43. Magdalena

Princess Kiran’s birthday ball was only three days away. It was almost time for Magda to relocate to the palace. She had left some of her belongings in the room at the Mystic Sonata where she was boarding, and figured that it was time to pack up her books, money, and clothes.

That night, Ravi was playing another show, and Magda had a front row seat. The lively music filled the tavern, and despite Ravi’s bandaged palm, he effortlessly displayed his advanced fingerwork like a true professional. After Ravi’s performance, other musicians continued, and Ravi stepped off stage to swing Magda into a dance. They danced in each other’s arms for hours, until it was quite late, and they had shared at least four glasses of ale.

When it was completely dark outside, the back doors banged open, and a large man barged into the tavern.

“What’s going on?” Magda stopped dancing, looking curiously at Ravi.

“A proclamation,” Ravi explained.

The messenger shouted over everyone, and upon seeing the man, the musicians screeched to a halt. Instantly, all eyes were on him as he waved a scroll in the air. “Royal news, royal news! Everyone quiet and listen up.” He cleared his throat as the music silenced.

Then he screamed over the antsy crowd. “News has arrived that a royal wedding between King Claude and Princess Magdalena is going ahead!” he curled open the scroll, continuing to read. “After a successful engagement ball, Azurem and Ilusauri have opened trade routes for medicine and food, and the royals will be wed in three days’ time!”

Three days? Magda’s heart almost stopped. She had thought she had more time than that. In an instant, her breath threatened to leave her and her entire body flushed hot with panic. Why did the news take this long to travel to Flaustra?

The man continued, “It is said the Queen Bernadette Krol approves of the marriage, despite previous tensions between the kingdoms. The kingdom of Flaustra has not yet released an official statement on the marriage. Thank you.”

If the marriage was going ahead, and Magda’s own mother approved, it meant Claude wasn’t behind the assassinations. It meant that this was good for the kingdoms so that they could have medicine again. It meant that Magda would have to take Dagmara’s place and in just three days’ time she would be sharing a bed with the Mad King.

The thought made her sick. Not necessarily because of Claude, but because she only had three days until she was locked in a marriage forever. She had never fully accepted the possibility that Claude was actually good and that her kingdom would decide to go through with the wedding.

Suddenly, all around her, people began shouting:

“Will Azurem keep the medicine for themselves then?”

“That princess is stupid for trusting a Mind Guardian.”

“I guess Queen Sanyal will be cutting off ties with Azurem now since Ilusauri is our enemy.”

“Are you alright?” The voice was Ravi’s. He was at her side, gently touching her shoulder. “You look like you’re going to be sick.”

Not wanting to be at the party anymore, Magda confessed, “I’m exhausted. I think I’ll go to bed.”

“You look upset at what the messenger said.”

“Maybe a little,” Magda shook her head, pushing her way past Ravi.

As she did so, she passed a drunken man who grabbed her upper arm. “Hey, Azuremi, would you marry King Claude?”

Before Magda had time to break free, Ravi was at her side. “Get your hands off her,” he shoved the man back, and he stumbled into his friends.

“We want to hear her opinion on her kingdom’s alliance.”

Magda shoved through the guests, and Ravi followed her close behind, making sure no one else in the tavern badgered her. When they reached the stairs, Magda began ascending to her room at the Inn.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Ravi asked, yelling up the staircase.

Yes, truthfully she did want to talk about it. She had no other friends here, and no one else to confide in. In a few days, at least she would be able to use the Scribestone and send a message to Dagmara.

“Come upstairs,” Magda beckoned him.

They both ascended and reached Magda’s room. Pushing open the door, she noted her knapsack and belongings exactly where she had left them. Outside the window, the clear night was twinkling with stars. Magda hadn’t realized how late it was.

“Are you sure Odie’s fine with Prisha?” Magda asked suddenly. For the past few days, Ravi’s sister had taken every opportunity to play with the dog.

“Of course,” Ravi laughed, “I’m sure she would take him from you permanently if you let her. Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“The news…,” Magda shuddered, “...means I have to leave Flaustra.” It was as simple as she could put it for the time being.

“You have to go back and serve your princess,” Ravi seemed to understand, although he didn’t meet her gaze.

“I’ll have to go to Ilusauri too, and I’m scared.”

“Why?” Ravi asked.

“Because from this moment on, with the new alliance and the marriage, my life will change forever.”

“I’m sure it will be fine.” Ravi crossed to her. “You will serve your princess, and you’ll still be able to travel as you are now. It’s not like you’re the one marrying Claude.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Then tell me. All I’ve ever been asking is for you to be honest with me.”

Magda turned away from him, running over to the window. She didn’t know how to confess everything now. She didn’t want Ravi to look at her any differently, after her dozens and dozens of lies. Already, she would lose him when she married Claude, and she didn’t want to taint the memories of the friendship they had.

Ravi came up behind her, sliding his strong arms around her waist. “You like the stars, don’t you?” he asked sweetly.

Magda couldn’t pull her eyes from the window. “Yes. I’ll miss this place after I go back to Azurem.”

Ravi was silent for a long moment. Then he said, “I always thought that could be a possibility that you would go back.”

