46. Magdalena

The evening of Princess Kiran’s birthday ball came sooner than Magda expected. Leaving the Mystic Sonata, she made her way to the Gilded Silks in the afternoon, to pick up the dress that Ravi’s mom, Jasmine, had created.

When Magda put it on, she had never felt more beautiful in her life. The dress was flowing silk and chiffon fabric, in the color of a soft pink rose. The long sleeves naturally fell off of Magda’s shoulders, exposing her collarbones. Golden embroidery was stitched along the sleeves, coming together in a sweetheart neckline around her breasts. The dress cinched at her waist, exposing her midriff through pink lace, before fanning out in an a-line shape.

Ravi’s mom had styled Magda’s silver hair halfback, fastening it with a sparkling pink hairpiece in the shape of Flaustran flowers. They matched identically colored earrings that hung from Magda’s ears.

“You look beautiful,” Jasmine stepped back and admired the dress on Magda.

“Thank you for everything,” Magda stepped forward, giving Jasmine a warm hug.

Then Prisha dashed into the shop, holding a ribbon high in her hands. She swirled it around, and Odie lay down on the floor, before rolling over. When Prisha turned the ribbon once more, Odie rolled over again. “Look what I taught him!”

Magda turned to Odie who was wagging his tail, “That’s amazing Odie, but you have to say your goodbyes.”

Odie jumped up, lapping Prisha’s face. Since Magda planned to stay with Queen Sanyal and Princess Kiran from now on, Odie would be coming with her to the castle.

Tonight she was getting into the palace and would finally have answers. She would finally have access to the Scribestone with the opportunity to get in contact with Dagmara. It had taken her this long, but there had been no other choice. If she had made any other decisions on this trip, Odie would be dead, and she would never have been able to forgive herself. She only hoped she got there in time to send a Scribestone to Dagmara and ask her to delay the marriage just a few days.

A bell alerted the trio that the door was opening.

Ravi stood at the entrance, wearing a long-sleeved pink shirt with golden stitching. On top, he wore a patterned vest. “The carriage is here,” he announced.

When Magda met his eyes, her heart lurched in her chest, and anticipation rose inside of her. It was the first time she had seen him since they had spent one long night together.

“Get going so you aren’t late!” Jasmine broke the silence before pushing Magda toward her son.

Magda grabbed her things, and they all scrambled out of the doorway. Ravi opened the carriage door for Magda. “You look…” For once, he was at a loss for words.

“You look handsome,” Magda said first.

“You ready?” Ravi clutched Vex’s royal invitation in his hands. It was still strange to Magda that Queen Sanyal invited criminals to the palace for a birthday celebration, but it occurred to her that perhaps they weren’t criminals in the queen’s eyes, rather necessary for the functioning of the kingdom. Turning a blind eye to some of Vex’s vices was better than complete economic collapse.

“Yes. Time for me to find Queen Sanyal,” answered Magda.

“Don’t forget, you’re my ‘invited’,” Ravi smiled, waving the invitation in front of her. “You will owe me a dance at some point.”

Magda grinned. “Agreed. We know the plan?” she asked, referencing Odie.

Ravi nodded.

Then she grabbed onto the door before stepping into the covered carriage, Odie jumping in behind her, for they were on the verge of being late. Then Ravi shut the door before getting in the front to drive the carriage.

They took the long trek on the outskirts of the tightly-packed city, heading outside of the urban area and to the lush, dark-green fields that lay beyond the dirty, gray buildings. The carriage fell in line with numerous others, making their way slowly up the path to the palace.

When the carriage screeched to a halt, Ravi spoke to the men at the gate, sounding like he had shown the invitation. Then, the carriage was directed to the left to be parked in the outer gardens next to a row of other carriages.

Soon, Ravi opened the door, extending his hand to Magda before helping her down onto the stone walkway that led up to the palace. When her hand was in his, he caressed his thumb over the back of it, assuring her that he wouldn’t let her fall.

Magda looked back at Odie, giving him the command to stay silent and calm. “I’ll be back with Princess Kiran soon,” she said.

