Angelique drooped as she watched the snickeringboy.
I failed. I’m not taking responsibility for Wybert-the-rat’s mean streak and lies, but this was my first real assignment. And I failed it. Terribly. He isn’t any better—he calls wolf even more often now out ofspite!
“Come, Apprentice. Let us make our way back to Sideralis,” Enchanter Evariste called as he started edging his way through thetrees.
Angelique bowed her head, then fell in step behind hermaster.
What will Master Evariste tell the Council in the reports…and what will the Council decide as a result? Will he tell them Wybert is beyond help and needs to get thrown into a vat of butter before being tossed to housecats—as I wish wecould?
And even if he does, will the Council believe him? Or will they see this as more proof that I shouldn’t be an Enchantress and that the Conclave has no place forme?
* * *
At dinner,Angelique was grateful for the loud-mouthed and boisterous Elf King as he and his equally raucous generals kept Enchanter Evaristeentertained.
Though Enchanter Evariste occasionally patted her hand or nudged a dish at her plate, he didn’t try to pull her into theconversation.
This suited Angelique just fine. Though the food was delicious—enough to make her salivate on her walk to the dining hall—her thoughts were occupied by the brattyWybert.
How could I have done better withhim?
She delicately picked at her food—quail served with figs and wild rice—as she tried to review the things she hadsaid.
A warm hand touched Angelique’s shoulder. “You seem thoughtful tonight,Apprentice.”
Angelique straightened up and put on a pleasant expression so she could properly greetAlastryn.
The elven lady set a steaming clay cup of tea in front of Angelique’s plate, then took a step back. “Is the food not to yourliking?”
Angelique shook her head. “No—it is scrumptious! I fear Master Evariste may have to roll me home when we finally leave these beautifulwoods.”
“Then what troubles you?” Lady Alastrynasked.
“It is only…” Angelique hesitated, then blushed a little in embarrassment. “Master Evariste gave me an assignment as an enchantress-in-training, and I fear I have failed it ratherterribly.”
“I see.” Alastryn pointedly looked at the male elf who sat on Angelique’s other side. When he realized the king’s cousin was staring at him, he shifted his attention toher.
Alastryn made a shooing gesture, which popped the elf out of his chair and had him edging around the table without exchanging aword.
Alastryn smiled as she sat in the abandoned chair, adjusting her wine-red skirts so they elegantly flowed over the seat. “And what assignment has your teacher given you?” sheasked.
Under Alastryn’s kind but expectant gaze, the entire tale spilled from Angelique’s lips. She told her of Wybert and her frustration and inability to convince the boy tostoplying!
“He sounds like a weasel,” Alastryn said when Angeliquefinished.
“I thinkratmight be a more apt description,” Angeliquesighed.
Alastryn laughed. “Perhaps! If he were an elf child, his mother likely would have thrown him to the wolves by now to teach him alesson.”
Angelique smiled at the thought and slightly shook herhead.
“I couldn’t help but notice, however, that you have limited yourself to speeches and pleas,” Alastrynsaid.
Angelique took a sip of her tea and blinked to keep her expression straight, for she hadnotbeen expecting a warm drink spiked with what was very obviously hard liquor. She swallowed and had to wait a moment for the burning sensation to pass from her throat. “Yes.”
“Perhaps you might think of trying a different method—like speaking to his mother?” Alastryn suggested. “Or have his uncle threaten to dock hiswages.”
“Those are very fine suggestions,” Angelique said diplomatically.They might temporarily patch the problem, but I don’t believe it will fix Wybert’s behavior. He was gleeful when he called the others. I don’t know that withholding money would change that. And his mother already knows about theproblem.
