Page 31 of Hex Appeal

"Completely inappropriate," he agreed, though his eyes lingered on her face a moment too long."We'll have to maintain strict professional boundaries."

"Absolutely.Completely and unavoidably and all those other adverbs."

That afternoon found them attempting to decorate the Great Hall while maintaining appropriate distance—a task made impossible by conspiratorial decorations.Every enchanted streamer seemed determined to wrap them together, while floating candles created intimate pools of light wherever they stood.

"Perhaps," Malachai suggested as they untangled themselves from yet another determined banner, "we should work from opposite sides of the room."

"Good idea."But before they could separate, magical mistletoe materialized above them.

"That's not even a Valentine's decoration," Ceries protested, stepping away quickly.

The enchanted roses they'd been arranging took matters into their own hands, releasing a cloud of romance-enhancing perfume that filled the air between them.

By the time students arrived, the Great Hall had transformed into a romantic wonderland that seemed personally invested in their love life.Floating hearts followed them around.The punch bowl bubbled with what looked suspiciously like liquid chocolate sweetened with honey and figs—not quite a love potion, but close enough to warrant Malachai's concerned sniff.

"Well," Diana said cheerfully as she passed by the tables laden with treats, "this is festive."

"This is sabotage," Ceries muttered, watching another heart arrange itself above Malachai's head like a halo.

They managed to maintain some semblance of professional behavior until Bishop Timberdoodle and Mimmolette Trouducru decided to experiment with mood-enhancement hexes.The spells collided spectacularly, creating magical chaos that required immediate intervention.

Suddenly the hall was filled with students experiencing wildly amplified emotions.Some floated on waves of euphoria, others sobbed dramatically over spilled punch.A group by the refreshments had burst into spontaneous opera, while several couples were caught in uncontrollable giggle fits.

"I blame your influence," Malachai said as they dodged a pair of students who had decided the chandelier would make an excellent swing."All this experimental magic..."

"Oh please," Ceries grinned despite herself, deflecting a stray burst of euphoria."Like you never tried anything creative at their age?"

Their magic merged automatically as they worked to contain the chaos, creating shields and containment spells that worked in perfect harmony.His precision complemented her creativity, producing effects that drew admiring gasps from the students who weren't currently fighting over the punch bowl.

Even Trustee Thorncraft, watching from his strategic position near the refreshments, looked impressed."Excellent work," he said once they'd restored order.But his eyes narrowed at how effortlessly they worked together."Though perhaps we should discuss proper procedures for emotional magic control?Tomorrow, perhaps?"

The following week brought daily "observations" of Ceries's advanced hexes classes.Thorncraft's presence made each lesson tense, but not as uncomfortable as watching Malachai's barely concealed anxiety every time a student attempted a complex spell.

She caught him flinching when Irideane's shield charm wavered during a particularly difficult hex demonstration.His hands clenched so tight his knuckles went white, though he tried to hide his reaction.

The real confrontation came after an especially challenging lesson.Thorncraft had finally left, but Malachai lingered, his tension visible in every line of his perfect posture.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, he said quietly, "I need to speak to you before the next lesson."

She waited until they were alone, closed the door and pulled the shade over the window.The practice dummies, sensing drama, stopped their usual romantic performances to watch.

"Don't start with me," she said, her voice low but intense.

"Ceries."Just her name, but it held everything they weren't saying.

"I said, don't."She turned away, gathering papers on her desk—supply requests for new equipment, curriculum updates, endless forms that seemed to require Thorncraft's personal approval."We agreed.Professional distance.So let me do my job."

"Your job isn't worth your life."The words exploded out of him.When she turned back, shocked, he was closer than professional distance allowed, the carefully maintained space between them finally broken."If something goes wrong...if you got hurt..."

"My job isn't worth my life?"she repeated, anger flaring inside her."That's rich coming from someone who spends every night in his office worrying about everyone else's safety but his own.When's the last time you slept, Malachai?"

He was close enough now that she could see the shadows under his eyes, the strain he tried so hard to hide."That's different."

"Why?Because you're the principal?Because you need to be in control of everything?"

"Because I'm not the one pushing the boundaries of dangerous magic."

"No, you're just the one who's so scared of his past mistakes that you won't let anyone else try to make things better."

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