Bearly Bewitched (Mystic Hollow #4)

Chapter 10

TEN

V ail became acutely aware of his hands still steadying her waist, how perfectly they fit together despite having just met. Her magic continued its joyful dance with his, creating swirls of golden light that circled them like fireflies. She should step back—propriety demanded it—but her body seemed to have other ideas.

“I, um...” She cleared her throat, trying to remember how words worked. “Thank you for the catch.”

His lips curved into a smile that did absolutely nothing to help her regain her composure. “Happy to help. Though I should probably mention—your hair is on fire.”

Sure enough, tiny flames flickered through her dark strands, a dead giveaway of her magical response to him. Mortified, Vail quickly extinguished them, though she couldn’t quite extinguish the warmth spreading through her chest at his obvious amusement.

“Well, this is hardly appropriate for a school environment.”

Felicity’s arctic tone sliced through the moment like a frost spell. Vail jumped back as if burned, though her skin still tingled everywhere Kaine had touched her. Her magic protested the separation, reaching for his with an eagerness that both thrilled and terrified her.

“I was just delivering this.” Kaine gestured to the organizer he’d somehow managed to set down safely despite their dramatic introduction. Was it her imagination, or did his voice sound slightly rougher than before?

“Romi mentioned you might need something to help manage the chaos of running an academy.” His eyes met hers again, and that magnetic pull returned full force. “I carved it myself—each symbol enhances focus and organization when activated by magical energy.”

Vail approached the desk organizer, grateful for any excuse not to stare at its creator. Up close, the craftsmanship took her breath away. Intricate runes flowed across dark walnut in graceful patterns that seemed to move in her peripheral vision. When she traced one symbol with her fingertip, golden sparks followed her touch, and the wood warmed beneath her hand.

“This is extraordinary,” she breathed, watching the magic ripple out from her touch. “I’ve never seen enchanted woodwork respond quite like this.”

“The wood remembers the forest,” Kaine said, moving to stand beside her. His presence sent another wave of awareness through her magic. “Each piece carries its own song. The trick is listening closely enough to hear it.”

The low rumble of his voice did things to her insides that had nothing to do with magic. She forced herself to focus on the organizer, not the way his shoulder nearly brushed hers, or how her magic kept reaching for his like an eager puppy.

“The symbols are Old Realm,” Felicity cut in, her voice dripping with academic superiority. “Though some appear... modified from their traditional forms.”

“Because they are.” A hint of steel entered Kaine’s tone. “I adapted them to work with both witch and shifter magic. The traditional forms wouldn’t have served the purpose.”

“How presumptuous,” Felicity sniffed. “Altering ancient magical systems on a whim?—“

“Not a whim.” Kaine’s calm certainty filled the space between them. “A deliberate choice to create something new that honors both traditions. Much like what your new headmistress plans for the academy, I believe.”

Pride bloomed in Vail’s chest at his words. She looked up to find him watching her with an intensity that made her pulse skip. Their eyes locked, and that crackling awareness returned tenfold.

“Yes, well.” Felicity’s lips pinched as if she’d bitten into something sour. “Speaking of the academy, we do have actual work to attend to. Unless you plan to turn the library into a furniture showroom?”

“Always a pleasure, Professor Hawthorne.” Kaine’s voice held a hint of amused tolerance that suggested he’d dealt with similar attitudes before. He turned back to Vail, his expression softening. “The organizer has a few special features I should explain. Perhaps over coffee sometime?”

Vail’s heart performed a complicated gymnastics routine. Was he asking her out? No, surely he was just being professional. But the way he looked at her...

“I—that would be—“ she started, not entirely sure what she planned to say.

“I’m sure the headmistress’s schedule is quite full,” Felicity interrupted. “Running an academy requires actual focus, not social calls.”

Something sparked in Kaine’s eyes—challenge, maybe, or mischief. “Then I’ll keep it brief. Though I’ve found that some of the most important connections happen over coffee.” He smiled at Vail, and her magic did another happy little dance. “What do you say... Vail?”