Yes, it was definitely Puss’ doing, then. But that doesn’t explain Elise’sstate.
Angelique tried to offer the princess a sympathetic look. “And how did you remainunhindered?”
“I’m not sure.” Princess Elise looked half dazed as she played with the red sash of her dress. “Clotilde tried to curse me, but it bounced off me and went back toher.”
Bounced off? Is she wearing some kind of charm?Angelique scanned the girl but didn’t notice anything that leaked magic on her. “How veryodd.”
Elise, if possible, looked even more miserable as her chin dropped in defeat. “Maybe it’s because I’m not a real member of the royal family. I am a fosterchild.”
“Unlikely. This curse was not crafted specifically for the royal family, and it was made with black magic. Anyone who took the time to create such a vile curse would not make a beginner’s mistake.” Angelique released theswan.
Elise crouched on the ground, covering her head with an arm. “Can it bebroken?”
Angelique, who had been trying to recall the names of the seven princes with little luck, jolted out of her contemplations. “Pardon?”
“Is there any way to end this curse? Could we make Clotilde take it off them? Or… if she dies?” Elise’s lost look was starting to be replaced with an expression of determination, visible in the slant of the princess’ eyebrows and the strong line of herlips.
Angelique lowered her gaze to the swan princes and stared at them for several moments.I can’t modify this the way it is. But if I attack the source of the curse, this Clotilde, I should be able to do something. If Puss and Gabrielle remained behind, I can recruit theirhelp.
Out loud, Angelique said, “The safest place for you and your brothers is to be far away from Clotilde. As for breaking the curse…I will see what can bedone.”
“How?”
“I will approachClotilde.”
“What if she attacksyou?”
Angelique was silent for several moments.And that’s the fly in the pudding in all of this. If I want to harass her to get the princes’ curse loosened up, I’ll have to do magic in Arcainia again, and the magic ban here hasn’t been lifted. The Veneno Conclave is not going to be happy. But I can’t abandon the princes just to waltz off to seek permission. Saving them would be worth the lecture—just hopefully the Council won’t follow through on their threat to sealme.
She finally sighed. “There will be no ‘if,’ for I plan to attack herfirst.”
Elise peered in her direction. “Will you be punished forit?”
“Perhaps,” Angelique said with falsecheer.
“I’m sorry. I would pardon you, the royal family would pardon you if we could.” One of the swans waddled up to the morose princess and started tugging on her hair with its orangebeak.
“I thank you. But it is not the Arcainian government that outlawed magic in Arcainia, but the Veneno Conclave itself.” Angelique leaned slightly into Pegasus’ shoulder, encouraged by his nearness. “There is a good chance I will not be punished, as the attacks originate from a twister of magic. However, no matter who made the law, I would not stand for this. My master taught me that as a magic user, it is my responsibility to right whatever wrongs might have been made with magic. What Clotilde has done is not only wrong, butevil.”
As Angelique explained the situation, her resolve grew.Yes, this is the right thing to do, even if it makes the Council upset. It’s what Evariste woulddo.
“Thank you,” Elise whispered. The swan pecking at her hair whistled, drawing a weak smile from theprincess.
“Of course.” Angelique turned to Pegasus, but he was already lowering his front end in a bow, extending his leg to make it easier for Angelique to climb on in her fancy dress. As she twitched her skirts across the constellation’s back, her skirt color changed to match him, fading from a dusky orange to a dark blue. “You must leave the country. Keep going west to Loire, and from there, go north to Verglas. Your stepmother could never touch you there, for the magic of the Snow Queen still runs strong in Verglas in spite of the centuries that have passed. I mean to find Gabi and Puss to form a plan for attacking the queen. It may be some days before I findyou.”
The princess brushed her palms off on her dress as she stood. “Lady Enchantress, please…can my brothers understand me atall?”
How do I phrase this to keep from entirely discouragingher?
Angelique nodded when she finally settled on an explanation. “They understand more than you would think, but not much of their humanity remains. I would guess that they recognize you as someone important to them, although they certainly do not understand the conversation we justhad.”
The princess pushed her shoulders back and raised her chin, rallying her spirit. “I see. Thankyou.”
“They will stay close to you.” Angelique discreetly tugged on her skirt when it started to ride up Pegasus’ withers. “Do not worry that they will fly off. It will be easier for you to reach Verglas if you lead them rather than attempt to drive them, Ithink.”
“Thank you,” Elise repeated. Though her expression was stoic, her warm eyes betrayed the pain of hersituation.
Pegasus snorted, and Angelique patted his shoulder. “I will find you after my encounter with your stepmother. Until then, staysafe.”
