Again, she held her breath as she gathered up more. The magic listened, moving through her with enough power to make her toes curl. But it twisted into the proper spell and fell into place over the sleep charm without raising astir.
Angelique didn’t relax, though, for she could mentally feeleveryweapon and sharpened edge her fog touched while the preservation spellsettled.
When the spell covered the last inch on the city wall, Angelique shakilyexhaled.
That’s it. It’s stabilized now. As much as it surprises me to think it, it is safe. But I need to add some kind of defense so the city isn’t pillaged and plundered in thisstate.
Already the afternoon sun began to burn away the mist, making everything lessforeboding.
Angelique smiled slightly as she recalled a brisk afternoon with Roland and Evariste before she again started gathering her magicup.
It took a few moments to build the right amount of power—given Ciane’s size, this was also going to be a massive power-suck—before she could start twisting it. Once she had the foundation laid, encircling the city perimeter, Angelique again spoke in the twisty language ofmagic.
The ground rumbled, and massive brambles and thorns burst out of the earth, forming a tall and thick protective hedge that surrounded all ofCiane.
Angelique kept twisting her magic, pushing more power into the spell until the thorns grew almost as high as the city walls and were as thick as some of the saplings Angelique had seen in AlabasterForest.
She was shaky from adrenaline and the release of her nerves, but looking at the city she felt a brief moment ofpride.
The spells—all of them—were strong and had a clear ringing feeling that echoed into the deepest parts of the city. They would hold, and they would protectCiane.
This is why I want to make enchantress, why I will keep trying even if nearly every mage is against me. I want to use my terrible powers for good things and stand where otherscannot.
A slight smile threatened to settle on her lips until her stomach rebelled, and nausea hit her like a wildboar.
She toddled back to Pegasus, pushing her head into his neck so she wouldn’t groan at the sick feeling in herstomach.
Yep. Roland is right. This is definitely myprice.
“There,” she croaked. “Everything is asleep—including all animals—and there’s a preservation spell layered in. It will preserve the moment in time so nothing in the city will spoil or rust, and the weather shouldn’tchange.”
“Are you all right, Lady Enchantress?” Sir Isaiaasked.
Angelique meant to wave a hand at him, but when she started to let go of Pegasus, she almost sagged to the ground. “Yes, I’m fine. Just feeling a littleill.”
Firra finally chose this moment to disengage from her fight with Donaigh. “Are you certain?” She nudged her mount closer to Pegasus so she could peer at Angelique. “That was a much more complex—and powerful—spell than I wasexpecting.”
Angelique managed to pull herself on top of Pegasus, slumping over his neck. “I’m fine. It just used quite a bit of magic.” She snapped her mouth shut when her stomach churned and threatened to make her revisit her lunch, but the feeling passed after a moment. Remaining draped over Pegasus’ neck, Angelique pointed her head in Sir Isaia’s direction. “You’ll need to hack your way through the thorns, Sir Isaia, to re-enter Ciane. They will replace themselves after a time, so have no fear of cutting them back toomuch.”
Isaia bowed while mounted. “Thank you, LadyEnchantress.”
Angelique tried to sit up, but that made the world spin, so she settled for waving at him. “Happy to help. What next, Firra,Donaigh?”
“We planned to look for Carabosso next,” Donaigh said, “as we’re not too anxious to return to the Conclave and get a lecture. Also, King Giuseppe put a bounty on Carabosso’s head, and I never say no tomoney.”
“If you will excuse me,” Isaia said. “I shall begin making my way toCiane.”
“Of course.” Firra smiled at him. “Donaigh and I will try to drop by frequently to share intelligence. I hope the princes arriveswiftly!”
“Take care of Little Rose,” Donaighsaid.
Isaia nodded and wheeled his horse towards the wall ofthorns.
Angelique watched him go with narrowed eyes. She wasn’t sure if it was her upset stomach or just general tiredness that made her say it, but she blurted out, “Is Sir Isaia Princess Rosalinda’s truelove?”
“What?” Firraasked.
“Nothing.” Angelique made herself sit up, though she pressed a hand into her gut. “I wish you both well on yourhunt.”
