by Naomi Lane
As Jenna let out a big yawn when dressing for bed, Aurelia, who had been chatting with Aylin, looked over at her. “Jenna, I notice you wear that charm all of the time. Where did you get it?” she asked.
“From Sebastian.” Jenna cursed her muddled state of mind as the look of shock on Aurelia’s face reminded her she should be more careful when speaking of her friendship with the Prince. The room was suddenly quiet.
“Prince Sebastian?” Aurelia replied. “You saved his life and now wear his charm. Is he courting you?”
Jenna began to blush. “Uh, no. He was just grateful because I healed him, so he made me a magic charm for my birthday. He’s very good with magic.”
Aylin’s eyes became downcast, and Aurelia’s narrowed. “But you do like him?” she asked.
Jenna let out a sigh. “Oh for Heaven’s sake, it isn’t like that. I swear there isn’t anything improper going on. I don’t even see the appeal of marriage at all.” Jenna threw herself down in bed. It was true. She made friends with boys easily enough, but hardly saw anything romantic about it. She certainly wasn’t like her sister, who seemed to fall in and out of love once a week.
Aylin began to smile. “But, Jenna, how can you not see the appeal? He is handsome, no?” she asked.
Jenna sat up in bed and found herself surrounded by the other girls in her dormitory. “Oh, well… he does have nice eyes.” Some of the girls started to giggle. Jenna silently cursed. “That doesn’t mean I desire to marry him.”
“I caution you, Jenna,” said Aurelia again. “The Queen may not approve of such… behavior, no matter its intent.”
“Oh leave her alone, Aurelia.” It was Constance who spoke, a Lady who had been at court several years. “You’re just jealous because no prince has ever given you a magic charm.”
“That is not true!” Aurelia replied. “I don’t favor Prince Sebastian anyway.”
“What, not good enough for you?” Constance teased. “Aurelia of Vermillion, the wealthiest province, perhaps you are only fit to marry the Crown Prince and rule over us as Queen one day? Or maybe Eamon is the one you seek, the most handsome man in the Kingdom.”
Aurelia rolled her eyes. “Maybe I don’t fancy any of them. And if I did, I certainly wouldn’t tell any of you.”
Constance laughed. “No, but you might write about it in your journal.” She then grabbed Aurelia’s diary from one of the nightstands. Aurelia instantly leapt up to go retrieve it and began to chase Constance around the room. Jenna hardly knew what to make of the ridiculous scene. She had never seen Aurelia in such a state.
“Give it back, Constance!” Aurelia demanded. “Or else I’ll…”
“Else what?”
“Tell the whole castle how you’re in love with Eamon.”
“Oh don’t be silly. No woman in her right mind wouldn’t fantasize about Eamon anyway.”
Aurelia snatched at her journal once more, but Constance was quick enough to jump over one of the beds and kept it away from her. Aurelia finally managed to corner her opponent against the far wall, but Constance, one of the tallest of the Ladies, kept the journal just out of her reach.
“I grow impatient, Constance.” Just then a bolt of lightning lit up the entire room before a loud clap of thunder rattled the windows. A storm was expected, but Jenna felt magic sizzle in the air. Apparently Aurelia was a more powerful weather mage than she had assumed. Constance began to smile, but before she could respond, the proctor entered the room.
“What the blazes is going on here?” All of the Ladies quickly pretended they were doing something else, while Constance let her arm drop. Aurelia grabbed her journal and rushed back toward her bed. Aylin gave her some consolation, offering to enhance the small lock on it with an earth mage spell.
Jenna just remained in bed, relieved the excitement had dissipated so she could finally get some sleep. She rolled over on her side and closed her eyes, but as the thunder continued to roll outside, sleep eluded her. Aurelia’s accusation rankled her, though she felt it shouldn’t have. She didn’t worry about Sebastian courting her, just the fallout if the palace believed he was, even though she was only thirteen. She could be making good on her promise to Sir Raymond sooner than she thought. Eventually, she did get to sleep, but a restless one full of nightmares of more palace scandals, such that when she woke she still felt tired. Worse, her abdomen bothered her, which was strange, and when she looked down at the sheets, she was shocked to discover what looked like a small blood stain. She quickly ran into the bathing chamber and found that blood was coming from between her legs.
