Page 39 of Witchful Thinking

Six weeks had passed since Alarick's departure.Six weeks of throwing herself into work while steadfastly ignoring the Alarick-shaped hole in both her professional and personal life.

"It looks magnificent," Malachai said.He and Ceries strolled in to survey the completed renovation."Warding Specialist Okafor did an excellent job finishing the project."

"She did," Diana agreed, trying to sound appreciative.Specialist Okafor was undeniably talented, but her work lacked the intuitive harmony that had characterized Alarick's designs—the subtle ways his magic had anticipated how Diana's healing spells would interact with protective elements.

"Have you heard from Alarick?"Ceries asked.

Diana busied herself reorganizing a tray of healing potions."Nothing since he left.Not a letter, not a message, nothing."

"Well, I have," Malachai said, perching on the edge of the examination table."Apparently his treatment at St.Candlebrook's has shown promising results.The specialists developed a stabilization protocol that's restored significant functionality to his magical core."

Despite her best efforts at professional detachment, Diana felt a surge of relief."That's...good news."

"Professionally speaking," Ceries mimicked, then softened."Diana, it's been six weeks.You're miserable.He's probably miserable too."

"I need to focus on adapting to my new magical baseline," Diana said, avoiding the emotional question."Professor Everflame says the changes to my healing capabilities might actually offer new approaches, if I can adjust my techniques properly."

"Avoid all you want, but you should know that Alarick will be returning to Grimm Mawr next week."

Diana nearly dropped the potion she was holding."What?Why wasn't I informed?"

"I'm informing you now," Malachai pointed out."He's coming to provide specialized warding consultation for the Forbidden Archives.Apparently, the disruption of Adelweiss's energy siphoning revealed some vulnerabilities in our oldest protective systems."

"I see."Diana set the potion down carefully."Well, I'm sure our paths won't cross much."

Ceries just looked at her."For a brilliant healer, you can be remarkably dense sometimes."

Before Diana could respond, the infirmary door burst open and three familiar faces tumbled in—Malta, Irideane, and Polly, the trio who had spent half the summer inventing injuries for Alarick's benefit.

"Nurse Maelstrom," Malta exclaimed, clutching her wrist dramatically."I think I sprained my wrist during practice."

"Again?That must be the sixth sprain this summer."

"It's very delicate," Malta insisted, her attention clearly focused on scanning the infirmary.Her disappointment upon not finding Alarick was almost comical.

"Mr.Blackthorn isn't here," Diana said dryly.

The girls exchanged glances before Irideane said, "We thought he’d be here by now.”

"News travels fast," Diana muttered, shooting Ceries an accusatory look.

"Don't blame me," Ceries protested."The garden gnomes have been celebrating since dawn.They've constructed some kind of welcome arch out of pebbles and stolen hair ribbons."

Despite everything, Diana felt her lips twitch.Those ridiculous gnomes and their inexplicable attachment to Alarick.

After examining Malta's perfectly healthy wrist and sending the disappointed trio on their way, Diana turned back to Ceries.

"The garden gnomes built him a welcome arch?"

"With a banner," Ceries confirmed, grinning."Though since gnomes can't actually write, it's just a series of enthusiastic symbols that I think are supposed to represent warding patterns."

"He always did have an unusual rapport with them."

"If what you had with Alarick was just magical influence, would you still be thinking about him every day six weeks later?"

Ceries had a point.The question lingered long after Ceries and Malachai had left.It followed Diana through her evening routine and into her quarters, which still felt too empty despite the time that had passed.

Was that her answer?

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