Page 27 of Hex Appeal

"We should stop."But his hands were already in her hair, drawing her closer.

"Definitely."Her fingers traced the line of his jaw, memorizing the contours of his face.

Even the portraits on the wall tactfully turned around, though they couldn't resist peeking occasionally.One elderly headmaster actually conjured opera glasses for a better view.

A frantic knock interrupted them just as Malachai's hands had found their way beneath her blouse.They jumped apart seconds before the door was flung open."Principal Starcatcher!Emergency!"

Malachai sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat."Of course there is."

Ceries straightened her clothes and tried to look as if she hadn't just been caught in a compromising position with her boss.Judging by the knowing look the interrupting teacher gave her, she wasn't succeeding.

"Marcus Topperknot tried an appearance-altering charm," the teacher explained breathlessly."He's purple.Completely purple.And his parents are here."

"Of course they are."Malachai straightened his tie, which was rumpled in a way that had nothing to do with proper dress codes and everything to do with Ceries's eager fingers."We'll continue this later?"

Ceries nodded, trying not to show her frustration."Later."

But "later" turned into a series of interruptions: three more magical mishaps, a maintenance crisis involving tap-dancing suits of armor, and a delegation of concerned parents worried about the recent were-poodle incident.By late afternoon, Ceries was beginning to think the universe itself was conspiring to keep them apart.

Finally, as evening approached, Malachai caught her in the hallway, his expression determined."Have dinner with me."

She blinked in surprise."What?"

"Away from school.Away from interruptions."His eyes held hers, and she saw vulnerability there, a rare glimpse behind his carefully maintained facade."Let me explain everything.About Windermoore.About why I've been so resistant."

"Yes," she said, before her professional judgment could object.The chance to finally understand him, to see beyond the strict principal to the man underneath—how could she refuse?

***

THE ENCHANTED CORKwas the kind of upscale magical restaurant where the wine poured itself and the candles adjusted their flame to match the mood of the conversation.Their table, tucked into a private alcove, was surrounded by twinkling lights that made everything look softer, more romantic.

Away from school, Malachai was different.More relaxed.The wine probably helped, but Ceries suspected it was also the freedom to just be themselves, not Principal and Professor with all the professional boundaries those titles entailed.

"It was my second year teaching," he said finally, staring into his wine glass as if it might contain answers or absolution."I was teaching Advanced Defensive Magic at Windermoore Academy.Young, ambitious...arrogant, really.I thought I knew everything about magical education."

The candles dimmed slightly, responding to the heaviness in his voice.

"I had a talented student, Emily, who wanted to demonstrate the Bewildering Fog Hex.I knew it was advanced, knew it needed careful handling, but I wanted to prove myself.Prove that my teaching methods worked."He took a long drink."The hex went wrong.Not just wrong—catastrophic.Twenty-three students were caught in it.The fog didn't just confuse them.It trapped them in their own minds.They were lost for hours before we could reverse it."

Ceries reached across the table, taking his hand.The simple contact seemed to ground him."But you did reverse it."

"Eventually.But those hours, watching them trapped in their own confusion, unable to help..."The pain in his eyes made her heart ache."It was terrible.That's why I can't approve the hex.I can't risk going through that again."

She squeezed his hand, understanding blooming within her.All this time, his resistance hadn't been about rigid rules or outdated educational theories.It had been about trauma, about protecting students from a mistake he'd never forgiven himself for making.

"What if we worked together?Combined your experience with my fresh approach?We could have other professors observe the lesson for extra support.Multiple safety measures."

"You know,” he said, twirling his wine glass thoughtfully, “your modifications to the hex are actually quite brilliant.The containment parameters you've added would prevent the fog from spreading beyond the intended target.”

“You did read my proposal.”

“Every word.Several times.Your approach is unorthodox, but I can't deny the logic behind it.'"

"Students will experiment regardless,” she said gently.“Rhubarb Rumplekin already knows the basic incantation for the Bewildering Fog Hex.I caught him practicing the wand movement last week.Wouldn't it be better if he learned properly, with safety measures, instead of trying it based on whatever he found in the restricted section?”

Before he could answer, enchanted violin music filled the restaurant.Other couples were already moving to the dance floor, which shimmered with soft magical light.

"Dance with me?"he asked, standing and offering his hand.

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