He hopped over the side of the gazebo rather than take the stairs and purposefully strode through hisgardens.
Angelique slowly lowered herself onto an unornamented—but beautifully simple in its design—woodenbench.
What now?Shewondered.
She had hurt another human being with her magic. Such a thing had always been her worst nightmare and something she strode toavoid.
And now I’ve gone and proven everyone’s judgement about meright.
Angelique pressed her fingertips against her closedeyes.
I can’t use my core magic. It’s too dangerous, too dark. I’m selfish enough to admit I want to be an enchantress, badly. If I make enchantress, I can spin my wretched powers into something good. But I don’t know that I deserve that sort ofposition.
I am too much of a liability—no—a danger to remainunsealed.
Angelique studied her shakinghands.
It seemed like Evariste intended to keep her on as an apprentice. He wouldn’t have pointed the Elf King in her direction if he plannedotherwise.
Angelique didn’t think it was very wise of him, but she was too self-centered to suggest that or to willingly let herself besealed.
Maybe that’s just another way I’m a monster. But if I don’t use my core magic, I won’t be as much of a danger,right?
Angelique stoodabruptly.
I’ll get better at stifling my core magic and work even harder to improve in other areas. I’ll studyrelentlessly.
The image of Enchanter Evariste—his jacket turning red with his own blood—assaulted Angelique’s mind. She could almost smell the tangy, heave-inducing scent of bloodagain.
“Never,” Angelique whispered, the word dropping from her lips like a weight. “I’llneverlet that happenagain.”
* * *
Angelique feltlike an imposter as she stood side-by-side with Evariste to bid King Themerysaldi and Lady Alastrynfarewell.
“Thank you for your visit, Apprentice Angelique.” Lady Alastryn smiled as she clasped Angelique’s hands between hers. “I look forward to seeing you frequent our Sideralis. Lord Enchanter Evariste is a common guest; I am glad you will join him, and I eagerly await our nextmeeting.”
Angelique did not miss that the lady elf had purposely phrased all extensions of another trip not as a request or hope, but rather astatement.
She offered her a smile. “Thank you for all you have taught me during mystay.”
“It was my pleasure—you are such a pleasant student,” Lady Alastryn said. “Unlike others.” She glared briefly at her royalcousin.
King Themerysaldi ignored her. “Watch yourself, Evariste,” he said with a lopsided smirk. “Come back when you can slip your duties and Conclave leash,” he suggested. He glanced at Angelique and nodded. “That goes for you as well,Apprentice.”
Angelique curtsied. “Thank you for yourhospitality.”
King Themerysaldi awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, sure.Oof—”
He coughed when Lady Alastryn smacked him in theribs.
“I mean, our pleasure,” he amended. He nodded again to Evariste. “You’ve decided against opening up a portal here because of the troll,right?”
Evariste nodded. “Yes. I’m going to risk summoninghiminstead.”
“Good luck,” the Elf King said doubtfully. “Please make sure he doesn’t rampage through my kingdom, again, in hisanger.”
Evariste laughed. “I’ll try,” he said. He placed a hand on Angelique’s elbow. “Come, Apprentice. Thisway.”
