Firra yanked Donaigh along and quickly caught up with them. “Well,” Firra said. “That might have goneworse.”
“He’s more emotional about this than I predicted,” Angelique said. Worry made fine lines crease on her forehead. “I thought he was sensible—but he’s locking everything out of his heart rightnow.”
Donaigh glanced coldly over his shoulder, but when he faced forward again, his easy-going smile was back. “Briar has not brought out the best in KingGiuseppe.”
Firra chuckled darkly. “He is offended by her headstrong ways—which is a hoot, as she’s a great deal likehim.”
Angelique furrowed her brow even deeper as she thought. “His iciness is a bigger threat than the princess’ curse,” she said, “for he could drag his country down if thiscontinues.”
“But what if Briar never awakes?” Sir Isaiaasked.
Oh, yes. He’s at the very least a friend, if not a close companion. That’s an interesting position to be in, given Rosalinda’s need for true love’s kiss. Angelique kept her expression even as she twitched her skirts a little. “I must inspect the curse before I make anyobservations.”
Between Firra attempting to keep Donaigh calm and Isaia…who seemed about as talkative as an exceptionally well-made sculpture, they were silent as they made their way to Princess Rosalinda’sroom.
When they reached the right hall, Angelique was irked to see several young men loitering about the passageway—undoubtedly waiting for their chance to kiss Rosalinda—or Briar, as Firra and Donaigh had referred to her in theirreports.
This is ridiculous. I am as jaded toward romance as a person could be, and even I can see this would never work! Someone needs to smack that old badger king upside the head and knock some sense intohim!
“Away with you lads,” Donaigh decreed. When the men gave him dirty looks, he offered them a half-smile. “The Lady Enchantress wishes to inspect the princess’ curse. You’ll have plenty of time to make your fruitless attempt later. Now, off withyou!”
The men exchanged looks and grumbled, but Donaigh’s reputation as a war mage must have proceeded him, for they grudgingly ambledoff.
Sir Isaia knocked on the door, then opened it forher.
A muscle in Angelique’s cheek twitched in irritation when she saw Briar—laid out on a giant bed in an ornate and most assuredly uncomfortable dress.He really is trying to get her married in this insane fashion.Angelique held her sourness in and murmured, “Please pardon the intrusion.” She smiled at a pretty, young lady in a velvet gown and a young man—another magic knight, if his armor was any indication—who were stationed in the princess’room.
The knight almost dropped his weapon, and his eyes widened when he saw Angelique. For a moment she worried her reputation of ill repute might have proceeded her, but he recovered as the lady curtsied, though he kept his eyes on Angelique as hebowed.
Strange.Angelique nodded to the pair as she approached Rosalinda’s bed. She could see strains of her magic swirling over the princess, and at a glance, it appearednormal.
She sat on the edge of the bed, then wriggled her fingers at her magic. The rest of the spell blazed to life, creeping down Rosalinda’s body to pool at the areas closest toAngelique.
Angelique held in a scowl at her magic, then raised her gaze to address the room. “This may take a few minutes,” she warned, then returned her attention toBriar.
She was vaguely aware when Firra leaned against the doorframe—able to peer down the hallway and watch for the badger king—while Donaigh flopped into a chair with ayawn.
As she tugged on her magic, studying the silvery script and symbols of her modification, the young lady joined Firra at thedoor.
She murmured to the mage, and there was some conversation, but Angelique paid no mind to it. Instead, she carefully combed through the spell, going so far as to even brush some of her magic entrenched in it to be certain it feltright.
I was terribly green when I made this modification. I have to be certain it is correct, or I’ll need to return to the Veneno Conclave and ask Clovicus forhelp.
Thus far, everything appeared fine. Perhaps she had put a little too much magic into the spell, but as it directly combatted the angry red swell of Carabosso’s curse, she wasn’t too inclined to be sorry aboutit.
Angelique stood and moved around the bed, studying her magic critically from a differentangle.
Time passed, and she was reluctantly forced to admit it seemed like she had done it correctly. Everything looked spot-on.
She blinked, restoring moisture to her dried eyes, and rose when Princess Alessia, Prince Consort Filippo, and a legendary magic knight entered thechamber.
“Lady Enchantress, might I introduce you to Sir Artemio.” Princess Alessia spoke in a thin, worn voice. “He is a Legendary Knight, and trusted by myfather.”
Legendary Knights were a step above Magic Knights—though they were incredibly rare because in order to be made a Legendary Knight, one was chosen by one of the ancient, magical and uncomfortably close-to-sentient weapons that were considered treasures of thecountry.
If Angelique recalled correctly, there were only four Legendary Knights active at the moment. Though the royal family possessed more of the rare weapons, it was somewhat dangerous to make a knight because they could only be made by a direct descendant of the royal d’Avalas family, and if the royal chose the wrong person, the weapon could kill both the royal and the potentialknight.
Angelique bowed her head in respect to the honored Legendary Knight. “It is a pleasure—though I wish the circumstances weredifferent.”
