Page 26 of Witchful Thinking

"Yes, Headmistress," Diana replied, acutely aware of Alarick still sitting on her sofa with her grandmother's quilt pooled around him."I'm feeling much better."

Raven's sharp eyes took in the situation with one glance."Good.I need to speak with you both about today's incident.May I come in?"

Raven informed them that Professor Guillet had mentioned receiving a "rare grimoire of ancient dueling techniques" from someone connected to Trustee Adelweiss.

"You think a trustee is deliberately spreading dangerous magic?"Diana asked, the implications chilling."But why would someone on the school board want to endanger students?"

"That," Raven said grimly, "is what we need to discover.After what happened with Trustee Thorncraft, I’m not taking any more chances. If a trustee approaches either of you, I want to know about it immediately."

They both nodded.

"One more thing.The magical fusion between you two is both rare and valuable.Whatever personal entanglement facilitates that connection is, frankly, none of my concern—provided it doesn't interfere with your duties."

With that surprisingly direct acknowledgment, she swept out, leaving them staring after her in stunned silence.

"Did the Headmistress just give us her blessing?"Alarick asked finally.

"I think she did," Diana replied, unsure whether to be relieved or mortified."In her own particular way."

"Well," he said, a smile spreading across his face, "that's one complication addressed."

Diana laughed."One down, several to go."

"What would you prefer we call this?"His eyes held that warmth that made her pulse quicken."Mystical partnership?Arcane liaison?Enchanted affair?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," she cautioned, though her tone had softened."We still have other considerations."

"Of course," he agreed, moving closer."Very serious magical considerations that require extensive exploration."

"Exactly," she nodded, fighting a smile as he reached for her."Scholarly, thorough exploration."

"Absolutely," he murmured, his lips now inches from hers."Starting right now."

Their kiss was gentle, the day's shared danger lending it a depth that transcended mere passion.The golden threads of their fusion enveloped them, creating a cocoon of light where only they existed.

Later, as they lay together, Alarick traced patterns on her bare shoulder, each touch leaving trails of shimmering gold on her skin."I meant what I said earlier.About never having felt this kind of connection before."

Diana looked up at him, seeing the vulnerability beneath his confidence."I believe you."

"But you're still uncertain."

"I'm trying not to be," she admitted."It's just...you have your whole career ahead of you.I don't want to be something you regret or outgrow."

"Is that what you're worried about?"He propped himself up, expression incredulous."That I'll somehow regret being with you?"

"It happens," she said simply."Young wizard, older witch...it's a familiar pattern.Exciting until a better opportunity comes along."

"That's not what this is," he said firmly."This isn't some cliché, Diana.This is real—for me, at least."

The raw honesty in his voice made her throat tighten.She reached up to touch his face, golden light following her fingertips."For me too.That's what scares me."

Suddenly, a ghostly silver raven materialized with a thunderous flap of spectral wings, hovering imperiously above the bed.The bird opened its beak and spoke in Headmistress Raven's crisp, no-nonsense tone:

"Diana!Multiple students in the girls' dormitory showing signs of magical contamination from this morning's incident.Your expertise required immediately!"

The apparition dissolved into wisps of silver mist, leaving them both already reaching for clothes, the intimate conversation abandoned.

"I'll come with you," Alarick said."If it's contamination, you'll need protection support."

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