Evariste shook his head. “Emerys will arrive soon, I’m sure. He’ll take usback.”
Angelique snapped her head in a nod. “Is there any healing magic you can use on yourself?” She stood on shaky legs, ignoring the way her lungs felt crumpled and her thoughts screamed ather.
Now is not the time—as much as I deserveit.
“Angel,” Evariste stood as well and gently cupped her right hand in his. “I’m fine,” herepeated.
Angelique’s eyes shifted to the still-growing bloodstain on his shoulder, and her stomachheaved.
She staggered to a bush and retched. Her throat and lips burned, and a few tears escaped her control and rolled down hercheeks.
Stop it! Evariste needs help because ofME!
“Angelique?” Evariste rubbed her back and made a soothingnoise.
Her stomach heaved again. This time she dropped to herknees.
How could I have hurt him? Just how black is mysoul?
Her stomach finally settled, but the rancid taste in her mouth—and her heart—remained.
Wretched and miserable, she again staggered to herfeet.
“We have to get to Sideralis,” shecroaked.
Evariste tilted his head as he listened. “Emerys will take us back,” hesaid.
Angelique miserably rubbed her face and nodded, though she didn’t understand what he was talkingabout.
A few moments later, King Themerysaldi—riding his war unicorn—shot into the area of ruinedforest.
His unicorn picked its way through the wreckage and brandished its horn at the fallentroll.
The Elf King whistled. “A troll? In Farset’s woods? That’s unheard of—” he cut himself off when he spotted Evariste. “You’reinjured?”
“Just a scratch,” Enchanter Evaristesaid.
Angelique emitted a gurgling sound of hysterical laughter, then slapped her hand over her mouth. With great effort, she made herself look the Elf King in the face and curtsied. “Lord Enchanter Evariste is in dire need of medical aid. Could you take him back toSideralis?”
The Elf King furrowed his brow as he studied Angelique. “Certainly. One of my men will bring you back—here they come.” He placed a hand on his unicorn’s well-muscled hindquarters and twisted to peer behindhim.
Elven warriors mounted on prancing horses stormed thearea.
The horses snorted at the sight of the troll, but instead of shying away as most mounts would, they tried to charge the dead monster, and their riders had to fight to keep themcalm.
“Sharych,” King Themerysaldistarted.
“Send at least two warriors with Angelique,” Evariste saidsuddenly.
Angelique stared at the ground but was determined not to close her eyes in shame when she thoroughly deserved to bepunished.
“And Abynth,” the Elf King said as if he had not been interrupted, “escort Apprentice Angelique back to Sideralis. The rest of you, investigate this troll. I want to know what it was doing in Farset—and so close to AlabasterWoods.”
The elves murmured to their king anddispersed.
Angelique watched King Themerysaldi slip off his unicorn and beckon to Enchanter Evariste. “Come, friend,” he called. “Pookie will be extragentle.”
“I’m not an ailing old woman,” Enchanter Evariste took Angelique’s left hand and squeezed it. “We will talk about this later, Angel,” he murmured to her. “What happened wasnotyour fault.” He squeezed her hand again, then released it and wandered towards the waiting ElfKing.
