Page 28 of Witchful Thinking

"Garden gnome appreciation society?"he asked, eyes twinkling."I'm flattered.Though slightly concerned about what exactly they're appreciating."

"We should be concerned about maintaining a professional distance," Diana replied without conviction."Especially with this new committee assignment from Raven."

"Speaking of which," Alarick said, his tone shifting, "every curriculum change being marketed to magical academies promotes high-risk techniques with inadequate safety."

"All fitting perfectly with Adelweiss's profit scheme," Diana nodded grimly.

They reached the infirmary, where Diana spent the next half hour checking on patients.All were recovering well, with only minor lingering effects like occasionally speaking in rhyme or temporarily transparent earlobes.

As she finished her final examination, magical exhaustion hit her like a troll with a grudge.Despite the restorative potion and rest earlier, the intensive healing had depleted her reserves.

"You're dead on your feet," Alarick observed."Let me walk you back."

The journey to the faculty wing passed in companionable quiet, both too magically drained for unnecessary words.At her door, Diana hesitated only briefly before inviting him in.

"Just to be clear," she said as the door closed, "I'm too exhausted for anything but actual sleep tonight."

"I assumed as much," he replied with a gentle smile."I'm not exactly brimming with magical energy myself.But I'd rather be tired with you than anywhere else."

The simple honesty of his words touched something deep inside her.Diana reached for him, not with passion but with a tenderness that felt almost more intimate.

"Stay, then," she said softly."Just to sleep."

Later, lying in the darkness with Alarick's arm around her waist, golden threads illuminating their skin where they touched, Diana reflected on how quickly this had become natural—his presence in her bed, her space, her life.It should have been terrifying, this rapid evolution from colleagues to whatever they were now.Instead, it felt strangely inevitable, as if they'd been moving toward this connection from the moment he'd returned.

"I can hear you thinking," Alarick murmured, his voice rough with approaching sleep.

"Just processing," she replied quietly."It's been an eventful few days."

His arm tightened slightly around her."Any regrets?"

"Not about this," she said, surprising herself with her certainty."Just concern about what comes next."

"Sleep comes next," he said, pressing a kiss to her hair."Everything else can wait until morning."

Diana smiled in the darkness, relaxing into his embrace.Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, this was enough.

***

MORNING ARRIVED WITHimpatient rapping at her door.Diana bolted upright, momentarily disoriented before remembering Alarick's presence.He was already awake, watching her with an expression that made her heart flutter.

"Someone's persistent," he murmured, glancing toward the door.

The knocking continued as Diana scrambled for her robe, tying it hastily before answering.Headmistress Raven stood in the hallway, Edgar fixing her with his unnervingly intelligent stare.

"Nurse Maelstrom," Raven nodded."My apologies for the early hour, but there's been a development regarding our investigation."

"Of course, Headmistress," Diana said, suddenly aware of her disheveled appearance and the fact that Alarick was still in her bed."If you'll give me a moment to dress—"

"No need for formality," Raven interrupted, stepping inside without waiting."This won't take long, and Mr.Blackthorn should hear it as well."

Diana's face warmed as Alarick emerged from the bedroom, hastily dressed in yesterday's clothes.To his credit, he maintained perfect composure, greeting Raven with a respectful nod.

"Headmistress.You mentioned a development?"

"Indeed."Raven settled into an armchair, Edgar hopping down to perch on the back."The demonstration tournament has been moved up to this weekend.Adelweiss Magical Arms is introducing their new line of 'enhanced' dueling equipment at academies across the continent next week."

Diana and Alarick exchanged concerned glances."That's accelerated from the original timeline," Alarick noted."What changed?"

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