“Ouch!” Angelique snapped upright, teetering for a moment, until she realized Pegasus had bitten herfoot.
She blinked, her thoughts slow to come as the constellation got down on his knees and stared expectantly ather.
Angelique shifted, making Roland’s saddlebagcrinkle.
That’s right! Roland—I have to savehim!
Gingerly, Angelique clutched the bag to her chest and crawled to Pegasus, easing herself on to his back. Once she was on and Roland was secured, Pegasus rocked to hisfeet.
Every bone in her body ached as Pegasus trotted across the barren hills, forging his way to the mountains. His trot was jarring, but Angelique was thankful—it kept herawake.
A few minutes later, Pegasus splashed his way through a shallow stream, soaking Angelique’s dress, then stopping when he reached the other side of thewater.
Angelique groaned. “Are we inMullberg?”
Pegasussnorted.
Angelique squinted up at the mountains, which cast periwinkle shadows across the land, chilling her despite the warm summer breeze. She slipped off the constellation’s back, staggering a few steps before she caught herbalance.
She plopped down on a patch of dirt and carefully eased Roland out of the saddlebag. He was still unconscious and limp in her arms, but now his breathing seemedlabored.
Angelique’s head ached as she stared down at her friend. Her eyes clouded with tears, and her teeth started tochatter.
He looks so fragile. Can he really makeit?
In that moment, Angelique felt horriblyalone.
She thought she was used to taking care of herself. She believed that even as an apprentice, she had been self-reliant, and though Evariste provided a home and education, she didn’t need any kind ofsupport.
Now she knewbetter.
Evariste’s absence was a hole in her chest. If she was with him, he would embrace her in one of his wretchedly warm hugs, and he would coach her through healingRoland.
But now…she wasalone.
Her shoulders started to shiver before Angelique impatiently shook her head.No, I can’t let myself panic. Roland needs my help. Imustdothis.
She scrubbed at her eyes with her free hand, rearranged Roland on her lap, and took a deepbreath.
Next, she reached for her magic. It hit her—a cold and sharp sensation—with enough strength to make her hiss. But she took only what she needed, then started twisting her terriblemagic.
It lost its heartless, metallic feel, and instead grew warm and inviting as she transformed it into healingmagic.
Angelique held her breath as she carefully rested her glowing hand on the talking cat, using her magic to fix internal injuries, stop internal bleeding, and slowly restore Roland’shealth.
Time ticked by, and moments turned into minutes as the healing magic pulsed through Roland’s small body. Fatigue started to gnaw at her—not for lack of magic but because of the intricate spells she was working. Never before had she been required to heal such a broken littlebody.
Angelique swallowed as she waited for a response of any sort from Roland, any sign that he would pull through. Finally, his chest stopped heaving, and his breath evened out. Then, he opened his bronzeeyes.
He blinked and slightly shook his head. “Gabrielle?” he croaked. “Mistress?”
Angelique finally released the breath she had been holding. “It’s all right, Roland. You’re safe.” The tight band squeezing her heart eased, and she smiled shakily as she shoved another tendril of healing magic into the cat’schest.
“Angelique?” Roland peered up at her, his whiskerstwitching.
Angelique smiled lazily as exhaustion finally caught up to her.He’s okay, and I’ve finally foundhim.
Roland, however, was not quite so assured. He twisted his head, wildly looking around. “But the ogre—where’sGabrielle?”
