“Severin?” Angelique frowned slightly, wondering if he was listening atall.
“Brother!” Lucien plowed through a line of protesting soldiers, fell to his knees—ruining his fancy pants—and threw his arms aroundSeverin.
“You…big…why?” Lucien struggled to speak as he squeezed his brother—who was nowmuchlarger than he—in a tighthug.
Angelique stood to mask her eye rolling.Yes, using brotherly love would have beenmuchmore logical. Ohwell.
“You should stay back, Lucien.” Severin’s voice was still deep and growly—a new feature, probably, of his new body. “We don’t know for certain that I’m safe to be aroundyet.”
“Don’t be an idiot,” Lucien snapped. “You’re no more dangerous to me than apony!”
“The curse has been altered, Your Highness; your mind is yours again,” Angelique said gently. “You will notregress.”
Severin’s ears flattened on his skull, and he lookedaway.
Lucien abruptly stood. “Thank you, Lady Enchantress, for youraid.”
“Enchantress-in-Training,” Angeliquesaid.
Lucien ignored the correction. “I don’t know what we would have done…” He glanced back at Severin, then shook himself as though casting off a darkdream.
The Crown Prince gave Angelique a rakish smile and grabbed her hand. “What can I give you that will properly express my thanks?” He kissed her hand. “Money? Jewels? Land?” With each word, he kissed her handagain.
Angelique yanked her palm out of his grasp and attempted to discreetly wipe her hand off on her skirts. “Actually, I have arequest.”
Chapter 2
“You saved my brother—mycommanding general and dearest companion—and this is all you wish for? To view his magic mirror?” Luciencomplained.
Severin ignored his brother and was instead gazing at himself in a small handmirror.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Angelique said. “As a user of magic, it is my duty to help those in need. I am only glad my desire to use the enchanted mirror brought me here at such a time.” She stood in front of the enchanted mirror and tried not to feelawkward.
Apparently because Severin was the commanding general of Loire’s armed forces, the royal family had given him the mirror to use at hisdiscretion.
This meant the thing was kept in his personal quarters. So, in facing the mirror, Angelique was standing next to two wardrobes of Severin’s clothes, and somewhere behind her, Lucien was lounging on his brother’sbed.
This isn’t awkward at all.Angelique forced her spine straight and clasped her hands in what she hoped resembled a thoughtfully elegant pose.And how am I going to get them out of this room so I can ask the mirror to search for Evariste? I can’t risk the Conclave hearing I’m making my owninvestigation.
Angelique eyed the mirror. It was the same one she had verified with Evariste years ago—when Severin and Lucien were merechildren.
The thought made hergrimace.
She studied the mirror’s surface, gazing particularly at Severin’s reflection as he stared at his hand mirror.Why did the witch curse him, anyway? The curse laid upon him used a different sort of magic than what was used on Evariste…does that mean there are two groups of black mages running around? But black mages aren’t typically…collaborative.
But why would a rogue magic user choose to attack Prince Severin of all people? He couldn’t have been an easy target, and nothing would have been gained by seeing him die—he isn’t even the crownprince.
Severin suddenly whirled around, as if coming out of a reverie. “Back in the gardens. Did you say myservantswere affected by thecurse?”
Angelique turned around to address him. “Your entire household,yes.”
Severin swiveled and made for thedoor.
Lucien scrambled off the bed. “Severin—wait! You can’t just run willy-nilly through the castle without an escort!” he yowled as he followed after his brother, leaving Angelique alone in Severin’squarters.
Angelique listened for a moment, but Lucien’s complaints continued down the hall, growing quieter andquieter.
Now was herchance.
