Page 30 of Spellbound and Gagged

"But why?" Thaddeus asked.

The plant sighed, a sound like rustling leaves. "Because you both care for plants, nurture them, protect them. In return, we plants care for you. And it was clear to every flower and shrub in this academy that you two belonged together."

Juno felt a rush of affection for this well-meaning, if misguided, plant. "That's actually rather sweet," she said. "In a somewhat alarming way."

"Alarming?" the plant huffed. "I'll have you know that plants are excellent matchmakers. Why, just last spring, I successfully paired off two particularly stubborn rose bushes—"

"Yes, yes, that's all very fascinating," Malachai interrupted, stepping forward. "But perhaps we could return to the matter at hand? We do have a competition to judge, after all."

The plant deflated slightly. "Oh, very well. But don't think this is over, you two," it added, pointing a leafy tendril at Juno and Thaddeus. "I've invested too much chlorophyll in this relationship to give up now."

With that, the plant sank back into the ground, leaving behind a small, blooming flower.

For a moment, the arena was silent. Then, as if a spell had been broken, everyone began talking at once. Juno caught snatches of conversations:

"Did that plant just play matchmaker?"

"I knew those accidents weren't coincidental."

"Do you think it takes requests? Because I've had my eye on this cutie in my charms class."

"This explains everything about those two," Minerva Everhart commented loudly enough for Juno to hear. "Even the plants knew they belong together—professionally and personally."

Malachai cleared his throat loudly, bringing the chatter to a halt. "Well, I think we can all agree that this has been the most eventful Brewfest in recent memory."

There was a murmur of agreement from the crowd.

"And now," Malachai continued, "the moment you've all been waiting for. The judges have made their decision."

Juno felt Thaddeus tense beside her. She reached out without thinking, taking his hand in hers. He squeezed back, a gesture of solidarity and something more.

"The winners of this year's Brewfest," Malachai announced, pausing for dramatic effect, "and the new joint heads of the herbology department are Professors Juno Runeheart and Thaddeus Shadowspire."

The crowd erupted in cheers. Juno stood frozen in shock. Joint Heads?

"Congratulations," Malachai said, beaming at them. "Your unprecedented collaboration and innovative approach have impressed us all. We believe that together, you will lead our herbology department to new heights."

"I've been considering this restructuring for some time," he added, looking pleased with himself. "Our department will benefit from both your approaches—the nurturing and the defensive, working in harmony. Sometimes the best solution isn't choosing between two excellent candidates, but finding a way for both to contribute their unique strengths."

Juno turned to Thaddeus, her heart soaring. His face mirrored her own joy and disbelief.

"I like this idea. But how do you feel about it?"

Thaddeus grinned, that heart-stopping grin that had always made Juno weak at the knees. "I love it. Almost as much as I love you."

"I love you too." Juno grabbed the front of Thaddeus's robes and pulled him into a kiss.

The crowd's cheers grew even louder, but Juno barely noticed. All she could focus on was the feel of Thaddeus's lips against hers, the way his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.

When they finally broke apart, breathless and giddy, Juno became aware of a strange sensation. She tried to step back, only to find that she couldn't move more than a foot away from Thaddeus.

"Um, Thaddeus?" she said, looking down. A vine had wrapped itself around both their waists, binding them together.

Thaddeus followed her gaze, his eyebrows rising. "It seems our plant friend had one last trick up its leaves."

Juno groaned, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face. "Looks like we've been plant-fasted."

"I guess that's like being hand fasted. So since you never answered me before, I guess I'll have to ask again. Will you marry me?"

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