Angelique skimmed the top letter, taking in the sorceress’ sharp words and thinly veiled threats to Odile—whom she scoffed for being incompetent atmagic.
Rothbart must have known Odile’s powers—how could he miss it with her menagerie in her tower? Which means he was keeping her from this…Suzu.
Angelique stared at the scribbled name, trying to fathom howtwisteda person had to be to threaten such vile atrocities against their ownchild.
“Wait,” Angelique rapidly blinked as her thoughts finally caught up with her heart. “This means we finally have a name! Suzu—shehasto be linked with those who kidnapped Evariste. At the very least, she must know of them! And since we have her name, it will be easier to track her. This is alead!”
She was so gleeful, Angelique actually hopped in a small circle. “Oh, I can’t wait to tell Pegasus. And Sybilla and Clovicus! This settles it—Ihaveto return to Loire to update Severin andElle!”
Angelique was still deep in her celebration—though she had limited herself to grinning like an idiot while she leaned against the tower wall—when Odette emerged from Odile’shome.
“How is she?” Angeliqueasked.
Odette glanced back at the tower. “Conflicted, I think. She learned that she had one parent’s love all along, only to find out that her mother—whom she thought indifferent—frequently made threats on her life. But Odile has a rare and quiet strength. She’ll cling to the idea that Rothbart loved her. And heaven help Suzu if Odile and her wyvern ever see heragain.”
The corners of her mouth turned down as she stared past Angelique. “He was a twisted, broken man. But I wished he would have soughthelp.”
“Rothbart?”
Odette nodded. “He must have been planning this for years. When he first cursed me, he wasn’t wearing that dratted gold armor that he started to wear these past fewmonths.”
Angelique wrinkled her forehead.Gold armor…did the man I encounter while chasing the wyvern wear gold armor? Could he have beenRothbart?
When she realized Odette was watching her, she smoothed her expression andsmiled.
Odette pressed her lips together, her hazel eyes somber. “I told you all of this because I trust you with my life and the lives of my friends, Lady Enchantress. You put much on the line when you fought that wyvern, and I wish to honor that. I need you to be honest. Will Odile be safe with the VenenoConclave?”
Angeliquepaused.
Any other mage would have immediately answeredyes.
They would have told Odette how kind the instructors of Luxi-Domus were, how benevolent all mages were, how they strove to help eachother.
But Angelique—who had been feared, scorned, and threatened—could only stare atOdette.
Odile is not Stil. Her magic is potent and powerful like his, not grim like mine…but her wyvern…and that doesn’t even touch her parentage. Could she thrive as hedid?
“I sent word of Odile to a dear friend of mine, the Fairy Godmother Sybilla,” Angelique finally said. “She is wise, influential, and powerful. It is my suggestion that Sybilla look after Odile as a mentor. She will be able to introduce Odile to powerful mages who will make goodallies.”
Odette narrowed her eyes. “You’re saying she’ll be a good guide—so the doubters in the Conclave won’t chew Odile up and spit herout?”
“It is my hope that the Conclave wouldn’tchewanyone up,” Angelique said mildly. “But Odile is in a slightly difficult position. Sybilla will give her an advantage sheneeds.”
Odette heaved a sigh. “Thankyou.”
Angelique nodded. She glanced down at the letters, her gaze lingering on a line in theletter.
If you do not follow these plans, I shall take out the payment for your cheekiness onourdaughter whom you love souselessly.
“Don’t let her leave Kozlovka,” Angelique blurtedout.
Odette frowned. “I’m sorry,what?”
Angelique looked up and met the Swan Queen’s gaze. “Don’t let her leave Kozlovka without you. Sybilla won’t be able to stay with Odile all the time given her responsibilities. The Veneno Conclave will listen to Sybilla, but they do not have the greatest record at graciously accepting powers and things beyond their understanding. And Odile’s control over her wyvern… add into the swirl that her mother—this Suzu—will almost certainly hear of this, and…” Angelique gestureduselessly.
Odette stood tall. Her chin rose. She slightly narrowed her eyes. And in that moment, she was every inch the Swan Queen her crew called her. “Understood,” she said. “No onewill take Odile or make her do something against herwishes.”
I’m glad Odile has a friend willing to stand with her and shield her.Angelique’s throat ached.I wish I had someone likethat.
