Page 150 of Destined Dawn

I smile to myself. Spencer on that broom all those years ago could hardly be described as flying. My mate hasn’t been back on one since. He likes to call them death-sticks.

“Mae is right,” I say, smiling at my student. “Don’t be quick to dismiss certain forms of magic. All of it may prove useful at some point in your life.”

Stu glares back at Mae and I’m pretty certain they have the hots for each other. Even if they’d never admit it. Love and hate. In my experience, there’s a very thin line between the two.

Above me the bell rings out and the students begin to pack up their belongings.

“Be warned, I will know if you’ve used an auto-writing spell!” I call out as they head for the door. “Trust me, I know all the tricks.”

“Do you now, Professor Blackwaters?” a masculine voice rumbles from the doorway as the last student squeezes out of my classroom. It’s the end of the day, the end of the week, they’re keen to get away – especially as this weekend is the annual Founders’ Night celebration.

I peer up from the books I’m collecting and smile over at Stone.

“Well, obviously not as many as an old-crusty professor like you but …”

He curls his lip down and gives me the puppy dog eyes, stalking over towards me with his hand on his heart.

“I’m hurt. Am I getting too old for you? The age difference isn’t that big.”

When he reaches me, he rests his palms on my belly, causing the baby to wriggle again and I reach up to stroke my fingers through his beard. There’s more white in it than there used to be, more white in the hair around his ears too, plus crinkles around his eyes. It makes him, somehow, more handsome than he ever was.

My tummy flutters and this time it isn’t the baby.

“Not too old,” I tell him. “Just right.”

I fling my magic against the open door, slamming it shut and kiss him. An act that’s also becoming more difficult with this enormous baby. Not surprising given the size of its dads.

“Come on,” he says, picking up my bag and offering me the crook of his elbow. “I’ll walk you home.”

It’s become our little routine. Ever since I started working at the academy five years ago, he’s come to collect me from the classroom at the end of lessons. There hasn’t been a day he has missed.

The paths are bustling with students this evening, all buzzing with excitement, and we catch snatches of conversations about costumes and decorations. The themes and creations seem to get wilder by the year.

I lean into Stone. “Let’s cast that protective bubble again this year. I want to spend the weekend sitting peacefully on the couch with my feet up.”

“No plans to join the festivities then, Professor Blackwaters?”

“Have you seen the size of my ankles?”

“Renzo could probably brew you a potion for that.”

“Maybe one to get this baby moving outwards as well.” I’m already five days past my due date and am very over being pregnant.

Stone shakes his head. “We’ve been over that. There’s no potion for inducing birth.”

“Of course not,” I say grumpily.

“You know what else there isn’t a spell for?”

“No.”

“Finding out who is cheating on their homework.”

“I know,” I say, shaking my head. “But Winnie likes us to pretend there is. She says it keeps the students honest.”

“You know, I’m surprised Principal Wence hasn’t found a way to detect cheating. If anyone could, it would be her.”

“Nope, you’re still our best way of uncovering cheats, Professor Stone.”