Although Jenna’s mother had explained that she would begin her monthly cycles at about this age, she felt it best to see a healer for confirmation. She quickly dressed and asked Mrs. Hawes for permission, mentioning the abdominal discomfort but not the blood. Mrs. Hawes gave Jenna her leave, but said she would not be allowed to miss classes without the healer’s recommendation. Jenna nodded and quickly headed to the healer’s chambers in the West Wing, where she met a young Novice.
After Jenna awkwardly explained her situation, the healer just smiled and said there was nothing wrong, but confirmed that her courses had started. Jenna was relieved, but wished her mother had explained things better. She still didn’t understand exactly why the bleeding occurred. After seeing Jenna’s confused look, the healer asked if she would like more information. Jenna nodded, and the healer explained that the bleeding occurred because her womb prepared to have a child every month, but if she did not become pregnant, the womb’s lining was shed.
Jenna was chagrined at the thought of going through such a bother so frequently, but the healer gave her some padding to absorb the blood and said Jenna could find such padding in the future in the dormitory bathing chamber. She also provided some advice on the best herbal teas to drink to help with any abdominal pain. Jenna, still somewhat in shock, thanked the healer and made it back to the East Wing in time for her music lesson.
The lesson seemed to pass slowly, as she was distracted by the thought of actually being old enough to have children. Noble girls married very young, but back home girls usually did not marry until age eighteen to twenty.
Although the day passed slowly, it did pass, and finally her last lesson was complete. Except Jenna did not enjoy any peace for long because Mrs. Hawes found her and told her the Queen wished to see her. Jenna gulped, fretting that somehow news had already reached Her Majesty about Sebastian’s charm as well as the speculation that he was courting her. She even saw Yolanda whisper in Becca’s ear and giggle as she followed Mrs. Hawes out of the courtyard. The head proctor led Jenna up the central staircase to the Queen’s study and rapped lightly on the door.
“Enter,” said the Queen.
Jenna quietly stepped into the room, while Mrs. Hawes closed the door, leaving her and the Queen alone. “Hello, Miss Mallory. Please have a seat,” said the Queen, smiling. “Would you like some tea?”
Jenna sat down and could only nod to indicate her desire to have a cup. Her heart was beating quite fast.
“You look so pale. Let me reassure you that nothing is wrong.” Jenna still had no words for a reply. “I wanted to speak to you because I spoke with the healer mage Sharon, who said you came to visit her this morning.”
“Oh, yes.” Jenna finally found her voice, relieved the Queen didn’t want to talk about Sebastian, but embarrassed at the thought of discussing her courses.
“And so your cycles have started. Tell me, how much do you know about pregnancy?”
“Well, I already learned that the womb prepares to have a child every month, but if it fails to happen the bleeding occurs instead.”
“Yes, that is correct, but it is more… complicated than that.” The Queen sighed, but continued to smile. “Miss Mallory, I like to make sure all of my Ladies have a basic knowledge of human sexuality. Have your parents ever discussed this with you?”
Jenna had never felt her face get so red. “No, Majesty,” she quietly replied.
“I… have heard the word before. I know it relates to pregnancy.” Jenna was not comfortable providing the specifics of what she knew, or at least thought she knew. Her Salaran friends would hardly count as a foolproof source of information.
“I see. Well, since you are becoming a woman now, let me explain.” She proceeded to unroll two pieces of parchment with illustrations of human reproductive organs. Jenna did her best not to gawk at the drawings. Of course she had seen her brother naked when they were much younger, so it was not a total surprise. But she really had not expected the Queen to be that frank about it.
Once the Queen had completed her basic introduction to the subject she placed the drawings down. “That sums up the basic mechanics of it. Do you have any questions?”
