Page 17 of Witchful Thinking

The simple reassurance, combined with a particularly perfect thrust, sent her over the edge.Diana's release washed through her in waves of pleasure, intensified by the magical connection between them.The room itself seemed to respond, the magical shimmer around them pulsing brightly with each wave of her climax.

Alarick followed soon after, his rhythm faltering as he groaned her name against her neck, his body tensing and then shuddering above her.Their magic flared one final time, a brief, brilliant flash that illuminated the room before slowly fading to a gentle glow.

They lay tangled together afterward, breathing gradually returning to normal, the magical glow slowly fading from their skin.Diana waited for regret or embarrassment to set in, for her practical mind to reassert itself with all the reasons this had been a mistake.

Instead, she felt a surprising contentment, a rightness she hadn't expected.Her body hummed with lingering pleasure, her magic settling into a quieter harmony with his that remained even after the visible manifestation had faded.

Alarick propped himself up on one elbow, studying her face.His hair was tousled, his expression soft in a way that made something in her chest tighten."Having second thoughts yet?"

"Trying to," she admitted honestly."But not succeeding particularly well."

His smile was both relieved and delighted."Good.Because I'm having none whatsoever."He traced the curve of her cheek with gentle fingers."That was..."

"Magical?"Diana supplied with a small smile.

"Quite literally."He laughed softly."Though I think that's the first time I've ever seen actual sparks fly."

Diana reached up to brush a lock of hair from his forehead."The magical resonance is rare.I've read about it, but never experienced it before."

Ancient texts called itamoris veneficium—love magic—a term Diana stubbornly refused to thing too deeply on right now.

"Never?"His expression turned curious."Not with anyone?"

She shook her head."Magic responds to emotional and physical connection, but this level of resonance is exceptionally uncommon.It suggests an unusual compatibility between our magical cores."

"So what you're saying," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye, "is that we're exceptional together."

Diana couldn't help but laugh."That's a rather simplified interpretation of a complex magical phenomenon."

"But not incorrect."He leaned down to kiss her softly."I prefer the simple truth.We're extraordinary together, Diana.In every way."

Diana traced idle patterns on his chest, marveling at the ease she felt with him despite the newness of this intimacy."This complicates things."

"Does it?"He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm."Or does it simply acknowledge what was already there?"

Before she could answer, a familiar silvery shape manifested in the center of the room—Headmistress Raven's messenger apparition, taking the form of an elegantly austere raven.

"Nurse Maelstrom," it spoke in Raven's crisp tones."Your presence is requested in the east practice hall immediately.A magical demonstration has had unexpected results."

The apparition dissolved, leaving them staring at the space it had occupied.

"Does she know?"Diana whispered, mortified at the thought.

"It's just a standard message apparition," Alarick assured her, though he looked less certain than his words suggested."They find the recipient wherever they are.It doesn't mean she knows you're otherwise occupied."

Diana was already scrambling for her clothes, professionalism reasserting itself in the face of a medical emergency."I need to go."

"I'll come with you."Alarick dressed with equal speed."If it's a magical accident, you might need containment support."

She paused in the middle of buttoning her blouse, struck by the simple practicality of his offer.No pretense, no attempt to separate their professional and personal relationships—just a straightforward desire to help.

"Thank you," she said, meaning it for more than just the offer of assistance.

They were back to being Nurse Maelstrom and Mr.Blackthorn by the time they reached the practice hall, all evidence of their interlude concealed beneath professional demeanors.Only the lingering awareness between them, the subtle ways their magic continued to reach for each other, betrayed what had transpired.

One thing was certain—she could no longer pretend that Alarick Blackthorn was just another colleague.And she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to try.

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