8. Magdalena

“You told him?”

“No, of course not. I promised you I wouldn’t tell a soul. But I have a plan that involves telling Aleksy.”

“Telling me what?” Aleksy shut the door behind him as he crossed to the two girls.

“I…,” Magda stammered. This was her brother, someone that she trusted more than anyone else in the world. If there was anyone that would help her, he would.

Magda noted the crimson boutonniere pinned to her brother’s chest. He was all ready for the coronation, dressed in regal attire, and his golden crown was pressed to his head. Her head spun as she demonstrated the magic she had exuded already three times today. In a flash, the petals disintegrated into dust as she destroyed the boutonniere. The flakes fell to the floor like airy, blood droplets.

“Your eyes…,” Aleksy reached out toward his sister. “They turned yellow.”

“Apparently, I have Soul magic,” Magda went back to the mirror. She stared deep into her brown eyes, trying to glimpse the lingering yellow tint, but to no avail.

Aleksy’s hand was trembling. “You must be related to the Guardians of the Soul.”

“How is that possible?” Dagmara asked.

“I don’t know…somewhere in our family line, maybe the lineages crossed…” mused Aleksy.

“I know what you’re thinking. Maybe dad is not my real dad,” Magda said.

Aleksy shook his head, not wanting to believe the possibility. “All those times that we went to the embassies when we were growing up, spending time with Kiran and Claude—”

“Don’t talk to me about Claude,” said Magda, wanting to press her palms to her ears. Rumors of her childhood friend turning mad, his mind intoxicated by the same magic his parents once controlled had spread terror across the kingdom. She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen the King of Ilusauri. The entire story had made her fearful to inherit any magic herself.

Aleksy composed himself before taking a deep breath. “It doesn’t matter to me, at all.” He reached out, engulfing Magda in a warm hug. “You’re still my sister, and nothing will ever change that. Don’t you forget it.”

Magda held him tightly, forcing her mind to remember the moment to assure herself that everything would be alright. “I need you now more than ever.”

“I’m here.” He squeezed her once more before letting go. “So what do we do?”

“For now, we go through with the coronation,” Dagmara revealed her plan. “Magda will act as if she’s performing the water magic in the ceremony, and Aleksy will be the one actually manipulating the water. Can you be discreet?”

Aleksy appeared concerned, but he answered, “Yes.”

Magda grabbed her thin, silver crown on the top of the dresser, forcing it onto her head. Then she marched purposefully to the door.

Aleksy grabbed her arm before she could leave.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said. “Try not to be afraid.”

“I’m not,” Magda replied.

“Good,” Dagmara said, “Because if we can’t pull off this act, they’ll charge you for treason, Magda. Us and your mom too.”

Magda said firmly:

“We’re keeping this family together.”

The coronation was held in the throne room. Ahead were four thrones framed by a rushing waterfall and the family crest, as if they were a stage for all to see. Around the edges of the room, were two layers of balconies, decorated in pink and blue banners. The entire room was already crowded with guests.

Today, the large fountain in the center of the space was gushing with water, and aisles of chairs were set up all around it.

The four royals stood at the entrance to the throne room, with Bogdan and Bernadette in the front, followed by Aleksy and Magda.

“You look beautiful in that dress, honey,” Bogdan turned around.

“Doesn’t she?!” Bernadette said excitedly. She whipped to Magda, also seeing the dress on her daughter. Upon noticing the skewed gemstones, she mouthed, “What did you do to the dress?”

“Ready?” Aleksy stole Magda a side-eye before turning back to the front of the room.

Magda was grateful that he had saved her from answering her mother’s question. She didn’t have time to explain that she had practically melted the gemstones with her fingertips due to her recent discovery that she was related to Guardians of the Soul.

Magda rolled her shoulders back and shifted to the balls of her feet. “Ready.”

A horn blasted, announcing the arrival of the royal family. Instantly, all the guests stood to their feet. Bogdan and Bernadette entered first, followed by Aleksy and Magda straight behind. They all were dressed in the periwinkle blue that represented the cool rivers and southern oceans.

