Primrose sat down, blinkingrapidly.
Even Enchanter Crest seemed shocked. “Really?” heasked.
Evaristenodded.
“You will take responsibility for her future?” Enchantress Felicienne inquired, her voice dagger sharp. “Madam Quarrellous called herwillful.”
“In my experience, willfulness is not an indication of evil,” Enchanter Evariste replied in his smooth, brightvoice.
“That could change if she grows corrupted in the future,” Enchanter Tristisimsaid.
Evariste slightly tilted his head. “The Council seemed to be unusually concerned about her actions in the future despite the fact that no instructor has ever reported even awhiffof corruption or evil magic around her. Besides, as recorded in the report, Angelique has been hauled to Verglas on numerous occasions. The Snow Queen’s magic that guards Verglas’ borders from any harmful magic did not stir at herpresence.”
“You acquired our council report?” Enchanter Crestasked.
“Lord Enchanter Evariste is of high enough rank to request any report submitted to the Council,” Enchantress Feliciennesaid.
Enchanter Tristisim returned to scratching his beard. “Very well, so you believe the girl to be a bleeding lamb; that’s fine. But I want you to explain what you will doifthe worst should happen. No matter how innocent you think this student to be, we cannot allow you to teach her if you are illprepared.”
Evariste shrugged slightly, though his charming smile didn’t dim. “Perhaps the Council has forgotten my particular magic? No matter where we are, I will be able to instantly transport myself and Angelique to other locations—whether they be remote ones to remove the possibility of harming others, or Verglas to seek out the Snow Queen’smagic.”
Which would kill me if I really did go rogue. Not that I have plans to. Or wantto.
Hope started to move in her chest—almost painfully so. Angelique hadn’t given herself the luxury of dreaming that she might come out of her trial with her magic intact. She had given up all hope of living as a magic user, butnow…
The Council members leaned close together, murmuring quietly to one another and arguing in hissedwhispers.
“Lord Enchanter Evariste.” Madame Quarrellous started to reach for the enchanter, then seemed to think better of it and dropped her hand. “You are too kind; but I’m afraid you are on the cusp of making a monumentalmistake!”
Evariste ignored the instructor and turned, slightly, to face Angelique. “I must apologize, Angelique: it was rather bold of me to suggest to the Council that I take you as my apprentice without asking you if you’d like me for ateacher.”
Angelique felt her eyes bugging as she stared at Evariste.Is he joking?She studied him for another moment, but it seemed he wassincere.
Enchanter Evariste was an idol among magic users. Though he was only a little older than Angelique, he had been a Lord Enchanter for years. He earned the rank when he was still a child—a littleboy!—making him the youngest Enchanter ever. He possessed incredibly rare magic and was renowned for the depth of hispower.
Mages would fight for the honor to be Evariste’s student, and here he was asking her—a potentially dangerous student whose owninstructorsdidn’t trust her—to become hisapprentice.
Enchanter Evariste didn’t seem to notice her hesitation and blithely continued, “You would be my first apprentice, which means I might bungle your teaching, so I’ll have to request your patience before we even begin. But I believe we might get along splendidly—if you’re willing to try, that is.” He slightly tilted his head, making the hood of his cloak rustle against his face. “Areyou?”
Though I hate my magic, I still love being a magic user. I want to work to uphold the oaths of the Veneno Conclave. It’s all I ever wanted, though I thought I might be too dangerous to ever do that. But now!Angelique nodded eagerly. “Of course, LordEnchanter.”
“Excellent!” Enchanter Evariste smiled. “This will besuchfun.”
Angelique shifted slightly. “There’s no guarantee they’ll do as you ask, LordEnchanter.”
“Nonsense. Of course they will.” Evariste’s smile turned mischievous. “If they don’t, they’ll have to admit they’re just scared of your power and potential—and won’tthatmake them lookbad?”
“The Council has come to an agreement,” Enchanter Crest said, his expression unreadable as he stacked his papers. “Lord Enchanter Evariste will be given custody of Angelique and has permission to take her on as hisapprentice.”
“However,” Enchantress Felicienne said, her voice loud and forceful. “There are several stipulations and agreements. Lord Enchanter Evariste must make frequent reports directly to the Council regarding Angelique’s progress. We will send mages to test Angelique throughout her apprenticeship, and if we see any sign of wrongdoing, she will be sealedimmediately.”
The Council Members nodded their heads inaffirmation.
“Additionally,” Enchantress Primrose added, “we ask that as long as Angelique is an Enchantress-in-Training, she only use her war magic under Enchanter Evariste’s direct supervision.” The plump enchantress smiled warmly. “It’s for your protection, dear,” she said with allsincerity.
None of the requirements surprised Angelique, and she nodded—though she didn’t miss the slight downturn of Evariste’s mouth at Enchantress Primrose’s stipulation.What is he upset about? That is all perfectly reasonable given what Iam.
“I’ll agree to your requests, but I think they should be revisited several years into my apprentice’s training,” Enchanter Evariste said. “Particularly the provision that she shouldn’t use her core magic withoutme.”