Jenna just shook her head. She noticed the Queen blushed a little herself by this point.
“Listen, I know it must all seem extremely awkward right now, but there will come a time once you have found the right man when it will not. Sex can be very enjoyable for both the man and the woman. When they are in love, it binds them together. It is, in fact, quite powerful. This is why I like to discuss such things with my Ladies at the outset, so they can begin to prepare themselves. But of course I do want to stress that sex is best left until marriage when both the man and woman are committed and prepared for it and the child that may be created.”
“Of course, Majesty, I would never dream of…” Jenna’s face grew hot again.
The Queen gently placed her hand over Jenna’s. “We do not have to discuss this anymore right now. We can wait until after you are fourteen and eligible for balls. But if you do have any questions, you may always ask me or any palace healer either of the body or the heart, and they are bound to give you an honest answer.”
Jenna nodded.
“There is just one last thing before you leave.” The Queen stood and walked over to her desk. She opened a small wooden box and removed a circular blue stone. “This is an anti-pregnancy charm. It prevents a woman’s eggs from leaving her ovaries, though does not stop her courses. I give them to all my Ladies for extra protection. They also last for life and can help you plan your family once you are married.”
Jenna’s eyes widened at such an extraordinary magical gift. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Here, I see you wear a chain around your neck already. You may add the stone to it now. The longer you wear it the more effective it is, though it typically reaches maximum effectiveness after wearing it continuously for three months.”
Jenna’s hand grabbed at the chain around her neck, chagrined to find that Sebastian’s charm was still on it. She had neglected to take it off in her confusion that morning.
“Is there something wrong, Miss Mallory?” The Queen’s brow furrowed as she approached. She lifted her hand in front of Jenna’s chest and then slowly reached for the chain. As she lifted it out of Jenna’s gown, her face turned into a frown.
“I, uh…” Jenna stammered, trying to think of an explanation.
“There’s no need to explain; I know my son’s work. When did he give this to you?”
“Some weeks ago, for my birthday, Majesty.”
“I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised given that I introduced you both.” The Queen sighed. “Miss Mallory, I am extremely grateful for what you did to save my youngest son, but I feel I should be frank with you. I know I said further discussion could wait until you are fourteen, but I must tell you now that my sons will marry noblewomen.”
Jenna gulped and stared at the floor.
“This is not to put down your character in any way; it is merely a matter of political reality. I am sorry if it disappoints you, but there may be others among the nobility with whom you might make a match.”
Jenna nodded, but continued to stare at the floor before she replied. “I understand, but it is just that we often like to discuss magic, Your Majesty. I have never thought that those discussions ever equated to him courting me.”
The Queen’s face relaxed. “I remind you that private meetings between young men and women are not allowed at court, but I will permit you to continue to meet with my son on occasion in the presence of a chaperone to discuss magic. I know both of you have considerable talent.” She handed Jenna the charm. “You may wear it next to the other.”
Jenna slid the charm down the chain until it rested beside Sebastian’s gift. When she re-clasped the necklace around her neck it felt different, somewhat heavier somehow, but not in a bad way.
“You may now leave to eat your supper, and remember, if you have questions, you have only to ask.”
Jenna curtsied before she left the study and quickly walked toward the dining room for her meal.
The following day, after getting more sleep, Jenna felt somewhat better. She went to the Tower that morning for her regular magic lesson, but before it began, Lord Harcourt gave her a strange look with his violet eyes.
“Is there something wrong, My Lord?” she asked.
“You’re wearing magic charms.”
“And you want to bring this up now? I’ve had the first since my birthday.”
“That seemed innocent. More of a luck charm, but a nice one. You didn’t bring it up, so I let it slide. The second is a pregnancy charm, isn’t it?”
“How is it that you know everything?” Jenna sighed.
“We are mages in the line of Volta. You should be learning that it is our job to see everything.”
“The Queen gave it to me.”
