Page 34 of Witchful Thinking

The permission in her words seemed to break something in his control.Alarick's rhythm faltered, then intensified, his movements becoming more urgent as he chased his release.Diana met him thrust for thrust, her own pleasure building rapidly toward a second peak.

When it hit, it was more powerful than anything she'd experienced before—a fusion of physical ecstasy and magical resonance that swept through her entire being.She cried out his name, her body clenching around him as waves of pleasure radiated outward from her core.The golden shimmer erupted into brilliant light, illuminating the room like captured sunlight.

Alarick followed moments later, his release triggering another pulse of magical energy as he called her name, his body tensing and then shuddering above her.For an instant, Diana could have sworn she felt his pleasure as clearly as her own—an echo through their magical connection that doubled the intensity of the moment.

They remained joined as the aftershocks gradually subsided, foreheads pressed together, breathing in tandem as the golden light slowly faded to a gentle shimmer once more.The connection hummed between them, physical, magical, and emotional all at once.

Eventually, Alarick shifted to lie beside her, drawing her against his chest as they both caught their breath.Diana rested her head in the curve of his shoulder, feeling utterly content in a way she couldn't remember experiencing before.

"That was..."Alarick began, then laughed softly."I don't think I have words for what that was."

"Extraordinary?"Diana suggested, tracing idle patterns on his chest.The golden shimmer followed her fingertips, leaving temporary designs that slowly faded."Transcendent?Magical beyond all rational explanation?"

"All of the above," he agreed, pressing a kiss to her temple."Though I'm particularly fond of 'transcendent.'It has a nice scholarly ring to it.We could write a paper—'Transcendent Magical Fusion: A Case Study in Advanced Practical Applications.'"

Diana laughed, the sound bright and genuine."I can just imagine the Magical Research Society's reaction to that submission."

"They'd be fools to reject it," he said with mock seriousness."The practical applications alone are worth consideration."

"Mmm," she agreed, deliberately trailing her fingers lower across his abdomen."Very practical applications."

Alarick caught her wandering hand, bringing it to his lips."If you continue that particular line of research, I'll need a recovery potion," he warned, though the rising interest in his eyes belied his protest.

Diana propped herself up on one elbow, studying his face with newfound freedom."I love you," she said, the words coming easier now that they'd been spoken once."And I'm no longer afraid to admit it."

His expression softened, the teasing light in his eyes replaced by something deeper."That might be the most magical thing that's happened today," he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Chapter 9

Diana woke to the gentlesensation of Alarick tracing patterns on her bare shoulder, his touch leaving trails of golden light against her skin.Morning sunlight painted her bedroom in honey tones that matched the contentment humming through her magical core.Their fusion pulsed between them like a living thing, connecting their essences even in repose.

"Good morning," she murmured, turning to face him.

Alarick's smile set off butterflies in her chest."Good morning, beautiful."He kissed her forehead, a burst of gold blooming where his lips touched."Sleep well?"

"Better than I have in years," she admitted, snuggling closer.Since their confession of love and the deepening of their fusion, her sleep had been dreamless—as though some restless part of her had finally found home.

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