Then Ravi and Magda turned to a line of guests heading through the outer gardens toward the palace. The Flaustran palace was still as magnificent as ever, with its domed roofs and outer wall leading into the gardens beyond. When they reached the gate to the inner courtyard, a guard blocked their path, holding out his hand for the invitation.

Ravi passed Vex’s invitation to the guard, remaining silent. They had decided he was the best one to pass for a guild member, due to Magda’s Azuremi accent when speaking Flaustran.

“And this is your ‘invited’?” the man turned to Magda, breaking her thoughts.

Ravi turned to Magda with a twinkle in his eyes. “Yes. My fiancée.”

Magda had to keep her mouth from dropping open.

“You’re telling me your fiancée is Azuremi?” the man asked.

“Yes,” Ravi said. Then he took off his outer vest, putting it on Magda extra slowly while he simultaneously flashed the inside pattern toward the guard. The inside of the vest revealed the beast symbol—the insignia of the Marauders guild—sewn inside.

Magda examined the insignia. When did Ravi have time to get that made?

Then Magda guessed it probably took Jasmine all of five minutes to embroider a pattern inside the vest. It was clear his family knew what he was doing—impersonating a guild member—and Magda was startled that they didn’t have a problem with it.

After draping the vest over Magda’s shoulders, Ravi lingered with his arm around her, and Magda had to suppress her emotions. This was all a ruse to get inside.

“Any other questions?” Ravi asked the officer, but his gaze was focused on Magda, his face so close to hers that she could rise to her tiptoes and kiss him.

“Enjoy the party,” the guard said, handing back the invitation before gesturing inside.

Ravi and Magda passed through the large, double doorway and entered into the interior courtyard. It was a large space, full of pristine, green patches that were lit up with glowing lanterns all around their plots. The sandy, orange walls contrasted a pink sunset.

All around, were sandstone-colored arches and domed towers, projecting an orange glow on the fountains and flower beds around them. Candles marked their path as they walked around a central gazebo and to the front door. Vines and plants snaked around the tan walls, marking every inch of the palace with Soul magic.

“Your fiancée?” Magda said snidely as they walked arm and arm through the gardens.

“You need a serious date to get into the palace.”

“I thought you said relationships were casual here.”

“Exactly,” said Ravi. “They’re so casual that I need to make it seem like you are someone more than that to me. Or else they wouldn’t have let you in as my ‘invited’.”

“So what about the other night? Was that just casual?” Magda grinned.

Ravi turned to her, brushing the back of his knuckles gently across her cheek. “I know you’re leaving, but there was nothing casual about that night to me. It meant something much more.”

Magda could feel the heat rising in her cheeks and had to break their eye contact. She went to take off Ravi’s vest, but he stopped her.

“Keep it. It looks better on you.”

Magda laughed. “No it doesn’t. It’s a man’s vest.”

He leaned closer. “Well, what can I say? I also like that the other men will know you’re with me.”

“With you?”

“As my invited.”

She wanted to argue, but she simply couldn’t. She secretly liked wearing something of his too. Her stomach curled with butterflies as she remembered the night prior with Ravi, and if they weren’t in broad daylight, she was certain she would have kissed that sheepish grin right off his face.

“I’ll wear it. For now.”

The sound of music alerted them that activities were beginning in the ballroom. The guests were being herded toward the front door, and the duo followed the others across the wide garden. Magda knew she had to find Princess Kiran immediately.

They passed under the central archway, leaving the garden and emerging into the wide, open ballroom. The ballroom was expansive, in the shape of a perfect circle. The floor was a colorful mosaic pattern, marked by blue titles and tan-colored stones. The intricate carvings on the titles extended up the light-stone walls, and every archway surrounding the circular room was detailed with minuscule carvings. Large turquoise and yellow banners hung from the ceiling, interspersed between lanterns.

Magda guessed it made sense that the entire ballroom was made of stone—she was in the land of the Soul Guardians, and if they ever needed to wield, they could pull right from the palace walls.

Up ahead, on a raised dais, sat Princess Kiran and Queen Sanyal.

