“Yes, years. You’ve spent years searching for Lord Enchanter Evariste,” Sano said. “How many has it beennow?”
Angelique clutched her teacup. “Five.”
“In those five years, you’ve found very few hints of him—much less his location. Which is no reflection on you! Lady Enchantress Lovelana has found even less, and she has a committee helping her.” Sano scratched his cheek, then shook his head in open dismay. “It’s a sadthing.”
“…yes,” Angelique slowlyagreed.
“I know you have done your best, Apprentice,” Sano continued. “And you’ve done an admirable job…but I think as part of your search, you need to prepareyourself.”
Puzzled, Angelique frowned. “Prepare myself forwhat?”
Sano hesitated. “The possibility that Lord Enchanter Evariste isgone.”
Angelique’s fingers tightened convulsively on her teacup. “Evariste isalive.”
“Apprentice, you can’t know that,” Sano gentlysaid.
“Yes, I can,” she snapped. “The black mage said they hadhim!”
“They didn’t call him by name, did they?” Finnrasked.
Angelique glared at him—hating him more in that moment than she had over any rude or inhumane comment he had made about her or her abilities. “He couldn’t have been talking about anyoneexceptEvariste. No one else has beenkidnapped!”
“You said yourself, Apprentice: they’ve had him five years.” Sano said gently. “Do you really think the black mages who have done all that we’ve discussed at the Summit would treat him well and keep himalive?”
Angelique released her teacup so she could clutch her hands under the table. Her gaze went from Finnr—as stone-faced as ever—to Sano—whose brow was furrowed with regret and whose eyes were lit with concern—to Glaze. The craftmage stared at the tea table and wouldn’t even look up to meet Angelique’seyes.
Sano rubbed his eyes. “Even if they still have him, the likelihood that he is mentally and physically sound and whole is low. They might even keep him breathing, but that doesn’t mean he’saware.”
Something in Angelique threatened tobreak.
Everything she had done on the continent was a result of searching for Evariste. She had served without resting and given endlessly because she believed that she’d findhim.
Sano and his well-meaning words and kind smiles was stomping on her heart, and on the thin and wispy hope that kept hergoing.
“Evariste isalive. He has to be.” She turned to Sano, a furious glare stealing over her face. “Why are you doing this? Why tell methis?”
Sano’s expression remained calm and kind despite her obvious anger. “Because while there is a chance Evariste is whole and healthy, it is far more likely that he is not. I want to warn you now, so if that is what you find, despair doesn’t crushyou.”
“Instead you’d rather let me suffocate in a world without hope. Yes, I can see how that is far gentler,” Angeliquesaid.
“You are too powerful to allow yourself to be lost in despair, Apprentice,” Finnr said. “When the day comes, and you meet his kidnappers and discover his fate…” Finnr rested his hands on the white lace of the tablecloth. “The risk is toogreat.”
Angelique shut her eyes.I should have known somehow he’d bring this back around to my magic and how dangerous Iam.
Something in her threatened tounravel.
As painful as the reminders were of Evariste, and even as the knowledge that she had failed him continued to chip away at her will, she was at least aware this was a battle in her ownthoughts.
Having Sano and Finnr—and, yes, Glaze, too, even if she hadn’t said anything—essentially tell her the darkest fears she barely beat back were in facttruths…
No. No. It can’t be. Evariste is alive. I’d know it if he wasn’t. Somehow I wouldknow!
Finnr sighed. “Apprentice…”
“Angelique!” Firra said in a voice as bright and warm as a fire in winter. “I was just searching for you! Did you hear that Stil apparently brought copies of some priceless history books back from Verglas? They’re about the Snow Queen. I thought you might beinterested.”
Angelique peeled her eyes open and stared up at the smiling firemage.
