Page 35 of Charmed

Alden’s breath caught in recognition as he gazed at the intruder. “King Ciaran.”

The shadow man’s brows rose. “That is correct.” His voice was rich and deep, even in his surprise. “I’m at a disadvantage, for though you know me, I don’t…ah.” His frown seemed resigned. “Everyone knows me.”

That wasn’t exactly true, considering my limited education hadn’t extended to familiarity with the monarchs ruling the surrounding kingdoms, but it seemed prudent not to voice my ignorance else I would reveal I was a frog with the ability to speak, not something I wanted to divulge to a sinister magical force.

Alden’s lips tickled the side of my head as he lifted me high enough to whisper. “He’s the reigning monarch in the Kingdom of Lumeria.”

Traveling merchants had brought back many tales about that particular kingdom—stories about how no one could enter or leave, along with its all-encompassing darkness that resulted in eternal night…though no one had ever witnessed it to be able to confirm its validity.

Perplexity furrowed Alden’s brow. “Your presence here suggests that the whispers about how no one can leave Lumiera are nothing more than rumors.”

The king shook his head. “Unfortunately they’re not rumors. My subjects are bound to our prison of darkness that’s impossible to escape, even as light cannot enter. In truth I’m not really here myself—this is an illusion created with my kingdom’s darkness, an element I’ve become familiar enough with to bend to my will.”

To demonstrate, he reached towards the sky, as if to borrow the darkness. He manipulated it to form a shape, playing with it between his fingers before allowing it to slip away. I’d never seen such magic…and by Alden’s bulging eyes, neither had he.

The king turned the force of his dark, almost soulless eyes onto Alden, his stoic expression seeming to await a response.

Alden swallowed. “Such magic undoubtedly requires excessive magical power and focus. Why would you go to such lengths—” Understanding settled over him like a burden weighing his shoulders. “You’re part of the magical competition.”

King Ciaran nodded once, seeming unsurprised by Alden’s conclusion. “Now that you’ve uncovered my purpose, I’m at even more of a disadvantage. I didn’t expect to encounter anyone within these woods, especially one whom I sense possesses power of their own. Who are you?”

Alden didn’t answer, but the king seemed unbothered even when his silence stretched on too long.

“You’re wise to keep your identity a secret. It’s something I’d do if I could, but such a luxury is impossible when I’m unable to mask the magic that allows my presence. It’s sufficient for me to know you’re also a part of this competition, and have likely come to these woods for the elemental challenge.”

Alden’s wide eyes took in the surrounding forest with an almost frantic air, as if searching for whatever had drawn this king here to fulfill the elemental challenge…giving me reason to suspect Alden’s presence at such an advantageous place was nothing more than a mere coincidence. I could almost feel his sense of inadequacy over this fact emanating from him in waves.

“I’m surprised a man of your position is participating in such a competition,” he managed after a strained silence.

King Ciaran eyes narrowed. “I cannot affordnotto. Though I cannot earn a position on the council, I am desperate to qualify, which would give me access to valuable information my people need.” A shadow passed over his shrouded features. “My purpose is absolute, which means if you are part of this competition…we are temporary adversaries.” He spoke with a determination to succeed, no matter the cost.

Foreboding prickled my skin, and Alden gulped, taking an involuntary step backward.

The king seemed to have nothing further to say. He started to melt away in the surrounding darkness…only to pause with his features still half formed. Though the expression on his fading face remained emotionless, I sensed his deliberation, as if magic could decipher the thoughts we couldn’t hear, whispering clues to their contents across the spaces separating us.

His quiet sigh was just loud enough to punctuate the still air as he faced us. “Despite my having no interest in helping you, I feel it prudent to depart with a warning.”

Alden automatically stiffened. “What type of warning?”

“To be on your guard. There’s something amiss about this competition. I can’t explain it in words…only that this force not only exists but is relentless.”

I expected Alden to be alarmed by these words, but he only frowned. “I’m well versed in the silent communication of the magic surrounding us, yet I haven’t sensed anything of that nature.”

“Then you simply haven’t recognized it. Perhaps you’ve been too consumed by other thoughts to pay attention to more important matters.”

Alden tensed, the observation undoubtedly hitting too close to home. I’d witnessed firsthand how much his doubts plagued him, more powerful than even his determination to win.

“Thank you for the warning. I’ll be on my guard.”

The king gave a brief nod before the darkness forming his body simply melted away to become part of the surrounding night, as if he’d never been there at all.

Alden waited a moment to ensure the king was really gone before his tense posture drooped with a groan of defeat. “I have never seen such magic.” I was able to fill in the words he hadn’t spoken—such magic was well beyond anything he could do.

“If his powers result from the curse afflicting his kingdom, it’s not fair to compare your skills against his.”

Alden went quiet, likely not to consider my words but rather to bemoan his position against such a qualified competitor. I pondered the interaction, carefully combing every moment for any clues.

“For claiming to have come for a specific purpose, His Majesty left rather suddenly.”

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