Page 25 of Witchful Thinking

"A few hours.You needed it."

"You didn't have to stay."

"I wanted to."

"How are you feeling?"

"Better."Diana sat up, running a hand through her tousled hair."My magic's still depleted, but at least the room has stopped spinning.What about you?"

"I've had worse," he shrugged."The advantage of youth, I suppose," he added, a teasing glint in his eye.

The casual reference to his age made Diana tense, reality intruding.Young indeed—a brilliant career ahead of him, while she was established, settled in her ways.Like Xena had implied, with her talk of "fresh perspectives" and "cutting-edge innovations" while eyeing Alarick like he was a prize to be poached.

Alarick caught her change in mood."Diana?What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said automatically, then sighed."Just...reality setting in.Xena was showing off for you.”

“Huh?”

“She wants you to go back to Frog’s Hollow with her."

He looked surprised."She didn’t mention it."

"That’s because she’s currently unconscious."

Understanding dawned on his face."You think I'm going to leave."

"You did before," Diana said quietly."After you installed the singing cabinets."

"That was different," he protested."We weren't...there wasn't..."he gestured between them, golden threads shimmering briefly where his hand passed near hers.

"We're at different stages, Alarick," she continued."You're building your career, while I'm—"

"While you're what?Past your prime at thirty-five?"He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair."That's ridiculous, Diana.Magical careers span centuries."

"It's not just about lifespan," she tried to explain."It's about expectations.Experience.Where we each are in life."

"Have you asked me where I want to be?"His direct gaze challenged her."Or are you making assumptions that I’ve got the hots for Xena?"

The question caught her off guard."I—"

"Because if you asked," he continued, voice softening, "I'd tell you that I want someone who challenges me magically and intellectually.Someone who's passionate about their work.Someone who sees me as an equal, not as some young wizard passing through."

The intensity in his eyes made her heart race."Alarick—"

"I'd tell you that I've never felt a magical connection like ours with anyone," he said, taking her hand.The golden threads flared between their palms, bright enough to cast shadows."This fusion isn't just rare, Diana—it's once in a lifetime.Some witches and wizards search their entire lives and never find it."

Diana felt something shift inside her, a warmth spreading through her chest."It's happening very fast."

"Magic doesn't follow bureaucratic timelines," he replied with a smile."Our magic recognized something our conscious minds are still figuring out."

"I care about you," she admitted softly.

His lifted her hand to his lips."I'll take that as progress."

A sharp knock interrupted whatever might have happened next.Diana reluctantly pulled away, smoothing her rumpled robes before answering.

Headmistress Raven stood in the hallway, Edgar perched on her shoulder with his unnervingly intelligent gaze."Nurse Maelstrom.I trust you've rested?"

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