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The crowd began to adjust their positions in the room, finding their seats for the ceremony that was about to begin. A few of the nobles approached the king and queen to pay their respects before the coronation began.

“Princess,” a voice said on Magda’s right. “I have to extend my congratulations to you.”

Magda turned around to see the Queen of Flaustra standing before her. She was a short woman, with long black hair tied into a braid on the side. She wore a golden, wrapped-dress that fell straight to the floor and a set of decadent earrings and necklace complemented her dark lipstick.

Magdalena’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of Queen Sanyal Dhara. Flaustra was one of their main allies, and the royal families always had a good relationship. It was the kingdom of earth magic, host to the Guardians of the Soul, so Magda had no idea if Queen Sanyal would be able to see right through Magdalena’s fake ceremony. It would be the end of her time at the court.

“Queen Sanyal,” said Magda, her breath shaky. She bowed in order to not meet the Queen’s eyes and continued, “Congratulations are hardly in order yet.”

Sanyal said, “When you pass the test at the ceremony, it will be nice to have another woman as a guardian. Kiran will enjoy your company at our embassies.”

“How is she?” asked Magda, remembering the princess of Flaustra, who was only a year older than herself. When their parents had meetings growing up, some of the heirs would spend time together playing in the hallways of each palace, getting up to no good. Was it possible that Magda was somehow related to this royal family? It didn’t make any sense.

“She’s taken to her role as a guardian quite well,” said Sanyal, “but times have been quite difficult, and I’m sure your father and brother will tell you everything after you are appointed. If you ever need anything from our kingdom, please know that our doors are always open to you.”

“Thank you,” said Magda.

“Now, I must pay my respects to your parents,” said the queen.

Magda nodded and began making her way toward the throne. Before she sat down, Aleksy caught her arm, pulling her close and whispering in her ear.

“I just made up an excuse to mom and dad,” he said under his breath. “I’ll go find Dagmara and get into position.”

Magda nodded.

Aleksy disappeared behind the thrones, heading out a side door of the room. What excuse could have gotten him out of the coronation that easily? Why would their father let him leave on the most important day of her life?

Magda shrugged off her feelings. She didn’t have time to perseverate. Instead, she sat down on the throne, letting her disfigured, crystal dress spread out around her feet. Then she looked out at the hundreds of people. They were all watching her.

The audience’s attention snapped to the sage in the middle of the room, who began reading from his scroll in front of the glorious fountain.

The ceremony had begun.

This was it. It was time to deceive her parents, the court, and the kingdom.

CHAPTER 9

Dagmara

Dagmara strolled through the courtyard with her brother by her side. The sun helped warm the cool air of Azurem, and the smell of flowers danced in the air. In the small courtyard adjacent to the throne room a few children were playing, pretending to be guardians. The servants played along with them, happy to have a day of rest and join in the festivities happening around the many towns. King Bogdan had declared today a royal holiday, and he had even halted work in the mines.

Dagmara wished she could run and play with the children, but stayed in the shade for the sake of her health. She couldn’t exhaust herself too early in the day, especially when she had used all her energy for the week on her mission the previous night. The only reason she was still functioning was because of the adrenaline and nerves.

Teos coughed, barely covering his mouth with the crook of his elbow.

Dagmara snapped her head in his direction. “Are you alright?”

“Fine,” Teos said, clearing his throat.

“You’re not sick, are you?” Dagmara placed her hands on either side of his face and tilted his head up. His eyes weren’t bloodshot, but coughing was the first side of zowach, the illness that was killing youth all through Azurem. Without a medicine supply from Ilusauri, any child or teen that caught zowach was practically given a death sentence.

Knocking her hands away, Teos jerked back. “I said I’m fine. How would I catch zowach in the fortress? I’m one of three teens there.”

“I walked by some kids that may have been infected last night.”

Teos rolled his eyes. “You think I caught zowach because you’ve been going into town? Doubtful.”

“We don’t know how it is transferred.”