Chapter 20
Alden’s eyes widened with disbelief as he stared at Enchantress Ivy, as if he couldn’t quite believe her assessment. “I can remain in the competition? Truly?”
She took in his rigid posture with a softened expression. “I admire your sense of honor in informing me of the help you’ve received from your apprentice throughout the competition, but it’s my understanding she maintained a solely advisory role. Is that correct?”
Alden gave an uncertain nod, seeming unconvinced his confirmation would be enough to ensure his continued participation. Upon seeing his lingering confusion, Enchantress Ivy offered a reassuring touch on his arm, stilling his nervous fidgeting.
“A position on the Council is not just a role of power—it requires one to be open to receiving advice from all walks of magical backgrounds and ability. Willingness to receive help from others is a strength, not a weakness.”
That had been the very advice I’d imparted. I could only hope that the more times Alden received it, the more inclined he’d be to finally believe it. Though his brow furrowed, he didn’t contradict her words as he’d done so often with me, evidence of his growth.
“I can really stay?” His tone was hesitant with his lingering doubts.
“So long as your apprentice maintains her previous role as a support and every spell is performed by you alone, I see no issues in your remaining in the competition.”
He released a wavering breath. It was all I could do to contain my own swell of relief—not just that he could continue pursuing his dream, but that I wouldn’t have to leave Alden’s side.
With his place in the competition once more secured, Alden submitted his entry for the Cursed Relic Challenge that had required him to acquire an ancient relic, break the curse upon it, and create a new one to ensure that as a member of the Enchanters’ Council he had a proper understanding of curses and how to safeguard against them.
Earlier during my breaks from sitting at my brother’s bedside, I’d glimpsed snippets of this complicated work that involved layers of spells whose foundation rested on ancient magical runes. The work had taken him much of the day and resulting night, finishing at the arrival at dawn when Corbin’s improved health allowed me to depart with him to meet with the judges.
Enchantress Ivy cast a spell that created a sheen of protection against her skin so that she could accept the relic without fear of being affected by Alden’s curse. She took several minutes to examine it, often pausing to murmur spells as she tested various aspects of his curse to see how it held. Alden fidgeted as he waited and it was all I could do to resist reaching for his hand in an effort to reassure him.
When Enchantress Ivy finally concluded, she looked up with an approving smile. “Excellent work. You’ve always excelled in runes and theory.”
“An impractical focus compared to other forms of magic,” Alden said.
She shook her head. “Theory makes up the foundation of all spells and is thus an invaluable area to specialize in.” Another question occurred to her, one accompanied by a hint of mischief. “Did you have the opportunity of experiencing the Relic of Clarity’s magic for yourself?”
A blush engulfed Alden’s cheeks, confirmation that left me curious what exactly the magic had illuminated in his understanding. I cast him a puzzled glance, but rather than answer my silent inquiry, he hastily looked away, as if he couldn’t bring himself to meet my gaze.
Amusement twitched Enchantress Ivy’s lips. “Relics are quite powerful.”
She said nothing more on the matter as she handed him the next clue, but as Alden turned to leave, anxious to begin work on the next clue, she reached out to brush his arm, compelling him to pause. Concern furrowed her brow as she examined him closely.
“How are your powers? Does anything seem amiss?”
“They’re fine.” Alden gave his assessment much too hastily for it to be sincere, a suspicion he only confirmed when his hand flexed at his side, as if subconsciously searching for the magic that had become elusive of late.
By her pursed disapproval she too detected his deceit, but rather than call him out on it, she settled for a warning. “You’re exerting more magic in a short span of time than you ever did during your studies. Please be careful.”
Her ominous words weighed heavily upon us as we departed. The moment we were out of earshot, I turned to him. “You lied to Enchantress Ivy about the state of your magic; it’s still causing you difficulty.”
He sighed. “It was wrong to deceive her, but I felt I was already on the precipice of my eligibility to remain in the competition and didn’t want to be forced to forfeit over circumstances beyond my control.”
“But your powers are much weaker after the exertion you expended in the relic challenge. At the very least, don’t decipher the next challenge until you’ve given your powers a chance to recover.”
He made to protest, but nodded in acquiescence at my fierce look. “Very well, I’ll at least wait until morning.” The promise seemed torturous for him, making the true test for the next challenge one in patience.
