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T he next morning, Juno and Thaddeus stood before their newly merged office, mouths agape. The room looked like it had been hit by a tornado, if tornados were selective about academic disciplines and had a flair for the dramatic.

Juno's collection of rare herbology texts was interspersed with Thaddeus's carefully organized research journals, creating a library that defied all logic of alphabetization or subject matter. Her collection of colorful, hand-painted flowerpots clashed spectacularly with his sleek, utilitarian planters. And in the center of it all, their desks had fused together, forming a strange, two-headed monstrosity of a workstation.

"Well," Thaddeus said after a long moment of stunned silence, "at least the plant life seems happy."

He wasn't wrong. The various magical plants they'd each been cultivating appeared to be thriving in their new, chaotic environment. Juno's chattering chervil was engaged in an animated conversation with Thaddeus's watchful wolfsbane, while her twirling tulips danced merrily around his stoic steel-leaf shrubs.

"This is a disaster," Juno groaned, taking in the mess. "How are we supposed to work like this?"

As if in response to her distress, a nearby flutterby bush extended a branch, patting her consolingly on the shoulder. Unfortunately, its good intentions were overshadowed by its natural propensity for, well, fluttering. The movement sent a stack of papers flying, adding to the general chaos.

"Oh, thank you," Juno said sarcastically to the plant. "That's very helpful."

Thaddeus, to her surprise, burst out laughing. "Look at it this way," he said, gesturing to the room. "It's a perfect blend of both our styles. Chaotic and orderly, nurturing and defensive, all at once."

Juno smiled at his optimism. "I suppose you're right. Though I'm not sure how we're going to find anything in this mess."

"We'll figure it out," Thaddeus said, pulling a small vial from his pocket. "Just like we figured out how to solve your green skin issue."

Juno glanced down at her hands, now fully restored to their normal color. The reversal lily antidote he'd given her had worked wonders, and faster than expected.

"And just like we solved your amorous plant problem," she added, pointing to a small pot on the windowsill where the formerly lovesick flutterbloom now sat contentedly, showing no signs of its previous inappropriate affections.

"Our combined solution worked better than either of our individual approaches would have," Thaddeus noted. "Your calming influence plus my containment spell created the perfect remedy."

"It seems to be a pattern with us," Juno said, moving to straighten a shelf of books. "Competition that leads to collaboration."

Thaddeus nodded, joining her. "The competition pushed us both to improve. I would never have considered incorporating nurturing elements into my defensive formulas if I hadn't been trying to outdo you."

"And I wouldn't have explored defensive properties in my nurturing elixirs if I hadn't been determined to prove I could beat you at your own game," Juno admitted.

They worked in companionable silence for a few minutes, gradually bringing order to their shared space. As they arranged their research notes on the fused desk, their hands brushed, sending that familiar spark of magic between them.

"So," Juno said, looking up at him. "Joint Department Heads. I never saw that coming."

"Are you disappointed?" Thaddeus asked, a hint of vulnerability in his voice. "I know how much you wanted the position for yourself."

Juno considered the question seriously. "No," she said finally. "I think this is better. We balance each other. And frankly, the paperwork will be half as much."

Thaddeus laughed. "Always practical. That's one of the things I love about you."

"Speaking of practical matters," Juno said, setting down the stack of books she'd been organizing, "we should probably discuss some things."

"Ah, the dreaded 'we need to talk' conversation."

"Not dreaded," Juno corrected. "Just necessary. We're colleagues and romantic partners now. That's going to get complicated."

Thaddeus sat on the edge of their joined desk, pulling her to stand between his knees. "All right, Professor Runeheart. What specifically do we need to discuss?"

"Well, for starters, where are we going to live? My quarters or yours?"

"Mine are bigger," Thaddeus said. "But yours have that lovely eastern light that your plants adore."

"So we find new quarters that have both space and light," Juno suggested. "I believe there's a faculty apartment in the west tower that's been empty since Professor Willowbrook retired."

"With the rooftop greenhouse? That would be perfect." His hands settled on her waist. "What else?"

"Professional boundaries," Juno said. "We need to maintain appropriate behavior in front of students."

"So no kissing in the hallways?" Thaddeus asked, his eyes twinkling.

