“I… hope I haven't let you down." It was one of my greatest fears— failing Lady Magdalina. I couldn't bear it if she was disappointed in me. Secretly, I feared she did after I’d been forced to quit skating, and I felt like I had to make up for it with my rule. I'd rather see the entire kingdom fall than to have her disapproval. I've been trying so hard to please her over these past few months.
And yet, I wasn't sure if it was enough.
"Of course you haven't let me down. You never will, I’m certain of it."
She patted my cheek before she stepped aside. “Onto business. Let's see what you can do with those powers of yours."
I nodded. I drew Unseelie magic from a crystal in my pocket— I always carried one now— and used it to conjure a stream of black magic. I maneuvered my Unseelie powers from one hand to another freely as I faced Lady Magdalina, holding my head up high.
“Excellent,” Lady Magdalina praised. “But it’s not enough. Let’s see how you fare in a challenge againstme.”
My jaw dropped open. Lady Magdalina wanted me toduelher, when I was this tired? Was she freaking nuts—
I didn’t have time to think about it, because Lady Magdalina tossed a blue battle orb at me, knocking me onto my ass. Ethan growled as I collapsed, but I waved him off.
Don’t interfere,I told him.I have to prove myself to her.
His lip remained raised, but he stayed back as I circled Lady Magdalina. I conjured a couple of battle orbs of my own, tossing them her way. When they came close, she waved her hand. Each of them disappeared before they even graced her presence.
The battle orbs were just a distraction. Using the magic in the crystal, I shot Unseelie magic at Lady Magdalina. She kept my powers at bay with defensive magic, but now that she was distracted, it was my turn to put the pressure on her. I rained fiery blue arrows down from above with Unseelie illusion. Lady Magdalina had to put a shield up with one hand to protect herself, fighting my Unseelie magic with the other. Her shield suddenly vanished as my arrows broke against it.
Magdalina whipped up an enormous whirlwind of magic, blue, sparkling, and deadly. She sent it spinning outward at me like a tornado. Ethan jumped to his feet, certain I’d get swept up in it.
But I was prepared. I used my Unseelie magic to take hold of the tornado, and steer it out of the way. I found that her magic was connected to her mind, and I didn’t hesitate to take advantage of that opportunity. I cast my intention out through the spell, and it ricocheted outward, latching onto Lady Magdalina’s mind.
I could feel her harsh power hammering at me, trying to order me out. But I refused to let it break my will. This was what she’d wanted me to do. She’d ordered me to overpower her mind time and time again during all our training sessions, and I hadn’t been able to before.
This was the day that changed. I forced Lady Magdalina to her knees and ordered her to drop her magic. Her spell ended, the whirlwind exploding in a mess of sparks. It was then I lost control and was forced out of her mind, carrening backward into my own consciousness.
“Very good, Emmaline.” Lady Magdalina was panting as she got back to her feet. “You've done well. I've taught you everything I can. I feel you're well prepared for what lies ahead. You don’t need me anymore.”
A sudden longing to have her by my side clenched at my chest. She didn’t think I needed her? How could she say such a thing?
“We can keep training,” I offered. “We don’t have to stop.”
I wanted to quit— I really was exhausted, after my earlier spell all of that— but I was willing to keep pushing myself just to have her in my presence a little bit longer.
She gave a wry smile. "I'm afraid I have duties to report to. I thank you kindly for the offer, but I'm afraid this requires my urgent attention.”
My heart sank, but I knew Lady Magdalina wasn't one to be tamed. She was a wild creature, one who did as she pleased, and that I’d felt her presence for even just a short time was enough. "Okay. I’ll see you soon."
Lady Magdalina nodded, then she opened up a portal. Ethan came to my side as my mentor disappeared from my sight.
“She is a strange woman,” he uttered, his eyes watching the place where she had left.
"Yes," I agreed. "But she is the mightiest sorceress who has ever lived, and perhaps whoever will be.”
“Forgive me, but I think you may be stronger.”
Ethan shifted back into a man. “Would you be up for a little trip? I’ve planned something special for us.”
My curiosity was tempted. “Where to?”
“You’ll need a cloak.” Ethan crafted an illusion of a winter cloak, then draped it over my shoulders before he took my hand. He led me out of the Hall of Wonders and to the ballroom, where a spinning portal was waiting.
“A portal?” I asked.
“Yes. We’re going somewhere.”
