“I told you spells can’t be broken in such a way.”
“Maybe you should try kissing him too,” she suggested.
“W-what?” I sputtered. “It’s bad enough you cling to such ridiculous fairy tales without me acting foolish as well.”
“What could it hurt, Klint? Just try.”
“I will not! I won’t give such childish ideas room to sprout. Your studies have been greatly neglected. Encouraging these absurd notions would only hurt your education further.” I glowered at her. Bringing her was obviously a mistake. “Now, the queen will be sending up palace staff. I want you to question them about what happened while I try more spells.”
“Yes, Klint,” she agreed reluctantly. I walked to the prince but glimpsed a small smile curve Carishina’s lips before I turned.
Chapter Five
SEVERAL HOURS LATER, as I skimmed the words on the worn page, I became half-aware of voices elsewhere in the room. The book sat cradled in my lap as I rested my back against the bedroom wall. A pile of a dozen more ancient tomes sat beside me. My eyes hurt from staring at the small script. Dinner had been eaten long ago and my stomach grumbled in hunger.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I set the book aside and got to my feet. Seated at a small table by the floor to ceiling window, Carishina spoke quietly with a black-clad maid. Notes sat in front of the Alma, but her ink pen lay sideways across the sheet at the moment.
“That must be the answer,” the maid said softly. “It’s the only reason why the spell is so resistant.”
“I tried myself,” Carishina said. “I insisted Alma Klint attempt as well, but he refused.”
The maid nodded. “We will have to try everyone. The guards, the staff, and if necessary, the townsfolk.”
“And what are you planning?” I asked them, stepping into the light of their table. Both women gasped.
“Klint,” Carishina said, putting a hand to her chest. “You scared me.”
“Let me guess, kissing the prince? Carishina, when you tried, it didn’t work because it’s a silly idea you got out of a storybook.”
“Those stories are based on actual events,” she argued.
The maid nodded fervently.
I ignored the comment because I doubted her sources. “Have you found any useful information?”
Carishina grabbed her stack of papers and ruffled through them. “Hmm, let’s see. Ah, here’s a report claiming the prince’s best friend, Desian, has gone missing.”
The maid added, “There’s been rumors he poisoned the prince and ran off.”
“What motivation would he have for trying to murder the prince?”
The maid’s eyes darted around the room, as if afraid someone would overhear. “It’s possible Desian’s been plotting this from the start. Trying to do away with the prince.”
“And if this Desian wanted to kill the prince, why not bury a knife in his heart?”
“Klint,” Carishina scolded. “Don’t say such vulgar statements.”
I shook my head. “Carishina, you’ve forgotten your lesson already. You need to dig deep to find the reason. There’s always more secrets lurking underneath.” I glanced at the maid. “Have you anything else to add?”
“No, Alma,” she said, bowing her head.
“Then you’re dismissed. Please have someone send up more food. We still have lots of work to do before the sun rises.”
“Yes, Alma.” She scurried out of the room.
I turned my disapproving gaze to Carishina. “I can’t believe you’re helping to perpetuate such nonsense.”
“I think the problem is you’re too old and set in your ways. We should try every avenue available.”
An unusually wise sentiment coming from her. “Perhaps,” I conceded, “but only after normal methods have been exhausted.”
A knock sounded on the door. Likely our food. I threw the door open and was surprised to see the king standing there, a tray in his hands.
“Your Majesty,” I said, pulling the door open. “You could have come in.” Unless the door refused him access?
“I did not wish to disturb,” he said, walking in. “I heard you were hungry and if you were taking a break to eat, I thought you could share your findings so far.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. Though we don’t have much to go on yet. I’ve attempted dozens of spells, enchantments, and charms. None have been successful. Our only other options is shifting through the rumors of the staff and finding some clues for the culprit’s plot. Hopefully, that will lead us to a cure.”
I took the tray from his hands and led him to the table where Carishina flipped through her papers. We all sat, and I dug into the cucumber sandwiches right away, leaving Carishina to report.
“Well,” she said, a little uneasy around the king. Ha! I’d gotten over that my first day in Farlerotna. Royals hadn’t intimidated me in more than a hundred years. “So far, the main suspect is Desian. His sudden disappearance is suspicious.”
“Desian?” The king laughed, slapping his thigh as he doubled over. “Desian would never do something like this. He’s Yarling’s closest friend. The two are inseparable.”
“Then why isn’t he here now?” I asked around my sandwich.
“Oh, he’ll turn up eventually,” the king replied, an amused smile still on his lips. “He comes and goes as he pleases. Trust me when I say the culprit couldn’t be Desian.”
“The staff seem to disagree,” I said. “They believe he poisoned the prince.”
“Preposterous. If anyone said claims such a thing, it stems from jealousy. Desian was once a commoner, and they are merely bitter he’s risen so high.” He nodded to Carishina. “Who else?”
“Well, there’s no one else, Your Majesty. All your staff is accounted for. None witnessed anything out of the ordinary.”
I cut in. “I’d like to speak to this magician. The queen’s cousin, you said?”
“Yes, her name is Roberta. She’s in her quarters for the night, but I will send her first thing in the morning.”
