4. Magdalena

The morning air was crisp, and harsh wind beat against Magda’s face. Magda picked up speed, dashing through the field on her horse.

Odie sprinted beside her. The dog barked playfully as he crashed through the poppy field, drifting further away from Magda’s view. But his black and white fur and floppy ears were always easy to spot against the blood-red flowers.

Magda picked up speed, urging her horse to follow Odie’s lead. They flew together across the landscape, cutting a path straight through a layer of snow and red flowers that carpeted the ground. On the horizon, the sunrise peaked through the mountains. It was the heart of winter, and the peaks were still white.

Here, despite the soft layer of snow, fully grown poppies marked the path with a sea of scarlet. Some said that the flowers were magical, able to withstand treacherous winters and remain in full bloom. The elders said that these were flowers from the wars long ago, marking the graves of all the men and women who had been slain in wars with their ruby petals. That was before, when the fight over the control of magic belonged to everyone. The ancient stories said that magic lived in all things—the ground, the water, and in people’s minds—and that one only needed to know how to tap into the ancient magic all around them.

That was what the coronation today was truly about, and she was quite nervous. Today, Magda would officially become an heir to the Azuremi throne, naming her a true royal, and a Guardian of Life.

She broke free from the poppy field, emerging onto the banks of an ice-cold river. The rough rapids descended all the way from the glaciers in the mountains, traveling next to the castle before twisting through the rocks toward the town and under the bridge that led into Gorzhelm.

Odie darted to the water, lapping it up with his pink tongue, but even he knew better than to play in the deadly rapids.

Magda pulled the reins to a halt and dismounted her horse. Then, she gingerly tied the reins to a nearby tree. She pensively approached the water with outstretched hands, attempting to mimic the same position that her brother and father always demonstrated when displaying their magic to the court. She squeezed her eyes shut, focusing on moving the frigid stream with her fingertips, but when she opened them, nothing happened.

Odie seemed to understand, letting out a sad yelp next to her.

Magda dropped to her knees. “Don’t worry,” she smiled as she scratched behind the dog’s ears. “Aleksy says I’ll be able to channel the family magic after the coronation.” It wasn’t a lie…her older brother had explained the sensation of harnessing the power of water millions of times. She could almost hear his voice in her head right now, explaining the pure strength needed to hold back the rapids, move glaciers, and burst springs from the earth.

Suddenly Odie’s ears perked up, and he began running off along the riverbank alongside the rocks. He sensed something Magda couldn’t, but by the way his tail began to wag, shaking his entire body, she knew who was nearby.

“Odie!” yelled Magda, “Come back here!”

Magda sprinted after her pet, but it was impossible to keep up with his pace. While Odie scaled the rocks elegantly, maneuvering down the river at ease, Magda struggled to keep up. She bounded across the riverbank, following around the bend just in time to see Odie leaping up into Aleksy’s arms, letting out a slew of friendly barks.

“You followed me?” Magda called.

“I thought you might be running away.” Aleksy laughed.

Magda let out a huff. “You know I would never skip the coronation.”

“Good boy,” Aleksy patted Odie, kneeling down and stroking the dog’s fur. Then he turned his attention back to Magda. “I figured I would find you here…near the poppy fields where we always practiced.”

Magda shrugged her shoulders. Something passed between them, the knowledge that both of them wouldn’t be able to keep this gift, and at a certain point, it would stay with only one of the siblings.

“You’re thinking of the trials?” Aleksy read her mind.

“It crosses my mind often,” said Magda. It was scary to think that someday, she and Aleksy would be forced to go up against each other in a fight, proving who had mastered the water magic better, and who should be the Guardian of Life for their generation. If they had more siblings, they would have to fight each one of them.

“Don’t worry. I’ll go easy on you,” Aleksy joked.

“You will not!” Magda laughed.

“I mean, I do have a three year head start.”

It was true. Aleksy was crowned three years ago, and once Magda was crowned, she had one year to master the magic before she would have to challenge him in a trial. If they never challenged one another, they would both lose the gift. It had been years since trials had been held in Azurem—their father, King Bogdan, had challenged his two older brothers, defeating them both. Now, one brother worked as an ambassador, and the other disappeared to the countryside, too ashamed to have lost his magic.

“Are you nervous for the coronation?” Aleksy changed the subject.

“No. I just needed a bit of fresh air,” Magda confessed. “It feels like a huge weight is about to be put on my shoulders.”

He spoke, “Before I was crowned, I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to channel the magic in front of everyone.”

Magda stared back at the rushing, white rapids that pummeled across the rocks. Unlike Aleksy, she had never channeled the water magic while growing up. Even though the coronation marked the moment in time where the Krol descendants would receive their full powers in front of the court and be named official guardian’s of ancient water magic, Aleksy had shown early signs of his powers. When he was only eight, he could turn a glass of water into ice, or sprinkle a drop of cool mist across Magda’s face. But Magda, on the other hand, had never exhibited any indications that she would be as powerful as her brother or father.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” asked Aleksy, reading her face. “I mean, it wouldn’t be the first time you missed a royal ceremony,” he paused, “or tried to run away for that matter…”

Magda hit him across the arm playfully. “We all know that you are the golden child. Try not to rub it in, okay?”

