Page 26 of Hex Appeal

"The student—" she started, her heart racing from more than just the near-miss.

"Is fine.Look."

Irideane had managed a perfect shield, deflecting the hex into a potted plant, which promptly turned into a singing cactus with a surprisingly good tenor voice.

But Ceries was finding it hard to focus on anything except Malachai's heartbeat against her back and the way their magic harmonized perfectly in the shield around them, creating a cocoon of safety and warmth.

"Ooooooh," came the collective response from her students, who were watching this development with far more interest than they'd shown in shield charms all semester.

Ceries jumped away, face burning."Right.Excellent shield work, Irideane.Everyone please continue—" She caught Malachai's heated gaze and nearly forgot what she was saying."—practicing.Just...practice."

"I'll leave you to it, Professor Frostwind."But his fingers brushed her wrist as he passed, sending a jolt through her that had nothing to do with magic and everything to do with the memory of those same fingers exploring her skin the night before."However, I'm not happy with all these mishaps."

Her face burned hotter.He was right, of course.These incidents were becoming more frequent, and while no one had been hurt, it was only a matter of time.

"I think you should put off the Bewildering Fog Hex until things get under control."

She had no choice but to nod, though the teacher in her wanted to argue that this was exactly why students needed better defensive options.

Behind Malachai, the singing cactus started a mournful rendition of "All By Myself."

Later that afternoon, Ceries marched into Malachai's office, determined to discuss their increasingly complicated situation.She found him sorting through incident reports, his jacket off and sleeves rolled up in a way that made it difficult to remember why she was annoyed with him.

"About this morning—" she began, closing the door firmly behind her.

"I meant what I said."He set down his papers, meeting her gaze directly."There have been too many botched hexes lately."

"Mistakes are how we learn."She crossed her arms, determined not to get distracted by his forearms."That's basic educational theory."

"And we've been lucky that these mistakes have been mostly benign.What happens when someone gets hurt?"

"Why are you so afraid of things getting messy?"

"I'm not afraid.I'm responsible."His voice was tight, controlled.

"You're rigid.You're so caught up in proper procedures that you can't see—"

"That control is crucial?"

"Control?"She laughed incredulously."Like how we're in control of our emotions when we're alone?"

Magic crackled between them like static electricity, making the papers on his desk rustle.

"This isn't about us," he said, but his eyes betrayed him."This is about proper educational methods."

"No."She stepped closer, the tension between them building with each inch she eliminated."Thisisabout us.About how perfectly our magic works together, how right it feels when we teach together, how much I want—"

The words died on her lips as he closed the distance between them.The resulting magical surge sent his office into romantic overdrive.Papers flew everywhere like wedding confetti.The room filled with sparks and shooting stars while his inkwells performed a synchronized celebration dance.

"What do you want?"His voice had dropped to that low, intimate tone that made her knees weak.

"You," she admitted."Proper procedures and all."

The kiss was explosive—literally, as a nearby stack of disciplinary forms spontaneously combusted.Their combined magic filled the room with light and color while office supplies cheered them on.Curtains drew themselves closed.Lights dimmed to the perfect romantic ambiance.His chair scooted closer as if offering them a more comfortable option.

"This is completely inappropriate," he managed between kisses that sent more ripples of magic through the room.

"Absolutely unprofessional," she agreed, working on his tie, which seemed to be loosening itself in eager anticipation.

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