by Unknown
meant down. Easy and not too far from the modern Wizterian language she was used to.
She read and re-read each spell and did not turn the page until she could recite the spell, the use, and the creator (for good measure) by memory. After that, she would move on to the next spell and do the same thing.
The pages of the grimoire were not numbered, but just a glance told her the book was more than five hundred pages thick. Still, she powered through. She knew what was at stake. She wanted every spell in her arsenal of knowledge when the time to fight came. She wanted to be smarter. She wanted to be more powerful. She did not want to leave any chance of winning on the table. And so, she studied tirelessly.
She did not know how long it took her to finish the book the first time, and she did not care. As soon as she reached the last page. She flipped the book back to the front and read through it again.
Once she read through the book for the third time, she closed it and burst the bubble around her. She did not know exactly how long she was in there, but time caught up to her as soon as the bubble popped. Her hair was longer. Her stomach roared with hunger. Her features were sharper and more defined with age.
She looked at the clock on her nightstand. 10:50. She smirked, not a bad study session for five minutes. She pulled out her phone. “Six months,” she breathed. She smirked. This was dangerous. She enjoyed this a lot.
She shoved her phone back in her pocket and opened the door of her room. She jogged to the study for more books to binge. She placed a hand on everything she wanted to read—a skill she learned from the ancient grimoire—and it teleported into her room to wait for her.
She ran her hand over everything on the shelves, deciding to sort through it with she had all the time in the world. When she cleared through every readable piece of paper in the study, she smiled in satisfaction. She left the study and walked to the kitchen for a quick snack. She had not eaten in six months, after all!
She grabbed a cereal bar from the cabinet and jogged back to her wing of the house. She opened the cereal bar and chewed it as she maneuvered into her room full of books. She would have to make the time bubble larger this time to fit all of them in it.
She read enough to know the taller she stood, the larger the bubble would have to become to reach the top of her hand. She stood on her bed and reached her hands towards the ceiling. “Rewasirt meleorn!” she said with confidence.
Like last time, the orange bubble appeared from the bottom up until it closed above her hands, encompassing the entire room in the bubble with her.
She smiled. Knowledge certainly was power.
She jumped off her bed and returned to her spot on the floor. Using her magic, she brought a stack of books closer to her. She pulled the first of many books directly from the middle stack. The stack floated down to close the gap she created.
She flipped it open and began her study session anew.
This spellbook was far shorter than the grimoire. She easily read through it read three times, then moved on to the next. Then, the next. Then, another after that.
She read through book after book, each one faster than the one before it. Faster because the spells were becoming more and more redundant. She flipped through the eighth book only once, because she saw no new spells at all.
She stopped and looked around. There had to be more.
She loved to learn different kinds of magic. That was why she came to Wizteria in the first place—
to learn the ways of dragon magic.
"There are different kinds of magic," Solana breathed in realization. "Let's see what Kuri has to offer...”
She waved a hand and a slow pulse of magic pulsed through the room, highlighting the books that did not focus on dragon magic.
There were not many, only five. Still, those were five more books of spells that she had yet to learn.
She grabbed the one that was nearest to her and looked at the cover. “Magick from Miranas.”
She knew of Miranas. They focused on silent magic that helped them behave in a ninja-like fashion. Miranas and Wizteria had an ongoing alliance for generations. This book was small. She knew it was not even a fraction of everything Miranas had to offer, but it was a start. Learning their magic would prove useful. She was sure of it.
She placed the book in front of her and opened it. The language was obscure. She knew a few words here and there, but it bore almost no similarities to Wizterian.
She took a deep breath and hovered a hand above the book. “Saren,” she recited another spell. The words on the page glowed lightly, then the character rearranged themselves until the text formed into ancient Wizterian.
She chuckled. She should have known it would transform into such. It was an ancient Wizterian spell, after all. Still, it was readable, especially with her new expertise in the language.
She read through the book, cover to cover as she did with the ones before it. She learned that thoughts were more important than actions with Miranas's brand of magic. There were no hand movements to learn. There were no spells, per se. Instead, it was important to visualize and will it to happen. Will yourself to be invisible. Will yourself to be stronger.
It was an interesting concept, but Solana wondered how to put it in action. According to Miranas, she simply had to think about a plate of fluffy, warm pancakes and—.
Before she could finish her thoughts, a plate of warm pancakes drizzling in maple syrup appeared beside her. Impressive. She picked up the plate and snacked on the pancakes as she thought some more.
Sure, she was able to focus enough to gain little things with Miranasian magic, but it would certainly help to have a professional on her team to show her the ropes. She only needed to see someone use it once, then she could duplicate it. Unfortunately, something told her that Rexajon was not the expert she was looking for.
She sighed. For now, all she had were these books. She would have to do the best she could with them.
She waved her hand again, this time opting to highlight the Miranasian books. There were only two: the one in front of her and one closer to the door of her room.
