A Wish for You

Chapter ten: They Know

King Magnifico stood in his study amidst piles of books, convinced that someone must have used magic to create or summon the mysterious light, he was searching his spell books for answers.

"What was it?" The king cried. "What was it? Who could have commanded it?" He tugged at the pages of a book in rage. "Why is there nothing?!" he threw the book across the room into the roaring flames of the hearth.

"My brother, what is happening here?" asking Lord Alzir as he entered with Queen Amaya.

"I don't know who we're dealing with," said King Magnifico. "And these books are useless." He'd looked through every book he owned.

"Just breathe." Queen Amaya said.

"Do not tell me to breathe." Magnifico said. " everything...everything I do for Rosas it's to make sure of that." he pointed out at the tapestry.

"Don't remind me I was there when we lost our father." Alzir said.

"When you are threatened, you don't breathe, you have to focus." Magnifico said as he looked at the glass case that protected the forbidden book.

"What are you doing—" began the queen cautiously.

The king cut off. "To summon such light would demand a spell so powerful." He murmured to himself. He waved his hands and the etched hornets on the glass came to life, unlocking the case for him.

"No," warned Amaya. "You say to yourself, forbidden magic is not the way."

"She is right, Magnifico." Alzir said.

But the king had already grabbed the book. The stone embedded in the book's cover glowed green with an ominous energy. "A king must be prepared to do anything to protect his kingdom," said Magnifico.

"Prepared, yes," agreed Amaya. "Impulsive, no." She carefully approached the king."You are not that same powerless man you were, you are a mighty sorcerer who commands great, but this book," She studied his face in concern. "With it, you know you risk magic controlling you."

The king hesitated, but he didn't put the book down.

"Your people and the wishes are unharmed." the queen reminded him.

"For now," said the king.

"Well then, for now, please put that book down." the queen begged, she placed her hand gently on his shoulder.

The king finally set the book back in the case, with a wave of his hand, the hornets buzzed back to the glass, locking the book safely inside, Queen Amaya led the king toward the window and drew open the curtains, "You are the greatest protector of Rosas." she reassured him. "If you want answers about that light, I suggest you start with your people."

He gazed out over his beautiful, busy kingdom.

"They love you." said the queen in a soothing voice.

"I know." the king answered.

"They would do anything for you," the queen crooned.

"Of, course they would," the king agreed.

"You are their handsomest, most beloved sorcerer-king," the queen continued.

"And they will do whatever it takes to help you." The king nodded, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. "Oh, Amaya, you're so right, I'm so handsome." Finally, he smiled and pulled the queen into an embrace. "Oh, my love, excellent advice, Rosas is so lucky to have you, as am I."

He kissed her forehead and let her go. Amaya smiled and walked away, feeling satisfied with her advice. The king watched her leave, a smile on his face. King Magnifico gazed out over his kingdom, his people with pride.