Firra and Donaigh traded gazes. It was interesting, watching them communicate without words. But Angelique was convinced they had exchanged an entire conversation by the time they noddedtogether.
“There’s no need. We’ll guard Princess Rosalinda,” Firrasaid.
Angelique almost sagged with relief.Thank goodness—I wasn’t sure they were going to agree for a moment there.She let a real smile leak through as she also released Roland from her rather forceful hug. “Thank you! It is heartening to know that such competent mages are watchingher.”
Donaigh scratched the back of his neck and—interestingly—blushed a little. “I don’t know that we’re competent—Firra did say we’re just out of ourapprenticeships.”
Angelique shook her head. “Master Evariste told me that you are accomplished mages. I’m glad it will be the two of you watching theprincess.”
Donaigh’s blush deepened as he smiled sweetly ather.
Huh. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone react to me like this. Maybe I need to meet more war mages—this isfun!
“As am I,” Evariste said intruding on Angelique’s thoughts. A frown tugged on the edges of his fine lips. “We worried over whom to choose—for it will be a tricky assignment as the princess must stay hidden and safe. Those withgraymorals might seek to take advantage of the situation, but I know the two of you aretrue.”
“Where is the princess?” Firraasked.
Angelique’s couldn’t help her smirk “Why, Sole, ofcourse.”
Firra half bolted out of her chair, but turned the movement into adjusting her clothes at the last second. “She’s still inSole?”
Evariste laughed. “Yes, that was a fine bit of trickery pulled off by King Giuseppe and the Magic Knights. He decided to keep her in Sole, for it would be the last place Carabosso would look for her. The rumors were spread so searching for her would be a wild goose-chase for anyoneunscrupulous.”
Donaigh laughed and slapped his knee. “It was nicely played. Very well, Lord Enchanter, when do we receive the details of ourassignment?”
Evariste stood. “Now—if you’ll pardon me for a moment, I will retrieve thepapers.”
“I’ll get them,” Angelique offered in what she hoped sounded courteous. (Really, she was dying to leave the room so she could do a victory dance in the library.) “Come, Roland. I saw you poking about Master Evariste’s desk in the library earlier. If you moved anything, I’ll need yourhelp.”
“I do notpoke about,” Roland declared. He twitched this tail back and forth, but followed after her. “I inspect with the greatestelegance.”
“Thank you, Angel,” Evariste called out after her. “I’m quite glad you agreed to the assignment,” he repeated, still within Angelique’s hearing range as she made for the library. “The candidates the conclave chosewere…”
“Do you suspect foul play?” Donaighasked.
Angelique lost the rest of the conversation when she sashayed into thelibrary.
“You seem pleased,” Roland commented. He sat down in front of the empty fireplace and curled his black tail around his whitepaws.
“I am.” Angelique studied the papers mounded on the desk and plucked up the ones with the royal Sole seal. “This entire thing is more political than I like tobe.”
“I hardly think Sole requesting help is political—they’re rightfully worried about the princess,” Rolandscoffed.
Angelique strode across the room, but paused in the doorframe. “I wasn’t thinking of Sole. It’s the Conclave. Selecting Firra and Donaigh was a matter of balancing all the right requirements and politics and still finding someone who would judiciously guard theprincess.”
Roland sniffed. “If you so disdain politics you could adopt the lifestyle of a hero and wander from village to village saving ignorant peasants and unthankfullivestock.”
Angelique laughed. “Yes, that’s a lifestylecertainto win me points with the Veneno Conclave. Come, let’s goback.”
Angelique glanced through the papers as she made her way back to the sitting room, scrunching up her nose when she realized one of the necessary documents wasmissing.
Evariste saw her pause at the threshold of the salon and smiled. “Right then. Here are yourorders.”
“Actually, this isn’t all the paperwork,” Angelique confessed. “I missed one of the official forms from the Conclave. I’ll go getit.”
“No need!” Evariste stood and cheerfully smiled. “I’ll fetch it. I need to get writing materials so they can sign the documentsanyway.”
Angelique glanced over her shoulder. “Oh, but I would be happyto—”
