Page 76 of Charmed

Alden appeared surprised but touched by his mentor’s consideration. “Admittedly I nearly didn’t. I wasn’t sure whether I’d have enough magic to qualify. My powers are all but depleted. I doubt I actually have enough to make it far in the final task, yet I must try.”

“You still possess magic; that is the only prerequisite we require for your participation.”

Enchantress Ivy rested a hand on his shoulder. The other competitors watching narrowed their eyes, evidence of their jealousy that one of the judges seemed to favor him.

“You are not the only one whose powers have been affected these past several weeks; no one who has entered this competition has emerged unscathed by whatever force is suppressing their magic. So long as we have those who are willing to push forward despite the odds, the tournament will continue.”

“Even if my magical level is sufficient, I still need to complete the previous challenge in transformation magic.” Naturally Alden wouldn’t be satisfied unless he ensured he’d fully earned his right to participate.

“Your entry has already been judged; we determined that your work with the well in the hamlet was more than satisfactory.”

Alden’s brow furrowed. “But though that magic was performed within the permitters of the challenge, we didn’t perform any transformation magic, but rather a series of layering spells.”

“You’re still too linear in your thinking; transformative magic can be found in many forms—including taking a land that was once dry and breathing new life into it. You have done well, Alden. I look forward to seeing what you will achieve in this final challenge.”

Rather than respond Alden could only stare, expression dazed with disbelief that despite his doubts, he had somehow managed to qualify for the next round after all.

“The final challenge will take place in that tower.” She pointed through the thicket of trees, through which I could just barely make out the base of a stone edifice whose outline could be faintly seen against the faint horizon. “At dawn you are to ascend the tower. Each level offers another opportunity to showcase the skills already tested during the competition. You have until sunset to reach the highest level, where your final results will be tallied and we will determine whether you qualify for a position on the Council. I wish you luck.” She departed to allow us time to prepare. We joined the other competitors who were attempting to examine the tower from afar, some jotting notes and others giving us an appraising glance.

With the night serving as a divide until the challenge’s commencement, Alden and I alternated studying with wandering the clearing, where we learned there were four qualifying wizards and six witches, most of whom we’d had very little interaction with.

I searched the faces for someone familiar and paused upon recognizing one of the witches. “Isn’t that your sister?”

Alden stiffened before whirling around. Princess Demetria stood a short distance away, watching us through narrowed eyes. He groaned. “I should have known she would qualify—if not due to her skewed moral compass then by sheer skill.”

She wasn’t the only contestant I recognized—King Ciaran lurked nearby, his presence barely discernible in the dark shadows. Standing afar off was Alden’s wizard friend, Kai, whom he’d spent the entire competition managing to avoid.

His friend cast a curious glance our way…only to do a double take, a mischievous grin breaking out across his boyish features as he ambled over. “I didn’t expect to find you here of all places,Your Highness…though perhaps I shouldn’t be too surprised, given your ambitions.”

“Don’t call me that!” Alden hissed, his gaze darting around to see whether anyone had overheard.

Kai chuckled. “I can’t help but tease you about the title you love so much.” His look became perusing. “Perhaps it’s my imagination, but you don’t seem quite as ruffled by your title as you normally do.”

Alden shrugged. “Perhaps I’m coming to terms with it.” Or the competition had provided him with enough opportunity to prove himself outside his royal role.

Kai’s eyes rounded at this bit of surprising news. “If I didn’t think our magic was currently in no state to perform such a spell, I’d suspect you were an imposter.”

Alden sobered. “I’m pleased that despite that ominous force’s interference, you were at least able to make it this far. How are your powers faring?”

Kai released a whooshing breath. “Not good. I’ve never experienced a sensation quite like this, where my powers seem trapped behind a pane of glass—I can see them even if I can’t access them, save for whatever manages to make it through the thinnest crack in the wall blocking them. But I’m here…as are you. Considering the circumstances, that has to count for something.” He clapped a hand on Alden’s shoulder. “I’m glad you were able to make it this far; I know how important it is for you to prove yourself beyond your title. When I didn’t initially see you, I feared you hadn’t been able to enter. Why did you hide yourself?”

“Because I wanted to enter not as a prince, but as a wizard.”

“Too bad I was able to easily see through your disguise spell…though that’s likely only because it’s weakening along with the rest of our powers. In truth I’m surprised your charm lasted this long.”

Alden frowned and finally removed his faltering disguise. “A true siphoning force would rob me ofallmy magic—including previously cast spells, leading me to believe that rather than feasting on power, it’s manipulating our magic in another way.” His brows drew together as his theories pulled his thoughts away.

Kai knew his friend well enough to recognize when he was too far gone for conversation. Despite the tension choking the air, he managed a chuckle. “You never change. Let’s hope that your beloved theories help you ascend the tower.”

“The problem won’t be my knowledge, but my amount of magic to act on it.”

“As it will be for everyone.” Kai’s easygoing boyishness furrowed into discouragement as he took in his own hands, wriggling his fingers as if the gesture might encourage his fading magic to return.

My eyes were drawn to the motion, which had become so familiar as I’d watched Alden’s powers fade. As if the gesture triggered an idea I’d never considered before, a wild and likely ridiculous possibility suddenly occurred to me. Perhaps like my other creative insights, this one could create a unique perspective that could prove helpful.

I sidled closer to Alden and lowered my voice, unconsciously reaching my hand towards his as if to communicate better; his fingers tightened around mine in response. “Does a spell exist that will allow you to combine your powers into some sort of shared source so that you can both draw upon them and have more to work with than your initial magic allows?”

My murmur wasn’t quiet enough to be completely masked from Kai, who glanced over in surprise, as if only just noticing me. “A fascinating suggestion. Who’s this?”

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