Page 8 of Stolen Magic (All That Glitters #2)
M yst’s steps were sure and silent as she led the way through the twilight-shrouded woods, following the magical thread that guided us more surely than any map.
I had no idea what destination lay at the end of our journey, but trusted that the spell I’d woven would lead me to the fulfillment of my greatest wish.
The faint pulse of power navigated the forest far more swiftly than I had anticipated.
A trek that should have taken days according to any logical estimation seemed to pass in a mere fraction of that time, as if the spell I’d cast—feeble though it was—tapped into the hidden strands of the lingering magic that still existed in our land, hastening our travel.
After journeying throughout the evening, the castle’s towering spires eventually came into view. I hid in the shadows along the edge of the forest, my attention fixated on the flag atop the tallest tower—not bearing Eldoria’s eagle insignia that I’d expected, but Myrona’s familiar fleur-de-lis.
Confusion clouded my thoughts that I hadn’t been led to where my enemies resided, making me wonder if the seal on my hand had thwarted me, weakening or misdirecting my magic.
I cast Myst an uncertain glance. “Is this truly the correct place?” I’d been certain of the outcome when I’d cast my spell, trusting in the power that still simmered within me no matter how deeply it’d been suppressed.
But in truth it being stolen from me at such a young age had left me untrained and thus susceptible to mistakes.
Myst’s luminescent gaze remained on the flag as whispers of her enchanted communication caressed my thoughts. Don’t cling too hard to your preconceptions. There are multiple paths to your destination, and a journey as precarious as yours must be taken with great care .
Some of my tightening worry eased. I’d yearned for this goal for so long that my anxiety had caused me to cling unnecessarily to each step, but Mother had always taught me that wasn’t how magic worked—I needed to trust in a force beyond my understanding, yet far more powerful and knowledgeable than my own wisdom.
If the Spell of Opportunity hadn’t taken me directly to the court of Eldoria, then I would have to trust that this backdoor was the best means of reaching the goal I had once thought forever out of reach.
With a wavering breath I directed my feet towards the servant’s entrance, Myst walking steadfastly at my side in silent support. Snippets of the guards’ conversation drifted towards me as I neared the gate, offering my first hint as to why the magic had chosen this particular destination.
“I can’t believe the princess’s handmaiden took ill so suddenly,” a guard told his comrade. “Will they be able to find her a competent replacement in the month before she weds the Crown Prince of Eldoria?”
I slowed, my attention catching hold to any mention of the royal family I loathed.
The other guard shook his head. “It will be difficult to find anyone willing to take on such a position, especially on such short notice. Given the history between our two kingdoms, accompanying Princess Gwendolyn is a risk most would refuse, even for such a prestigious position.”
My thoughts whirled in disbelief at this unexpected information. Her Highness required a companion to accompany her to the very enemy court I sought to infiltrate? The circumstances seemed far too good to be true…but this was undoubtedly no mere coincidence with magic at work behind the scenes.
A wicked grin tugged at the corners of my mouth as the spell’s true intentions settled into place. This castle wasn’t my final destination, merely the doorway to an unforeseen opportunity that could lead me directly to the heart of Eldoria under the innocent guise of servitude.
Calculating satisfaction eclipsed my initial frustration with the spell’s outcome. This chance was even better than I could have hoped for. My magic had created an ideal scenario, and I meant to seize it.
I’d heard whispers about the upcoming nuptials for our kingdom’s sole princess, but poverty and starvation had kept me occupied with survival rather than royal gossip.
The rumors took on new meaning now that they were connected to the golden opportunity I’d spent years seeking.
I tried to piece together what facts I’d gleaned through the whispers bartered back and forth at the market, but all I could recall was the general dissatisfaction that our kingdom had been forced into a position to connect ourselves with the very tormenters who had necessitated the drastic alliance between our royal family with theirs.
The fate of our princess had never been of any real concern to me, but her upcoming marriage to Eldoria’s crown prince was the only path currently available to me to infiltrate the enemy kingdom. I was momentarily awed by the opportunity the spell had created.