For her birthday celebration, Kiran’s curly hair that normally fell to her waist was pulled half back, and her brown skin was accentuated with heavy make-up. She wore a red, long-sleeve dress that exposed her stomach and was covered in beaded, gold embroidery. Instead of wearing a crown, a decadent choker necklace hung from her neck, shining with metal, golden-plated leaves spanning outward and down her chest. The necklace perfectly matched her bracelets and earrings.

Suddenly, a lively music started, with a distinct rhythm that Magda had never heard before. Women of all ages passed their drinks to their partners, before dashing to the central area. Princess Kiran stepped down from the dais and made her way to the front of the group of girls.

When the music picked up, they began stomping their feet as they moved into a triangular formation. Their arms flowed to the rhythmic music, their sharp hand-movements falling perfectly in sync with one another.

“You should get out there,” Ravi encouraged beside her.

“I’ve never seen this dance before,” said Magda.

“It’s easy. You just follow the leader—in this case it’s the princess.”

Kiran was in the center of the group, spinning quickly with her hands spread out around her. As she twirled, her long, vibrant dress fanned out across the stone floor. Soon after, the other girls mimicked her movements.

When the music crescendoed, the choreography included lively jumps to the beat of the music. The girls moved in a circular formation, with their bodies positioned to the center of the circle while their wrists expressively rotated above their heads. They spun on their own axes while they maneuvered around the outside of the circle, showcasing the exquisite fabrics they wore.

Unlike in Azurem, their faces were particularly expressive, with Kiran glowing in the joy of the dance from the middle of the circle.

Suddenly, Kiran’s eyes caught Magda’s, and for a moment, she almost paused in the dance. It was clear that Kiran recognized her.

Magda gave a small wave by Ravi’s side. Magda remembered she had sent Kiran a message from the Scribestone, so in some ways, she was expecting her.

Kiran whipped her hair over her shoulder, and twirled her arms about her head, her wrists curling around each other. As she did so, her golden jewelry clinked. She cocked her head, as if motioning for Magda to meet her off the dance floor, to the side of the dais.

Magda nodded in return.

Then Kiran gracefully bent backwards, leaning so far that her hair almost brushed the floor. Then she raised back up and continued into the next section of the dance, grabbing her skirt in her hands so she could move her hips to the beat.

“Those look like guild leaders,” Ravi said at Magda’s side. His eyes were toward one of the arches. “I’m going to check it out.”

“Alright. Meet back here afterward.”

Ravi agreed before heading back toward the entrance.

When Kiran met Magda’s gaze once more, Magda slyly pointed to the entrance. Then Magda turned around and pushed her way off the dance floor, heading toward the outskirts of the room.

From this distance, the music was fainter. When it came to a complete halt, the guests burst into applause. Almost immediately after, another song sounded, and the men took center stage.

Magda only had to wait a few moments before she noticed the guests were parting, making way for someone approaching the front entrance that led out to the gardens in the interior courtyard.

Princess Kiran was coming to speak to her, flanked by two officers.

“Magda?!” Kiran’s eyes were wide. She squealed at a high pitch and clasped Magda’s hands. “Is that really you?”

“Yes, it’s me!”

They both leapt into an embrace.

“Come here! It’s been forever!” Kiran said, jumping up and down in the hug. She pulled Magda outside, and they stepped into the sticky air, approaching the central gazebo. The officers followed them, but Kiran waved them away, and they spread out in the gardens.

“First,” Magda stopped her. “I brought Odie, and he’s in the carriage.”

“Who’s Odie?”

“My dog,” Magda said bashfully.

“Are you serious? This is the strangest night yet. It’s too hot out here for dogs,” said Kiran. She snapped to her officers, ordering them to go to the outer gardens where the carriage was parked and bring Magda’s dog up to her room. They nodded, quite confused, before heading under the gate.

Kiran continued, “I don’t understand. I heard you were marrying King Claude! I was considering writing you a letter since I wanted to know what it was like to get betrothed. They’re thinking of betrothing me to a man in Celestaire, and I wasn’t sure whether to go through with it, or what it would be like being with a man you don’t even know if you’re compatible with…”

“Kiran!” Magda let out a laugh.