“I’m sorry. I wished we could have had more time together, but it’s not my choice. I never planned to leave Flaustra so soon.”

“Then let me come to Azurem with you. Or even Ilusauri.”

“It would never work.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t have the luxury of choosing who I can be with.”

“What if I got down on my knees and begged you to stay? I can’t give you much, but I could promise you a life of happiness and comfort. If you think this is real, which I think it is, would you consider leaving your place at the Azuremi castle?”

“I can’t.”

Ravi sighed. “I respect your decisions. I won’t pressure you to stay then. Just tell me…will I see you again?”

Magda thought about it long and hard. Could she see Ravi again after she was married to Claude? Technically yes, but she didn’t know if the Mad King would appreciate it. Given the way she felt about Ravi, there was no way any future husband would approve.

Ravi seemed to understand when she didn’t reply. He deepened the embrace, closing his arms around her. Then he moved his lips to her ear, before tracing them down the side of her neck. The tingle of his breath ignited a fire inside her, and Magda closed her eyes so she could focus on feeling the soft movement of his lips brushing up against her skin.

“I should go,” he suddenly said, but he didn’t loosen his grip.

“Why?”

“Because if I don’t leave, I won’t be able to stop myself.”

Magda slid her arms across his, pulling him tighter around her as they both looked out at the view of the city. “Then don’t stop,” she said. She let her head fall back against his shoulder, so that the bare skin of her neck was fully exposed.

He kissed her neck while his right hand moved up her body and caressed around her throat. His left hand squeezed tighter around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest, and reminding her how strong he was. Already, the heat from his body was radiating through hers. She was utterly helpless to move unless he decided to release her.

“But you’re still going back to Azurem,” he said.

“I don’t want to.”

“Then tell me what you want.”

Magda knew what she wanted. Her emotions for him had only been building over the past few days, and Magda felt an overwhelming force pulling her to him. She wanted to be with him and only him right here and now.

“I want you,” she answered.

“Are you sure?” his voice was barely a whisper. His body was rigid against hers, holding her in place so that his hips felt the curves of hers. “I’ve wanted you too.”

“Since when?”

“Since I almost lost you,” Ravi said. He kissed her again, moving his hand away from her neck. He gently pulled down the sleeve of her dress as his lips grazed her bare shoulder.

Magda steadied her breathing.

He continued, “The way I would make you feel if you let me…”

“Tell me.” Magda cut him off. She wanted to hear him say it.

Ravi released her, and Magda turned around to face him. As she met his intense gaze, he leaned in closer, putting his hands on either side of her on the windowsill, restricting her movement.

He said, “I would kiss you all night long, holding you close to me and never letting you go.”

Magda’s entire body shuddered. Even his words were building anticipation inside of her. Her entire body flushed with heat, and her legs threatened to buckle.

“...and I wouldn’t let you sleep for a second.”

Magda couldn’t take it anymore. She stared intently at his lips, hoping it would communicate an ounce of her longing.

In an instant, his lips were on hers, and Magda opened her mouth further. They kissed again, starting out slowly with one tender kiss after another. The raw taste of his mouth on hers and the tingling sensation on her lips took Magda to another place. She allowed herself to fully relax, forgetting everything it meant to be a Guardian, and her entire body melted into his.

Magda and Ravi crashed together, and his tongue was slick around hers, extending deep into her mouth. For a second, Magda pulled away slightly, lingering on his lower lip, before going back for more.

His hands found the back of her thighs through the dress, lifting her up onto the windowsill, while she clutched his shirt to pull him closer. Then he moved closer, standing between her legs.

Ravi gripped the back of her neck, pulling her into him and forcing her mouth to stay on his, while Magda did the same. She continued the impassioned kiss, every muscle in her body burning with frenzied emotion. Magda’s palm spread across the back of Ravi’s neck, running her fingers through his tousled hair, and entrapping him against her.

With every kiss she was more stimulated, and with every flick of Ravi’s tongue, an unfathomable urge left her wanting. As they continued exploring each other’s mouths, she could sense his increased arousal, for he moved faster on her lips, and pulled her tighter to him.

Soon, the lust threatened to consume her entirely. She moved her hands to the bottom of his shirt, before sliding her hands underneath it and feeling the smoothness of his skin. Under her touch, she could feel the lines of his muscles, and she let her fingers linger before she wrapped her arms around his back.

Ravi equally explored her body. His touch invigorated her, but all that Magda wanted was to feel nothing between them.

Magda furiously moved her hands to the bottom of his shirt. “Take this off,” she ordered.

Ravi pulled away only for a second, to assist her with yanking the thin fabric over his head. He tossed the shirt to the side, letting it splay against the ground.

They locked eyes, and this time Magda truly looked at him. He was beautiful, with his brown skin and tousled hair. His bare chest revealed the contours of his muscles and the gleam of moisture on his skin in the starlight.

He said sweetly, “Even though you’re leaving Flaustra, I want us to feel like we have all the time in the world.”

The fire inside Magda was now in a full blaze. “Well, for some reason it feels like time has stopped,” said Magda, moments before Ravi’s mouth found hers once again.