Firra sighed, which sounded like a groan of the heart. “She might, but King Giuseppe is shouting down anyone who dares to suggest she might already be in love—particularly if they imply it is with someone outside her socialcaste.”
“Firra and I estimated that if Briar’s curse would be finished off, the country would be fine,” Donaigh said. “Neither the nobles nor the government officials are against letting an extra heir be named just in case—nor are they against allowing foreign gentry to approach Briar.” A frown settled on his normally curved lips. “Unfortunately, though the rest of the country is amiable, King Giuseppe appears to be falling apart. Forgive me, Isaia, but it istrue.”
The young knight—Isaia, it seemed—shifted at Donaigh’s bluntness and insult to the knight’s liege. But he didn’t grab for his weapon or glare; instead, he looked to Angelique. “Princess Alessia and Prince Consort Filippo will wish to speak toyou.”
“King Giuseppe will as well,” Firra said. “But I wouldn’t expect tears of happiness when he seesyou.”
What a shock. All my life I’ve been so beloved and popular.Angelique shrugged. “He wasn’t particularly happy with me when I modified the curse, so I’m notsurprised.”
Donaigh’s gaze darkened. “If he lays a hand onyou…”
Angelique, warmed by his reaction, let a quick grin flash on her face. “Peace, Donaigh. I’m still in disgrace from using magic in Arcainia last year. Baiting royalty will not ease my situation. Come, let us find the royal family and get it over with. I will have to explain to the king that his system won’t work, anyway.Pegasus!”
Donaigh fell in step behind Angelique, and Pegasus behind him. She heard Firra’s voice behind them, speaking to the young magic knight, but no one moved to join Angelique at the front of theline.
She wished theywould.
Foremostly, because I don’t know where I’m going, she joked to herself. Even in the privacy of her mind, the joke didn’t fully ringtrue.
Yes, she would rather have someone lead the way so she didn’t take them in the wrong direction like an idiot, but more than that, it would be nice to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with someone again, instead of being ever aware of the hole where Evariste oncestood.
* * *
The royal responsewas about what Angelique expected. The princess and prince consort—Princess Rosalinda’s parents—were grateful to see her, but King Giuseppescowled.
I cannot blame him for his poor countenance. His granddaughter has just had her curse go off. It’s understandable.Mostly. Except Rosalinda is just sleeping—a far better position than the seven princes of Arcainia were in when they were swans. And worlds better than Severin when he was firstcursed.
Angelique idly wondered if it was a bad sign for her soul that she was starting to grow less horrified by curses and now measured them by the pain theydealt.
“It is your fault we are in this situation,” King Giuseppe said in a voice of ice and darkness. (He’d been railing at her for a good fifteen minutes already. But he had nothing on the Council in terms of intimidation, and thus was a bit of a bore.) “If you had just broken the curse off—if Lord Enchanter Evariste had bothered to work the spellhimself!”
Angelique’s polite smile slipped for a moment, and she felt her magic brush invitingly against her fingers. “Yes, you’ve mentioned that several times, Your Majesty. So, in the interests of using my time wisely, I will go see to the sleeping princess myself.” She curtseyed, then turned and started to make her way from theroom.
“We are in this situation because of your inability to properly use magic.” King Giuseppe stayed on his throne, but Angelique didn’t need to see his face to hear the disdain that lined his voice. “If the country unravels, the guilt will rest on your head. You are a failure of anenchantress.”
Angelique stopped in thedoorway.
It’s not fair, she thought.I’ve rescued princes and princesses, fought goblins, modified curses, and it’s still not enough. I don’t think it ever willbe.
Her polite smile fell from her lips, leaving her expression blank or perhaps even a littledark.
Why does everyone try to make me take responsibility for whatever darkness it is that pollutes theselands?
Her magic was a feather-soft touch on the back of her hand, and for a moment, Angelique tappedit.
She tapped her war magic, and the heat of her anger faded, unable to remain hot under the cool surge of herpowers.
Abruptly, Angelique remembered herself. She released her magic and snapped her eyesshut.
Breathe. She told herself.You have a duty. Even if it’s to an ungrateful king—who is really just heartbroken and scared.When she opened her eyes, the tenseness in her body was gone, and she was able to replace her serenesmile.
She took a breath then glided into the hallway. Though she didn’t glance back, she could still feel the presence of the young knight who had stood with Firra and Donaigh at the gates of Ciane. “Sir Isaia, was it?” she asked. “Would you be so kind as to show me to the princess’quarters?”
The magic knight bowed. “This way, LadyEnchantress.”
Angelique brushed the fabric of her skirts—which were turning from sunrise red to wine red—as they strolled down the hallway. “The title isn’t necessary. I’m only an Enchantress-in-Training.”
She was not surprised to hear a scuffle and a few thuds as Firra dragged Donaigh out of the throne room—though it was amusing to hear the guards eagerly shut the doors behind them. (Someoneknew just how strong a war mage Donaigh was, itseemed.)
