Page 42 of Witchful Thinking

Alarick's expression was grim as he reinforced the containment field."We need a different approach.Standard stabilization isn't working."

Diana stared at the levitating book, then an idea struck her—drawing on what they had just discovered in their restoration work.

"What if we don't try to stabilize it?"she suggested."What if we guide the degradation instead?Create a controlled unwinding rather than fighting against it?"

Alarick caught on immediately."Like our fusion dissolution.Controlled separation rather than chaotic fracturing."

"Exactly."Their eyes met in perfect understanding, professional minds aligned even without magical enhancement.

Together, they shifted their approach, Diana using her healing magic to guide the degradation along specific pathways while Alarick modified his containment field to allow for controlled energy dissipation.

Gradually, the violent pulsing subsided, the purple glow fading as the wild magic dissipated safely.When the last of the erratic energy had discharged, the book settled gently back to the table, its pages now inert but undamaged.

"That was brilliant," Alarick said with genuine admiration."Using the degradation pattern itself as the solution rather than fighting against it."

"It was your containment field that made it possible," Diana replied."The precision of your control, even with your altered magic—it's remarkable."

They stood there, gazing at each other with professional respect and something deeper.In that moment of shared success, Diana recognized a truth she had been avoiding: their connection hadn't been merely magical resonance.It had been built on mutual respect, shared values, complementary approaches—things that existed independent of their fusion.

The spell was broken by Malta's breathless voice: "That was amazing.Are you two getting back together now?"

Diana turned to find all three girls watching them with rapt attention, completely oblivious to the seriousness of the magical incident they had just caused.

"That," Diana said firmly, "is none of your business, Miss Kenobrie.And you three are in serious trouble for disturbing restricted texts without permission."

***

LATER THAT EVENING, Diana raised her hand to knock at Alarick’s door.Their success in the archives had sparked something she couldn't ignore—hope that maybe, just maybe, what they had shared hadn't been solely dependent on their magical fusion.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she knocked.

Alarick opened the door, surprise evident on his face."Diana.I wasn't expecting you."

"May I come in?"she asked, noting his casual attire—a simple shirt with, yes, the sleeves rolled up.

He stepped aside, gesturing her in."Of course."

His quarters were much as she remembered—books and magical instruments arranged with the same organized chaos that characterized his approach to warding.A half-eaten dinner sat on his desk, surrounded by notes.

"I'm interrupting your work," she observed.

"Nothing that can't wait," he assured her."Is this about the archive incident?"

"No.Yes.Sort of."Diana took a deep breath."It's about what happened today.How we worked together."

"Effectively," Alarick nodded, a cautious light in his eyes."Despite the changes to our magic."

"More than effectively," Diana corrected."We solved a problem that neither of us could have handled alone, even before our fusion was damaged."

He studied her face."What are you saying, Diana?"

"I'm saying that today made me realize something."She met his gaze directly."What we had—what we shared—it wasn't just magical compatibility.It was something more fundamental."

Alarick took a step toward her, hope and wariness warring in his expression."I've been thinking the same thing.Every day at St.Candlebrook's, actually."

"You have?"

"Why do you think I came back?"he asked softly."The archives project is important, but I could have sent recommendations.I came back because I needed to know if what I still feel for you is real or just echoes of a magical connection."

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