Page 39 of Charmed
My own smile turned up fondly at the recollection, along with every mention of the bewitched object Mother had given in each her letters, as well as her gratitude towards the help the spell provided in her chores.
“What spell did you use to enchant it?” The question was both for his benefit and to satisfy one of many unresolved curiosities about the abundance of spells that could be performed.
He shrugged. “Just a bit of wind magic.”
“In essence, you came up with a creative use of the elements to create a new spell; I doubtHow to Enchant a Household Broomis a charm you encountered during your studies.”
His eyes bulged. He opened his mouth…but rather than words, the only sound that emerged was a groan as he burrowed his fingers into his hair and closed his eyes. “Magic is so much simpler when I’m not trying so hard.” He scrubbed his hands across his face and sighed.
“In essence, when magic is free from pressure, you’re able to focus on how much you enjoy it, which in turn increases your creative ability.”
“Exactly.” Hope lit his eyes as he peeked through his fingers to stare at me. “I think I finally understand your earlier insight: the competition isn’t testing my skills as a mage to manipulate the elements themselves, but instead how I approach it using my powers.”
“The council position undoubtedly requires a certain level of mastery,” I said. “But considering you’re working towards becoming a representative in the field of magic over all who practice it, members need to possess a deeper understanding of the various ways it can be used. Magic for its own sake is of little worth if it can’t enhance the lives of others.”
“Something my position as a prince gives me greater investment in.” He nestled his chin in his hands and stared off into the trees, as if searching the magic filling the air for additional clues.
“There are several different ways I can accomplish this task, but with the deadline pressing, it’d be best to focus on the approach you’re suggesting: finding a creative way to use one of the elements…or perhaps several working together, similar to how they coexist in this plant. Sothatis the hint…” He stroked each leaf thoughtfully.
Leave it to Alden to find another way to challenge himself. “I know that your royal world has accustomed you to flashy displays of magic, but even the most simple of charms have potential—such as an enchanted broomstick lessening the workload of an overburdened mother.”
He returned to his experiments with renewed purpose, building upon my advice with his own skillset. The stress that had previously shrouded each of his rigid movements had disappeared; joy lit his expression once more, an adorable sight I hadn’t witnessed since before the competition and which was much more distracting than it should have been.
I gave my head a rigid shake. Now was not the time to allow my mischievous thoughts to consider anythingadorableabout the wizard. Yet despite these firm admonitions, awe kept my gaze riveted to him as he worked. He didn’t seem to have a blueprint in mind; rather, he played with various elements in turn, experimentally weaving them together to see how they interacted…similar to how King Ciaran had molded the darkness with the same ease as a potter manipulating clay. A small smile touched his lips as he seemed to actually be enjoying himself for the first time.
Time passed, measured by the several shapes in various stages of fire, earth, water, and air that littered the ground before an idea finally lit Alden’s countenance. Eyes bright with determination, he pushed forward with greater purpose, conjuring swaths of water, handfuls of fire, adornments of earth, and threads of air, all of which he wove together in a manner similar to Mother creating cloth at her loom.
When he finished, he held up what looked like a small, plain square of white cloth. I felt a flicker of disappointment as I stared at it, such a drab and unassuming thing after the swirls of magic he’d been crafting with.
But as I hopped closer, I noticed an unmistakable shimmer of enchantment. A layer of water magic wrapped around the cloth…or was it air magic? I prodded it inquisitively and finally noticed that the scrap of muslin was surrounded by all four types of magic, something I'd never seen before.
“What is it?”
Alden grinned. “It's whatever you need it to be,” he explained, rather cryptically. He conjured a bowl and set it in front of him before wringing the enchanted cloth over it. Water poured out of the muslin, filling the bowl with the purest crystal drops. He paused to take a sip and poured the rest over a nearby plant.
“The water spell,” I murmured. “What else can it do?”
Alden took the cloth—which had somehow stayed dry—between his fingers and concentrated a moment before snapping it sharply and releasing it. A spark flew out of it, catching in a clump of dried moss. The cloth danced merrily above the embers, fanning them into healthy flames. At Alden’s nod, a concentrated whoosh of air extinguished the burgeoning fire.
“Fire and wind,” I whispered in wonder. “Does it do anything for earth?”
Alden tried to look nonchalant, but I could tell he was especially excited about this demonstration. He carefully wrapped the cloth around the base of a small berry bush that wasn’t currently fruiting and gently pressed it against the ground.
My amphibian eyes caught a faint glow that seemed to move from the earth into the trunk of the bush, causing it to tremble slightly. I gasped as buds formed along the branches, blossoming before my eyes. Before I could do more than marvel at their beauty, the petals fluttered to the ground, replaced by small green globes that quickly grew into glossy, burgundy fruit.
“Try one,” he encouraged.
My long tongue darted out, snagging a berry that burst against my taste buds with sweetness. Marveling, I stared at the wizard. “You used all four elements, not in any flashy display, but in ways useful for even a nonmagical person.”
“You were right, Mae: my purpose in magic is to help people. This is something anyone could use, but especially those most in need. With this simple piece of fabric, they can have water and food as they travel, along with warmth.”
“Oh, Alden.” My tone was breathless.
I expected a triumphant grin, but instead he lowered his creation with a wince of pain, as if the effort he’d expended to create it had hurt him…a reaction I’d never witnessed in him before.
Alarm flared. “Are you alright?”
“It’s nothing.”