I nodded. She likely had nothing to do with this. As someone who lived by the king and queen’s hospitality, she’d refrain from hurting their offspring.
“Might I offer a theory, Your Majesty?” Carishina asked tentatively.
I glanced at her sharply. If she spouted that drivel…. In front of the king? Surely, she had more sense.
“Please,” he replied.
“I think the answer may be a kiss.”
I groaned. “Carishina—”
“A kiss?” the king interjected, cutting me off. “What do you mean?”
“Often times, there are spells that can only be broken by a kiss. It may be a bit unorthodox,” she added, looking sheepishly to me. “But I feel it’s worth attempting.”
I braced for the verbal lashing the king would give. He brought us in for a real solution, not one out of tales.
“A kiss...” he repeated, rubbing at the cleft in his chin. “I never would have thought of such a solution.”
“Your Majesty,” I tried again, but he held up his hand.
“Alma Carishina, I think your suggestion is a good place to start. I will begin summoning everyone within the castle.”
Carishina beamed, bowing her head to the king.
I refrained from pulling my hair out in great lumps. Just barely.
Chapter Six
WHEN THE SUN finally peeked over the horizon, spreading natural light into the room, I stood in the corner, twitching. An old woman—old even by my standards—leaned over the prince, her lips working against his as if she meant to devour him. I shuddered, wondering how any of the staff would be able to look him in the eye once he woke. If he woke. This method and the eagerness of all involved had me doubting the prince’s fate.
The old woman straightened, seemingly disappointed her kiss hadn’t done the trick. She shuffled out of the room with a regretful look back.
“That’s all the palace staff,” Carishina said, marki
ng in her notes. “We move onto the garrison next.”
I slammed my hand down atop the table, sending an echoing thump throughout the room. “You had over a hundred people kiss him, Carishina. Aren’t you satisfied this idea won’t work?”
“And how many potions will you try before you quit?” she snapped back. “I’ll search the whole world until I find someone whose kiss will break this spell!”
We glared at each other from across the room. A sudden knock on the door saved her from being throttled. Or maybe I would have been the one with a bump on my head if we came to blows.
Either way, a stately woman entered, let in by the Rynce wood. She wore a gown of scarlet velvet, her curled hair adorned with plump, succulent roses. Even from here, I could smell the strong scent of the flowers. Her face was stern and her eyes sharp, but a flicker of fear sparkled deep within them. This had to be the untrained magician, Roberta.
“Almas,” she greeted with a deep curtsy. Carishina and I inclined our heads—much more than polite society required of us. “You sent for me?”
“Madame Roberta, yes?” I inquired.
“Yes,” she confirmed.
“Thank you for granting us your time. Alma Carishina and I had a few questions about the prince and his current state.”
“You can’t imagine I had anything to do with it?”
Awful defensive, I noted. But, truthfully, I didn’t believe she was our suspect. “I think you’re as anxious as us, if not more so, to find out who did this to the prince. Any clues you can give us will help.”
“I have nothing to add, Alma,” she said. “I am here to brew potions for the queen’s headaches.”
“And if you specialize in potions, have you noticed any of your ingredients missing in the past few days?”
She shook her head. “All my supplies are accounted for.”
“Not even a lizard’s tail is gone?”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Now you mock me.”
I grinned in spite of myself. At least the woman had spunk. “I’m not mocking, Madame Roberta.”
“I’m not some half-trained—” she cut off with a soft growl.
I raised my eyebrow. It hadn’t been my intention to bring up her worth as a magician, but since the subject was broached, I jumped on it. “Then which training have you received, Madame?”
Her jaw clamped shut angrily.
Oh, interesting. Maybe she was more suspicious than I originally thought. “The potion for the queen, what does it consist of?”
“Orchid, an orange blossom, crystal powder, all combined in a pewter bowl.”
I nodded, recognizing the spell. Old, but still useful. “And this potion takes away the queen’s pain?”
“Yes, it does,” she replied, a hint smugly.
“Have you ever considered treating the cause, not the symptoms?”
“I… What?”
“Have you researched why the queen has these headaches in the first place? Tried to remove the cause?”
“N-no. No, I haven’t.”
“And why not, I wonder,” I mused. “Because having full-time employment is better than presenting a cure and being kicked out?”
The open shock on the woman’s face was satisfying. If I hadn’t schooled myself in controlling my facial expressions, I would have grinned. Instead, I fixed on a frown, letting her know my displeasure.
“What are you implying, Klint?” Carishina asked, rising from the table and walking over to me. “Is she a swindler?”
“No,” I said immediately. I didn’t want the woman fearing for her life or becoming enraged and lashing out. “She’s merely trying to make a living. The only problem, Carishina, is it reflects poorly on all magicians if they appear to be so weak. The power of an Alma can cure something like the queen’s ailment instantly. And even a half-trained practitioner knows that.”
“Is there anything else you need from me?” Roberta snapped.
“No, you may go.”
She gave a rigid bow and stalked from the room.
“What was that about?” Carishina inquired.
“She’s hiding something.” I glanced at my young companion. “Did you say you were trying the garrison next?”
“Yes. I’ll have the staff assemble all within the palace.”