“I am not,” Aleksy laughed, his big eyes beaming. “You’re just a little more adventurous than me.”

“Adventurous…,” Magda’s voice trailed off. “Yes, that’s what all the servants say about me behind my back.”

They both stood at the edge of the riverbank, staring at each other and trying everything not to laugh as memories flashed between them—until Aleksy broke first.

He blurted out, “Remember when you dressed Odie up as a royal prince and told mom and dad that he was your date to the winter ball?”

“Or when I convinced you to use your powers to create a giant ice sculpture in your room?” she laughed.

“Or when you kissed your tutor’s son when you were supposed to be studying!”

“Oh please,” said Magda, “I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of kisses in the fortress.” She raised her eyebrows.

Aleksy’s face turned bright red, and he began walking back to his horse. He raised his arm in the air as he said, “And on that note, we’re going to be late for the coronation, you know. I also have a meeting with dad I can’t miss.”

Magda nodded. “I’ll race you back to the fortress.”

Aleksy turned back to his sister, smiling. “You’re on.”

The two returned to their horses a few paces down the riverbank. Then they dashed along the trail that followed the bends of the river. They raced along the path, each urging their horses faster, as the fortress appeared on the horizon.

Magda and Aleksy’s home was perched on a hill that overlooked the crystal-clear river. Ahead, the red roofs matched the surrounding poppy fields on the opposite side of the body of water, and large, cylindrical towers jutted from the shape of the building in an asymmetrical pattern. On the towers, a banner depicting their mother’s coat of arms fluttered in the wind, and the pastel-colored flag backlit a white elk shining in the morning sun. Snow reflected off the roof’s peaks.

At the main entrance, they spotted a caravan of carriages approaching the main gate. As far as the eyes could see, disappearing around the mountains, was a line-up of elites and celebrities arriving for the coronation ceremony. Magda noted the crowd was much smaller than during Aleksy’s coronation, for their father was weary of the illnesses spreading through the kingdom and didn’t want to spread any infections through the event.

“We’re going to be late,” Aleksy shouted loudly over the rumble of the horse’s hooves.

“Not if I have anything to say about it!” Magda laughed, and her horse sprinted forward even faster.

They made their way to a side entrance of the castle, mainly where the stables and kitchen were located, and dashed across a bridge that took them across the rapids below, until they emerged in a brick-laid courtyard.

Magda dismounted first. “Beat you.”

Aleksy scrunched his face. “It was a tie, but I’ll let you have this one today, guardian.” He emphasized the word, reminding Magda once more of the weight of the coronation. After today, she would be an official heir, second in line to the throne after Aleksy.

Magda began walking away. “And the guardian has to get ready!” She turned back to her brother, giving him an over-dramatic curtsy before starting a light jog back to the royal quarters. It was true, she was extremely late and her mother and Urszula would likely be furious with her. “Come, Odie.”

She heard Aleksy’s voice echo behind her, asking about the horse, but she was already bounding into the fortress.

Magda turned the corner, heading through a set of large double doors. The entrance to the royal wing was via a walkway across a shimmering pool. Water cascaded down from the ceiling, cresting into the pond on either side and creating the illusion that there were two walls made of water, flanking the path.

The royal wing had its own personal staff, chambers for all members of the family, spare bedrooms that were meant for more children—or potentially grandchildren—and a private library. The library was where the Scribestone was located, allowing immediate contact between all royals across the kingdoms.

Magda turned up a staircase ascending to the royal bedchambers, racing Odie to the top. Odie bounded beside her, sometimes lingering behind and sometimes darting in the front, as if he knew where they were heading. She passed nearly a dozen knights, adorned in silver breastplates and donning the pastel pink and blue crest with the elk. They nodded their heads, giving a gracious smile to the princess as she passed. Two of Bogdan’s wolves prowled beside them, acting as guard dogs.

Finally, Magda raced through the parlor connecting the family’s suites and offices, emerging into her bedroom. Her mother and hand-maiden, Urszula, leapt from their seats when Magda and Odie entered.

“Where have you been?” her mother Bernadette scolded immediately. “Come, come quickly.” She wasted no time in ushering Magda to a raised pedestal at the far end of the room.

Odie dashed to his large pillow at the foot of the bed, twirling twice before settling down in a comfortable position.

“Look at you…,” Bernadette’s face wrinkled upon examining Magda in the mirror, “And you smell like a horse.”

“Mom!” Magda let out a huff.

“You know you shouldn’t be outside with the infections spreading,” she sighed. Then Bernadette motioned to a bouquet of red flowers on the desk. The crystal-blue vase contrasted against the blood-scarlet poppies. “These are for you. A tradition in honor of your coronation.”

“Thank you. They’re beautiful,” Magda confessed.

“And this is your dress.” Bernadette crossed to an armoire and threw open the wardrobe doors.

Magda couldn’t take her eyes off the dress hanging in front of her, designed to appear as waves of the ocean with ice-like crystals resembling the glittering salt that was found in the kingdom’s scattered mines. She imagined what it would feel like to slide the dress over her body and step into the role as a Guardian of Life. Did royals in all of the kingdoms feel different after the coronation? Even those that controlled the earth, air, and the minds of others?

