Page 25 of Hex Appeal

He took her words as a challenge, increasing his pace until they were both teetering on the edge.The building pleasure was almost unbearable, magic and desire intertwined until she couldn't tell where one ended and the other began.

Her release crashed through her like a tidal wave, every nerve ending igniting at once.She cried out his name as ecstasy claimed her, her body pulsing around him.The sensation triggered his own climax, his arms tightening around her as he found his release.

For a moment, neither moved—connected, sated, breathing in tandem.The air around them still shimmered with magical aftereffects, the classroom aglow with tiny sparks of light that drifted like fireflies.

Later, much later, when they finally managed to separate, Ceries felt a contentment she hadn't experienced in years.Malachai looked different somehow—his perfectly ordered appearance pleasantly disheveled, his expression open and unguarded in a way she'd only glimpsed before.

"That was..."he began, then trailed off, apparently failing to find adequate words.

"Magical?"she supplied with a grin.

His laugh was soft but genuine, wrapping around her like a caress."I was going to say 'worth waiting for,' but yes.Definitely magical."

The classroom, apparently satisfied with its matchmaking efforts, had settled into a peaceful glow.Outside, the evening stars winked through the windows, as if the universe itself approved of what had just transpired.

Ceries knew there would be complications tomorrow—curriculum disputes to resolve, professional boundaries to reconsider, Thorncraft's manipulations to address.But for now, there was just this moment: Malachai's arms around her, both of them finally honest about what they wanted, and the feeling that something important had finally fallen into place.

Chapter 7

Ceries's hair had cycledthrough seven shades of pink before breakfast, and it wasn't even first period.She arrived at her classroom early, hoping to compose herself before students arrived.Unfortunately, the practice dummies had other ideas.They were still waltzing from the night before, spinning each other in elegant circles and dipping with surprising grace for creatures made of straw and magic.

"Really?Even now?"she muttered, ushering them into the supply closet.One blew her a kiss before she shut the door.

She attempted to focus on lesson preparation, but memories of last night kept intruding—the feel of Malachai's hands, the way his perfectly maintained control had crumbled, how right it had felt to finally stop pretending they weren't drawn to each other.

"Today we're practicing shield charms," she announced to her advanced class with forced professionalism."Partner up and—"

Movement in the doorway caught her eye.Malachai stood there, looking unfairly composed except for his tie, which seemed to be softly humming a familiar love song.Their eyes met across the room, and for a moment, she was back in his arms, the rest of the world fading away.

"Don't mind me," he said, his voice perfectly neutral though his eyes were anything but."Simply conducting a routine observation."

Nothing about his presence felt routine.The air between them practically vibrated with unspoken words and shared secrets.She demonstrated the shield position with exaggerated care, hyperaware of his gaze tracking her every movement.

The students paired off, practicing basic hexes against each other's shields.Everything went smoothly until Malta Kenobrie's shield charm failed just as Polly O’Chetter’s hex rebounded off the classroom wall.

Ceries saw the hex heading toward Irideane Kallus in slow motion.Before she could move, strong arms pulled her behind a powerful shield charm.She found herself pressed against Malachai's chest as his magic surrounded them both.

---