Page 16 of Charmed

“The decision was admittedly rather spontaneous. As such I didn’t fully consider the implications. In the end it all comes down to the fact that I need an apprentice…for various reasons.”

Once again he was being purposefully vague. I had the sinking suspicion that, like his identity, he had a reason not to disclose his true intentions. I lifted a brow. “Such as?”

He fiddled with his quill. “In part, I thought my apprentice could aid in performing some of the tedious preparations often needed for my spells, or help with other menial magical tasks so that I had more time for my own studies, something I already lack with my pressing royal duties.”

I blinked at him. “So you were just seeking a hired assistant?”

“Not entirely…” But he hadn’t denied it. There was clearly another reason he wasn’t telling me, one his extended silence indicated would likely upset me.

Unbelievable, though it made my painful decision easier. “Where’s our contract? I want out.”

His chair tipped over as he stumbled to his feet in dismay. “You can’t. A magical contract can’t be broken.”

“It’s broken already,” I snapped. “You haven’t upheld the terms upon which we agreed: I signed up to learn the art and craft of magic, not to be your magical housekeeper or to spend hours reading tomes I don’t understand.” I stomped over to push the book into his hands so forcefully he nearly dropped it.

“Youarelearning the art and craft of magic; you just need to study in order to acquire the basics.”

“Then you need to ensure I understand thesebasicsas I read about them, else I’m merely wasting my time.”

We had a silent stare down before his tense posture eased with a heavy sigh of capitulation. “You’re right, I haven’t been an effective tutor. First I was distracted with my parents, then my own magical weaknesses concerning my failed portal. This is as new to me as it is to you, so please don’t prematurely give up until you give our arrangement a fair try; Ineedan apprentice.”

I pressed my hands to my hips. “And you refuse to disclose the reason why?”

He bit his lip and remained silent. I sighed and considered what to do. Unfortunately there weren’t many options open to me. Not only was I bound by the magic document I’d signed, but my anger had done little to suppress my yearnings to explore my magic; if anything they’d only grown as I immersed myself in my studies, despite not fully understanding them.

He tentatively opened the book I’d failed to comprehend. “What part can I explain?”

“All of it,” I said.

“That will take time we don’t currently have.”

“And whose fault is that?”

By his widening eyes he’d clearly overheard the words I’d muttered beneath my breath. His lips twitched. “Hmm, you’re a feisty one.” He didn’t seem bothered by this; if anything, he appeared intrigued, as if he found a common girl putting him in his place vastly entertaining.

My cheeks warmed by my daring but I held my ground. He glanced towards the window at the fading light settling across the royal grounds.

“You’re quite right that I’m to blame for our circumstances. Unfortunately, the hour has grown late and I’m due to attend dinner; I promise to provide a full explanation of the material, but I’d rather not rush it. In hopes of making up for my negligence, I will at least provide your promised tour, with the assurance I’ll assist you with anything you don’t understand from your reading first thing in the morning.”

Though unideal, it was better than nothing.

His promised tour wasn’t lengthy, as the magical quarters consisted of only a few rooms—I’d already seen the main workshop, but there was also a brewing room where ingredients were stored and potions were created, a library, a kitchen enchanted to transport prepared meals directly from the palace kitchens, and a few bedrooms upstairs. My assigned room was small yet more spacious than the cramped room I’d shared with my family back home, but though it was the first time I’d ever had my own room, I felt no joy at the prospect, only aching loneliness.

I glanced towards the closed doors lining the corridor. “Which room is yours?”

His eyebrows rose. “I no longer sleep here. I used to on occasion on days I stayed late and was too tired to return home, but it’d be inappropriate for me to do so now that you’ll be living here.”

My face burned at the insinuation behind my innocent comment, a blush that was thankfully masked by the dim light and my darker skin. “Of course.”

I was relieved I wouldn’t always be in such close proximity to the prince—not just because he easily riled me but because for some reason his proximity made me anxious, a feeling that urged me to engage in a battle of wills that had no place with a royal, despite him not seeming easily offended.

After ensuring I had everything I needed, he departed. I slid the curtain aside a sliver to watch him walk across the grounds until he disappeared. With a weary sigh I allowed the curtain to fall back and perched at the edge of the bed to look around my new room, empty save for its bare furnishings and a silence that stretched to fill every corner. From downstairs I could faintly hear the soft ruffle of the spellbook’s pages, but otherwise I was entirely alone.

And thus my first day as Wizard Alden’s apprentice concluded.

* * *

My first nightspent away from home was more restless than the one before when my mind had been occupied with thoughts of magic; this time I was haunted by my family’s absence, the darkness too silent without the familiar, comforting sound of their soft breaths as they slept.

---