Angelique released a harsh bark of laughter. “Now IknowI’m dreaming. It’s not enough that blasted curses bother me in the daytime; they have to plague my sleep aswell!”
“At least you’re not the only one so bothered by it.” Evariste mused on Liliane’s frustration. “The black mages holding me captive are just as angry aboutit.”
“I imagine so—it’s the only reason why I’m able to disrupt their plans so often. It’s pretty strange if you think about it. I would have thought by now they would have figured out a way to block that method of curse alteration.” She waggled a foot in the air as Evariste sat down next to her. “It’s beenyears.And they were smart enough to be able to catch you. I mean,Evariste.”
“Yes. Now that you mention it, it isverystrange,” Evariste mused.Whatever it is that causes that weakness…it can’t be in the spellwork. But what, then, is it? A weakness to romantic love is oddlyspecific.
“See, you’re definitely made up by my mind,” Angelique grumbled. “Evariste never agreed with me somuch.”
He grinned. “I am pleased to disagree with you, then, and insist that it really is me,Angel.”
“Fine, then, where are you?” Angeliqueasked.
“Here, with you.Obviously.”
“No—I mean where have they stashedyou?”
“Oh.” Evariste thoughtfully scratched his chin. “I don’t actuallyknow.”
“And there we have it. Another useless delusion of mine.” Angelique sounded disgusted as she pointedly shifted away fromhim.
“I don’t know the specific location, but I can tell you we’re in some sort of cave system.” He discreetly tried to shift closer without her notice and covered up his actions by leaning back on hispalms.
“See, but my mind could easily make up that guess.” Angelique propped her arms up on her knees. “Because we haven’t been able to find you anywhere above ground, that leaves only the no-man areas of the continent—mountain ranges, abandoned islands, maybe Baris’ volcano and thelike.”
“I don’t think we’re located near Baris’ volcano,” Evariste said. “It’s too cold, and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen newly arrived black mages in anything but wintergarb.”
“Hmm. Okay, then how do I findyou?”
Evariste sighed. “We’ll think ofsomething.”
“Yeah, right. I’m now absolutely certain it’s my useless delusions talking.” Angelique glumly spread her fingers apart and stared at them. “I can’t be thinking of useful things like the best spells to entrap a wyvern—good heavens, no. I have to moon over myteacher.”
“This is what mooning looks like to you?” Rightfully intrigued—but unable to be so close andnottouching—Evariste leaned so his shoulder was braced againsthers.
“No—no!” Angelique scowled at him. “Notthatsort ofmooning.”
“I repulse youthen?”
“No. I’ve just developed an antipathy toward romance in the middle of a war.” Angelique rolled her eyes, then poked Evariste in the ribs. (Thankfully she didn’t seem to notice his wince of pain.) “It’s a pattern that has popped up in my life, just like romantic love being able to bust every curse I’ve comeacross.”
“Yes, that does seemodd.”
“That’s right! See—youarea figment of my imagination. How else could you know about thosecurses?”
“I am not your imagination,” he laughed. “Though I suppose I should be grateful you think me to be a delusion rather than a torment sent by theenemy.”
“I don’t think that’s possible.” Angelique folded her arms across her chest and frowned. “At least not rightnow.”
“And why is that? Are you in the VenenoConclave?”
“Nope. Snuggled up withPegasus.”
“Ah. Yes, I suppose he could stop anything like that.” Evariste shook his head slightly.This entire conversation has been one surprise after another. But there’s something about her point…what is causing that weakness? Rothbart seemed to figure it out when he visited, after he spoke to me and I mentioned I got captured protectingsomeone.
“What else can you do to convince me that you’re really Evariste?” Angeliqueasked.
“You are open to theidea?”
