Angelique trailed off, not entirely certain where they stood. He didn’t seemangryat her per se, but they had never spoken of their shouting match—never addressedit.
Mainly, because Evariste wasn’taround. He left notes—claiming he was running errands or visiting a fellow enchanter—and instructions for herlessons.
But Angelique hadn’t done more than pass him by chance in the hallway since theirdisagreement.
He smiled at her when he saw her, but it seemed to lack its usual warmth anddepth.
Which, annoyingly, made Angelique question her decision to abstain from using her core magic more than she’d care toadmit.
He’s brilliant—no—he’s a legend. How can he be so stubbornly misguided when it comes to mymagic?
Angelique sighed and turned a page in the book she was reading, then studied the collar she had made as part of her assignment. It was made of black leather and was encrusted with an aqua-colored jewel the size of herthumbnail.
Roland, in the process of cleaning his chest, snorted. “I didn’t know reviewing alteration magic could cause such melancholy inyou.”
“I am merely tired,” Angelique fibbed as she consulted the book’s instructions and compared them to the collar—which was supposed to silence the words and magic of whoever wore it. Frankly, Angelique didn’t see much of a use for it and thought it was a stupid exercise, until it occurred to her Lady Alastryn of Alabaster Forest might want a batch of them for herdearKing Themerysaldi. “And I’ve been reviewing the basics of magic now for two weeks. I’d like to get back to something morechallenging.”
Roland sauntered across Evariste’s desk, not caring when he tipped over a stack of papers and almost broke a glass bottle that contained a blizzard. “As I recall, Enchanter Evariste’s first note to you mentioned you needed to uselessof your magic for a few weeks out of worry from the after-effects of your practiceevaluation.”
“That’s what he wrote.” Angelique scowled at thebook.
Roland yawned and hopped onto Evariste’s velvet padded chair where he kneaded his claws for a few moments. “You could make a case for yourself—tell him you’re fine,” he offered. “He’s downstairs right now. If you can make a solid defense, I dare say he’ll givein.”
“Maybe,” Angelique said.But that would mean talking with him. And things are still so…strained.
“You’ll have to face him eventually,” Roland said. “Preferably with teary eyes and looking far sorrier than sour—as you donow.”
Angelique rolled her eyes—she had heard at least five variations of this lecture now. “Roland.”
“You’re lucky I have the patience to deal with such fidgety,unintelligentcreatures as you two. If you fight, at least have the good sense to meet up afterward to either apologize or continue insulting eachother.”
“Roland, I can’t just go waltzing up to Evariste and tell him I’msorry.”
“Ofcourseyou can,” the cat said, his voice scornful. “That is the very definition ofapologizing!”
“But I’mnotsorry! He was the one who wouldn’t listen!” Angeliquesaid.
“He was acting bossy, yes, but you are more stubborn than a donkey,” Rolandsaid.
Angelique groaned and pinched her eyes shut. “Roland, please. I don’t want to talk about this rightnow.”
The cat ignored her. “As long as you two act like bratty children, nothing will be resolved. Andno, using creature illusions will not help you teach Evariste alesson.”
“I only did that twice.” Angelique turned the collar over, inspecting the spell woven into it as she gave up stoppingRoland.
“If you settled down likesensiblecreatures—instead of all this unnecessary drama—your little disagreement would be resolved already!” Rolandcontinued.
“Uh-huh,” Angelique said as she slightly tweaked the spellwork.That should do it. But I’ll need to test it to makesure.
“Besides, it’s painfullyobviouswhy he reacted as he did. Any other yokel with two thoughts to illuminate his mind would be able to see it. It is disappointing you haven’t noticed—unhand me!” Puss complained as Angelique scooped himup.
“If you’re so keen to help me, you can start by testing out this collar,” Angelique said. It took some wrestling, but she eventually buckled the collar into place. “How is it?” she asked, setting Roland down on her desk. “Can you talk or use one of your handy charms? Hmmm, though this particular spell might be meant for humansonly.”
Angelique reached for herbook.
Roland narrowed his eyes in a look of cat-scorn, opened his mouth, andmeowed.
Angelique stared at Roland, and Roland’s eyes widened as he meowed again, and again, andagain.
