Chapter 1
“Why am I doing this?Because it’s the right thing to do.” Angelique paused, testing the truth of her words. “Yes, that’s a fine enough reason to be going back to the same place I stormed out of just a few weeksago.”
Against her better judgement, Angelique was riding to the Veneno Conclave, the fortress which housed the organization all good mages, fairy godmothers, and enchanters belonged to…including TheCouncil.
Six enchanters and enchantresses sat on the Council, overseeing the entire Conclave. And only a few weeks ago, Angelique had shouted at them rather colorfully for dragging her in for every minor rule she broke and for questioning her about nearly every spell shecast.
It wouldn’t have been so annoying if they actuallylistenedto me and took me seriously when I tried to tell them all that has troubled the continent. But they seemed more upset with any minor infraction of mine than the fact that, over the last few years, a suspiciously high number of our world’s royal families have experienced curses or vicious attacks by blackmages.
Pegasus shortened his stride and took a curved path, giving a wide berth to the farmer and his two oxen pulling a cart of dried straw—likely the last of the harvest. This late in autumn, the cold breath of winter was already frosting the world atnight.
When he had put a sufficient distance between himself and the farmer, Pegasus picked up the pace again. Sparks hissed at his hooves, and the glittering stars that were buried in the blue-black swirls of his coat glowedbrighter.
Angelique crouched lower on his neck, taking comfort in the heat that radiated from his mane—which wasn’t so much hair as it was flickering blue flames.At least I’m going to the Conclave voluntarily. With luck, I can duck in and out quickly. I just need to catch Blanche and Rein before theyleave.
Blanche and Rein were a pair of master weather mages. In the summer, they had agreed to look in on Ringsted—the southernmost country on the continent that had been cut off by storms created by a sea witch. Unfortunately, they already had an assignment at the time and were unable to look into the matter when Angelique first made therequest.
It was late fall now, but they were finally free and had sent Angelique a letter that caught up with her when she and Pegasus were traveling through Loire. It informed her they finally had the time to check in on the isolated country, and they planned to leave in a few days’ time to do justthat.
I didn’t intend to dump the whole mission on them. Perhaps I can accompany them and help in one manner or another. And I’d like to check in on the Selkie Princess whose voice I altered at the beginning ofsummer.
Soon, the glittering fortress of the Veneno Conclave appeared on the horizon, perched on a tall hilltop, looking stately with the backdrop of tall mountains that stretched due west ofit.
Even from this distance, she could make out the spires of Luxi-Domux, the Veneno Conclave magicacademy.
Angelique gently tugged on the reins, pulling Pegasus from a full gallop to a slower canter that kicked up far fewersparks.
The constellation huffed, but he slowed enough that the stinging wind no longer threatened to pull tears from Angelique’seyes.
She adjusted her dress, thankful for the heat charm spelled into the cloth as the gown shifted colors from a bright gold to a paleyellow.
When they reached the base of the hill on which the Conclave was perched, Pegasus slowed down to a trot—which was still faster than Angelique couldrun.
The fortress gates were open, and as Angelique and her mount approached them, two figures riding shaggy mountain ponies emerged from the shadows of thegatehouse.
Angelique blinked in surprise, then slapped on a smile. “Mage Blanche, MageRein!”
Rein was easily recognizable with his brilliant blue hair. He swiveled in his saddle and rolled back his shoulders when he caught sight of Angelique. “Apprentice Angelique, greetings,” hesaid.
Blanche pulled her pony to a stop and adjusted the fur stole that was settled across her shoulders. “Did you not receive the message wesent?”
“No, I got it. It caught up with me when I was riding through Loire.” Angelique smiled, feeling more than a little windblown. “I’m glad I made it here before you left. I cannot thank you enough for looking into the storms surroundingRingsted.”
“Of course,” Blanche said. “It is our duty as master weathermages.”
Perhaps, but it has taken the Veneno Conclave months to approve sending a mage out to check on thestorms.
Angelique elbowed the frustrating thought aside. “I would like to come with you—that is, if it’s not an inconvenience. When I was last in Ringsted, I was in a bit of a hurry and was unable to be as thorough in my actions there as I would haveliked.”
“That’s not necessary,” Blanchesaid.
Angelique shook her head. “I recognize that—and I appreciate that the two of you are looking into the situation. But accompanying you is the least I cando.”
“Oh, um,” Rein awkwardlysaid.
“That is very…kind…of you,” Blanche limplysaid.
The pair looked at each other, but Angelique could read the alarm in their expressions. Rein’s blue eyebrows slanted down in a sharp V, and he pulled his placid pony in an unnecessary circle. Blanche’s eyes widened, and she bit her lower lip before dropping her gaze to theground.
