40. Magdalena

Voices clamored in Magda’s dreams for the next few nights while they waited for the date of Kiran’s birthday ball. She awoke in a furious sweat, the sticky heat of Flaustra soaking into the bedroom. Magda jerked upright, realizing she was in Ravi’s bedroom.

Ravi and Odie were both gone, so Magda leapt out of the bed and splashed cool water on her face from the pitcher on the high shelf. She dashed down the spiral staircase, coming to a halt at the bottom.

Ravi was holding a piece of meat above Odie’s snout, teaching him a playful trick.

“Close the door,” Ravi was saying.

Each time he said it, Odie pushed his nose against the bathroom door, slamming it shut. Then he did the same with the small, single kitchen cabinet.

“Good morning,” Magda said from the staircase.

“Watch this,” Ravi exclaimed, showing off the trick once more. “I taught him to close things!” he exclaimed.

“And how is that useful?” Magda giggled. She knelt down to stroke Odie’s fur as he bounded over to her, as if wanting validation for performing the trick.

Ravi ignored her question. “I washed your clothes.” He turned to the stovetop, pouring steaming tea into two mugs, before continuing, “They’re hanging in the bathroom. You should get ready quickly cause I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” Magda asked. She couldn’t help but grin as her heart fluttered. But quickly, she composed herself. What was she doing—playing house with Ravi? She quickly snapped out of it and rushed to the bathroom. Sure enough, her clothes were hanging on hooks. She changed into her dress and laced up her boots, before combing out her silver hair and twisting it halfback as usual.

When she exited the bathroom, Ravi had breakfast and tea waiting for them.

“Hurry and eat,” he said between mouthfuls, “we don’t want to be late.”

Ravi led Magda and Odie to a small shop in the heart of the marketplace. It was a few blocks from the coast, down a side street that was a bit quieter than the main one. He made sure to lead them away from the main streets where Vex’s officers spent their time.

Before them, was a window with three lavish, beaded gowns. They fell straight to the ground rather than poofing outward and were a mix of green, red, and orange—bold colors unlike the muted pastels worn in Azurem. The sign read: Gilded Silks.

Now that they had an invitation to Princess Kiran’s ball, she had to dress the part.

Odie rushed to the doorway, putting his snout at the bottom of the frame and sniffing around the edges. His tail wagged happily behind him.

Magda walked up to the front door and paused. To her right, on the ground, was a spiraling green vine wrapping itself around the doorframe.

Ravi rapped on the door three times.

Soon, the door burst open, and a young girl, likely thirteen years old, stood before them. She had a pair of two long braids and wore a purple dress that fanned out just below her knees.

“Ravi!” the girl squealed.

Odie instantly jumped up, putting his paws onto the girl and knocking her backward.

“Odie, down!” Magda shouted, reaching out to grab him.

“Don’t worry, I love animals,” she smiled, turning back around to the fluffy, black and white dog. She knelt down, petting his head and back. “I’m Prisha!” She still held Odie in her lap, and giggled as she tried to speak while he lapped her face. “We’re so happy to have you at our family’s shop.”

“Your family?” Magda looked at Ravi with a confused expression.

“Yes, my mom owns this place,” Ravi explained, “and I knew she could fill an order at the last minute. Mom?” he called as he ventured into the shop.

Magda went to follow him, but as she did so, her fingers grazed the vine on the door frame. Three new leaves sprouted from its stem. Magda gasped, pulling back in alarm, before snapping her head in each direction—hoping no one had noticed the apparent display of Soul magic. Luckily, Prisha had already chased Odie deeper into the shop.

Magda stood outside and touched the vine again. This time, a force illuminated from her hand, shooting up the stem, and sending a refreshing shock throughout the leaves. Ones that were previously brown and wilted curled upwards, as if they had only sprouted seconds ago.

Magda shook out her nerves and entered the store. She was in a small space, full of beaded Flaustran gowns hanging on every wall. A table was set up with sewing equipment, where an older woman sat. At the back of the room, a small doorway led into what looked like a kitchen and the rest of the house.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Dagmara!” the woman exclaimed from the table. “I’m Jasmine.” She set down a piece of turquoise silk before standing up to greet Magda. “I’m sure we can find a beautiful dress for you to wear to the ball.”

Magda gave her a small curtsy. “Thank you for your help. You’re too kind.”

For the next hour, Magda tried on dress after dress, trying to find something suitable for the ball that didn’t need to be altered that much. It was only a few days away, and she needed to look the part as much as possible. Each style was the same, but the embroidered patterns, colors, and beading added unique flares to each dress. Some dresses had bangles and jewelry to match, providing golden accents to complement the overall look.

While she changed, Prisha played with Odie, taking old pieces of silk and throwing them in the air like whimsical ribbons. Odie eagerly bounded toward the ribbons, jumping high to reach them and keeping them from Prisha like a troublesome kitten.

Ravi just stood back, leaning against the doorway, looking mischievous as he watched her step out from behind the dressing room curtain and up onto the pedestal, displaying each one of the beautiful gowns. He gave a suggestive grin and raised his eyebrows, as if he was undressing her with his eyes and imagining the next gown.

Magda rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help but twirl more, showing off the expensive fabric, before heading back into the dressing room. Her heart pounded as she thought of their interactions last night, and Ravi’s lingering gaze took her emotions right back to those moments.

When she was sure she had found the right gown, both Prisha and Jasmine beamed in the corner of the room letting out exclamation after exclamation that she was the most beautiful girl they had ever seen.

“I love it,” Magda said as she admired her appearance with a handheld mirror.

Jasmine smiled. “You could be a princess.”

Odie let out a bark at her side.

Magda couldn’t help but smile, for this moment reminded her of Urszula and Dagmara, choosing her coronation dress with her mother. The thoughts made her heart yearn to be back in Azurem. She knew she was running out of time—and getting to the palace was her first priority.

Ravi stepped forward from his spot against the wall, coming up behind Magda. “You look beautiful,” he said. She caught Ravi’s eyes in the mirror while he stood behind her, getting lost in them. She still had no idea why he was helping her this much. Why did he care about saving her dog, or going to a ball? He said he had his own reasons…but what were they? It was clear they were both still keeping secrets from each other.

Prisha let out a loud sigh.

Ravi broke his gaze from Magda’s and stepped away, embarrassed.

“Let me help you get out of that,” offered Jasmine.

“Thank you,” said Magda. She stepped down from the podium before heading behind a small curtain and changing back into her normal clothes.

When she was finished, she handed Jasmine a few coins to pay for the dress and alterations.

“You can come pick this up the morning of the ball,” Jasmine said, “I’m sure it will look beautiful on you.”

“Thank you,” said Magda.

“It was so great to meet you!” Prisha jumped up and hugged Magda. “This is the best day ever!”