“I see,” Firra said. The fire mage furrowed her brow as she watched Roland jump onto a cushioned footstool and fixate his unblinking eyes on her and hercompanion.
“He’s a very handsome fellow,” Donaighsaid.
Roland broke the staring match and preened. “It is encouraging to see at least one of you has some semblance ofintelligence.”
“Roland!” Angeliquehissed.
The magic cat licked one of his paws and scrubbed at hisface.
Angelique briefly narrowed her eyes.I should have tossed him outside before this started. Running from the mean swans would have kept him occupied. Oh well.Angelique renewed her smile as she turned her attention to the visiting mages. “I hope your trip waspleasant?”
“It was, thank you,” Firrasaid.
“Excellent. What would you like to drink?” Angelique gestured to the three small teapots that were settled on the tea tray. “We have black tea, drinking chocolate, strawberry tea, and—should you like it—we have several bottles of Sole and Loirewines.”
“Drinking chocolate, please.” Firra said. “To remind me ofhome.”
Angelique started to pour some of the drink out for the mage, but Evariste tilted his head. “I had nearly forgotten. You are from Sole, if I recall correctly—yes?”
Angelique held in hersnort.
When Evariste helped her sort through possible candidates, he mentioned Firra would be idealbecauseshe was from Sole and would be more likely to watch the princess with extra diligence.When I was a first year at Luxi-Domus I never dreamed I’d come to admire my teacher’s ability to use his charisma like a legendary conman. He’s a prodigy alright—in magicandmischief.
“Bred and born of Sole,” Firra said, her voice had an obvious note of pride to it. “Donaigh is fromRingsted.”
“The shipping giant—though it surprises me it isn’t better known for its striking shores and green lands,” Evaristecommented.
Donaigh nodded, but he didn’t reply—though he had a slight smile on his lips as he watchedAngelique.
Feeling more than a little awkward—because there wasn’t anything special about her, she couldn’t even trick a person half as well as Evariste—Angelique cleared her throat and babbled. “We were just in Ringsted not two weeks ago. It is a beautiful country.” She handed Firra the drinking chocolate and made herself meet Donaigh’s gaze. “And what would you like to drink, MageDonaigh?”
“Black tea,please.”
“With cream andsugar?”
“Yes,please.”
Angelique set about preparing Mage Donaigh’s tea—and filling a plate of sweets for him. She glanced at Evariste, wondering when he was going to bring the request up, but he seemed perfectly content with his lot and instead gave her one of his bright smiles before reaching out to tuck a strand of her brunette hair that had slipped free from the pearl netting she had her hair pinned upin.
Evariste briefly leaned closer to her so he could murmur. “Your hair looks lovely today,Angel.”
Angelique pressed her lips into a thin line.We’re trying to negotiate for mage-guards to keep a royal princess safe, but yes, please do notice my hair rightnow.
Thankfully, Firra spoke up before Evariste could continue. “If you’ll excuse my bluntness, sir, but why did you invite us here?” the fire mageasked.
“I am hoping you will take on an assignment. Thank you, Angel.” Evariste said when she passed him his teacup. (She didn’t need to ask him his choice of drinks, she knew from daily life that he also preferred blacktea.)
Donaigh tilted his head as he asked, “What kind ofassignment?”
“A long-term one, I’m afraid,” Evariste sipped his tea, then put it aside. “Have you heard of the plight of Princess Rosalinda—granddaughter of King Giuseppe ofSole?”
Angelique nonchalantly poured herself a cup of strawberry tea, but studied the mages, trying to gauge theirreactions.
The pair glanced at each other, but surprisingly it was Donaigh whoreplied.
“I think every magic user on the continent has,” hesaid.
“It is fortunate Lady Enchantress Angelique was able to modify her curse,” Firra added, lifting her chin inapproval.
