Page 2 of Bearly Bewitched

“We all said similar things,” Clover mused, sharing a smile with Romi. “Right before we met our matches.”

Neve cleared her throat delicately. “Sometimes the universe has other plans, dear.”

“The universe can wait.” Vail stood, needing to move. Her magic crackled around her, making the shadows dance. “Right now, I have a whole academy to prepare for. Speaking of which—” She checked the intricate timepiece on the mantle. “I should head over there soon. I want to inspect the wards before meeting with any staff.”

“Perfect!” Romi bounced up. “We’ll come with you. I have some brilliant ideas about supernatural integration programs that worked wonders at the café.”

“And I have those antique deliveries for the History of Shifter Magic classroom,” Sabine added, then hesitated. “Actually, Vail... I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something.”

TWO

Something in her tone made Vail turn. “What is it?”

Sabine fidgeted with her sleeve, an oddly uncertain gesture for someone usually so composed. “I know you’re looking for teachers who understand both witch and shifter magic. And given my... unique situation...”

“Yes!” Vail barely restrained herself from hugging her friend again. “Sabine, you’d be perfect! You have centuries of magical knowledge from your past life, plus firsthand experience as a shifter. Please say you’ll consider it?”

“I’d love to,” Sabine replied, “but I haven’t mentioned it to Ren yet for his thoughts.”

“You two work on it and get back to me. Thank you so much.” Vail squeezed her hand. “No pressure, but you’d be an incredible addition to the faculty.”

“Speaking of additions,” Romi cut in, “don’t forget girls’ night and wedding talk. No excuses, Vail—you’re not getting out of bridesmaid duties just because you’re a fancy headmistress now.”

“As if you’d let me.” Vail laughed. “I’ll be there. Assuming the academy doesn’t implode before then.”

“It won’t,” Clover assured her. “Not with you in charge.”

Vail glanced at her great-aunts, hoping for a rescue from all the emotional support, but found only proud, knowing smiles. “Fine,” she conceded. “Let’s head over there. But no more matchmaking schemes.”

“Of course not,” Clover said solemnly, though her eyes said otherwise.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Romi agreed far too innocently.

“Absolutely not,” Sabine’s straight face lasted approximately two seconds before she cracked a grin.

Madame Zephyrine rose gracefully, adjusting her flowing sleeves. “We’ll accompany you as well. As former teachers, our presence might smooth any... territorial reactions from the older staff members.”

As they gathered their things, Vail caught snippets of whispered conversation between her friends:

“Wait until she sees?—“

“Shh! Don’t spoil it!”

“I give it a week before?—“

“Three days, tops.”

“I can hear you,” Vail called out, making them all laugh.

She shook her head, drawing on her fire magic to center herself. Warmth tingled through her fingers, no longer constrained by the need to hide. Whatever her well-meaning friends and relatives had planned, she wouldn’t let it distract her. Arcane Academy needed a leader who could bridge the gap between witches and shifters, someone dedicated to bringing out the best in every student.

Romance could wait. She had magic to teach, barriers to break down, and a school to run.

The late summer breeze carried hints of wild magic as they made their way up the winding path toward the academy. Centuries-old oaks lined the route, their leaves whispering secrets in a language only the oldest witches could understand.Vail noticed how the branches seemed to reach toward her as she passed, responding to her magic.

“The trees remember you from your student days,” Neve observed with a smile, reaching out to touch one gnarled trunk. “Oak has such a long memory.”

“Unlike certain students who forgot their levitation homework,” Romi teased. “Remember that time you accidentally set Professor Changly’s hat on fire during finals?”

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