I could tell something had changed between us. The air felt thicker now, charged with something beyond magic. Every time Luna met my gaze, she blushed and looked away, the corner of her lips twitching into a nervous smile.
She definitely has a crush on me, I thought, my heart thudding faster than I cared to admit. And if I was being honest with myself… I wasn't immune either. There was something about her—her curiosity, her quiet confidence—that made me feel warm in ways I hadn't expected.
Still, I couldn't let my feelings get in the way of her growth. Not when she was finally mastering complex magic at a level few her age could touch.
"All right, Luna," I said, standing at the center of the practice hall. "Today we're combining elemental focus with emotional control. You'll channel your energy into a sustained light orb while keeping your emotions steady. Magic isn't just power—it's balance."
Luna nodded, her wand steady though her hands trembled slightly. "I'll try, Seraphina."
Her voice was soft but sure. She began weaving the spell, light forming in her palms. I guided her through each motion, stepping behind her, adjusting the angle of her wrist. The orb pulsed brighter, filling the room with gentle gold.
When the magic settled, she turned to me, smiling—radiant and proud.
"You did perfectly," I said, smiling back despite myself.
And for a moment, it didn't matter that my heart was fluttering like a startled phoenix. For now, we were just two witches bound by the same current of power and wonder, learning from one another in the quiet hum of shared magic.