His appearance made Angelique pause. Not because he looked different than expected, but rather because for the first time ever, she was truly aware of what her ageless futuremeant.
When she had first come to the palace to inspect the magic mirror with Evariste, Severin had been achildnewly adopted into the royal family despite his illegitimate beginnings.Now, he looked older than she did and was in charge of a country’smilitary.
So this is what it is like, to watch those around you age while you remain the same. Very little has changed for me; I’m still a student, and I still struggle with mymagic.
It was haunting, in away.
Angelique briefly closed her eyes to collect herself, then strode into theconversation.
Severin hadn’t yet noticed her presence and was scowling down at the sheepish boy. “Oliver, calm down. Where have you been? I’ve been sending soldiers and search parties all over Loire looking for you. What possessed you to leave without warning?” herumbled.
Angelique put on her well-practiced “ethereal enchantress” smile. “He was looking forme.”
Severin glanced her way, then immediately bent over in a bow. “Mylady.”
I guess I know where his servants get their insistence on inflating my station from.“There’s no need to bow. I am an Enchantress-in-Training, not nobility,” shesaid.
Though Severin’s lips did not form a smile, Angelique saw the warmth in Severin’s eyes. For a moment, the warmth there was snuffed out, but he slightly shook his head, and it was backagain.
“I disagree,” he said. “One with your standing deserves every display ofrespect.”
Angelique tilted her head as she studied him carefully. There was some truth to Oliver’s appeal for help. For although Severin was human, Angelique could see tiny cracks in the stoic expression he wore—it was in the twitch of his fingers and the light of hiseyes.
Since he doesn’t appear overly emotional, I guess idiot it is. Lucky me that I get to walk him through the obvious conclusions one can draw as a result of his broken curse.Angelique stifled the desire to roll her eyes.Funny, during his lectures of duty, Evariste never said anything about tutoring slow-thinkingprinces.
Angelique inhaled and began what could quite possibly become a long and lengthy process. “Severin, what is wrong? You are human again. Every joy in life should be yours. Why is your heartheavy?”
Severin looked away, choosing to stare at a wall. “Oliver, find Bernadine and reportin.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Oliver gave Angelique a bright grin and glanced back at Prince Severin before he slipped from thestudy.
Angelique tucked her loose hair—using her illusion magic, she had made it a honey brunette today—behind her ear. “You have a loyal servant in that one. It takes a lot of courage to track an enchantress across twocountries.”
“He has more courage than I would wish for him to possess,” Severin saiddryly.
Angelique’s smile grew less elegant and more affectionate as she thought of the boy—for she could see bits of herself in his actions. “Perhaps, but it speaks loudly of his love for you…and for this Elle he has told me so muchabout.”
Severin briefly shut hiseyes.
Ahhh, yes. There’s the idiot.Angelique made her voice soothing and as inviting as possible, hoping to pry an answer out of the taciturn prince. “Severin, what happened? Something must have gone terribly wrong to make you so miserable. Please,explain.”
Severin clenched his hands into fists. “Elle, the girl Oliver told you about, won over my servants before attempting to befriendme.”
When Severin briefly turned his back to her, Angelique rolled her eyes.How dare she be a kind person, hm?Keeping her inner sarcasm from her tone, she asked, “And that is a badthing?”
“She is a liar. Everything she told me was alie.”
Angelique narrowed her eyes. “Everything?”
Severin hesitated. “No, not everything. But she did not tell me she was employed by mybrother.”
Angelique furrowed her brow.Is he afraid she will fall in love with Lucien? Why? Lucien is handsome, but he is so smarmy it makes me shiver just thinking about it.Aloud, she asked, “And what does her livelihood have to do with yourcurse?”
Severin was silent for a long time. “She didn’t love me.” The words sounded like they were torn from his chest, and sorrow lined his face when he glanced in Angelique’s direction. “She was just like every other woman who loved my wealth orfamily.”
Angelique held in a sigh.Perhaps its unkind to call him an idiot. He has been through much due to the curse, and they say love makes you a fool. Maybe he just has an excess amount of love.Gently, Angelique said, “That cannotbe.”
“But it is!” Severin said. “Her love was nothing but alie.”
