Tomorrow I leave for Kozlovka with Emperor Yevgeniy and his retinue.She sipped her tea and sat back in the padded chair, enjoying the moment of respite.Though I don’t look forward to what awaits me in Kozlovka, I am satisfied with the Summit. All of the mages who attended have committed to helping, and I have hopes they will recruit other magic users aswell.
It’s frustrating that we don’t know our enemy, and at this moment it seems we can only defend, not attack, but that will change as the countries continue to pulltogether.
Angelique ate a macron—it was light and airy with a hint of almond flavoring. Her teacup clacked when she picked it up again, sipping delicately as she watched the three musicians—a violinist, a harpist, and a celloist—playing a sweet melody from their position in the corner of theroom.
Sunlight—colored red, blue, green, and pink by the various skylights—brightened the room in jewel-toned colors. What most struck Angelique, however, was that many of the representatives weresmiling.
Very little of the news discussed in the various meetings had been positive. But it seemed to Angelique that the event had bound the representatives together, forming a comradery that hadn’t been therebefore.
Of course, it might also be the knowledge that they are not alone, and that they will not have to fight alone. That’s good enough news to make anyone happy.Angelique sighedwistfully.
“Apprentice Angelique, might we join you for a bit?” Sano smiled and held his teacup up in an invitinggesture.
“Certainly.” Angelique smiled in real pleasure at the healer mage, but the expression stiffened when she saw Finnr and Glaze lurking at hisback.
Sano plopped down and helped himself to the tea, then eyed a tray of calisson candies—a confection made of ground almonds and candied fruit, topped with a thin layer of icing. “I hope you don’t mind if I help myself to sometreats?”
“Have as many as you like.” Angelique smiled over her teacup. “A maid will replace them faster than you can consumethem.”
Sano raised his bushy eyebrows, then scooped three of the candies onto an unused plate as Glaze and Finnr sat down aswell.
As if notified by magic, a maid appeared to replenish the supply and was gone almost before Angelique could thankher.
Sano chortled in delight, but Finnr merely frowned. “It seems this is a table for preferentialtreatment.”
“I disagree,” Angelique said. “Prince Severin and Princess Elle are perfect hosts. All the tables are frequentlyrefreshed.”
“Perhaps,” Finnr said. “But not soswiftly.”
Angelique exhaled.And there goes my moment of peace.She set her teacup down with a quiet click and then spoke without thinking. “Are you constantly searching for ways to disapprove of me, Grandmaster Mage Finnr, or is it one of your simple delights inlife?”
Sano hid a smile behind his hand while Glaze stared at Angelique as if she had taken leave of hersenses.
Angelique wanted to regret blurting out her thoughts, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to do so.What does it matter to me how much he disapproves? Evariste is gone, and I’ve been forced to tear around the countryside. What can he do to me that is worse thanthat?
Finnr’s expression didn’t change—he didn’t even blink. “I don’t dislike you,Apprentice.”
Now it was Angelique’s turn to be shocked. “Truly?” She eyed him in open disbelief. “That comes as a surprise, GrandmasterMage.”
“You are intelligent and dedicated.” Finnr shrugged slightly, moving his broad shoulders. “You have weaknesses—as we all do. Unfortunately for you, you also have great power, and those with great power must work harder than everyone else to contain their power and act withwisdom.”
Angelique stared at the older man, not quite sure what to make ofhim.
He glanced at his fellow mages, then met Angelique’s gaze. “Before Lord Enchanter Evariste was taken, I had no quarrel with you, for you followed Conclavelaw.”
I still don’t know that I believe him. Even before I told off the Council, he seemed to hold me indisdain.
Sano munched on a macron. “Yes, you can’t take Finnr’s gruff manners at face value, Apprentice. He’s far too gloomy for that.” He grinned at Angelique and wiped his fingers off on a cloth napkin. “But he does raise a topic I wish to discuss with you: Lord EnchanterEvariste.”
Angelique tried to distract herself by fussing with her teacup, turning it so she could admire the purple iris painted on it. “I’m afraid the black mage I mentioned previously is my only lead, at themoment.”
Glaze cleared her throat. “We’re not here to discussleads.”
Angelique paused. Though she kept her expression serene, she mentally raised her guard; she couldn’t quite shake the feeling that she was facing down three particularly well-mannered wolves. “Then what is it you wish to speak of?” Angelique asked with a calmness she didn’tfeel.
Sano picked up one of his candies and tapped it on his plate. “You’ve spentmonths—”
“Years,” Finnrinterjected.
