Firra gave her a reassuring smile. Her gaze flickered to the other mages, and for a moment her eyes held the withering rage of a forest fire. But when she looked back at Angelique, her smile was inplace.
She squeezed Angelique’s shoulder. “Come with me, and we can look at it. Supposedly the Veneno Conclave had a copy long ago, but it must have been lost in the library fire we had a few centuriesback.”
“I believe Severin showed me the book you’re referring to on a previous day,” Angeliquesaid.
“Perfect,” Firra said. “Then you can tell me all aboutit!”
“I don’t know that we’re finished talking,” Glazesaid.
“That’s too bad,” Firra said in her sing-song voice. “You lot can go stick your heads in an outhouse and finish your conversation there, where your wordsbelong.”
“Careful, fire mage,” Finnrgrowled.
“I always am—it’s a trait we fire mages cultivate.” Firra shrugged. “It’s a pity; seems like it’s a skill ice-and-snow mageslack.”
“We should go.” Sano stood, leaving his teacup behind. “I apologize if I upset you, Apprentice. I just don’t want…this might not end well. And I don’t want you to think you’re alone init.”
Firra pointed across the room, wordlessly directing themages.
They left without any moreprotests.
“What a bunch of bosh,” Firra growled. “They don’t want you to think you’re alone, so they’re just going to tell you Evariste isdead? Idiots.” She glanced at Angelique. “Are you allright?”
Angelique nodded. “They just struck in a spot where it never occurred to me someone might try to attack,” she admitted. “And it’s worse because they may beright.”
“They’re not,” Firra said flatly. “They don’t know you, and they don’t know Evariste. He’d never leave you. No matter how terrible it gets, he’llsurvive.”
Angelique nodded. “Thank you,Firra.”
“I’m honored I could help you, LadyEnchantress.”
Angelique took a large swig of her tea, trying to ease the tightness of her throat.I take it back. Though I don’t fancy facing a sorcerer, I’m glad to leave this Summit, no matter how peaceful it mightseem.
Chapter 16
Two days later—aftera great deal of farewells—Angelique left for Kozlovka with Emperor Yevgeniy and hisforces.
Angelique had a rather joyful reunion with Pegasus, who fussed over her for the first few days of the journey and pranced more than usual, showing off to the Emperor’stroops.
They kept a rather grueling pace—or rather, grueling for everyone but Pegasus—and made it to Kozlovka in goodtime.
“We have arrived at Tsona Palace, Lady Enchantress.” Emperor Yevgeniy smiled warmly at Angelique and motioned to thecastle.
The palace was a rather unique design in that it was mostly walls crowded around an abundance of towers. Each tower was topped with a bronze dome that peaked ever so slightly, so together, they resembled dollops of whipped cream in shape and texture. The rest of the palace was made of white rock, giving the place a rather glowingappearance.
Angelique forced a smile—even though it felt bone weary and thin. “It’s lovely. You said Tsona Palace is your summerresidence?”
“It used to be, yes. Since my sons grew up, we have not returned as often as we used to—though my oldest would prefer to make his residence here given his passion for hunting and the like.” Yevgeniy squinted in the sunshine. “My wife opted to journey here after I left for the Summit, but it’s just as well. As I told the other representatives, Rothbart has made his home at Swan Lake—which is not far fromhere.”
“How fortunate,” Angelique said, feeling nothing of the sort. But she made her back straight and her postureperfect.
Kozlovka needs help. I cannot fail them in thishour.
The Emperor’s mount shied when he drew too close to Angelique andPegasus.
“My apologies,” Yevgeniy said as he fell back farther in the line ofsoldiers.
Pegasus had ignored the horse, but when it was no longer so near, he snapped in its general direction, his teeth audiblyclicking.
