“We didn’t decide,” Roland led the way across the courtyard. “It is more that our lives were tornasunder.”
“Oh?” Gabrielle asked, her voicepolite.
I can’t get a read on this girl. Does Roland—or do I now call him Puss?—need to assure her he’s staying at her side, or does she know thatalready?
Angelique grimaced.Regardless, we do owe her an explanation.“There was an attack,” Angelique began, unable to keep all the sorrow out of her voice. “Late this past winter. Master Evariste and I werehome—”
“Which was something of a rarity,” Roland inserted—though he didn’t sound as know-it-all as he usuallydid.
“And we were attacked,” Angeliquesaid.
Gabrielle’s eyes widened. “Two enchanters wereattacked?”
“In Master Evariste’s home—perhaps one of the best guarded places on the continent,” Roland’s voice was soft as they reached the outer circle of thecastle.
“The attackers tried to…to capture me.” Angelique paused as a flicker of guilt gnawed at her. “They would have gotten me if Master Evariste hadn’t thrown me halfway across the continent with a transportation spell. I wasn’t able to return home until spring and…” She stopped before the rush of emotion could overwhelmher.
I am so sick of feelingsad!
Roland jumped on a windowsill and peered inside before he nodded at the door. “They ransacked the place and carried Evariste off. I don’t know where to—I was thrown unconscious before they left. It was no matter; I couldn’t have done anything. Angelique had placed a silencing collar on me earlier in the day, cutting off my means to castmagic.”
Gabrielle slunk into the empty building, leading the way as Roland and Angelique dawdledbehind.
“I’m sorry,” Angelique said, guilt gnawing at heragain.
“You couldn’t have known.” Roland must have finally forgiven her, for his voice was kind. “I left, hoping to track down a mage. I never found one—although I narrowly missed the craftmage Rumpelstiltskin when I met Gabrielle and resolved to embark on an adventure with her.” He gave Gabrielle his version of a catsmile.
“Really? Stil was around here?” Angeliqueasked.
Her comment went ignored, for Puss and Gabrielle were staring at each other. “You thought we would eventually run into a mage, and then you planned to return to Lady Enchantress Angelique?” Gabrielleasked.
“I hoped to find a magic user, yes, but that wasn’t why I chose to travel with you,” Rolandacknowledged.
Gabrielle was silent as they started down the hallway, their footstepsechoing.
Angelique flicked her eyes between the hero and the cat.Gabrielle is definitely making some assumptions, and I’m not entirely certain Roland has picked up on all of them. Angelique smiled and made an effort to keep her voice bright. “As I have already alerted the Veneno Conclave to Master Evariste’s capture, and located Puss, I am free to follow my leads. Or rather,findleads.”
“So…you will travel with the Lady Enchantress now, Puss?” Gabrielle’s heart was in her eyes as she studied the magiccat.
“What? No!” Roland glared at the orange cat, who rubbed her head againsthim.
Angelique was filled with the desire to kick her old friend.Does he really not see how upset Gabrielleis?
“I would understand, if—” Gabriellestarted.
Roland, sounding quarrelsome, interrupted her. “I have my own free will, Gabrielle. I choose with whom Istay.”
That had all the sweetness of a skunk. The little idiot—he’s not making her feel anybetter!
“Yes, but if you were a gift to the LadyEnchantress—”
Angelique hastily intervened. “Please, Lady Gabrielle, you don’t understand.” Angelique rested a hand on Gabrielle’s shoulder, stopping their progress forward. She used what she hoped was an understanding smile as she met Gabrielle’s unusual, amber-colored eyes. “Roland—Puss, that is—has been, and will continue to be, my dear friend. But it is clear you are his truemistress.”
Gabrielle shook herhead.
I was right—the poor thing thought Roland was going to leave her.It took everything in Angelique to keep from giving the black and white cat a murderous look. Instead, she settled for lightly squeezing Gabrielle’sshoulder.
“No, you must listen to me, ogre-defeater,” Angelique said. “Seeing Roland with you, hearing him talk about your adventures? He is happier with you than he ever was with me. And he has chosenyou.”
