll find a way to tell them without being disowned."

She smiled and kissed my nose. "You're right. At least we won't have to give up our powers. That would suck."

Justin rolled his eyes at that, as if she was missing something vitally important.

"It's illegal for the non-wizards to marry their sibling, Alex. That's why, in cases like this, the siblings are allowed to opt out of the Wizard Competition."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Do you ever get tired of being so smart?"

"No. And if you'd study more you'd be just as smart."

"Which is exactly why I don't study. One genius is enough for this family." She answered.

I laughed. "Definitely. Hey Justin, you should leave for a while. Especially if you don't like PDA."

He stood up quicker than I'd ever seen him. "Gross. Have…have fun."

As he left the room, shutting the door behind him I pulled Alex against me, capturing her lips again. She laughed and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. As we kissed, time seemed to stop. Yeah, that sounds really cliché or whatever but it's true. She tasted like…caramel and chocolate. My two favorite things mixed with my favorite person. Nothing better in the world. After a while we pulled apart and smiled at each other. She tugged me down and lay her head on my chest. Wrapping an arm around her, I stroked her hair and listened to her breathing.

"I love you Max." she said, grinning up at me.

"I love you too Alex."

I kissed her again, quickly losing track of time and space. When we broke apart this time she yawned and lay back against me. As she fell asleep I lay awake and watched her, wondering how I got so lucky. Sure, mom was probably going to have a heart attack when she found out, but Alex and I could get through that as long as we were together. And we would be. I'd make damn sure of that. We had six months to get ready, in any case, and mom wouldn't find out before that. Not if I had anything to say about it. Little did I know just how wrong I was. Oh man, there was definitely going to be trouble…