If it’s really that easy, then why haven’t they found Evariste? And why all the dark magic?But arguing about it wouldn’t further her cause, and Angelique wasn’t certain she was desperately trying to see connections where there was none, so she held her peace. “Perhaps,” shesaid.
Sinèad slightly tilted her head as she finished writing out another sentence with a flourish. “You’ll still hand in a report about Ringsted, ApprenticeAngelique?”
Angelique shifted slightly. “If you feel it will make the department take matters more seriously, I can. But I’m not sure if many would look favorably at myreport.”
Alfonso squinted at her. “Whynot?”
Sinèad smiled sadly at her co-worker. “That is another attractive trait of yours. You don’t care for mage politics.” She waggled her eyebrows at Alfonso, who turned his back to her and busied himself with hispaperwork.
Blanche smiled, but Rein made a face and shook his head. “Are you trying to get yourself disciplined for verbally ravishing your husband during workhours?”
Angelique held her calm expression only because she was too surprised to move a muscle.They’remarried?
“And here I thought,” Rein continued, “as an office supervisor, you’re supposed to set a goodexample.”
Sinèad arched an eyebrow, and her smile turned into a smirk. “If you are so concerned with my work abilities, it seems now would be theperfecttime to remind you I’m still missing three reports from your lastmission.”
Rein groaned, and Blanche patted hisshoulder.
Alfonso merely shrugged. “You all but requested this dressing down,” he told the weathermage.
A chuckle finally escaped Angelique, and all four mages swung their gazes in her direction, staring openly. Though their gazes weren’t hostile—they appeared curious more than anything—there was still a certain edge to them that made Angelique clear herthroat.
She shifted slightly. “That was all I had to say. I’ll hand in my report soon. Thankyou.”
All four mages slightly dipped their head to her as she left the room.At least they didn’t treat me withscorn.
Angelique made her way to Evariste’s office, intending to use his gateway to get home to Torrens. That would put her far closer to Sole, greatly shortening the time it would take to getthere.
Perhaps I could even take a day or two to rest? I ought to tell Clovicus about the sea witch, too. Particularly given there’s a fairly good chance the Council will summon me for a meeting to berate me for sealing Dylan’s voice, and I’ll need his aid in defendingmyself.
She hesitated, several minutes later, when she passed the hallway that contained Clovicus’ office, before continuing on to Evariste’soffice.
After the difficult trip over the mountains—and knowing she would soon face the Sole royal family alone—home was a siren song Angelique could notresist.
She practically sagged against the door to Evariste’s office when she reached it and started to crack itopen.
When she could see Evariste’s desk, shepaused.
Several letters were stacked on its surface, and one of them glowed gold withmagic.
They weren’t for the missing enchanter—after four years of being gone, no one tried to send him notes or mailanymore.
Which means they’re for me. And what are the chances one of them is a summons to report into the Council for one bogus reason oranother?
She knew she’d have to face them again—sealing Dylan’s voice made it impossible to avoid. But perhaps…she could delay it just a bitlonger.
Angelique shut the door and started back the way she had come. “I guess I’ll file my report.”And then sneak outside and call Pegasus back as soon as I finish. It seems I’ll be taking the long way to Sole. I’ll cut back throughLoire.
Angelique made a face and vowed to avoid Noyers—and the smarmy Prince Lucien. But perhaps she could stop at Chanceux Chateau, home of Prince Severin and PrincessElle.
And maybe, she thought dimly,maybe the prince will hear me out about everything that’s happened. Perhaps he can make sense of it. He’s no mage, but he’s a military genius, and I suspect he and Elle see things most peoplemiss.
* * *
When the roadAngelique and Pegasus were taking through Loire split—one part branching off towards Noyers while the rest continued to the large wood that contained Chanceux Chateau—Angelique tugged the constellation from his ground-eating gallop to a slowwalk.
“I think this is the right way?” She squinted as Pegasus approached theforest.
