“News? What news?” Runeasked.
Angelique rubbed her tea cup with her thumb. “You royal siblings have worked to increase Arcainia’s power and wealth under your supervision. You have succeeded, but the country does not flourish withoutyou.”
Steffen relaxed. “Of that we are wellaware.”
Angelique winced. “As such, Arcainia has not prospered under Clotilde’s rule. Her presence is evil, and the land is rejecting her. There was a famine this year—almost all crops were lost to blight or fungus. A storm hit Carabas harbor and nearly destroyed it. Without Prince Rune’s frequent patrols, more magical creatures with ill-intensions entered the country. Several villages were destroyed by those creatures. The army is underfunded and will not be able to survive much longer without proper finances, and as Clotilde lacks access to the majority of the country’s funds, she has raised taxes to support herspending.”
Elise narrowed her eyes. “How high are the taxes?” she asked in a hardvoice.
“Too high. After the massive crop failure, many of your subjects are unable to pay the tax. Normally, they would leave and become refugees, but your subjects trust you, and they’re waiting for your return,” Angelique said. “But Clotilde does not let them gounpunished.”
Angelique fell silent and watched Elise stare at her welt-coveredhands.
Simply put, Arcainia was suffering. And Angelique didn’t know how much longer the country could last before it was dealt irreparable damage.The only reason it has held out this long is because of Gabrielle and Puss. If they weren’t there…I think the whole country would have fallen by the end of the firstmonth.
“Wewill have to do something,” said the twin without the broken nose. “NotElise.”
“It’s about time we take some of the burden,” Prince Broken Nosesaid.
The youngest prince took a marmalade tart from the tea tray. “I try to look useless, but I don’t relish the idea of Elise being the only one in our family responsible for our country’s freedom,” hesaid.
Steffen rubbed his eyes, but Angelique could see his refusal of the idea in the tightness of his shoulders. “We can do nothing more today,” he said. “That much isclear.”
“Daylight is all but gone. If we set out for Arcainia, we would not get very far,” Prince Touchy-Feelysaid.
“We may spend the evening here,” Angeliquesaid.
Elise finally looked up. “Your friend will notmind?”
“Stil? No.” Angelique held in a snort. If the sassy craftmage knew he had princes in his home, he’d be pawning his charms and magic to them—royalty were always his bestcustomers.
She cleared her throat and continued. “Even if he comes home, I doubt he will notice our presence. Although I must apologize, for he does not have enough rooms for usall.”
“No matter, we men will sleep here. There are plenty of cushions, and we’re used to spending our nights in much more uncomfortable places these days.” The corners of Steffen’s mouth turned wryly with his words, a reminder of the twisted times that had fallen on thecontinent.
* * *
In the latehours of the night, Angelique left the royals—Elise and the guard, whose name she learned was Brida, in a guest bedroom and the princes splayed out in the sitting room like ungainly puppies—to sleep the darknessaway.
She, on the other hand, slipped outside. Fall was creeping through the land, making the air chilly and filling it with the sound of fallingleaves.
Angelique released a deep sigh, exhaling all the tension that had been holding her upright, and stared at the sky. Sure enough, she saw Pegasus’ constellation brightening the night and smiledfondly.
The celestial equine had traveled with her longer than he had ever escorted her and Evariste. She hadn’t evenknownhe could spend so much time away from his starry domain. But he wasn’t showing any detrimental signs. Rather, he seemed to greet her each morning with increasing enthusiasm—and property damage, given hispowers.
Lulled by the beauty of the stars and the serene silence of the night, Angelique rolled her head in a circle and massaged the back of herneck.
I am just an apprentice, and yet I’m running across the continent putting out fires, and it takes more out of me than expected. I guess I thought enchantresses just…floated around granting boons and practicingmagic.
She snorted.What a great joke thatis!
The whisper of cloth behind her betrayed the woman—or rather women—who tried to creep through the tent’sentrance.
Still feeling at ease, Angelique turned around and smiled at the pair. “Princess Elise, Captain Meier. Howsurprising.”
Elise looked shocked to see her, but she recovered quickly and smiled politely. “Good evening, Lady Enchantress. What brings you outside at thishour?”
Angelique pointed to the sky. “I was checking on my mount. I rode him longer than usual, and I wasn’t sure what condition he would bein.”
