Page 17 of Hex Appeal

"Makes you believe you can control unstable magic?"Juno's voice gentled."That wasn't your fault, Mal."

"Twenty-three students in the hospital wing said otherwise."The memory still burned after all this time, a constant reminder of his hubris.

"And how many students might get hurt without proper instruction?You've seen her teach.She's careful, despite her enthusiasm."

Through his window, he could see Ceries in the courtyard, demonstrating shield forms to a group of students who had apparently decided to stay after school for extra practice.Her hair shimmered with passion as she corrected stances, explained theory, broke everything down into manageable steps.

Just like he used to teach.Before.

"She makes them practice basic forms first," Juno continued, following his gaze."Tests their control.Never pushes faster than they can handle.Almost like someone else I used to know."

"I was reckless."

"You were innovative.Like her."Juno stood, studying him with the same expression she used when diagnosing particularly complicated plant diseases."The question is, are you letting old fears stop you from seeing what's right in front of you?"

"What's right in front of me is a teacher who thinks rules are optional and safety protocols are suggestions."

"What's right in front of you is someone who challenges you.Professionally and personally."She paused at the door."The students seem to like her too.And if I'm not mistaken, she's not the only one."

His tie attempted to straighten itself innocently, failing miserably.

Alone again, he found himself drawn back to her research like a moth to a particularly logical and compelling flame.Her modifications were the kind of spellwork that came from deep understanding and careful testing.She'd even noted potential misuse scenarios, with specific countermeasures for each.

Through the window, Ceries was still teaching.A student's shield charm wobbled, but she caught it before it could collapse, her correction gentle but effective.She was everything he used to be.Everything he'd lost after Windermoore.

And that terrified him.

Because he understood her arguments.Agreed with most of them, if he was honest.Students would experiment with dangerous magic whether they were taught properly or not.He'd certainly done enough of that himself, before the incident.

His tie tightened protectively, but even it seemed to be wavering.

A burst of laughter drew his attention back to the courtyard.Ceries had conjured practice targets, turning shield practice into a game.Her students were completely engaged, calling out suggestions, building on each other's ideas.

Just like his advanced class had been, before that dance.Before one student decided to show off.Before everything went wrong.

"Enough."He gathered her research into a neat pile."This isn't about the past.This is about protecting the future."

But even as he said it, he knew the truth.This was about everything—his fears, her passion, their undeniable attraction, and the growing realization that she might be right.

Which made it so much worse.

Because every argument about magical theory reminded him of that night at The Crooked Wand.Every time she challenged him professionally, he remembered how thoroughly she'd challenged his personal control.Every time her hair shifted to that particular shade of passionate determination...

His tie gave up completely, loosening in surrender.

Through the window, her hair caught the sunlight, shifting to that exact shade of passionate conviction that made him want to kiss her senseless while debating magical theory.Her charm bracelet sparkled as she demonstrated a particularly complex shield variation that wasn't in any standard curriculum but was undeniably effective.

Professional distance was becoming increasingly impossible.

Because despite every rational argument, despite the weight of the past, despite all his careful rules about proper procedures and professional boundaries...

He still wanted to debate magical theory with her until dawn.Still wanted to watch her challenge everything he thought he knew about teaching, about magic...about himself.

His tie attempted one last grab at professional dignity, then slumped in resignation.

They were completely, thoroughly, professionally, and personally doomed.

And his magical accessories were clearly taking her side.

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