My hand reverently curled around the pouch containing the magic I’d painstakingly gathered, eagerly awaiting my next instructions. The ease and efficiency created with a small portion of magic and a few selected words extended beyond my expectations.
Despite my efforts to preserve my precious memories of Mother and the spells she’d shown me, they had dimmed with time; what I could remember had been tainted by a child’s limited understanding that blurred and obscured the details, as if trying to view them through a rainy windowpane.
No wonder magic was such a coveted resource, and why Eldoria had gone to such drastic lengths to obtain it. This same desire burned within me, an unquenchable force. With a single taste of the power that was meant to be mine I wanted more, needed it…and I would go to any lengths to acquire it.
Cloaked with this determination, I approached the guards with a feigned timidity I’d often practiced in the village. “Excuse me,” I began, my voice quivering just enough to seem nervous but earnest. “I heard mention of a position for a handmaiden? I’m currently seeking employment.”
Despite their recent worry that the important unoccupied position wouldn’t be filled, they exchanged a wary glance before one leaned forward, a hint of warning in his expression.
“I wouldn’t recommend it to the most desperate.
My role allows me to overhear all manner of information about Eldoria, all of which only confirms it is no place I would willingly choose to go, or wish on any maiden from this kingdom. ”
I lifted my chin and evenly met his gaze. “You underestimate the lengths the truly desperate are willing to go. Whatever unknown dangers might lie in wait are nothing to the ones I am leaving behind.”
He hesitated a moment more before heaving a conceding sigh. “Very well.” He motioned for me to wait while he conferred with someone inside.
He was gone nearly a quarter of an hour before he returned and beckoned me to follow.
Myst accompanied me, her body taking on a shimmery quality that rendered her invisible to outside observation…
save for a faint feline outline only discernible in the sunlight, making her as transparent and elusive as her name.
Though I was able to track her movements—perhaps because of the magical connection between us—it was plain that no one else was aware of her presence.
We passed under an archway opening up to the royal grounds and paused near the back entrance. The guard lowered his voice. “Keep your wits about you; it’s a different world in here.”
I glanced at him in surprise; after a decade of the world’s indifference to my plight, I was unaccustomed to someone—especially a complete stranger—caring about my future.
Yet his words, however kindly meant, were ultimately misdirected.
With my plans, such a warning was far more befitting for the court once they realized who they had let inside their walls.
I was directed to a kitchen, abustle with preparations for the evening meal.
The guard instructed me to wait near the entrance while he approached a dumpy, middle-aged woman with streaks of grey mingling with the flour dusting her hair.
He spoke in a low murmur and tipped his head towards me.
She paused in directing the scullery maids in order to glance my way.
After giving me a once over, she wiped her flour-coated hands on her apron and approached, her gaze sweeping from my worn shoes up to my hair that had surely looked neater before the long hours of trekking through the forest. I fought the urge to pull my cloak over my scarred arm, reassuring myself that the concealing salve along with the extra glamour I’d added in case of any magical prying eyes would be more than sufficient.
“I hear you’re inquiring for the position to serve as a handmaiden to Her Highness?” At my nod, her look became assessing. I shifted, suddenly afraid she could sense my ill-intentions or the magic I kept hidden.
I suppressed my anxiety and straightened, doing my best to appear confident. “I deeply admire Princess Gwendolyn and would be honored to serve her. I promise to do so faithfully for however long she needs me and wherever she may go.”
The head servant’s eyebrow arched but her expression remained impassive, leaving me unsure whether my attitude had earned her respect or if my behavior was too brazen for that of a demure servant; perhaps her suspicion would have been best tempered by a show of meekness.
“You seem to be stronger than you appear at first glance, a necessary trait considering the nature of the position to which you’re applying.”
I released a quiet sigh of relief. Given the guards’ earlier conversation I had hoped courage in the face of what this post entailed would work in my favor, a gamble I was grateful had paid off.