We returned to the enchanted forest to rest, a clearing that had become special as the setting where my feelings for Alden had deepened into love. I hoped we’d settle back into our previous routine, but I underestimated how different things would be with my being human again.
During our previous meals we’d always maintained a steady and amiable conversation, but instead silence reigned during tonight’s meal of roasted fish on toasted bread that Alden prepared, our previous easy topics remaining trapped behind a barrier of awkwardness. We cast one another several repeated glances. Each time it seemed Alden wanted to speak…only to hastily look away with a blush.
Following the meal, Alden enchanted our plates and utensils to wash themselves with a simple water spell I desperately yearned to learn in order to help alleviate Mother’s workload at home before he wandered to the nearby pond, his feet guided by his previous habit of bathing before bed.
I stiffened and hastily turned my back to him, but no matter how long I rigidly waited, there was no sound of him getting into the water. I cast a hesitant glance behind me to find Alden thankfully still fully clothed and on the shore, staring at me with bulging eyes.
“I just realized that before I—” He couldn’t seem to bring himself to finish, but he didn’t need to remind me of his previous awkward moments of bathing in front of me, blissfully unaware I was his apprentice.
My cheeks burned. “I never saw anything!” Despite my hasty reassurances, his arms covered his chest, as if to shield even the memory of the last time I’d seen him shirtless.
Awkwardness crowded the space between us, suddenly seeming much too small with the embarrassment choking the air, even after Alden stepped determinedly away from the pond and I followed suit. Though I trusted him not to take advantage of any potential compromising situation, I could never bring myself to bathe with him so near.
I glanced at the self-cleaning dishes. “Does a spell like that exist for people?” Even focusing on practical solutions to our current dilemma wasn’t enough to suppress the lingering discomfort.
“I will make it my highest priority to research one.”
I hoped this resolution would dispel the strange mood hovering as thickly as the magic filling the air, only for us to encounter another problem as Alden set up our sleeping arrangements. He paused to frown at the bedroll half unrolled near the crackling fire.
“Unfortunately I only have the one. Feel free to use it while I make other arrangements.”
Naturally I felt inclined to protest. “I could never put you out by forcing you to sleep on the ground when I’m the one who insisted on accompanying you.”
“I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I forced you to sleep on the ground for the sake of my own comfort.”
I rolled my eyes. “By that argument it would be wrong for a mere commoner to put her comfort above that of a prince.”
His jaw stiffened at the unwanted reminder of his title. “As a prince it’d be dishonorable to selfishly put my comfort above a subject under my care; just think what my subjects would say.” His brow furrowed as he considered another problem. “As much as I welcome your company, I’m concerned about the state of your reputation should anyone discover you traveled with a wizard unchaperoned.”
In truth the kingdom would have far greater concern for his reputation as a royal than of a nobody such as myself, but I knew better than to point that out. “You’re not a prince traveling alone with a common woman, you’re a wizard embarking on a quest with the aid of your apprentice in training, with the presence of a spellbook serving as chaperone for the sake of propriety.”
The spellbook ruffled its pages in a show of self importance at the acknowledgement. Alden remained unconvinced as he cast his companion a wary glance, but thankfully he made no further protest.
The spellbook’s presence did nothing to lessen the tension created by our sleeping arrangements. I gnawed my lip as I took in the bedroll, admittedly large enough for the both of us…a scenario that was out of the question despite the longing that fluttered my stomach at the thought of sleeping so close to him. I forced the ridiculous imaginings away to consider the matter logically.
“Is there some sort of duplication spell that would allow both of us to use the bedroll?”
He opened his mouth….only for no words to come out. He glanced back and forth between me and the bedroll before sighing. “A practical solution.” Sheepishness shrouded the admission.
My lips twitched. “You’re a very talented wizard, Alden, but you need to work on infusing a bit more creativity into your spells. There are more possibilities to magic than what you learned in a book.”
The corner of his mouth lifted upwards into a smile. “You’re helping me believe in greater possibilities, Maeve.”
Alden’s talent allowed him to perform the spell with little difficulty, though he was considerate enough to do it with a detailed explanation in order to teach me, paying particular focus to the magical theory behind the spell.