Kiran’s eyes trailed to Ravi’s vest that Magda still wore over her gown. Her fingers trailed the fabric and she raised her eyebrows suspiciously. “What man’s clothing are you wearing? Wait, does Claude know you’re here? Is he going to be upset? Is he really as ‘mad’ as everyone says?”

“Well…”

“Is he good?” Kiran raised her eyebrows. “I was always into the brooding, mysterious fighter type.” She circled her finger around one of the curls framing her face.

Magda said, “I really want to catch up, but I need to use the Scribestone and speak to your mother. It’s important.”

“I got your message saying you were coming. What was so important to come all this way that you couldn’t talk to her through the Scribestone?”

“It’s a long story,” said Magda.

“How did you even get in?”

Magda smiled. “That’s an even longer story.”

“Oh, gosh,” Kiran shook her head. “This sounds like we need a full-on gossip session. Don’t worry, I fully expect you to stay over. I’m so excited to see you. It’s nice to see another peer—another guardian. And my mother will be so surprised.” Kiran grinned. “She was shocked that you decided to get married right after the assassination attempt, and she was even planning on attending the wedding so that your mother would have someone to sit with.”

Kiran squeezed Magda’s hand again. “Let’s go find my mom. I think she’s in her office having an important meeting. But I have to warn you, we’ve been on thin ice since the trials.”

The trials where Kiran undoubtedly fought her siblings and won the guardian magic for their generation. Magda couldn’t remember how many siblings Kiran had, and felt too embarrassed to ask.

“Thin ice with your mom?” asked Magda.

“Yes, another long story for our gossip session tonight. Let’s go.”

Suddenly Magda noticed Ravi all the way on the other side of the courtyard. He was talking to someone from the Fowler’s Guild—Ishani’s Guild. Weren’t they trying to avoid all guild members? As quick as lightning, the two men exchanged hands, and Magda was almost positive that she saw Ravi drop a few coins in the hand of the officer. In exchange, Ravi stuffed a crumpled piece of paper into his front pocket. After another second, Ravi gave a nod to the guild member before disappearing inside a side door to the palace.

What was he doing?

“Kiran…,” Magda stopped walking through the crowd. “Where does that door lead?” she asked.

“To the other wings of the palace,” she announced like it was an obvious answer.

Magda was suddenly on alert. “You go find your mom. I’ll catch up with you.”

Kiran’s expression drooped, but she said, “Alright. Come sit at our table during the meal.”

Magda agreed.

Magda slipped around the gazebo, past the open door into the party. Their laughter slipped into the background, as Magda focused on the side door ahead of her. Where had Ravi gone?

Suddenly, a bark was let out behind her.

“Madame, your dog is being brought to Princess Kiran’s room.” The officer had returned, and next to him was Odie. In an instant, Odie was racing to Magda, jumping up on her.

“Madame, I can’t leave the Princess’s side for this long.” He seemed annoyed.

“Then go, I’ll find someone else to help me soon. Thank you,” Magda replied.

The guard shrugged, picking a piece of Odie’s fur off his suit, and disappeared back into the party.

“Odie,” Magda said. “Find Ravi.”

His ears pricked up and his head tilted.

“Ravi,” Magda repeated.

Then she had an idea. She quickly removed Ravi’s vest, and presented it to her dog. Odie sniffed it furiously, taking in the scent, while Magda repeated Ravi’s name a few more times. Then, while Magda put the vest back on, Odie began circling a distinct path in the garden. He wagged his tail by the side door. Magda grinned, before pushing it open.

It led to a hallway that disappeared around a dark corner. Magda and Odie dashed forward, rushing through a stone arch and into another passage, which was dimly lit by hanging lanterns. There were three directions, and Odie chose the one to the left. At the next fork in the hallways, Odie chose the one to the right.

“Good boy,” Magda said.

Ahead, Magda heard footsteps against the stone floor, and she rapidly picked up her pace. Then she turned the corner to see two guards on patrol, who were walking away from her. Magda stopped short, flattening her back against the stone until they had left. Odie followed her instincts, jerking instantly to a stop at her knees. As soon as they had gone, a door opened further down the hallway, and Ravi peaked his head out, looking right and left before continuing in the direction of the guards. What was he up to?

