Page 89 of Charmed

“Hello.” There was so much more I wanted to say than a simple pleasantry, yet every word I’d imagined expressing should I have the blessed opportunity of seeing him again felt inadequate, leaving only my usual curiosity. “What are you doing here? Not that I’m not ecstatic to see you; I’m just unconvinced this isn’t an illusion conjured by my yearnings.”

“I would be quite proud of my pupil if you’d studied such an advanced technique on your own.” His lips curved up. “Ecstatic?An apt description that I share, considering how much I wanted to see you too.” A blush brushed his cheeks as he lowered his eyes. “I can’t stay as long as I wish since I need to return to the palace; I’ve been away from home long enough.”

My eyebrows rose. “You’re returning to the palace? But what of the Enchanters’ Council? Not to mention I thought you hated being a prince.”

Alden opened his mouth to respond…but his words were eclipsed by Corbin’s sudden excited exclamation.

“You’re aprince, Mr. Wizard? A real prince like in Mae’s stories?”

We both turned towards the now open window that led into the bedroom, where with Mother’s assistance Corbin had managed to erect himself into a sitting position so he could peer out, mouth agape. Mother hovered over his shoulder; by her wide eyes she too had overheard Alden’s true identity.

I slapped my hands over my mouth, as if the futile gesture could prevent the secret from escaping. Unfortunately the damage had already been done, but rather than the aversion to his title Alden usually displayed, this time he didn’t seem bothered.

His smile was warm as he turned to Corbin. “Indeed. I’m not only a wizard but Prince Alden of Rosileya.” He swept into a bow before casting me a sidelong grin. “A prince I hope will play an intimate part in your sister’s stories.”

My cheeks heated and Corbin’s eyes bulged. “Wow.” Apparently nothing more needed to be said, though he did attempt a rather adorable bow, one accompanied by Mother’s own hasty curtsy.

Alden held up his hands in a fluster. “Please, that’s not necessary. My relationship with Maeve is that of a wizard and friend rather than a prince, and the same extends to her family.”

Corbin leaned out the window to get a better look at Alden—kept steady by Mother’s gentle hand against his back—seeming to find him even more interesting than he had before now that he realized he possessed not only magic but a royal title.

“Why are you here, Mr. Prince Wizard?”

Alden shifted on his feet and cast me a sidelong glance. “To speak with your sister, with permission from the man of the house, of course.” The twinkle in his eyes as he faced Corbin dissipated some of his obvious nerves.

Corbin’s expression became uncannily solemn. “If I say no, will you put me in the dungeon?”

“I would never do anything to bring harm to Maeve’s family. You have my word as a prince.” With his vow Alden pressed a hand to his heart.

Corbin’s face scrunched in intense concentration as he considered Alden’s proposal. “You did gift me enchanted bluebells and a frog plushy.” As if that fact alone was enough to settle the matter in regards to trusting a prince, he nodded. “You may visit with my sister if you promise to treat her nicely. She’s been sad since she returned home. She wanted to see you, so I summoned you for her.” He swelled proudly.

Alden’s eyebrows rose as he cast me a sidelong glance. “Is that true?” His lips curved up in obvious pleasure.

I ached to deny it, but embarrassment seemed to have robbed me of my voice.

“Maybe you should give her magical flowers too,” Corbin suggested.

“I have something better in mind.”

My heart lurched at Alden’s words and the heartwarming smile that accompanied them as he faced me. “Might we converse…in private?”

Despite having now been alone with Alden countless times for extended periods, it was quite a different matter to do it after realizing my true feelings for him and without the spellbook present as an unofficial chaperone. No longer were we master and apprentice, or even comrades working towards a common goal…but a prince and a common girl desperately in love with him.

Yet as if hope was a guiding spell similar to the light that had brought me to Alden all those months ago, I followed this tender emotion into the shelter of the woods. Alden rested a hand against the trunk of the tree I’d found him leaning against that day, his expression thoughtful.

“I remember the day we met as if it were yesterday. So much has happened since then.”

My brows lifted in surprise. “Are you certain your magic doesn’t extend to reading minds?”

He chuckled. “Such an ability would save me all sorts of trouble to know what you’re thinking. Does this mean you were also thinking of the day that changed the course of both of our lives forever?”

“I’ve never been shy about sharing my thoughts, whether appropriate or not.” Except for now, when my greatest secret of my true feelings seemed too precious to impart.

His gaze met mine. “I was eager to make you my apprentice for all the wrong reasons, a mistake I haven’t learned from with the request I’m about to make of you now…though for far different reasons than before.”

I gasped. “You want me to become your apprentice again?”

He blushed. “Not exactly. In truth such a position is merely an excuse to bring you back to the palace, where I confess I don’t want to keep you as my apprentice for very long.”

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