Enchantress Lovelana cleared her throat. “I read Enchanter Clovicus’ report. You were verybrave.”
Angeliquesnorted.
“Youwere.”
The sincerity in the other woman’s voice made Angelique look up ather.
Enchantress Lovelana offered her a slightly stilted smile, but the set of her shoulders said she meant it. When she met Angelique’s gaze, she awkwardly patted her on the shoulder. “We’ll find him,Apprentice.”
Angelique nodded miserably. “Thank you, LadyEnchantress.”
Enchantress Lovelana nodded and looked away, then shifted slightly toward thesteps.
Taking pity on her, Angelique added, “I’ll go over the study and workshop—to confirm nothing has beenstolen.”
“Thank you, that would be a help. If you think of anything, please inform one of the mages, and they will call me.” Enchantress Lovelana looked around the workshop, her eyes lingering on Evariste’s and Angelique’s desks—which, despite their argument—were pushed against one another. She nodded once, then swept down the stairs as softly as she hadarrived.
Angelique sighed and glanced at the wooden box.How did she know it was forme?
Angelique folded her legs in front of her and reluctantly picked up the wooden box, sliding the coveroff.
Inside the box was carefully folded cloth, with a letter placed ontop.
Angelique furrowed her brow as she snagged the note and studied Evariste’s familiarhandwriting.
Angelique,
You will make a wonderful LadyEnchantress.
I’m proud to stand by your side and honored I was allowed to teach youmagic.
You’ll pass both examinations; I knowit.
The letter brought tears to Angelique’s eyes—not because of the contents, but because it proved just how kind Evariste was. And the last time they had really spoken, she had shouted and railed at him like a spoiledchild.
Angelique groaned. “Why didn’t I apologize like Roland told me to? Why did I let our disagreement drag on? Even if I didn’t understand what made him so upset, I should have asked! Or done something—anything!”
She shut her eyes and shifted, pulling her legs up to her chest so she could rest her forehead on her knees.I’m sohopeless.
She felt a faint spark of magic—like a flickering flame. It took her a moment to realize it had come from the cloth still sitting in thebox.
She rubbed her nose before rising to her feet and unfolding the fabric from thebox.
It was a gown—possibly the most beautiful one she had ever seen. It was fitted through the waist and arms but had soft, beautiful skirts that fell in frothy layers. The off-shoulder neckline was embroidered with tiny, sparkling opals, as were the cuffs, which extended across the top of the hand in a V shape and had a loop to push over her middlefinger.
But what was most spectacular about the dress, was the fabric—or perhaps the charmsplacedupon thefabric.
Even just feeling the sleeves, Angelique could tell it was charmed against heat, cold, dirt, and tears, and was spelled for durability. But as she gazed at it, the dress changed colors. It was a beautiful creamy white that was gradually turning a golden, champagne hue. From gold, it faded into a pale yellow, and then shifted to a faintpink.
It was a dress fit for an adored and renown Lady Enchantress. NotAngelique.
More than ever, Angelique felt like a fraud. Her teacher had held her in such esteem, and she hadn’t valued it enough. And while she still hated her magic and couldn’t imagine using it, a part of her knew. If she had just used it…or rather, if she had been better at turning it intousefulmagic…
She hung her head and slowly refolded the gown, carefully replacing it in the box.I’m sorry, Evariste. Sosorry.
Chapter 32
Angelique shifted impatiently.It took a great deal of effort to keep from tapping her foot on the ground as she waited for the Council to give their official statement onEvariste.