She put her plate aside and grunted as she stood to her feet. She walked over to the book's stack. It was close to the top, so she pulled it and the little sack that sat on top of it to her. She peeked inside to find it full of old letters.
She shrugged and tossed the sack aside. She tucked the book under her arm and walked back to her place in the middle of the room. She sat once more and placed the book in front of her. This book was thicker than the last. Hopefully, that meant it had more advanced skills.
She opened it to find a small pink envelope inside. She looked it over and frowned a little. This one seemed to be a lot newer than the other letters she found and unopened. The letter was in Miranasian, but she was able to make out the name on the sending address. Rexajon. She tucked it under the book.
She would have to give it to him later.
She returned to the book and flipped through the first couple of pages. She stopped. The same neat handwriting that was on the envelope was written in the book as well. The entire first spell was covered in a marker-written paragraph.
She flipped through it again and found another page covered in marker. Another five pages after that, there was another covered in marker. There were so many notes that it rendered the book almost unreadable.
She huffed in frustration and slammed the book closed. What did this person have to say that was
so important anyway?
She hovered her hand above the book and letter and recited the translation spell. “Saren.” Again, the characters danced on the page until they settled in ancient Wizterian. At least, the paper's original characters did. The marker-written rants remained the same: illegible to Solana.
She squinted at the inked words and tried to make out certain words. "Wemi...that's
'be'...Wemimairti.' Betrayal'."
She flipped to the next page with marker on it. “Wemi...Wemistart
al. 'Betroth?'” She frowned. Who was getting married?
She skimmed through sounding out as many words as she could. She continued until she knew a handful of words. Heartbreak. Betrayal. Regret. Betroth. Still, she had no idea what these words meant and why they were written in this book.
She flipped to the end, looking for any clues. She sighed and closed the book. That was when she saw it. A small note was written in neat Wizterian. Also in marker. In handwriting she recognized.
Rexajon's handwriting.
“To my sweet Evelyn, with love.”
This was Evelyn's grimoire, given to her by Rexajon. But what was it doing here? What were all the notes written in it? Did Evelyn write them? What did Rexajon know that she did not?
She knew where to find her answers. She would have to consult the letter any sort of context.
She pulled the letter out of the spot she tucked it in and carefully opened it to not damage the content inside. She pulled out the notebook paper, unfolded it, and read it to herself.
“Dearest Rexajon,
It took me a long time to find my feelings and an even longer time to form words to describe them. I am writing this letter to you because now I know exactly what I feel for you. Hatred. You strung me along. You promised me love. You promised me a life of peace. You promised me a life we would dictate together. A life away from all the burdens that made it hard to stay in Wizteria –that made it
hard to stay anywhere with magic. We moved here together, a place that they could never reach us.
Still, you chose them over me.
I let you go that day. I felt regret every day since. I have longed for you to hold me for years now. I waited patiently for you to come back to my side. I was willing to wait as long as it took. And then I find the reason—the true reason you were willing to me behind so easily. In your quest for power, you forgot that I, too, hold power.
Reading these letters broke my heart all over again. This time, I refuse to take this heartbreak lying down. I swear to you, Rexajon. I will have my revenge. I will destroy your life like you destroyed mine. I will take everything you care about as you did to me. Wizteria's prophecies have nothing on me.
I will destroy everything you care about. I will destroy your betroth. I will destroy your kingdom.
You will regret ever toying me along.
This is your warning.
-Your Sweet Evelyn, with love.”
Solana shuddered at the letter and sat it down. All of a sudden, she was pretty certain she knew who kidnapped Kuri, and she was pretty sure she knew why.
But why did Rexajon not mention that Evelyn and he parted on bad terms? This was vital information! In fact, he expressively said they amicably parted. And what this about a betrothal? Not only did it prove a motive, but there was also some girl out there in danger!
She skimmed over the letter once more. Evelyn said she read 'these letters.' What letters? She turned and her eyes settled on the sack that she previously discarded. She placed Evelyn's letter on the floor and crawled over to the sack. She pulled out envelope after envelope, some from Kuri, some from her father, King Rulland, all addressed to Rexajon.
She opened one of them and scanned over it, then another. Both letters begged him to return to Wizteria, speaking of the impending fight and his place it in. The later dated one seemed more urgent and desperate than the other. She put those letters aside and read another. Again, it was a letter begging
him to come home.
She sat in silence, processing everything with a look of confusion etched on her face. Rexajon always claimed that he was eager to return to Wizteria and join the fight. Why did these letters prove otherwise?
She pulled each letter out of its envelope and ordered them by date. She read through each of them.
Both King Rulland and Kuri were desperate to hear from him. He left for Earth years before and never tried to contact anyone. Kuri did not approve of his relationship with Evelyn. King Rulland did not know the wiser.
They reached out to him for years, before she was even born. Solana knew from his stories—if they were even true—that he did not come home until a week before it was time for her to Earth.