“Hmmm.” He walked over to where Jenna sat and put his palm out so she could hand him the charms. “I think this is her own work.”
Jenna blushed slightly. “Her Majesty says she gives them to all of the Ladies when their cycles begin as a precaution.”
Harcourt rose and began pacing. “I have known I needed to speak to you on this issue, but had not thought too much on it until now.”
Jenna was confused by her teacher’s statement. “Look, the Queen explained everything, honest. I swear I require no further instruction.”
Harcourt sighed. “Miss Mallory, I am afraid you will require some more ‘instruction’ as you put it. You will need to learn of how the Volta gift… interacts with sex.”
Jenna’s face began turning bright red yet again. She hadn’t a clue what he was talking about, and it did not sound pleasant.
He continued. “Listen, you are still young and have some time before you need to learn all of the details. Gods know I would hardly make a proper instructor anyway. Just for now know that the changes in your body will affect your magic too. If you start experiencing… odd visions, headaches, nightmares, night sweats, you must tell me about them.”
Jenna just nodded and her normal lesson in mind-linking began. The lesson proceeded surprisingly smoothly. Lord Harcourt backed down from the torrid pace he had used at previous sessions. She assumed he sensed her mental fatigue.
Before she rose to leave she could not help asking once again about the Dark Mage. “My Lord, has the Khazaran ambassador been consulted about the unregistered mage?”
Lord Harcourt frowned. “Yes.”
Jenna smiled. “Did he have information?”
“No. In fact, I have come to regret bringing it to his attention.”
“But why?”
Harcourt sighed. “It seems that the mountain castle, being on the east side of the mountains, lies within territory Khazaran still claims.”
“I thought no one claimed the Badlands.”
“That was when there was nothing of interest inside them. A powerful mage would be of use to Khazaran.”
“What does this mean?”
“It is not entirely clear. Khazaran does not want the mage to be held under Sevalian authority, but instead handed to them. The King is unsure he wishes to hand over such a man to a former enemy no matter the current diplomatic relations. So for now, nothing happens.”
Jenna sighed.
“Try not to worry, Miss Mallory. As I have said before, this is no longer your concern. The wards will protect you here.”
She nodded and headed out to her riding lesson.
After her discussion with the high mage, Jenna’s life seemed to settle down a little. The bleeding ceased after a few days, and her normal energy level returned. She was, however, still teased about Sebastian by the other Ladies on occasion. As a consequence, she attempted to avoid him until her regular meeting on the next Sevday. As she rode Kedar out to the meadow, she found herself alone, so she took off her outer coat prepared to wait for her brother and the Prince’s arrival. She did not have to wait long, as Sebastian soon arrived. He normally came with her brother, but this time he was alone, and he did not look happy.
“Sebastian, is there something wrong?” she asked, as he dismounted.
“I want to know what you told my mother and how it was she knew about the magic charm I gave you.”
“Oh.” Jenna bit her lip. “I’m so sorry.”
“I had to endure a half-hour lecture from my father about the importance of waiting to court women until I became a knight.”
Jenna winced. “I got caught wearing your charm. Your mother recognized your work. I am really sorry. I don’t know why I insist on wearing it all the time; the magic just feels right somehow. It almost feels sad to take it off, but I will of course, if you want me to. You could even have it back.”
“No.” The Prince’s tone of voice eased, and he began to smile. “It was a gift. I’m glad you like it; it’s just—”
“Wait, Peter’s here.”
Sebastian turned around and saw Jenna’s brother appear in the clearing. “There you are. Got an early start today?” Peter asked the Prince.
“Yes, hope you don’t mind. I went for a ride early in the morning.”
“No problem. Let’s get started.” Jenna breathed a small sigh of relief that it appeared her brother didn’t suspect anything was going on between her and Sebastian, but for some reason she still had an odd feeling as if there was someone else there who did. She shrugged it off and settled into her normal routine practicing fighting maneuvers. She finished one bout with her brother by throwing him onto his back and had started another with Sebastian, but then paused, looking off into the woods.