High Fantasy - Read 1992, Princess with Magic that has patterns in mind

[Daniel]

Read this in High School Library in 1992. Book could have been published in 1980s.

Primary Character was a Princess who has magic but there was conflict on this and I believe it was forbidden and she was hiding it.
Had a love interest male involved as well.
I believe during the story something happened to the King.

The magic systems involved following traces in the mind.
Sorry for lacking details.
I asked in another place and someone also half recollected it but said the Princess drank to disguise her magic.

[Daniel]

Renée wrote: "Could it be the Mind Series by Carol Matas?"

Looks interesting but not the book I was looking for.

[Michele]

When you say "traces in the mind" can you explain a little more what you mean? Can you recall how old the main character was? Can you recall anything else about the magic in the book -- for example did it use wands or words, did everyone have it or was it born in only some or could anyone learn it?

About the physical book, was it short, medium, long, doorstopper? Do you remember anything about the cover? If you found it in the library, can you figure out from where you found it where the author's name might fall in the alphabet, e.g. near the beginning, in the middle, near the end?