Page 28 of Charmed

Iwatched Wizard Alden from his position kneeling on the bank a short distance away where we’d set up camp, staring into the murky water as he painstakingly reapplied his disguise so that it wouldn’t falter again, his spellbook hovering nearby repeatedly opening to specific pages of magical formulas to aid him. He paused to stare at his reflection before he splashed the water, soaking not only his face and hair but his robes. With a groan he buried his dripping face against his pulled up knees, where he remained.

I tentatively hopped closer and grazed his leg, the closest spot I could reach. He startled and slowly lifted his despondent gaze to meet mine.

“Oh, it’s you.” He frowned. “I just realized I don’t know your name. Do frogs have names?”

I gazed at him for a moment, battling internally. While part of me was desperate to be known in hopes he would work to free me from my curse, my trust had been shaken when I discovered I was an item on a checklist.

Eventually, my hope that he would decide to help won out. I tried to sayMaeve, but unfortunately the curse had taken this loophole into account—my true name emerged as nothing more than a frustrated croak, forcing me to settle for my nickname. “Mae.” Disappointment coursed through me, causing me to realize that despite my doubts, I ultimately trusted Alden’s intentions, even as I felt a small twinge of relief that at least he didn’t have to know—yet—about my foolishness that had landed me in this predicament.

“Mae?” Even though the prince didn’t speak it in Mother’s gentle tone or Corbin’s dear voice, my heart wrenched upon hearing it again. His head cocked to the side as if puzzled and he opened his mouth as if to ask a question, but shook his head and murmured to himself something I didn’t quite catch; I only heard the words, “name…male.”

Now that the matter of what to call me was settled, I returned to the one that had drawn me to his side. “I thought you’d be happier at your success in passing the first challenge, but instead you seem…rather miserable.”

He snorted, a rather unregal sound. “An apt description for my emotional state, considering I didn’t passanything. Once again my success is only a result of my blasted station. Thank goodness magic will be the judge in this competition, yet what if even it chooses to favor me based on title rather than merit? My station has already prevented me from furthering my studies as I wish, putting me at a disadvantage, behind those whose time isn’t constrained by a position they did nothing to earn and who didn’t come this far by relying on such a handicap.”

He spoke his confession in a rush of words before reburying himself against his knees.

“You earned your place via your own merits—you not only enchanted me with communication, but transposed magical knowledge.”

He glanced up long enough to roll his eyes. “In regards to the latter, you well know I did nothing of the sort.”

“How else did I know the answer to the enchantress’s question?” I challenged. “Contrary to what you may believe, there are no secret libraries containing magical tomes within a typical swamp where frogs make their home.”

“When I first touched you, I sensed that you possess magic of your own…which confirms I did nothing to qualify for this magical competition on my own.”

H [Marked as a reminder for me to go over this addition again.] is fists clenched. “I will do all in my power to never need rely on my title again.”

Beyond his vehement declaration, I detected pain that went deeper than the events that had just transpired at the entrance challenge…which brought to my remembrance an instance early in our acquaintance when he had eluded to his royal status giving him a position he didn’t deserve.

I considered my words carefully. “Your frustration seems to extend beyond this single instance. Has there been another time when you previously acquired something based on your title?”

He didn’t immediately answer, his gaze gaunt as he stared unseeing into the flickering flames. He finally took a wavering breath. “When I was thirteen, I’d progressed as far in my magical studies as I could beneath my tutor and was eager for the next step in my training, as were several of my peers. We had the opportunity to receive individual training with highly esteemed enchanters.

“A young witch with a pronounced gift hoped to gain an internship with Enchantress Ivy, who specialized in her particular talent. As Head Enchantress, Ivy was the most skilled enchantress of the available teachers, so my father insisted she tutor me instead of the young witch she was initially assigned.”

His jaw tightened. “I didn’t find out what had happened until well into my internship after discovering the extent of this young witch’s stagnation in her progress after she’d been matched to a teacher who didn’t possess the knowledge adequate enough to help her grow in her unique abilities. I tried to make things right, but switching at that point teachers would require both students to start over, so in the end I could do nothing. The guilt has haunted me for years.”

Remorse settled over him at the memory. I hopped closer and rested a warty hand on his arm. “You were so young at the time, at an age where it was difficult to accurately notice others’ potential outside of yourself, or understand the full weight of how such a decision could affect others.”

He sighed. “I know, but that doesn’t lessen my guilt. The experience not only deepened my aversion to my status, but made me desperate to live up to my magical potential so that my inadvertently taking away another budding witch’s opportunity to study beneath Enchantress Ivy wouldn’t be in vain, as if by reaching my potential as a wizard could somehow atone for what had happened…even though deep down it will do nothing.”

Silence settled over us at the conclusion of his story, the only sound the fire’s popping embers. “What was the witch’s specialty?” I asked.

The corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. “Healing, similar to my apprentice’s.” [I just had a thought! Should I add in the Epilogue that Maeve is receiving specialized lessons from Enchantress Ivy to become a healer?

And wouldEnchantress Ivy specializing in healing in any way affect Alden being able to acquire the healing charm Maeve needs when he steps down from the council?]

I emanated an involuntarycroakof surprise. He mistook my reaction.

“The young witch’s unfulfilled potential in such a rare talent that could benefit so many only deepens my regret. I admit discovering that my apprentice also possessed a similar aptitude drew me to her. I hoped that if I could help her develop her talents, in some way I could make it up to the witch who lost the opportunity due to my selfishness…only for me to neglect my apprentice’s training for my own selfish interests. Once again I’m putting my title above others…this time my magical one, not my royal one.”

He unfolded his clenched fist to glare at the box he held that contained information about the next challenge. Longing briefly pierced his frustration, but the next moment he threw the chest into the pond. Without hesitation I jumped in after it.

I felt a brief flare of panic at my inability to swim, but fortunately the skill accompanied my new body. I expected my lungs to scream for air the moment I submerged, but I didn’t seem to require any. The cold water was a pleasant temperature, comfortable against my warty skin, and I was able to hold my breath without difficulty.

I kicked backwards with my webbed feet to dive deep enough to wrench the jewelry box free from the soil. It was almost too heavy to lift in my diminutive state, but I managed to hoist it into my thin arms and push off the ground to swim towards the surface.

Without want of air my movements were leisurely, allowing me time to enjoy my surroundings. My new vision allowed me to see through the murky water so I could experience the world beneath the surface in vivid detail, an array of leafy aquatic plants and colorful fish, a unique backdrop that contained an enchantment of its own.

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