“Good. Keep going. I’m going to poke around a bit.” I doubted Carishina’s methods, but I cared little at the moment. Roberta required a more thorough search.
I peeked out the door as the hem of Roberta’s scarlet gown vanished down the right corridor. I hurried after. I cloaked myself in invisibility but still stayed well behind her. She appeared to have some skill, so I didn’t want to risk discovery. She made a straight path to her quarters, not seeking the privy or even refreshments. At her room, she threw open the door and slammed it behind her.
Not for the first time, I contemplated the fate of someone not called to the Almas. To have the desire to learn magic, and skill to do so, and not be selected…. It had to be a cruel life. No matter the ambition, an unmarked person could never reach my level, or even Carishina’s. And they could never obtain immortality, our most coveted gift. Many tried to find ways to mimic our unending lifespans, but the Alma’s power could not be duplicated.
I did feel sorry for this woman, and she had my sympathy. Yet, she caused problems for Almas in general. Though she tried to act superior, she was still so ordinary. Her commonplace aura could never be removed. People sensed it and would likely judge the next magician they met off the remembered encounter. Not good for us. But also, not the most bothersome of things. A minor inconvenience, which was why so many untrained magicians were allowed to roam free and unhindered.
At the closed door, luckily not Rynce wood, I reached out with my magic. Roberta hadn’t placed a barrier, so I slipped a bit of consciousness under the tiny gap. A simple trick, teaching your magical ability to separate from your body and wander on its own, but tiring. My awareness of the room came into view, seeing the space with my mind’s eyes, not my actual eyes.
The room defined elegance. Sticking with her velvet theme, lush curtains framed the two windows, both facing east to let in morning light. The bed, too, had thick curtains around its perimeter, hanging in delicate drapes from each corner. Spellbooks, magic ingredients, a crystal ball, and other objects of interest lined all the available surfaces. She seemed to take her craft seriously.
My attention, however, went to the magician herself. She stalked to the window, where the tiny dragon perched on a plant limb. Out in the hallway, my body gave a small start. I had forgotten about the creature that had traveled here with us. When had he left my side? I’d been so focused on the prince, the dragon’s existence had faded to the background.
“What game are you playing at?” the woman demanded of the scaled reptile.
In answer, his forked tongue stuck out of his mouth.
“Why call the Almas?” she asked. “I had the situation under control.”
Suddenly, the dragon’s small limbs stretched, elongated, transformed, and a good-looking young man stood in front of the magician. My consciousness drew back instinctively, startled by the quick change in the creature.
“Roberta,” the young man said, his voice smooth and confident. “I’m only doing as commanded. I even postponed my duty a few days to give you your chance. It’s not my fault you were unable to complete the task.”
“You know the king ignores every suggestion I give. He thinks me an incompetent fool. I tried to convince the queen to see things my way, so she could tell her husband what to do.”
“Which worked out so well,” the man said dramatically, a playful smile curving his lips. “Besides, I’ve taken the matter into my own hands now. The task shall be completed shortly.”
“I know,” Roberta snapped. Her body slumped and she collapsed into an armchair. “I wanted to be able to do something.”
The man reached out a hand and gripped her knee. “You’re getting there, Roberta. Have pati
ence.”
“I do, but—”
The young man’s eyes whipped to me and he raised his palm. I was pushed out of the room, my consciousness slamming into my body, knocking me onto my back from the impact. Footsteps came to the door and I double checked my invisibility spell. The spell remained in place.
The young man peeked his head out the door, glancing up and down the hallway. Roberta looked too. Their eyes slid over me and I breathed in relief.
“What is it?” the magician asked, her eyes wide and fearful.
“I thought I sensed something,” he replied.
“What?” She gripped his arm and he absently patted her.
He shrugged. “Must be nothing.”
The door closed once again, and I didn’t think it wise to listen further. I headed back to the prince’s room in time to see the captain of the royal guard puckering up for a kiss.
Chapter Seven
AFTER BREAKFAST, AND half the guards had tried their luck with the prince, I sent a message back to the Alsa Alma. We’d been gone long enough I had to report Carishina was with me. I left out all other details.
I needed to speak to Carishina about the baby dragon, but she remained thoroughly engrossed in her task of rounding up more people to kiss the prince. I tried to corner her, but all attempts on my part were dismissed with an abrupt, “In a moment, Klint!”
Grounding my teeth, I hovered in the corner of the room, thinking of the situation. Things didn’t add up. The prince’s state was unusual, even for a spell. All the potions, runes, glyphs, and charms I’d cast had no impact. Even Carishina’s approach lacked results. I glanced at the prince; his coloring normal, face peaceful, chest rising and falling evenly. For being in a suspended state for so long, his body suffered no negative effect. The spell made him sleep but did no lasting damage. It wasn’t cast to harm.
And that puzzled me.
Why put this spell on the prince if not to hurt or kill him? What purpose did the spellcaster have?
I reached up and yanked at my hair. My frustration boiled near its peak.
The door opened and the king and queen entered. The queen’s complexation paled more every time I saw her. If we didn’t wake her child soon, she’d expire herself.
Breaking His Spell Page 3