"Definitely no kissing in the hallways," Juno agreed, fighting a smile. "Or any other inappropriate displays of affection during working hours."

"What about after working hours?" His voice dropped lower, sending a delicious shiver up her spine.

"After hours, Professor Shadowspire, I expect thorough research into all forms of inappropriate displays of affection."

"I do love a comprehensive research project," he murmured, leaning in to kiss her.

Several minutes later, Juno reluctantly pulled away, her cheeks flushed. "We also need to talk about the future of the department."

"Ah yes, our professional plans." Thaddeus straightened, his expression becoming more serious. "I've been thinking about that. What would you say to establishing Grimm Mawr as a center for integrated herbology?"

"Combining nurturing and defensive approaches?" Juno's eyes lit up with excitement. "That could revolutionize the field."

"Exactly. Our Brewfest potion was just the beginning. Think about the possibilities—plants that can both heal and protect, adapting their properties based on the specific need."

"Self-regulating magical gardens that adjust their magical output according to environmental conditions," Juno added, her mind racing with ideas.

"Defensive species that don't sacrifice beauty for function," Thaddeus continued.

"Nurturing varieties with built-in protective mechanisms," Juno countered, grinning.

"We could write a new herbology textbook together," Thaddeus suggested. "Redefining the field from the ground up."

"Integrated Approaches to Magical Botany," Juno mused. "I like it."

"We'll need to design a new curriculum," Thaddeus said. "Something that teaches both our methods."

"And we should establish a research program to develop new hybrid species," Juno added. "Students could apply to become research assistants."

"We could hold symposiums, invite herbologists from around the world to share their specialized knowledge."

"Thaddeus," Juno said, placing her hands on his shoulders, "I think we're about to change herbology forever."

He smiled up at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and love. "Together, I believe we can."

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of research, experimentation, and playful banter. By the time the sun began to set, casting long shadows across their office, they had made significant progress on documenting and refining their new joint herbology approach.

"I think that's enough for today," Thaddeus said, stretching as he set down his quill. "What do you say we call it a night and grab some dinner?"

Juno nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and contentment. "Sounds perfect. Though I have to warn you, if you think our magical mishaps are over for the day, you clearly haven't seen me attempt to cook."

Thaddeus laughed, standing and offering her his hand. "I look forward to whatever culinary adventure you have in store for us. After all, what's life without a little risk?"

Just before they reached the academy's main doors, a commotion from a nearby classroom caught their attention. They turned to see a beautiful stranger in professor robes storming out, followed closely by a flustered-looking Principal Malachai.

"Ceries, please," Malachai was saying, "can't we discuss this like rational adults?"

"Rational?" The woman named Ceries scoffed. Frost literally formed on the walls around her. "You want to talk about rational after what happened last night?"

Juno and Thaddeus exchanged wide-eyed looks, quickly ducking behind a conveniently placed statue to avoid being seen.

"Who's that?" Thaddeus whispered.

"That has to be the new Hexes and Curses professor, Ceries Frostwind."

As Frostwind and Malachai's argument faded down the hallway, Juno and Thaddeus emerged from their hiding spot, both trying to stifle their laughter.

"What do you think happened last night that got her so upset?" Thaddeus asked.

"I don't know, but I bet we could ask a few plants what they know about it," Juno replied with a mischievous grin.

"You know," Thaddeus said, wrapping an arm around her waist as they continued toward the exit, "I'm starting to think our matchmaking plant friend might have found its next project."

"Poor Malachai," Juno laughed. "He has no idea what he's in for."

"If he's lucky, he'll end up half as happy as we are," Thaddeus said, pulling her close for a quick kiss.

As they stepped outside into the cool evening air, Juno looked back at the academy silhouetted against the sunset. Inside those walls, they had found each other, lost each other, and found each other again. Now they would build something new together—professionally and personally.

"You know what?" she said, turning to Thaddeus with a smile. "I think this is going to be our best experiment yet."

"I couldn't agree more, Professor Runeheart," he replied, his eyes shining with promise. "I couldn't agree more."

READ ALL ABOUT PRINCIPAL Malachai and Professor Ceries’s romance in Hex Appeal.