She read in the letters as Kuri told him about the birth of the youngest princess—her—and the more pressing need for him to come home as a result. She spoke of the little princess's importance and his part to fulfill in the prophecy. She warned that without his help, all of Wizteria would be doomed.
The last few letters were from her father. Since she did not see anything about an engagement previously, she had to assume that these were the letters that broken Evelyn's heart. Deciding to skip to the last letter, she read,
“Rexajon,
Thank you for agreeing to help. Wizteria will never forget this.
As promised, you will be rewarded handsomely for your efforts.
His Majesty,
Rulland the First, King of Wizteria.”
Solana frowned a little. It was such a stark difference from all the other letters. What made him change his mind after years of begging and pleading?
She flipped to the second to last letter and read,
“Rexajon,
I understand your reluctance to return to Wizteria. I understand that you are young and yes, you deserve to be free. Please understand that my daughter is young, too. The kingdom deserves to be free.
That cannot happen without your assistance. Neither of them will live without you.
That is why I will offer you a reward for your service.
For protecting the Crown Princess, I offer you her hand in marriage in return. As soon as she comes of age, she will be yours, if you agree.
I look forward to your response.
His Majesty,
Rulland the First, King of Wizteria.”
Solana felt numb and blindsided all at the same time. She reread the letter, but the words stayed the same. Crowned Princess... Hand in marriage... As soon as she came of age...
“Maybe you're my mate.”
“I will take you to the Spring Fling.”
So many emotions coursed through her all at once, and she could not stop her rampant thoughts long enough to process any of them.
The attacks. The chaos. The kidnapping. None of it had anything to do with Wizteria's legendary enemy. It had nothing to do with the prophecy. It was all Rexajon's ex. It was all Rexajon's fault.
Her head snapped at the door and the time bubble burst in response to its caster's angry commands.
Again, the time that passed in the bubble caught up with her body. Her hair grew some more and she was hungry again, but time did nothing to quell her anger. If Evelyn thought she was angry by this news, she certainly did not see how Princess Solana handled it.
She gathered all the letters and stormed out of her room to find Rexajon.
Wordlessly and with jerking motions, she formed an energy ball. “Find him,” she growled to it.
The energy ball sped off in response. She followed it, stomping the entire way.
She shoved open his bedroom door and found him laying down in his bed. She used magic to force him to his feet.
He flashed a look of surprise as her sudden and impressive show of magic. “Where did you learn that?” His face scrunched up. “And where have you been—a landfill? You need to get a shower, ASAP.”
She gave a low growl and shoved the letters into his chest. “You weren't joking when you talked about us being mates, were you?”
He looked at her in shock, then at the papers. “Where did you get these?”
Solana ignored his question. “When were you going to tell me that we are engaged to be married?!
When were you going to tell me that a powerful sorceress hates me because I stole her true love away?!
What part of that break up was amicable, by the way? She hates you to this day!"
Rexajon read over the first letter in the pile and sighed, inwardly cursing that he did not burn these when he had the
chance. “I-I never planned to follow through with the marriage, Princess.”
“You never thought I deserved to know about it?”
Rexajon looked at her with sheepish eyes. “I was afraid you'd think it was the only reason I decided to protect you.”
“Well, it was, wasn't it?” There was a beat of silence, giving Solana all the answers she needed. She nodded slowly. “That's what I thought. Well, I hate to tell you this, but the wedding is off. I'll make sure you're rewarded handsomely, as my father promised, once I return to Wizteria. With gold. Until then, I won't be needing your services anymore.”
“Princess—.”
Solana shot him an angry look that immediately silenced him. She walked out of his room and back to her own. She slammed her door closed.
She returned to the middle of the room and sat on her spot on the floor. She ran her hands through her hair. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to acknowledge them. Focus. Focus on anything other
than Rexajon. Focus on Evelyn. Rexajon's ex. Rexajon's ex that kidnapped Rexajon's mother, probably because of Rexajon.
She scowled and rubbed her temples. This was not working.
Alright. Do not focus on Rexajon or Evelyn. Focus on answers. Answers they could access now because Solana spent the last... She pulled out her phone... two years training.
She concentrated on the last few days and moved her hand in a “Z” motion, combining ancient Wizterian and Miranasian magic. She said the spell, “Eilarbimbor!”
With a flash, the color drained from her room. In each corner of the room stood the scene Solana deemed most important from the last few days.
She stood and walked to the first corner. The day Kuri was kidnapped.
She watched the scene for the second time. Kuri made potions. The mass of darkness stepped into the room.
She scowled. It was not enough. She needed to see what Kuri saw. She needed to hear what Kuri heard if she wanted to win. After all, Evelyn managed to take Kuri's attacks with ease. She needed to understand how.
She pressed a hand against the picture of the scene. “Take me here,” she whispered softly.