Angelique’s edginess thawed slightly with the recollection of the one-time destitute Trieux duchess.It seems Cinderella is achieving her desire to unite Erlauf and Trieux with far more success than she initiallyplanned.
“And also because we are aware they’ve been harassed by goblins,” Severin added. “It seems like they would be more aware of it—and willing to address the possibility—than, perhaps, othernations.”
“Given what I have shared with you, will you change that plan?” Angeliqueasked.
Severin frowned at his chalice and tapped the side of it. “Perhaps we ought to push ahead with it—not just with Erlauf but all thecountries.”
“I am not certain that it means anything,” Angelique said. “But I will offer whatever help Ican.”
Elle smiled. “Thank you, Angelique. It is to your credit that you are proactive in this matter, even though the Veneno Conclave hasn’t been the mostsupportive.”
Angelique ruefully smiled. “Thank you.”Heaven please do not strike me down for refraining from admitting that I am determined in thisbecausethe Conclave does not make aneffort.
“Will you stay with us a second night, Lady Enchantress, so we can further discuss this?” Severinasked.
Angelique eyed Lucien. “That depends; is Prince Lucienstaying?”
Elle burst into laughter. “No, he is to return to Noyers tomorrow morning. King Rèmy makes him attend lectures and classes—yes, even at his age—and if he skips too many there areconsequences.”
“Then I believe I will accept your offer.” Angelique smiled at the couple, feeling a little uncertain but peaceful. For once, her heart warmed. She wouldn’t have to watch the continentalone.
Yes, the Veneno Conclave was failing in its duty to mind magic, but if the countries could take up the slack, all would not belost.
For once, things lookbrighter.
Chapter 25
Angelique’s two-nightstay turned into a week. Combined with dodging summons from the Council and stopping in Trieux—now Erlauf—for a few weeks to subdue a goblin attack and help rebuild a ruined village, Angelique arrived at Sole in early fall and with highspirits.
With Princess Rosalinda’s birthday in winter, she was still reasonablyearly!
Pegasus seemed to catch onto her mood, for he flared with his power, shining brightly as he galloped across the open field, bearing down on Ciane—the capital of Sole. He stopped right outside the city gates with his usual cracks of thunder, and it seemed Angelique’s rare streak of luck was more potent than she could have hoped, for Mage Firra and Mage Donaigh stood just outside the city, a young knight standing withthem.
Angelique beamed. “I have arrived early!” It was all she could do to keep from laughing triumphantly. “Hello Donaigh, Firra! For once I have beaten calamity and come before—what happened?” She cut herself off when she noticed the mages’expressions.
Donaigh had dark circles under his eyes, and his usual straw hat seemed flat. Firra held blue fire with shaking fingers, and the slant of her brows spoke of sadness. The pair looked older than when she last saw them, but she suspected it wasn’t just because time passed slower for her, but rather that recent events had added to theirweariness.
“Lady Enchantress Angelique.” Donaigh went down on his knees. “I fear I have terriblenews.”
Oh, no. Not here, too.Angelique slumped forward until she rested her forehead on the crest of Pegasus’ neck.Why are these attacks suddenly so prevalent, and why am I alwayslate? I am so tired of running around. I’m tired of endlessly searchingfor—
Angelique forced herself to sit upright again. She took a deep breath, then pushed her sense of despair behind her a she slid off Pegasus. She waited to speak until certain her voice was steady. “What is it? I have arrived before Princess Rosalinda’s birthday—Pegasus got us over the Chronos Mountains so quickly, I even had time to stop at the Veneno Conclave before cominghere.”
Firra shook her hands, and her fire went out. “The princess has already been struck by her curse. She has fallenasleep.”
That’s not so bad, in the bigger scheme of things. She has her modifier, after all. Why, then, is their expression so grim?Angelique frowned. “That is terrible news. Have they summoned her truelove?”
Donaigh adjusted his straw hat. “The king has trooped every eligible—noble—male through her chambers to kissher.”
What.Angelique’s frown grew sharper. “And he thinks that will break thecurse?”
“It won’t?” asked the youngknight.
Angelique shifted her gaze to him, taking in his white-gold armor with accents of sky blue. Between the Magic Knight crest cut into his chestplate, his fancy blue cape, and the beautiful feathers etched into his pauldrons and layered over the ears of his helm, it was easy to place him as one of the Magic Knights of Sole—an elite force of knights trained with magic-based weapons and anti-magic armor. They were the pride of Sole, and the only fighting force in the continent to possess armor and weapons blessed by ancientelves.
To be a Magic Knight at such an age, the young man had to be very talented indeed.And if his reaction to the news is anything to go by, he is close to PrincessRosalinda.
“No,” she said, answering his question. “I didn’t use true love’s first kiss because I am a romantic fool. I used it because it is a powerful emotion that can be harnessed to shatter Carabosso’s magic. Taking a group of men and using Briar to search for the one will never work—it makes it into a task, not the act of love needed to break the curse.” She refrained from rubbing her forehead, though her head was starting to ache. “Doesn’t she have a truelove?”