He seemed to find greater challenge not in magic as advanced as analyzing an object with enough understanding to duplicate its matter, but in figuring out what distance was too close for us to sleep. He repeatedly rearranged our bedrolls before settling on an arrangement that kept us within an equal distance from the fire, but several meters away from one another—a distance that seemed far enough to maintain propriety yet still scandalously close…even with the spellbook planted firmly between us with its pages spread out to properly perform its chaperone duties.
He frowned at the space dividing us. “It seems too far. With the force siphoning my magic and the magical creatures that live in the forest, there’s a high probability we could be attacked during the night. Perhaps I should teach you some defensive spells.”
“With your current limits on your power, it seems wiser to wait until after the end of the competition,” I said. “If we encounter unexpected danger during the night, you can serve as bait while I make my escape.”
His eyes bulged. “You’d truly sacrifice a prince for your own sake?” He looked so shocked by the idea that for a moment I wondered if he was truly offended…before I detected a glisten of mischief that revealed he was teasing.
I waggled my finger in a back and forth motion. “That won’t do, Your Highness. You can’t pick and choose when your title is convenient to fall back on and disregard it every other time.”
“It already proved useless when I tried to convince you to allow me to give up my bed.” He heaved an exaggerated sigh; his feigned dejection was rather adorable, filling me with emotions that weren’t the most prudent to experience when we were about to sleep near one another.
Our lighthearted teasing was a welcome distraction from the problem heavy on both of our minds—Alden’s weakening magic meant he might not have the amount required to defend himself should the need arise while also protecting me. Though he didn’t voice his worries, I could tell his weakening powers weighed on him.
There had to be something more I could do to help beyond the occasional advice or role of confidante. The desire grew, a force similar to my need to help my brother, yet somehow stronger despite Alden’s situation not being nearly as dire as Corbin’s challenges. But though my brother lived in constant awareness that his condition might eventually rob him of his life, should Alden lose the last of his powers it’d be his sense of purpose that was taken from him. I analyzed the riddle from every angle, seeming impossible to solve with the blanks in my understanding.
I reached within myself to draw upon my own well of powers; the magic simmering beneath my skin instantly answered my silent call. I wriggled my fingers experimentally, exploring. Though I was still acquainting myself with my powers, I’d grown familiar enough with them to know that whatever force suppressed Alden’s magic hadn’t tainted my own…at least as far as I could tell. Should Alden completely lose his powers, would I be able to lend him mine?
Gradually an idea on how I could guarantee their protection began to form, one I needed to implement as soon as possible; it was a race against time and the unpredictable whims of the invisible ominous force preying on Alden’s magic.
I waited until he fell asleep. It seemed to take him longer than usual as he moved quietly but restlessly on his bedroll, making me idly wonder if our proximity affected his nerves as much as it did mine. Doubtful, considering he likely didn’t harbor feelings towards me beyond friendship and his role of mentor.
Eventually the lure of sleep claimed him. I measured his rhythmic breaths for nearly an hour before easing up from my bedroll. My movements were cautious and my footsteps quiet as I gathered his cauldron and ventured a short distance away, far enough that he wouldn’t be awakened by the firelight beneath the cauldron or the sounds of the brewing potion.
I went to work on creating the potion I never imagined I’d create intentionally. My previous experience made each step in the recipe simple to execute. A handful of conjured light aided my search for the ingredients, common enough I managed to easily procure them within this forest where enchanted plants grew in abundance.
I worked quickly and efficiently, only slowing upon reaching the final ingredient. I carefully examined the dryas—this time to ensure it wasn’t filipendula, reassured by the small white flowers growing at the tips, aglow beneath the silvery moonlight.
The spellbook hovered close by as I worked, following me into the forest and observing curiously as I prepared the ingredients. When I lifted the handful of dryas and held it over the cauldron, its pages fluttered in shocked panic for a moment before gradually stilling and giving me what almost looked like a nod, as though it realized what I was doing and agreed with me.
With a wavering breath I dropped the herb into the potion. A cloud of thick, green smoke rose to engulf me, followed by the familiar tingling that started in my limbs as I felt my body transform. When the magic faded, I was a frog once more.
I hopped back to my bedroll and spent the remainder of the night on my pillow. Worry over Alden’s impending reaction prevented me from capturing more than a few handfuls of sleep. He would not be happy to learn what I’d done, but the man was too stubborn to accept my help should I have consulted him, and my determination compelled me to do something.
