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The sailors around Magda all nodded their heads in obedience, but they were more drawn to Odie, giving suspicious glares and whispering in Flaustran under their breaths. Had they never seen a dog before?

“Get back to work!” Ishani yelled, ordering them back to their tasks.

Magda thanked Ishani before crossing the deck and leaning out over the side of the ship below to watch the dark blue water crash onto the rocky shore. Odie trotted beside her, his paws clicking against the wood. The gray beach below blended into the cliffside beyond, and the villages were like speckled rocks nestled on the snowy hills, marking the pathway back to the castle.

“We made it, Odie,” Magda sighed, leaning further over the railing.

It had been years since Magda had traveled to Flaustra as a little girl. She guessed that the capital city of Flaustra had also greatly changed. She knew the city was heavily guarded, with checkpoints and guild leaders acting in dual roles controlling the economy and the royal officers. Eyes were everywhere, and she had to be careful not to be spotted and her identity revealed. Surely, the well-traveled people of Flaustra had seen a portrait of her before.

A loud horn blasted through the air, causing everyone on the docks and throughout Frostmere to watch the incredible ship push off into the open sea. Magda stumbled to catch her footing as the ship departed, gliding off into the glittering waters, heading for the horizon.

In a matter of time, Magda would be in Flaustra and discover the truth about her magic.

CHAPTER 16

Dagmara

The trip to Ilusauri was arduous and long. In total, it took a few weeks, departing from the eastern port city Bergclow. Dagmara thought she would get seasick on the boat that took her to the Mad King’s kingdom. Each day was filled with more Ilusaurian words, but every time Urszula quizzed her, she felt like she retained no information. How was she supposed to impersonate Magda if she couldn’t speak Ilusaurian fluently? All the guardians learned every language.

The sun was sweltering, and Dagmara spent most time in her cabin on the boat lying down, her legs propped up. She missed the cool air of Azurem. She missed Bogdan and Aleksy. The onslaught of grief surprised her, and she buried it deep next to the grief for her mother.

Her mother…caught and tortured to death while preserving secrets for the king of Azurem. What if Dagmara was caught for impersonating Magdalena? She would take Magda’s secrets to the grave, that was her only option.

She would not meet the same fate as her mother. Teos needed her.

If she could find a way to convince the Mad King to send a shipment of medicine to Azurem, then everything would be worth it. She had to save Teos. There was no other option. Even if she had to steal the medicine from Ilusauri herself.

Besides, she was impersonating Magda. She had to channel Magda’s courage and spontaneity.

If only Dagmara could be as naive to the world’s dangers as her friend.

After disembarking the ship in the small port town of Elsynoire, which was a stark first impression of Ilusauri, Dagmara was even more unstable on her feet than before. Stiffness radiated through her limbs, and pain laced through her shoulders. She was used to her body aching for no reason, but it was worse today. She could never anticipate when she would have a good or poor day.

The port was eerily dead, with no other ships entering or exiting. A light drizzle fell from above, and the air was foggy. She kept her hood up, concealing her face from the Azuremi knights that accompanied them. They couldn’t know she and Magda had swapped. She also couldn’t let the rain wash out the temporary silver-tinted spray in her hair.

Ahead, a group was waiting for them, flanked by an Ilusaurian carriage. Had the Mad King come to greet her? A shiver ran up Dagmara’s spine.

“Let me speak with them,” one of the Azuremi knights said, taking the lead to address the Ilusaurian guards.

Dagmara stood still beside Urszula. Her throwing stars were already sewn into a hidden pouch on her corset, and she knew she had her poisons and potions stored underneath her makeup case as a disguise.

Then a female Ilusaurian guard stepped forward, clearing the distance between her group and Dagmara’s entourage. She was beautiful, appearing in her late twenties, and she remained professional with her arms behind her back. She was tall and muscular, with piercing eyes and dark skin, and her brown hair was cropped short. Weapons lined her armor from her corset to her boots.

“Princess,” she said with a thick accent, giving a small bow. “I’m Martine D’Aramie. I’ve been entrusted to accompany you to the Ilusaurian Castle. I can be your translator, advisor, or guide. Anything you need at the castle, I will be by your side.”

Someone to watch my every move. Dagmara fought to keep her thoughts silent. For all she knew, Martine was here to kill her, and that would be the end of her time in Ilusauri. She wouldn’t have even made it across the border. If Martine wanted her dead, she would be. It was better to earn her trust and learn anything she could about the king in advance.

“Join me in my carriage for the rest of the ride?” Dagmara asked.

Martine nodded. “As you wish, princess.”

One of the Ilusaurian guards opened the carriage, and Dagmara climbed in alongside Urszula and Martine. It was a tight space, and she could feel her knees against both of theirs. Before long, they were moving once more.

“Urszula and I were just talking about what the castle will be like,” Dagmara said, taking the moment as an introduction. “I’m sure you know all about it.”

“Yes, I have been there for many years,” Martine replied.

It wasn’t much. Dagmara would have to pry information out of her.