Page 37 of Hex Appeal

"And the Bewildering Fog Hex?"Malachai asked."Should it be taught at Grimm Mawr?"

"With proper safeguards, absolutely."Thorncraft nodded enthusiastically."Advanced students only, naturally.And with both of you supervising.You—" he pointed at Malachai, "—understand the risks better than anyone.And you—" he turned to Ceries, "—have the innovative approaches to make it safer.Perfect team.Meant to be together."

"He's not wrong," Juno murmured from behind them."About you two being a good team, I mean.Not the genius part."

The ESA agents had clearly heard enough.As they led him away, Thorncraft called back over his shoulder, "Remember, the wedding invitations should be hex-proof.Very important detail."

The courtyard fell into stunned silence before students and staff began whispering excitedly.

"It's oddly fitting,” Malachai said.“His scheme involved pushing a hex he didn't understand, and now he's affected by it.”

“There's a lesson there about respecting the magic you're trying to control,” Ceries agreed.“Maybe we're both right in our own ways about the Bewildering Fog Hex."

The garden gnomes, finally free of unwanted attention, burst into silent celebration.Two high-fived with a barely audible clink of stone.Three formed an impromptu conga line.The grumpiest one performed a victory dance, spinning his pointy hat on one finger like a basketball.

Malachai turned to Ceries, still holding her hand."So."

"So," she repeated, fighting a smile."That was interesting."

"Apparently we're both rehired.And the curriculum is approved.With proper safeguards."

"Exactly what we wanted."She tilted her head."Though I'm not sure Thorncraft's confused ramblings carry much legal weight."

"Already taken care of," said a crisp voice behind them.Headmistress Raven approached, holding official-looking documents."Full reinstatement for both of you, curriculum approval for advanced classes with joint supervision, and—" her eyes gleamed with something that might have been amusement, "—an updated policy on faculty relationships."

"Joint supervision?"Ceries asked, hope rising.

"I believe you two working together will provide the perfect balance of caution and innovation."Raven handed them the papers."Your experience with what can go wrong—" she nodded to Malachai, "—combined with your fresh approaches—" she turned to Ceries, "—creates a safety net neither could provide alone."

"And the relationship policy?"Malachai asked carefully.

"Faculty may pursue personal relationships provided there is no direct supervisory role between parties," Raven recited."Which there won't be, as Professor Frostwind will report directly to me."

Around them, students pretended not to eavesdrop while failing spectacularly at it.Several practice dummies had appeared at the edge of the courtyard, watching with obvious interest.

"It seems," Malachai said softly, turning to Ceries, "we've been given a second chance.At everything."

"So it would appear."She squeezed his hand."Though I'm not sure how I feel about Thorncraft being responsible for our happy ending, even accidentally."

"I prefer to think we managed it despite him, not because of him."Malachai's expression turned serious."About what he said—"

"The wedding invitations?"she teased."I agree, hex-proofing seems prudent given our track record."

"Ceries."The way he said her name made her heart skip."I meant what I was going to say before we were interrupted.Not because it's convenient for our careers or because a hex-addled trustee suggested it, but because I can't imagine my life without you challenging everything I thought I knew."

Students were now openly staring.A freshman dropped her books with a clatter.

"Malachai Starcatcher," she said, feeling her face flush, "if you're going to propose to me in front of the entire school and a bunch of judgmental garden gnomes, I expect it to be properly romantic."

"Properly romantic?"His eyebrow arched in that way that still made her want to kiss him senseless."I'm afraid I might need some guidance on that.Perhaps a demonstration of your innovative approach?"

Without hesitation, she rose on her tiptoes and kissed him thoroughly, causing a nearby practice dummy to fan itself vigorously.When they separated, Malachai looked pleasantly dazed.

"I see," he said, his voice slightly unsteady."Very educational."

"I'm an excellent teacher."She grinned up at him.

"And I'm an attentive student."He straightened, composing himself."Though perhaps this particular lesson should continue somewhere more private?"

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