He rose when the first sign of dawn lit the sky in rosy hues of light. As he stretched, he cast a shy glance towards my bedroll…only to find it empty, my now diminutive form masked by the lingering shadows brought by the fading night.
He bolted upright, eyes wild with panic. “Mae?”
“I’m here.” At least that’s what I tried to say, but all that came out was a ribbit in my distinguished frog timbre, the communication spell that had previously granted me speech having faded once I’d transformed back into a human.
Oh bother.
Alden scrambled to his feet, looking wildly around, his gaze far above the ground as he searched for my human form. He eventually noticed my hopping around at his feet and crouched down to gently pick me up and raise me to eye level.
“Mae?”
Unable to speak the confirmation, I nodded. His brows drew together.
“You’re a frog again. What happened? Did I not fully break the curse when you transformed back the first time?”
Without the communication spell I couldn’t explain what had happened. I felt a pinprick of guilt that my spontaneous decision to transform back into a frog would force him to use some of his precious reserves of magic for my sake.
I tapped my throat and he immediately obliged by gathering a handful of magic, wincing slightly as he cast it; I didn’t miss the way he shook his fingers as the precious magic left him. The spell settled over me, reaching inside to transform my indiscernible croaks into human speech. When the magic faded, I tentatively tested my new voice.
“Why did you waste your precious magic on such a frivolous spell?”
“I didn’t waste it; I enjoy talking to you.” He made the admission shyly.
I wanted to add my own confession of how much I enjoyed my time with him, but my own shyness proved its own curse too formidable for me to so easily overcome.
His shoulders had relaxed at the spell’s success before worry caused his posture to stiffen once more. “Besides, you’re supposed to be advising me; how can you do that if we can’t communicate? But more importantly, what happened that turned you back into a frog? Don’t tell me you mixed up the filipendula and dryas again.”
My gratitude faded in a swell of indignation. “I never make the same mistake twice. This time I cursed myself on purpose.”
He gaped at me incredulously. “But…why?”
“This cursed form will protect my magic from whatever force seems to be affecting yours and potentially that of the other competitors.” I didn’t explain the secret, almost more pressing reason for my decision—my growing feelings made it awkward to be around Alden as a human.
Though I found the offered explanation perfectly valid, his expression only darkened. “You cursed yourself just for me?”
The decision did seem rather drastic, a rather extreme length to go for a man, even a kindhearted and handsome one. Though the emotion was still new, love already seemed irrational. “We’re friends.” As true as the assessment was, it didn’t seem strong enough for what my heart now yearned for from him.
He sighed. “It appears I only have myself to blame for failing to focus on the seriousness of curses in your magical education.”
My eyes now resting atop my new head prevented me from rolling them. “The circumstances aren’t nearly so dire, considering we’ve already found a means of breaking the curse.” When his disapproval remained, defensiveness enlarged my throat. “It’s not like this condition is permanent.”
“Even so, we’re in a partnership and should make decisions together.”
He was right, especially considering I’d needed to rely on his waning powers for the communication needed to explain the situation. I ducked my head. “I’m sorry, Alden.”
He sighed, but when I tentatively peeked up at him, his expression had softened. “You are fiercely independent.” Thankfully fondness rather than annoyance cradled the words.
My lips quirked up. “A trait you’re familiar with in yourself to recognize in another?”
He resisted the impulse a moment before returning my smile, but it quickly turned down as he considered another problem. “How will we turn you back?”
“The same way you did the first time—with a kiss.”
His cheeks darkened. “But that time I didn’t realize—I couldn’t—”
A swell of heated embarrassment overcame me at the thought of kissing Alden, nevermind the exchange would be purely transactional. “You kissed me before.”
“But I didn’t know it was you.”
Nor had the feelings I harbored for him progressed so far as to swell my heart as they did now. “We’ll deal with that problem when the time arises.”
By the panic slowly overtaking his expression, he didn’t want to deal with it at all. “So…what happens now?”
I smirked, glad to have a new subject to distract me from the awkwardness. “I’ll conduct a magical investigation incognito to see if I can find out what’s happening to your powers…and why.” It was time to get at the bottom of the dark force interfering with the magical competition.