She peered over her shoulder and watched as Enchanter Evariste collapsed theportal.
“Where are we?” sheasked.
“Welcome to Wistful Thicket—a small woods located inTorrens.”
Torrens?Angelique nearly dropped her bags in surprise. Torrens was on the other side of the continent from Mullberg—the location of the VenenoConclave.
In a single step, she had traveled a journey that would normally takeweeks!
Enchanter Evariste chuckled at her obvious shock and set out at a loping walk. “This way—to your newhome.”
Angelique hurried after him, though when they rounded a thick patch of trees, shestopped.
Enchanter Evariste’s home was a mixture of comfortable elegance and wonders ofmagic.
It was a neat, cube-shaped building made of gray stone, outlined with golden timbers, and topped by a bright blue shingledroof.
The very center of the roof was deeply concaved. In the middle of the dip was a blazing ball of crackling blue magic, cradled by a wrought-iron crescent moon that saddled theroof.
The peaks of the house had circular glass windows, decorated with a window frame made of stars and moons. They and the smaller windows of the house—which were similarly decorated—were clearly of elvish design. In fact, between the ornate ironwork that bloomed around the doors and edges of the house, and the glowing blue globs of magic that seemed to be fastened to the corners of the roof, the house was a beautiful blend of magic and understated elvendesign.
But how did he manage that? Elves don’t often venture far from their woods inFarset.
“Come along, Apprentice!” Enchanter Evariste called as he crossed the brick bridge that spanned a large pond which curled around the front half of thehouse.
A pair of white swans looked up at the enchanter as he passed by, and a few ducks quacked ingreeting.
Angelique hurried after him, though her thoughts were still trying to catch up with hereyes.
It smells clearer here—the air doesn’t have that stale aftertaste that the Academyhas.
Angelique twisted around like an owl, scanning the edges of the forest. She saw a badger and two rabbits, and what looked like a deer farther in. None of the animals were bothered by her presence, and they didn’t move even when Enchanter Evariste opened hisdoor.
“Here we are.” He led the way inside. “The salon, dining room, and library are in this front half of the house; the kitchens are in the back half. Upstairs are our rooms andwashrooms.”
Evariste motioned to the salon as they traipsed through it. Angelique noted with interest that it had windows that looked out over the pond and front yard, and windows on the back of the room that seemed to be windows into some verydifferentlocations—including a beautiful forest, a snowy mountain top, and what was likely to be the palace ofBaris.
“The library is that way—it’s warded against fire and magic, so we’ll hold most of your lessons in myworkshop.”
Enchanter Evariste freely motioned to a slightly darkened room as they marched up the square staircase that snaked through the center of thehouse.
He stepped onto the landing for the second floor—which had a far lower ceiling than the first floor. With a motion up to the top floor, he continued, “Up top is the workshop—it’s the attic, really, but I need space and a lot of it when using my magic, so it was necessary. We’ll go up there if we have time before dinner. But only after you’ve settledin.”
Another smile, and he was off, gliding towards a door, which he opened. “Your new quarters—though I’m afraid your washroom is not attached, but it is right nextdoor.”
Angelique bobbed her head in wordless thanks as she stepped into the room and paused,puzzled.
The room was tastefully decorated with gold and mauve shades of purple—it rather reminded her of asunset.
The flooring was constructed with a golden wood that almost seemed to glow from within. The brocade wallpaper was a creamy white with dusty purple flourishes and swirls woven into its surface and was complemented by a thick purple rug and an armchair with purple damask cushions placed in front of the emptyfireplace.
The wood frame of the gigantic poster bed—screened by gold curtains, though Angelique still caught sight of several purple pillows with gold tassels hanging over the side—was made of the same golden wood as the flooring, as was the chest placed at the end of the bed, the dressing table, and the wardrobe that was bigger thanAngelique.
Thick towels were stacked on the dressing table, and a number of magical books—all ones a master would provide for his or her student—were arranged on top of thechest.
I was expecting a guest bedroom, but it seems like Evariste was planning for me? Or for an apprentice, at least? Perhaps he meant to have a different apprentice, but ended up taking me on out ofpity?
Angelique shook herself from her stupor. “It is beautiful—thank you for lending me use ofit.”