Magda pushed forward, following him. She was careful to step quietly on the stone and remain paces behind him. If he was more than a musician, he certainly wasn’t very good at noticing when he was being trailed. Odie obediently followed Magda’s every footstep, remaining quiet.

Suddenly Ravi stopped dead in his tracks.

Magda held her breath, hoping that he wouldn’t turn around and see them standing directly behind him.

Ravi reached into his pocket, pulling out the crumpled piece of paper, and unraveling it in his hands. He scanned it over a few times, before looking left and right in the hallway. Finally, he decided to head to the right after checking the paper again.

Directions. He had paid the guild for directions. To what?

Magda and Odie picked up the pace, careful to stay a long distance from Ravi. She watched him intently as he followed whatever was on the piece of paper, checking it numerous times before making decisions on the next turn. They ventured down a set of stairs, around another bend, and finally through a stone, curved corridor that was darker than the last. Barely any lanterns were lit here, signaling that it wasn’t frequented often.

Ravi made one more sharp turn to the right, before coming to a halt at the end of the passageway. Before him, was a turquoise and yellow banner with the emblem of a tiger. He looked right and left once more, before pushing the tapestry out of his way and opening a heavy door into a room beyond.

Magda only grew more curious, and she urged herself to continue her pursuit. This time, Odie was a few paces in front of her.

Why was Ravi sneaking off into secret rooms? Was he after something? Was this the real reason that he wanted to come to the ball and why he had been helping her all this time? She had to find out.

As soon as she pushed aside the tapestry, Magda felt stone under her shoes, and heard the faint dropping of water from deeper down the hallway. She realized she was in a tunnel, with slick stones descending slightly downwards. Already, she had lost sight of Ravi, who had disappeared in the darkness. Here, the light was even less prominent, and the door was closing rapidly. As soon as she let the tapestry drop behind her she used her fingers to catch the door before it shut.

Magda exchanged a glance with Odie. Were they really following Ravi into a secret, dark tunnel?

Odie seemed to answer when he pushed his nose against the frame.

Magda gave in and pushed open the door, careful to let it close quietly behind them.

A lock clicked.

Magda’s stomach dropped, and she pushed up against the door, but it didn’t budge. She shoved her shoulder against the wooden frame, but she was no match for the strong bolts. Now, there was no way out but forward.

Reluctantly, Magda stepped deeper into the tunnel, Odie at her side, straining to hear any sound of Ravi’s footsteps in the distance. When she didn’t hear a sound, she walked more briskly, careful not to slip against the stone.

At the bottom of the corridor, Magda was met with another gaping door, which was cracked open. On the ground, in front of it, were two guards slumped on their sides, completely unconscious, and unmoving. A set of keys lay beside them on the ground.

Odie began sniffing the scene, examining the bodies.

Hastily, Magda dove to the ground, reaching to the officers’ necks to feel for a pulse on each one of them, and luckily, it was still there. There was a hint of residue on the floor and Magda’s mouth fell open. Bilans? The potion that knocked people out? Dagmara had tried to teach her all about potions for protection. Leaving behind this much residue was quite a sloppy job. More of the potion was on the floor than was likely on the guards.

“Odie, get back,” she whispered, yanking on his scruff so that he didn’t accidentally lap up the potion.

Magda’s heart only beat more rapidly against her chest as she looked up at the door in front of her, still slightly ajar. What was inside?

She examined Odie’s demeanor before she pressed it open.

Inside were rows of boxes and barrels, and beyond that were a series of jail cells against the wall. The dozen or so cells were lined with sleeping prisoners, their chests barely heaving.

Ravi knelt in front of one of the cells, his arms extending through the bars and clutching desperately onto a girl who was locked inside. He brushed her hair out of face and kissed her on the forehead, before embracing her again as best as he could through the bars.

“Don’t leave me again,” she said in his arms as she knelt beside him.

“I won’t. I love you, Laila.”