Page 27

FIFTEEN

LEO

S ix months after the establishment of the University of the Northern Courts' Mistwhisper Falls campus, Aerin woke to the sound of Leo arguing with what appeared to be a levitating coffee mug in their shared kitchen.

"I don't care if you think the temperature is optimal," Leo was saying to the enchanted appliance, his voice carrying the patient exasperation of someone who'd learned to negotiate with household magic on a daily basis.

"She likes her coffee hot enough to strip paint, not whatever temperature your safety protocols consider reasonable. "

The coffee mug bobbed indignantly in the air, its handle pointing toward Leo in what could charitably be described as an accusatory gesture.

The fae-crafted kitchen implements that had come with the university's generous facilities package were efficient, intelligent, and absolutely convinced they knew better than their users about proper beverage preparation.

"Having trouble with the help again?" Aerin asked from the doorway, unable to suppress a smile at the sight of her mate engaged in domestic warfare with animated kitchenware.

"Your research assistants programmed the breakfast service with safety protocols that apparently include protecting you from your own caffeine preferences," Leo replied, successfully wrestling the coffee mug away from its hovering position and filling it with coffee hot enough to satisfy Aerin's standards.

"I've tried explaining that you're a chaos witch with supernatural constitution, but it keeps insisting that temperatures above one hundred sixty degrees constitute a workplace hazard. "

"That's because my research assistants are all fae court graduates who think anything above room temperature qualifies as dangerously reckless," Aerin said, accepting the properly heated coffee with a grateful kiss.

"They've never worked with someone whose magical system requires thermal stimulation to achieve optimal performance. "

"Is that what we're calling your caffeine addiction now?"

"It's not an addiction, it's a metabolic requirement," Aerin protested, though her tone was fond rather than defensive. "Besides, you're one to talk about metabolic requirements, considering how much protein you consume when your lion is active."

Leo's response was cut off by the arrival of their first appointment of the day—Dr. Marcus Webb, a werewolf anthropologist who'd been documenting the social changes in supernatural communities since the implementation of redemption protocols.

His project represented exactly the kind of interdisciplinary collaboration that had made the Mistwhisper Falls campus a model for magical academia.

"Professor Thorne, Sir Maddox," Marcus said, settling into their consultation area with the easy familiarity of someone who'd become both colleague and friend over the past months.

"I have results from the latest community integration surveys, and I think you're both going to find them fascinating. "

"Good fascinating or concerning fascinating?" Leo asked, his security coordinator instincts immediately alert to potential problems.

"Overwhelmingly positive fascinating," Marcus replied, spreading charts and data visualizations across their conference table.

"Across every demographic we've studied, supernatural communities are reporting increased social cohesion, reduced conflict rates, and improved magical stability.

The redemption protocols aren't just healing ancient wounds—they're preventing new ones from forming. "

Aerin studied the data with the focused attention that had made her reputation in magical research, noting patterns that supported theories she'd been developing about the long-term effects of transforming containment systems into healing matrices.

"The intergenerational trauma indicators are particularly significant," she observed.

"Look at these numbers—supernatural families that have been carrying inherited magical damage for centuries are showing measurable improvement in just six months. "

"It's like we've given entire communities permission to heal from wounds they didn't even realize they were carrying," Marcus agreed. "The psychological implications are staggering."

"And the security implications are equally impressive," Leo added, pointing to statistics that showed dramatic reductions in supernatural crime rates across the regions where redemption protocols had been implemented.

"When people feel genuinely safe and supported by their communities, they're much less likely to engage in destructive behaviors. "

The morning's remaining appointments followed similar patterns—research collaborators sharing data that painted increasingly optimistic pictures of supernatural society's response to the fundamental changes they'd helped implement.

By noon, Aerin felt the deep satisfaction that came from seeing theoretical work translated into real-world improvements for countless individuals and communities.

"Lunch?" Leo suggested as they finished their final consultation of the morning. "Junie's testing a new recipe at the café, and she threatened to assign me to extra patrol duties if we don't provide feedback."

"Junie doesn't have the authority to assign you to anything," Aerin pointed out, though she was already reaching for her jacket. "You're regional coordinator now, remember?"

"Try explaining that to Junie when she's determined to feed people," Leo replied dryly.

"Besides, her new recipe involves some kind of magical enhancement that's supposed to improve supernatural healing rates.

As security coordinator, I consider taste-testing to be a legitimate professional responsibility. "

The Spellbound Sip had expanded since Aerin's arrival in Mistwhisper Falls, its original cozy atmosphere now enhanced by the addition of meeting spaces and presentation areas that accommodated the town's growing population of visiting researchers and supernatural diplomats.

But Junie's commitment to comfort food and maternal oversight remained unchanged, and she greeted their arrival with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for beloved but frequently wayward children.

"About time," Junie said, appearing at their table with plates of what appeared to be enhanced grilled cheese sandwiches that glowed faintly with magical energy. "I've been experimenting with healing-acceleration properties in comfort foods, and you two are my most reliable test subjects."

"Reliable how?" Aerin asked cautiously, noting the way her fae heritage was responding to whatever magical enhancements Junie had incorporated into the meal.

"You're both perpetually exhausted from overwork, your magical systems are constantly adapting to new research stresses, and you're stubborn enough to give me honest feedback instead of polite academic evasion," Junie replied cheerfully.

"Perfect test subjects for food designed to support supernatural health under challenging conditions. "

The enhanced grilled cheese was, admittedly, remarkably effective.

Aerin felt her magical reserves stabilizing almost immediately, while Leo's constant low-level tension from security responsibilities seemed to ease with each bite.

The combination of nutritional satisfaction and magical enhancement created a sense of well-being that felt sustainable rather than artificially stimulated.

"This could revolutionize supernatural nutrition," Aerin said, making notes about the physiological effects she was experiencing. "Junie, have you considered publishing your enhancement techniques?"

"Have you considered taking a day off?" Junie countered, settling into the chair across from them with the authority of someone who'd been appointed their unofficial wellness supervisor.

"You two have been working nonstop for six months.

When's the last time you did something together that wasn't related to research or security protocols? "

Aerin and Leo exchanged glances that carried the slightly guilty recognition of people who'd become so absorbed in meaningful work that they'd forgotten to maintain the personal connections that made that work possible.

"We spend time together every day," Leo pointed out, though his tone lacked conviction.

"Working time doesn't count," Junie said firmly. "I'm talking about actual leisure. Relaxation. The kind of time together that strengthens relationships instead of just accomplishing professional objectives."

"She has a point," Aerin admitted, noting the way their mating bond carried undercurrents of accumulated stress that they'd both been too busy to address properly. "When's the last time we had a conversation that wasn't about research findings or security assessments?"

"Last Tuesday?" Leo suggested, then paused as he actually thought about it. "No, that was the discussion about protective ward placement. Maybe last weekend?"

"Weekend consultation with the New Mexico researchers about their transformation protocols," Aerin corrected. "Leo, I think Junie's right. We've been so focused on our work that we've been neglecting our relationship."

"Not neglecting," Leo protested. "Just... prioritizing community needs over personal maintenance."

"Which is exactly the kind of thinking that leads to burnout and relationship deterioration," Junie said with the satisfaction of someone whose point had been proven. "You two are too important to this community to risk damaging what makes you effective."