“Not really. I just don’t want to sit here and think about all I have to do—or everything I should bedoing.”
Evariste held his breath as he slowly inched his arm around her, curling it at her waist. “Whatever you’ve been doing in my absence…it’s been hard on you, hasn’tit?”
Angelique shrugged. “It’s not so bad. We’ve managed to scrape by and win, I guess. I’m justtired.And I want to find you, but I haven’t been able to make much progress, and I feel like such afailure!”
Evariste tugged her closer, finally succeeding in half-hugging her. “You’ve done your best, Angel. I know you’re searching forme.”
“Except youdon’t. Not the real you.” Despair colored her voice, and she glumly leaned forward and rested her head on herknees.
Evariste shook his head. “No, I really do know. Liliane, Acri, and the other mages who are holding me captive have complained endlessly about you. If not for you, the continent would be far worseoff.”
Angelique pulled back from him. “Liliane andAcri?”
“Liliane is the leader of the black mages who have me. Acri is her son—he’s the one who attackedyou.”
I need to press my advantage—I just might be able to convince her yet.Evariste smiled at her—an expression that almost felt rusty from disuse. “Well done, by the way, in fighting himoff.”
“I didn’t—not really.” Angelique’s expression was distracted as she carefully studied his face. “He almost had me, but Pegasus arrived. I think he walloped him prettygood.”
“I’m sure you got your licks in,” Evaristesaid.
Angelique leaned so close they were almost nose to nose. “…Evariste?” she asked in a smallvoice.
Evariste tilted his forehead so it rested against hers. “Yes,Angel?”
She hesitated. “I reallydon’twant you to be Evariste,” she finallysaid.
“Whynot?”
“Because.” Her silver eyes looked both haunted and sorrowful. “You look so…broken. If Evariste is in the same condition you seem to be in…” She shook her head, then abruptly shoved her shoulders back and puffed up like an angry cat. “But he’snot! He can’t be that close todeath!”
“I look that bad, do I?” Evariste mildly asked. He saw Angelique tentatively raise herhand.
Sit.Still.
Her fingers trembled as she reached for hisface.
SIT.STILL.
Her warm fingertips grazed his cheek, and then she flicked some of his hair off his forehead while he didn’t so much as move amuscle.
If it didn’t take all my effort not to yank her against me, if I had the mental capacity to spare, I’d be proud ofmyself.
When he could bear it no longer, he caught her hand in his and squeezed it. “I’m okay, Angel. I’ll be fine until you findme.”
Angelique nodded seriously. “And Iwillfind you,” she promised. “I’m already moving the skies with Pegasus. If I have to move the ground, as well, I will.” A glassy look passed through her eyes, and sheyawned.
“Sleepy?” Evaristeasked.
“I’m sleepy in a dream. How stupid,” Angeliquemuttered.
Evariste wanted to beg her to stay—he didn’t know what would happen once she left, and in this moment, he could feel both sparks of his magic and the sharp but comforting edge that marked out Angelique’spowers.
“Angel…” Evariste trailed off as he watched Angelique’s eyes fluttershut.
Do I try to convince her it’s me? Or do I try to convey as much about the enemy as I can? What’s most important?He rubbed his forehead. “You shouldknow—”
Angelique abruptly grabbed him by the shoulder and half-threw herself on him in a hug, her face pressed against hisneck.