“What do you think?” asked her mother.

“It’s the most stunning thing I’ve ever seen.”

“I had it made for you.” Bernadette’s eyes softened as she placed her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. The two could have been twins if they were the same age. She said, “This is an important day for us all. I love you, but I will not have you attending the most important day of your life in this state. We have visitors coming from all over the kingdom!”

“I know, and I’m sorry for running off.”

Bernadette waved her hands in the air. “No more excuses. You and your brother are always getting into mischief.” Then she turned on her heel and darted out of the room, but not before calling over her shoulder, “I want you ready in one hour!”

Magda let out a sigh before examining her appearance once more in the mirror. Her silver hair was wild from the wind. Behind her, her handmaiden Urszula peered over the princess’s shoulder.

“I think you look great,” Urszula laughed, placing her hand on her hip and sinking into it.

“Thanks. But I feel like my mom is going to kill me.”

“I was being sarcastic. Your mom is going to kill me if I let you go to the coronation like that.” Urszula walked toward the bathroom, disappearing around the corner. “I’ll draw your bath,” she called back. “Then we’ll make sure you look like you could actually become a queen someday.”

After Urszula helped Magda wash off as best as she could, she entered her bedroom once more. Upon seeing the princess, Odie’s head perked up from his pillow at the foot of the bed, letting out a friendly bark.

Urszula quickly excused herself, “Your new crown should be polished by now. Let me go fetch it.”

With that, Urszula crossed to the door and exited.

When Magda was alone, she approached the stunning dress once more. She ran her fingers over the crystals, sliding her hands along the rough rocks. They were unlike anything she had ever seen before, appearing different from the crystal-like salt in the Azuremi mines. As she touched the stones, the rocks moved underneath her fingertips, flattening until they were a smooth liquid, dripping down the dress like molten lava.

Magda jumped back, startled at the sight. She moved away from the window, looking at the dress at a different angle and hoping that a trick of the light had made the crystals appear to move. But it was not the case.

The shape of the crystals had changed exactly where she had touched the dress. Instead of existing in their distinct shapes, they had molded into one, large crystal, blended together as if a piece of stained-glass had been manipulated by a blacksmith’s torch.

Magda gasped and reached back out to touch the crystals. Once again, as she moved her hand, the rocks changed underneath her fingertips. She waved her hand again and again, until the waves on the dress were nothing more than an undefined swirl of color.

What was going on?

Magda snapped her head behind her to Odie. “Did you see that?”

Odie’s ears perked up, and his head tilted at the sound of Magda’s voice.

“It’s Soul magic…,” Magda’s voice trailed off.

Her heart fluttered, and Magda looked frantically around the room for anything else that reminded her of the Guardians of the Soul and their earth magic. Her gaze snapped to the bouquet of poppies that her mother had gifted her.

Quickly, she extended her hand toward the flowers, pulsing a burst of energy through her arm and extending to her fingertips. She remembered everything Aleksy had taught her about channeling magic when they had trained for her coronation ceremony. As she clenched her hand into a fist, the poppies shriveled into black, coiled stems. Dried, flaky petals fell to the table in a heap of ashes.

Magda jumped back, and her hands flung up to cover her shocked expression. When she did so, the poppies reformed in their beautiful, red glory, extending higher than they had before.

Magda’s hands shook. She raced to the mirror just in time to see the yellow glow fading from her irises. The evidence of earth magic couldn’t be clearer. She had seen it explode from her fingertips in two separate instances.

How was it possible that she was exhibiting signs of earth magic? Earth magic belonged to the Guardians of the Soul in Flaustra, while Azurem held the Guardians of Life. Her father was a descendant of a line of royals who had all been blessed with the gift of water. That meant Magda was supposed to display Life magic at today’s coronation ceremony.

If she had earth magic, and not water magic, she could not inherit the Azuremi throne. She would be stripped of her title, and forced out of the fortress. She would be disowned by her entire family.

She jumped to a series of conclusions that all seemed outrageous. What if she wasn’t her father’s child? Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach as the thought paralyzed the rest of her body. Maybe she could accept the fact that she wasn’t a royal to the Azuremi throne, and that her and Aleksy were possibly half siblings, but what would happen to her when everyone realized that she was in line for a different throne? What would happen to her mother if they thought the queen had a daughter with another royal from a foreign kingdom?

She couldn’t let that happen.

There was only one person who could help her.

Magda dashed out of her room, and Odie trailed behind. She exited the royal quarters and made her way to the knights’ wing, bursting into Dagmara’s suite without knocking. Her best friend had to be here getting ready for the coronation.

“Dagmara?” Magda called and looked around. After a few moments, it was clear that neither Dagmara nor Teos were inside.

Magda darted to the sofa, picking up a pillow, before crouching down and shoving it towards Odie’s nose. “Can you help me find Dagmara?”

Odie’s ears pricked up as he sniffed the object.

“Dagmara,” Magda repeated before giving her dog the search command, “Go find.”