Empress Sonya leaned back into her chair with artless grace. “Peace, Yevgeniy. I’ve already had our intelligence network look intoit.”
Emperor Yevgeniy still frowned, but he said no more on the matter, even when Alexsei smiled brightly at Sonya when she winked athim.
Oh, good lord. Please don’t tell me there is a budding romance in the mess and chaos of this? What am I saying? The prince is clearly part of this love-addled generation.Of course,there is a lovestory.
When Angelique finished her internal rant, the description of the smugglers caught up with her. “I beg your pardon; did you say they’re cursed to beswans?”
“Like the Arcainian princes, yes,” Alexsei said. “Rothbart invented the curse that the witch used on the princes. His wife stole a copy of the spell and sold it to thewitch.”
“I suppose that ties up one loose end. I always wondered where Clotilde found such a powerful spell,” Enchantress Angelique mused as she recalled the black diamonds the witch-queen had fought with. It seems Puss’ and her suppositions had been correct all along. Clotilde had been sent in by someone—the nameless and unidentified enemy—who had prepped her with powerandspells.
She nodded briskly, clearing her thoughts. “Now, unfortunately, it seems Rothbart is much more powerful than I expected. Creation spells—the kind of magic used to make that wyvern—take a great deal of knowledge and power. And why has such a blatantly dark sorcerer refrained so long from doing Kozlovka a great deal of damage? I can’t imagine a group of cursed smugglers could so easily stophim.”
“Odette says Rothbart likens himself to a genius,” Alexsei said. “He seeks knowledge for the sake of having it. Apparently, unless a display gives him the opportunity to prove his brilliance, he does not care to use his hoard ofpower.”
If that is so, it is possible this Rothbart doesn’t work with our enemy, even if he is still evil—for it seems very unlike any black mage we’ve encounteredbefore.
Angelique pushed her hands into her skirts as they changed to a shimmering dark blue. “It seems this Odette is most knowledgeable of Rothbart. I believe I would like to meet her before I begin searching for thewyvern.”
“You will take care of the wyvern first, and then face Rothbart?” Empress Sonyaasked.
Angelique shook her head. “If Rothbart is as powerful as you say, then I will need help after all. I will send out messages to several colleagues who attended the Summit. They should still be in Loire and willing to lend me a helping hand.”Stil can forge some items for me, and with things this bad, Sybilla might delay her plans to help me. I can always send word to Clovicus, aswell.
Empress Sonya frowned slightly. “Forgive my impertinence, Lady Enchantress, but shouldn’t you be enough? You are the most powerful rank of magic user thereis.”
Angelique tried not to bulge her eyes.Just how powerful do you think I am if you believe I can face a sorcerer whomakeswyverns when I’m still an apprentice!She slapped her smile back on and said, pleasantly, “I tried to face Clotilde in Arcainia alone, and it went poorly. To avoid the same mistake—for I fear Rothbart is more intelligent than Clotilde and would likely build his defenses after beating me off—the wisest course would be to bring inallies.”
Emperor Yevgeniy went back to smoothing his beard. “Could we aid you in any way? Troops, perhaps?” he asked. “I do not wish to place this burden on you and do nothing to aidyou.”
Angelique softened a little, warmed by the offer—even if she couldn’t risk agreeing to it. “Though it is kind of you to offer, it is best for those without magic to stay out of such a battle. I fear the losses would not be worthit.”
“I see.” Emperor Yevgeniy said. “I will call for couriers so your friends can be sent for immediately. It is a shame no war mages besides the one who went to Sole attended the Summit—they would be immensely helpful in thissituation.”
“Perhaps,” Angelique politely agreed.As if the Conclave would ever sparethem.
Empress Sonya rested a hand on the tea cart. “How soon would you like to travel to Swan Lake to meet thesmugglers?”
Angelique studied Alexsei. “You said this Odette and her people turn human everynight?”
Yakov answered for him. “Yes—for the wholenight.”
“Then we should set out so we can reach them shortly after the sun hasset.”
“As you wish. Come, Yakov.” Emperor Yevgeniy bowed his head and then opened the salon door—with Yakov at his side. He motioned for one of the attendants hovering in the hallway to approachthem.
“In the meantime, could I interest you in more refreshments, Angelique?” Empress Sonyaasked.
Angelique almost refused—before she did the math and realized she would soon be on a frenzied run through the countryside, this time chasing a wyvern.“Please—though I do not wish you to overly trouble yourself.” She stood—her skirts emitting a soft hush as they fell intoplace.
Empress Sonya smiled serenely. “It is my pleasure.” She quit the room, and Angelique started to follow her, mentally cataloging what other supplies she should request before leaving thatevening.
Young prince Alexsei cleared his throat. “If I could have a moment, LadyEnchantress?”
Angelique paused at the doorframe and, slightly exasperated, raised an eyebrow. “I believe I told you to call me Angelique, YourHighness.”
He bowed. “I have an additional request foryou.”
Additional? By the stars, I am sosurprised—hah!“Yes?”
