Shouts came from the courtyard below, pulling my attention further away from the work on my desk. Father always insisted that I didn't need to do work for the kingdom like this, but I felt like it was the right thing to do. One day, I was going to be the ruler of Enchantia. I needed to prove that I was worthy of the title, especially because of the real circumstances of my birth. No one but my parents and I knew the truth, but they'd adopted me after trying to have a baby of their own. They'd told me when I was old enough to understand they'd still love me no matter what, and I appreciated that. I'd also never doubted it.
A loud crash sounded from outside. Startled, I scraped my chair back and rushed over to the window of my office. It looked down on one of the north courtyards, one that was barely used by anyone.
One glance down told me everything I needed to know. Adam and Jake were shooting spells at targets they'd set up at the opposite end of the courtyard. Topher watched them intently, while Rhi and Lyss sat in awkward silence. Perhaps Lyss was aware of how little Rhi liked her, and by the way they were acting, it appeared as if the feeling was entirely mutual.
"First one to fifty wins," Adam shouted.
"You're on," Jake responded.
I wasn't sure what they were doing, but they rearranged the targets and took their places once more. I watched in fascination as they started taking shots. This magic was different from the spells they'd been using before. It shot out from their wands, hitting the targets. After they'd hit, they went to write their scores on a chalkboard they must have brought with them. I couldn't tell who was winning from this distance, but I found it fascinating to watch, even so. They flung spells as if they'd been born to do it.
My hand began to itch with need. I wanted to take out my wand and do magic myself. It was a new feeling, and one I hadn't experienced before. I hadn't even done any magic while we'd been at the arena yesterday. I hadn't felt like it after my strange vision, so I had just watched.
Eventually, Adam cheered after what seemed like a particularly good shot. He must have won, then. Jake kicked one of the wooden planters we used to decorate the courtyards. It tipped over, spilling soil and flowers all over the ground.
A heated discussion followed, but they spoke so quietly that I couldn't make out any of it. And then they disappeared off back into the palace to do whatever it was they entertained themselves with during the day.
The girls followed them, but Topher stayed back and used his wand to reverse the damage that Jake had done to the planter. I wasn't sure if it would be enough to save the flowers he'd knocked out, but it was a nice gesture, all the same. Once he was done, he followed the others back inside.
I sighed and made my way back to my desk where the stack of papers still waited for me. I pulled the top one closer and began reading it until realizing none of it was going in.
A knock sounded on my door, pulling me from my fifth re-read of the policy I was supposed to be reviewing.
"Come in," I called.
The door creaked open and Father walked in. "Are you alright, Kelis?" he asked, taking a seat opposite my desk.
I smiled at him, hoping it would reassure him. "Yes."
"You look tired." He looked me up and down, no doubt trying to work out what was causing it. He wasn't nearly as good at reading me as Mother was, though.
"I've been having bad dreams." I waved it away.
“The one about your mother?”
I nodded, feeling almost ashamed to admit it.
"Have you tried a sleep syrup?" he asked.
“No.”
"I'll have some sent up to your room."
"Thank you." If I'd thought about it, I would have arranged for it myself, but I'd been distracted by thoughts of Jake.
"Kelis, you really should take some time for yourself," Father said, a stern look on his face. "There's plenty of time for you to have to run the country. You're young, you should act like it."
I chewed on my lip. Maybe he was right. I was overdoing it.
"You know what? I think that's an excellent idea." I got to my feet and smoothed out my clothing.
Father looked on, surprised by my sudden acceptance of what he was saying.
"I'm glad. You should have more fun," he said, still a little dazed. "Maybe you can start making some friends. That girl who came with Adam seems nice."
"Rhi?" I checked.
Father nodded.
“She is. I like her.”
"You'll need some ladies-in-waiting soon. If you two get on, it might be worth asking her."
I winced. It was something I was aware of, but had been putting off for a while.
"I will, Father. Promise."
"Good. Now go have fun." He flashed me a doting smile.
On a whim, I leaned in and kissed him on the forehead. He closed his eyes, enjoying the affection I was giving him. I loved my parents and needed to make sure I showed both of them more love while I still could. And if my dreams were to be believed, then Mother didn't have much time left.
I glanced around the courtyard, anxious to check that I was alone. I wasn't sure why I didn't want anyone watching me, other than it had been a long time since I'd practiced magic, and I was worried that someone would see me doing badly and find it a source of amusement.
And by someone, I meant Jake.
The targets the boys had been using stood as bright red and white reminders of what I was going to try to do. This might be a bad idea, but if I didn't at least try and foster an interest in magic,
