Bearly Bewitched (Mystic Hollow #4)

Chapter 13

THIRTEEN

T he next evening, twilight painted the academy grounds in shades of purple and gold. Enchanted lanterns bobbed through the air like oversized fireflies casting warm light over displays of magical artifacts and student projects. The scent of caramelized sugar and spiced cider drifted from refreshment tables, mingling with the sharp tang of active spellwork.

Kaine watched Daisy bounce excitedly between magical displays, her earlier nervousness forgotten in the face of so many wonders. After firmly shutting down her three separate attempts to “accidentally” run into Headmistress Vail, she’d switched to Plan B – which apparently involved loudly discussing his cabinet-making skills within earshot of anyone who’d listen.

“My Uncle Kaine made that!” She pointed out the cabinet to a group of young witches. “He’s really talented. And single. Did you know he can cook too? Headmistress Vail was really impressed with his work. She said the craftship was exceptional.”

“Subtle, kid,” Sabine smirked, appearing beside him. Her tiger form shimmered just beneath her skin, lending her movements a predatory grace. “Though you might want to stop her before she starts handing out your business card and listing your favorite movies.”

“I don’t know,” Romi chimed in from his other side. “It’s kind of adorable. Plus, Vail’s actually blushing over there.”

Kaine’s gaze snapped to where Vail stood near the refreshment table, indeed looking a bit pink as she pretended not to hear Daisy’s enthusiastic endorsement. The sight of her hit him like a physical blow - she’d loosened her hair from its usual professional style, dark waves tumbling past her shoulders in a way that made his fingers itch to touch. Her fitted dress showcased curves his bear very much appreciated, while still maintaining the elegance befitting a headmistress.

Their eyes met across the courtyard, and the instant connection sent a jolt of awareness through him. His bear surged forward, wanting to cross the space between them, to catch another hint of her intoxicating scent. The golden sparks of her fire magic called to something primal in him, making his skin feel too tight, too human.

She held his gaze for a heated moment before turning away, but not before he caught her small smile and the way her magic flared in response to his attention. The air around her shimmered with extra warmth, her fire responding to his interest whether she consciously acknowledged it or not.

“Oh, this is painful to watch,” Clover muttered, appearing beside Sabine. “Should we start a pool on how long before one of them snaps and jumps the other?”

“Already done,” Romi grinned. “I’ve got good money on next week’s full moon. All that extra magical energy has to go somewhere.”

“You’re all terrible,” Kaine mumbled.

“Just terribly right,” Sabine countered. “Even my tiger can sense the mate-bond forming. It’s like watching two magnets pretend they’re not being pulled together.”

Professor Felicity Hawthorne’s voice cut through the festivities, sharp as winter frost. “The traditional ward configurations have served this academy for centuries. Modifying them for shifter compatibility risks everything.” Felicity stood rigidly before them, her usual icy demeanor cranked up to arctic levels.

“Then perhaps it’s time for new traditions,” a bear shifter mother growled back, her anger vibrating through the atmosphere. “Or do our children’s safety matter less than your precious protocols?”

“That’s not what I—“ Felicity began, but another parent cut her off.

“My daughter is half witch, half wolf shifter,” the woman said. “Are you suggesting she doesn’t belong here? That she should somehow choose one heritage over the other?”

“Of course not, but?—“

“The academy has always been a sanctuary for witchcraft,” an elderly witch interrupted. “While inclusion is admirable, we must consider the dilution of our magical legacy. These hybrid programs could weaken centuries of carefully preserved knowledge.”

The tension ratcheted higher as more parents joined the argument. Kaine’s bear stirred restlessly, sensing the potential for things to turn ugly. Before he could move to intervene, Vail appeared in the center of the group, her presence somehow both authoritative and welcoming.

“You all raise valid concerns,” she said, her voice carrying clearly without being raised. “Change can be frightening, especially when it involves institutions we hold dear. But consider this – the most powerful magic often comes from unseen sources.”

She gestured at Kaine’s cabinet, which hummed softly with merged witch and shifter energy. “Traditional ward work is indeed precious, but it can be enhanced rather than diluted by new perspectives. Just as a sword becomes stronger in the forging, magic grows more resilient when we challenge it to adapt.”

“But the risks—“ Felicity started.

“Are carefully calculated,” Vail finished smoothly. “Professor Hawthorne’s expertise in traditional methods is invaluable precisely because it helps us understand how to safely integrate new techniques. Every change we implement is thoroughly tested and monitored.”