“Announcing His and Her Majesty, and His and Her Highness, to the arrival of the coronation of Princess Magdalena!” a voice sounded from the throne.

Magda stole a side eye at Aleksy, and he gave a reassuring nod.

The four stepped in the room, walking elegantly around the large fountain in the middle of the space and toward the thrones. Then, they turned to face everyone that was waiting to greet the royal family and witness the ceremony.

“Welcome to everyone here,” said Bogdan, his voice echoing through the courtyard. “We are honored that you have joined us in this momentous and timely coronation. This is a time of celebration, where we appoint another guardian of magic. It is a day where Princess Magdalena will not only display her powers, but she will be entrusted with the knowledge of the royals.” Bogdan paused to smile in Magda’s direction.

Then Bogdan thrust his hand toward the central fountain, and bursts of water sprayed toward the heavens. The water fanned outward like dozens of shooting stars, and approached each individual guest throughout the room. Magda cupped her palms in front of her, and a water droplet found its way to her hands before swirling upward into a glass made entirely of ice. In an instant, servants were rushing towards the guests, pouring ample glasses of wine into Bogdan’s magical ice goblets.

“A toast. To the newest Guardian of Life, Princess Magdalena,” smiled Bogdan.

“A toast!” The guests echoed all around the room.

Magda and Aleksy downed their glasses quickly, before they disintegrated into thin air. It wasn’t the first time they had tasted the rich wines from the fortress cellars.

The crowd began to adjust their positions in the room, finding their seats for the ceremony that was about to begin. A few of the nobles approached the king and queen to pay their respects before the coronation began.

“Princess,” a voice said on Magda’s right. “I have to extend my congratulations to you.”

Magda turned around to see the Queen of Flaustra standing before her. She was a short woman, with long black hair tied into a braid on the side. She wore a golden, wrapped-dress that fell straight to the floor and a set of decadent earrings and necklace complemented her dark lipstick.

Magdalena’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of Queen Sanyal Dhara. Flaustra was one of their main allies, and the royal families always had a good relationship. It was the kingdom of earth magic, host to the Guardians of the Soul, so Magda had no idea if Queen Sanyal would be able to see right through Magdalena’s fake ceremony. It would be the end of her time at the court.

“Queen Sanyal,” said Magda, her breath shaky. She bowed in order to not meet the Queen’s eyes and continued, “Congratulations are hardly in order yet.”

Sanyal said, “When you pass the test at the ceremony, it will be nice to have another woman as a guardian. Kiran will enjoy your company at our embassies.”

“How is she?” asked Magda, remembering the princess of Flaustra, who was only a year older than herself. When their parents had meetings growing up, some of the heirs would spend time together playing in the hallways of each palace, getting up to no good. Was it possible that Magda was somehow related to this royal family? It didn’t make any sense.

“She’s taken to her role as a guardian quite well,” said Sanyal, “but times have been quite difficult, and I’m sure your father and brother will tell you everything after you are appointed. If you ever need anything from our kingdom, please know that our doors are always open to you.”

“Thank you,” said Magda.

“Now, I must pay my respects to your parents,” said the queen.

Magda nodded and began making her way toward the throne. Before she sat down, Aleksy caught her arm, pulling her close and whispering in her ear.

“I just made up an excuse to mom and dad,” he said under his breath. “I’ll go find Dagmara and get into position.”

Magda nodded.

Aleksy disappeared behind the thrones, heading out a side door of the room. What excuse could have gotten him out of the coronation that easily? Why would their father let him leave on the most important day of her life?

Magda shrugged off her feelings. She didn’t have time to perseverate. Instead, she sat down on the throne, letting her disfigured, crystal dress spread out around her feet. Then she looked out at the hundreds of people. They were all watching her.

The audience’s attention snapped to the sage in the middle of the room, who began reading from his scroll in front of the glorious fountain.

The ceremony had begun.

This was it. It was time to deceive her parents, the court, and the kingdom.