Page 31 of Charmed

He startled, and this time Ididtumble from my precarious perch, only spared a painful landing when he caught me. His widened eyes stared down at me sprawled on his palm. “Not too bad?Do you have any idea what it takes to create new magic?”

A shiver of annoyance rippled over me as I sat up on my haunches. I might have the unfortunate luck of currently being trapped as a frog, but I wasn’t entirely without magical knowledge…though admittedly a month’s worth of study was nothing to boast about.

He looked too panicked for me to retort with the sarcastic quip I was tempted to bestow. My flare of temper fizzled, whether because my magical transformation had miraculously granted me patience or the understanding I’d glimpsed in the prince’s motives and character had moved me.

“Apparently not. What does it require?”

“Creating forms of any particular magic requires not only deep knowledge but impressive skill—to know it on such an intimate level as to be able to manipulate it at will and create something new.”

“Which seems an ideal challenge in a competition where the winner will sit on a council over other magical beings.”

He only groaned.

“Why are you so discouraged? Didn’t you expect something of this nature when you entered?”

“It’s one thing to anticipate something and quite another to be required to actuallydoit. I’m not sure whether I actually possess the necessary skills. I couldn’t even come up with clever charms to cast on you; how can I create something entirelynew?Though I’m experienced in elemental magic, it doesn’t extend to mastery. If I can’t live for my magic…what purpose do I have?”

I sighed. “You’ve given up before you’ve even begun. What better way to learn what you’re capable of than through the challenges this competition will require?”

He bit his lip. “Perhaps because for the first time in my life, I have the opportunity to earn something I want based on merit rather than position. I’ve always wondered what I’m truly capable of, and am terrified of the possibility I’ll fail at the one thing that brings me joy.”

It wasn’t until this moment that I realized just how much his magic meant to him. At last I felt I fully understood the prince—the reason why he’d insisted on keeping his identity a secret when we’d first met, his obsession with his magical studies, his acquiring an apprentice he had little time for, his neglecting his royal duties in order to enter such a prestigious competition, his desires to win according to his own merits without relying on help from others.

I felt the strangest urgency to erase the defeat settling over him, a desire for his happiness I couldn’t even begin to explain. I remembered each token of kindness he’d rendered me as Maeve, particularly the way he’d made Corbin smile. For all his faults, he was inherently a good person.

In that moment I decided to do all I could to help him win, even if it was the last thing I ever did.

CHAPTER10

The sun hugging the horizon cast its orange rays of dusk across the clearing where Alden had set up camp. Despite the settling darkness my body acclimated to the temperature around me naturally, keeping me comfortable. Alden had conjured a small flame he could carry around with him, but rather than enjoying its warmth he obsessively studied it, murmuring things about his upcoming challenge in elemental magic.

I occupied myself with watching him until darkness descended more fully around us, prompting me to search for a place to settle for the night, the second I’d experienced as a frog.

Even without the sunlight my visibility hadn’t lessened. While evening usually cast everything in shrouds of darkness, now I could not only see clearly enough to navigate the clearing but detect color unobstructed from the shadowy blackness, from the surrounding green pines to the pink lily pads dotting the water like freckles.

My new vision also allowed me to see far in the distance, as well as sideways and partially behind me without turning my head, providing me an almost full view of my surroundings. In addition to my enhanced vision, sounds were also amplified—from the loud rustle of the branches swaying in the breeze to the nearly deafening hum of insects, night’s orchestra that would likely make it difficult to relax.

I debated whether to settle on the bank near the pond, on the patch of sandy soil where Alden would spend the night, or on one of the lily pads scattered across the water’s surface. Despite the prince’s inattention as he was still thoroughly immersed in coming up with an idea for his new magic, I remained conscious of his proximity.

I’d never slept near anyone outside my family, let alone such an attractive man. I trusted both him and my current form would keep me safe from any untoward advances…not that I would have to worry about such things even if I was human, considering his current distraction.

He appeared to have no intention of sleeping at present, and would likely spend hours mulling over the next challenge, muttering to himself as he scoured the many books he’d brought or the spellbook when it was inclined to cooperate. By the frustrated furrow marring his brow, he still hadn’t come up with any ideas; when I tentatively offered to help him, I received a snapping retort that he wanted to do it himself.

Some time passed before I dared interrupt him again. “Any progress?”

He heaved a defeated sigh. “I’ve come up with nothing.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to—”

“No.” His brisk tone left no room for argument. The man was certainly stubborn…just like me. My offer rejected, I turned my back to him, a futile gesture considering my enhanced vision allowed me to still see him and every detail of his escalating irritation. However, I firmly fixed my eyes on the water, experimenting to see how well I could see and otherwise sense a frog’s native environment.

I soon became distracted when a drifting scent mingled with the murky smell of the pond and the piney forest breeze—roasted chestnuts. Investigating the source revealed that Alden had set aside his books long enough to prepare his meal, his movements agitated.

I hopped closer, drawn by the scent. Upon noticing my presence, he cast me a sideways glance. “If you catch some flies, I can roast and season them for you.”

Roasting flies wouldn’t make them any more palatable, but though averse to the idea, I was touched by his thoughtfulness; each gesture offered another clue to what lay beyond the habits that initially aggravated me to the true man beneath.

“I’d prefer the chestnuts, if you have enough to spare.”

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