“You’ll need to loosen your hold on your magic eventually,” Evaristesaid.
Surprised, Angelique glanced at her teacher. “What do youmean?”
“Most mages—no—allmages let their magic flow freely from their soul. I am aware you hold yours back—though perhaps it is more accurate to say you wall it off—and release as little as possible needed for whatever spell you are working on.” Evariste fixed his green and blue eyes on Angelique, making her fidget with the seriousness of his expression. “You have to letgo.”
But do I really?Angelique smiled and lied. “Perhaps one day in the future—when I have morecontrol.”
Evariste lifted a brow. “You need not lie to me,Angel.”
Angelique briefly lost control of her expression and gaped up at him, but mercifully, Evariste had raised his gaze to study the storesigns.
“I understand that you keep your magic down because you believe it is dangerous,” he continued. “Which is not true at all. But, I believe you will one day come to realize that. It is merely that, in the meantime, I wish to warn you that one day you will have to reckon with the stranglehold you have on your powers and release it. You need to explore your boundaries—and find out whether you have a price or a limitation on your magic, though personally I imagine you’ll have aprice.”
“How can you tell?” Angelique blurted out. “That I’m holding back, Imean.”
Evariste pulled his brow into a regretful expression. “I’m a little more sensitive to the magic in others than the average mage—though not nearly as discerning as a fairy godmother or godfather. But I’m good enough at sensing it to know that every mage leaks their magic, Angel. Every mage except foryou.”
Angelique licked her lips, unsure what would be a suitable response.He seems convinced I’m going to change my mind—when I won’t—and that it’s a bad thing to stifle my magic—when it’s not. But the smartest thing for me to do is continue what I’m doing and let him keep his naïve wishes. So how do Iproceed?
“Lord EnchanterEvariste?”
Angelique didn’t even try to dim the smile that burst on her face as she turned with Evariste to face the speaker.Saved! I am saved—thank you, kind soul, for taking pity onme!
The “kind soul” was a woman with a magical beauty—which made her a mage at the very least. She had bright green eyes and perfectly coiffed red hair. The sapphires that hung from her earlobes sparkled, and the skirts of her minty blue dress were wide and poofed in Loirefashion.
Enchanter Evariste blinked. “Oh, hello, EnchantressLovelana.”
Angelique relaxed as she took a tiny step back so she did not stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Evariste, but just a little behind him. She then clasped her fingers together and settled into what she thought of as her “attentive-apprentice”pose.
“Enchanter Evariste, what a pleasant surprise it is to see you here!” Enchantress Lovelana said. Her voice was sweet like honey, and she took a step closer to Evariste as she smiled at him. “You are as handsome asever.”
“Thank you,” Evariste laughed. “And you are just as beautiful as when I last sawyou.”
Enchantress Lovelana blushed handsomely. “You always have been a charmer,” she took a step closer to Evariste so she could playfully tap hisarm.
“What brings you to Noyers?” Evaristeasked.
Enchantress Lovelana shrugged so her shoulder brushed his. “Oh, youknow…”
Angelique was momentarily puzzled.What is she trying to accomplish by continuously moving closer to him—oh.She took another look at Lovelana while the enchantress giggled and smiled adoringly.Yep, that is the face of a woman with a fancy for Evariste. She has high-calibertaste!
Satisfied with the discovery, Angelique settled back into her attentive pose.Good. This will distract Evariste plenty so he won’t ask me anymore uncomfortable questions about magic. And at least she’s not scowling atme.
Lovelana giggled at something Evariste said, and Angelique stifled the desire toyawn.
Her difficult years as a student had stamped out all typical girlish cares—including romance.Romance is for those who are carefree or have a lot of time on their hands, she mulled.I don’t give two hoots what a man thinks of me, unless he is Evariste or a Council Member. Making it to enchantress is far,farmoreimportant!
Privately, she scoffed.Romance. So useless!She speculatively glanced at Enchantress Lovelana.Unless…could I leverage my position as Evariste’s apprentice to befriend the women who adore him and thus improve myreputation?
Dimly, Angelique was aware that one wasnotsupposed to think of using another person’s romances for personal gain, but it was likely Evariste wouldn’t mindanyway.
“No, I’m afraid I must regretfully refuse the invitation to dine with you,” Evariste said, bringing Angelique’s focus back to the conversation. “I’m taking my apprenticeshopping.”
Angelique looked up just in time for Evariste to rest a hand on her shoulder and scoop her forward so she once again stood shoulder-to-shoulder withhim.
“Oh,” Enchantress Lovelana’s peered at Angelique with markedly lessenthusiasm.
“I don’t think you’ve met her yet,” Evariste continued. “Enchantress Lovelana, please allow me to introduce you to my prized student,Angelique.”
