“Um, Master, you may be, uh, over-estimating my abilities,” shesaid.
“Nonsense. He’s right—you’re more than powerful enough, my dear,” Sybillasaid.
“Maybe so,” Melody spat. “But she’s anabomin—”
“Finish that word, and you’ll regret it,” Evariste said. The gentleness was gone again, and his voice was as icy and steely as it had been when he warnedCarabosso.
Melodygulped.
Sybilla nodded insatisfaction.
Angelique, however, was a little surprised by the strong…defense. She glanced up at him, but all he did was smileagain.
“Come, Angelique.” He glided towards the king, princess, and herconsort.
Angelique scrambled to keep pace with him. “EnchanterEvariste?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t think I can dothis.”
Evariste stopped walking and tilted his head. “You don’t believe you can do it, or you don’t think you should doit?”
Angelique nervously swallowed. “What if I hurt her?” shewhispered.
“Oh, Angel.” He sighed with warm affection. “You would never hurtsomeone.”
“But mymagic—”
“Is strong. Which is exactly what is needed at this moment.” Evariste placed a hand on her shoulder again. “You needlessly fear yourself because of your years at the academy. I wish I could take back all the hurt they inflicted upon you, but even I cannot undo the past. So you must be brave and look to the future. Youwillbe an Enchantress one day, and, as magic users, it is our duty to aid the weak. Princess Rosalinda desperately needs your help, Angelique, or she willdie.”
It was difficult for Angelique to breathe.I’m terrified I’ll make another mistake. Even if I’m not directly using my war magic, I still have to twist it!But…I don’t want to disappoint Master Evariste.She glanced at Princess Alessia—whose shoulders heaved withsobs.
Angelique curled her hands into fists and nodded.Evariste said we have a duty…and at least this is a lot less dangerous. Or it should be. Ugh, but I’m using my magic on a princess.Though she felt like she might be sick from her nerves, Angelique forced herself to say, “I’ll doit.”
Evariste removed his warm hand from her shoulder and instead offered it out to her. “And I will helpyou.”
Angelique hesitated, then placed her hand in his. Reassurance surged through her as he intertwined his fingers with hers, and they approached the royal family of Soletogether.
A knight approached King Giuseppe, his face ashen. “We failed to capture Carabosso, Your Majesty. We thought we had him cornered in an outer courtyard, but he slipped through ourshields.”
King Giuseppe stared coldly at Evariste as they approached him. “You should have stopped him. You are an enchanter—you have the power.” He spared a glance down at his granddaughter when shegurgled.
Evariste responded calmly. “It is not quite as easy as that, I’m afraid. Fortunately, we have a chance to modify the curse. My apprentice, Angelique, is quite capable. She will give the princess a gift as well, and she will modify Carabosso’smagic.”
King Giuseppe swung his gaze from Evariste to Angelique. “Anapprentice?”
Angelique barely noticed the king’s sour question and instead stared at Princess Rosalinda.Can I really do this, with less than a year’s training?Angelique felt her magic curl around her—eager to be used—and she ruthlessly kicked it awayagain.
Evariste stepped around King Giuseppe and tugged Angelique towards Princess Alessia. “Princess Alessia, Prince Consort Filippo, rest assured we will save your daughter. If you give my apprentice and me a few minutes to prepare, we will modify Princess Rosalinda’s curseshortly.”
It took all of Angelique’s will to keep from shrieking.Shortly? Curse-modification was a complex and advanced art!I wouldn’t trust a genius mage to begin wielding difficult spells immediately after learning them, much less trust myself with something that puts a life atrisk!
Angelique eyed Evariste and wondered if she dared risking his disappointment. She hated to fail him, but this was tooperilous!
Princess Alessia’s lower lip trembled. “You can break thecurse?”
“The curse will unfortunately remain, but Angelique can save her,” Evaristesaid.
