“Indeed.” Sybilla sniffed and pushed her glasses up her nose. “They haven’t officially asked the Veneno Conclave for their help in the matter, yet. I suspect it’s because they’re still rather aware that they’re on thin ice with mages given their sudden invasion ofTrieux.”
Angelique was baffled by this revelation, but when she heard the echo of Cinderella’s footsteps, she refocused on her magic and hurried to finish thedress.
“Ahh, there she is,” Sybilla said, clapping herhands.
Angelique doublechecked her work and carefully studied Cinderella.Yes, the style and colors I’ve chosen should look magnificent on her.Angelique slightly curled her fingers as her silvery magic began to play around them. “Please hold still for a moment, Duchess Lacreux.” She walked a circle around Cinderella, first brushing the duchess’ chin-lengthhair.
A twirl of her magic, and long scarlet locks tumbled down Cinderella’s shoulders, draping all the way to her elbow before the hair started moving on its own volition, braiding small tendrils that pinned themselves to the crown of herhead.
Angelique, recalling some of the hair ornaments Evariste had given her, made the pins in Cinderella’s hair topped with pearls and tiny whiteroses.
Next, Angelique touched the sleeve of Cinderella’s dress. The fabric transformed into snow-white silk and crawled across Cinderella’s body, changing into a full-skirted gown that brushed theground.
Trim in a lovely shade of storm-gray crawled across her neckline and fastened in the back, and a bow the same shade gathered at her waist, held in place by a string ofpearls.
I don’t usually wear gloves or anything that could get in the way of casting magic, but I should give her the wholeset.
A flick of Angelique’s magic, and storm-gray gloves encased Cinderella’s fingertips to her elbows. She added in pearl bracelets and a pearl necklace with a heart-shaped diamond pendant as finishingtouches.
Angelique almost tied off her magic before recalling one key detail. “It is a masquerade ball, yes?” sheasked.
Cinderella kept her eyes on Angelique, though it was clear she longed to further inspect her temporary gown. “Yes.”
“Then you will need this.” Angelique slapped her palms together, then slid them apart, using her magic to form a mask covered with white silk and storm-graylace.
It was a little on the small side—it only covered the bridge of her nose and circled around her eyes—but Angelique suspected it was better if Cinderella was actually recognized, though she wasn’t going to tell the young ladythat.
She handed the mask off to Cinderella, before inspiration struck.This would be the perfect opportunity to part with the slippers—there is no sense in carrying them across the continent, after all.“And for the final touch…” She set the glass slippers she had bought off the shoemaker’s apprentice on the ground, positioning them so Cinderella could step intothem.
Cinderella shook her head. “Icouldn’t.”
“Please.” Angelique smiled. “They are not what I was searching for, and I have no use for them.”In other words, let me pawn my unnecessary belongings off on you,please.
“I cannot thank you enough.” Cinderella slid her feet into the shoes, then smiled so brightly, Angelique felt physically warmer. “You have helped me beyond what I could have dreamed of. Is there nothing I can do foryou?”
For a moment, Angelique could almostfeelEvariste at her side, telling her once again it was a job well done. She even went so far as to glance over hershoulder.
But, of course, he wasn’tthere.
Angelique took a breath, then shook her head in response to Cinderella’s question. “It is the duty of those of us gifted with magic to use it for whatever good purposes we can find. I am pleased I could helpyou.”
Cinderella’s cheeks were dusted with pink as she shyly brushed the silken fabric of her skirts. “Thankyou.”
Once again, Sybilla eagerly clapped her hands. “Now, shall we call for your footmen andcarriage?”
Cinderella’s smile turned uneasy. “I willwalk.”
Sybilla blinked. “Walk?”
The duchess nodded. “Aveyron does not have a carriage, and I cannot use the horses. They have worked all day and are likely to be eating their eveninghay.”
Angelique cleared her throat and glanced away.Yes, Cinderella is someone worthy of helping. Perhaps I should grant her a boon? Or might the dress be considered a helpalready?
Sybilla’s jaw hung loose, and her glasses slid down her nose again. “No carriage?” sherepeated.
“No.”
“Hmph. We shall fix that—temporarily at least.” Sybilla decisively nodded, making Angelique sit up and takenotice.