She turned to address the whole group. “The academy’s mission has always been to nurture magical talent in all its forms. What better way to honor that mission than by creating an environment where every student can fully embrace their heritage?”

The tension gradually eased as parents began nodding thoughtfully. Even Felicity’s rigid posture softened slightly, though she still looked uncomfortable with the entire situation.

A commotion from the armor display drew everyone’s attention before the debate could reignite. Daisy had apparently tried showing off a basic levitation charm to her new friends, but her curse had other ideas.

Instead of floating gracefully, the suit of armor started dancing, its metallic joints squeaking out an oddly familiar rhythm.

“Is that...” Sabine tilted her head. “Is that the Cha Cha Slide?”

It was. The armor, now fully animated, had begun leading a line of delighted children through the classic dance moves. “One hop this time! Right foot let’s stomp!”

More suits joined in, their synchronized movements creating a cacophony of clanking metal and children’s laughter. Even some of the parents who’d been arguing moments ago found themselves getting pulled into the impromptu dance party.

“Well,” Vail appeared at Kaine’s side, her eyes sparkling with mirth, “this is certainly one way to demonstrate magical integration.”

The proximity of her fire magic made his bear stir hopefully. “Daisy gets creative when she’s excited. Though I think the dancing armor might be a first.”

“She’s got natural talent.” Vail watched as Daisy, now recovered from her initial embarrassment, enthusiastically taught a suit of armor to spin. “The curse actually helps her connect to different types of magic, even if she can’t always control the outcome.”

“Most people see the curse first,” Kaine said quietly. “Thank you for seeing her.”

Vail’s expression softened. “She’s lucky to have you fighting in her corner.”

Kaine’s bear practically purred at her nearness while the air around them grew warmer from her fire magic’s response.

“Uncle Kaine!” Daisy’s voice broke the moment. “Come dance with us! You too, Headmistress Vail! For, um, educational purposes?”

“Yes, Headmistress,” Sabine called, her tiger’s mischief evident in her grin. “Show us how witches and shifters can move in harmony.”

Romi and Sabine’s poorly suppressed laughter somewhere behind them made Kaine want to growl. But Vail was already being tugged toward the dance line by an eager Daisy, her amused surrender making his heart twist in his chest.

“Coming, Alpha?” Vail called over her shoulder, eyes dancing with challenge. The way she said his title sent a shiver of awareness down his spine, his bear recognizing the playful submission for the flirtation it was.

“Ten gold pieces says he growls if anyone else asks her to dance,” Sabine whispered to Romi, not quite quietly enough.

“Twenty says she accidentally sets something on fire next time he takes his jacket off,” Romi countered.

Kaine caught the spike of cinnamon and woodsmoke in her scent, his bear rumbling in satisfaction at this evidence of mutual attraction. When she glanced back at him through her lashes, the heat in her gaze made his blood run hot.

And really, what could he do but follow?

In the edges of his awareness, he noticed Thaddeus Ledger watching the proceedings with calculated interest, particularly when Daisy’s curse magic sparked and swirled. Something about the wizard’s too-keen observation set Kaine’s teeth on edge. He made a mental note to warn Vail about Ledger’s suspicious attention to ward mechanics and curse energy.

But for now, surrounded by laughter, magic, and the warmth of Vail’s presence, Kaine allowed himself to simply enjoy the moment. His bear had recognized something special in her – not just her power or beauty, but the genuine warmth she showed Daisy, her vision for supernatural unity, and the hint of mischief beneath her professional demeanor.

The evening ended too soon with Daisy drooping against his side as they waited for their carriage. She clutched a stack of brochures and what looked suspiciously like Vail’s personal contact information “for academic questions only, of course.”

“That was fun,” Daisy mumbled sleepily. “Do you think Headmistress Vail liked the dancing armor? Because I might have an idea for the Halloween party...”

“No more enchanted dancing, little one.” Kaine ruffled her hair fondly.

“Okay.” But she was smiling as she drifted off against his shoulder.

A final glance back at the academy showed Vail illuminated in the doorway, her fire magic casting a warm glow around her. Their eyes met across the courtyard, and for a moment, Kaine let himself imagine possibilities. His bear rumbled in satisfaction, already certain of what his heart was beginning to accept – they’d found their mate.

Now they just had to convince her.