Page 79 of Charmed

“Upon closer examination, this spell appears too advanced to be a simple illusion spell, making me suspect two spells are layered on top of one another to create its unique effect.”

Kai and King Ciaran looked noticeably impressed by his conclusions, but Princess Demetria pursed her lips against the praise her brother deserved.

With a whisper of magic, Alden sent a swirl of golden light into the vial. I watched in fascination as it wove through the contents, sifting through the interlocked spells. Alden frowned in concentration as he guided the light; our group gave a collective murmur as the two spells slowly unwound from each other. Carefully Alden guided the first one out.

“A cloaking spell,” he murmured as it vanished. “Which explains why it was a challenge to find even the illusions of the mirage flower.”

The moment he removed the cloaking spell, the illusion spell also dissipated, like a chain reaction. Small flashes of light glistened around the room as all the illusions vanished and the mirage flower gleamed brightly, guiding us so we could harvest it.

“You truly are a wonder when it comes to your knowledge of the components of magic,” Kai said. “I could only ever dream to possess your level of understanding.”

Alden tried to accept the praise humbly, but a grin toyed at the corners of his mouth, evidence of his pleasure with his accomplishment.

Kai set the uprooted plant into the first panel of the door. I heard Alden’s breath of relief as the entire door glowed in response. The plant absorbed into the wood, leaving behind an amber flame that matched the flower’s coloring. We would need to light all five flames in order for the door to open so we could progress.

The second riddle illuminated on the wood:Plain I may seem but don’t pass me by, seek deeper and purplish tresses you’ll spy.

Once more the group turned to Kai for his insights, but this time he appeared uncertain. “Many plants look ordinary while possessing unique properties,” he said slowly. “I’m not sure which one this refers to. Purplish tresses? I can think of several plants with purple flowers, but…” He bit his lip, scanning the lush growth that surrounded us.

Alden opened the spellbook to search through it, but paused when I laid a hand on his arm. My careful study of the healing arts supplied me with the knowledge necessary to answer.

“Mauveroot. At surface level the plants appear as entirely ordinary greens, but when dug up they reveal their signature mauve-colored roots, like thin strands of hair beneath the surface. These strands can be brewed into high quality healing potions, though the process is tricky because if they are broken from their stems prematurely, they will have no effect.”

I had discovered a batch growing at the far end of the room in the mountainous section, hidden beneath the shady leaves of a holly fern that had almost completely obscured it. I might not have noticed it if not for my affinity for healing magic that acted as its own tracking spell.

When I’d first stumbled upon them I’d had to resist the temptation to pluck them, unsure whether the room was enchanted to respond to incorrect answers or in pillaging plants not part of the challenge. Even now, I had to resist uprooting more than we needed for the door.

By Alden’s concerned sidelong glance, he sensed my unspoken longings and rested a gentle hand over mine. “When the challenge concludes, we’ll procure more for your brother.”

I clung to his promise, even as I hoped it would no longer need to be fulfilled; if Alden succeeded in winning a place on the Enchanters Council, I hoped Corbin would no longer need my growing collection of herbs and remedies with the charm that would restore his health once and for all.

With a wavering breath I slowly relinquished my vise grip on the plant, allowing Alden to insert it into the second panel; the plant produced a fern-colored flame when absorbed, light that illuminated the third riddle that appeared:In one of four I can be found, search for me in hardened ground.

“One of four what?” Alden wondered. “Four types of terrain? Perhaps we’re looking for a plant that only grows on mountainous slopes where the ground is hard and rocky.”

King Ciaran tilted his head thoughtfully. “We wouldn’t have been given a clue with so many possible answers. The correct plant should be obvious once we understand the riddle.”

Princess Demetria sighed. “The answer is obvious:seasons. There are four seasons, and in winter the ground becomes harder in freezing weather. We’re looking for a plant that only blossoms in winter, such ashyaglanthus.”

Concern marred Kai’s frown. “Hyaglanthuskills on contact. It takes a very strong spell to be able to safely harvest it; some say it requires an affinity for dark magic. Do you really think the judges would use something so dangerous?”

Princess Demetria shrugged. “I’m capable of harvesting it, but if you have a better suggestion, then by all means share it.”

Silence settled around us as we glanced around the room, seeking inspiration. “Snowbells,” Kai offered after a moment’s consideration.

I stared at him curiously, the name unfamiliar.

“They don’t grow nearby,” he explained. “They’re quite rare—only growing in the northernmost region of the kingdom—and they only bloom in the dead of winter when the ground freezes. Their buds are useful in ice protection spells, but their hardy nature can make them tricky to harvest.”

“I suspected acquiring one of these plants would require elemental magic,” Princess Demetria said. “It appears we’ll need to layer water magic with a freezing spell to create the illusion of winter that will allow the snowbell to blossom so that we can harvest it.” She cast Alden a smug look of triumph. “You’re not the only one who possesses an understanding of theory.”

He shrugged, seeming unbothered by the snub, and I smiled to see evidence of his growth that he no longer felt the need to compare his strengths against hers.

Princess Demetria apparently had an affinity for elemental magic and took charge of procuring this third plant, which left behind an icy-blue flame when we inserted it into the door panel, granting us access to the fourth riddle:Only in full silver glow I am seen, sundered from soil to drink every gleam.

“Full silver glow—that must refer to a full moon,” Alden deduced.

“The starfire plant only blooms at night,” Kai said.

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