“Nothing.” Evariste folded his arms across his chest. “But you need to tell him. Or Sybilla. I think Liliane, at least, went to Luxi-Domus, which has frightening implications if it’s true. And at least it’s a name for you to searchwith.”
“I do actually have a name—finally.” Angelique sat up straight, seemingly cheered for the first time since she had appeared. “Suzu.”
“Sorcerer Rothbart’s wife—yes, she is among my captors,” he hesitated. “Seeing as I said that, do you believe I am really me,now?”
“Of course not,” Angelique laughed. “I already knew she was Rothbart’s wife—naturally my subconscious would know, as well. I need no other proof you are my imagination besides theasininedisplayearlier.”
“When I tried to kissyou?”
Angelique shivered. “Don’t say it likethat!”
“Would you rather I say I attempted to assault your lips with myown?”
Angelique slapped her hands over her ears. “I don’t want to hear this. I don’t want to know I’m even capable ofponderingthis! I thought I was better thanthis!”
Evariste kept up a smile even though the brightness of the forest seemed to dim, and the lingering toxic darkness seemed to grow.It seems my worries that performing my darkest desire will end our relationship are indeed correct. Short of gagging, I don’t think she could act any more disgusted. Is there something about me that she can’t stomach? If I changed myself, would she still react in thisway?
Angelique stood with a sigh. “This is absolutely embarrassing. Lord Enchanter Evariste deserves better thanthis.”
He was torn—should he save himself some pain and stop here, or risk asking and learn the truth?I suppose, what’s another stab to the heart when she’s already made her stance obvious?He lowered his hands to his hips and studied his apprentice. “Better than you imaginingkissing—”
“Yes,” Angelique loudly said, covering his words. She frowned and scratched a shoulder. “But more than just that. He deserves someone better trying to find him, better than me as his apprentice, better than…” She stared into the shadows of theforest.
Evariste slowly approached her.How can I tell her she’s being idiotic in a way she’ll actually believe? I know from Suzu’s and Liliane’s rants that Angelique has done more than anyone else in the world would, and all of it in myname.
Angelique didn’t notice as he again closed the distance between them. She was pre-occupied staring at a mushroom. “I’ve used my war magic,” sheannounced.
Evariste froze in surprise. “Really?”
“A few times.” She winced. “Several times.” A grimace. “A lot more than I wouldlike.”
Knowing her, that probably means she’s used it twice since I wastaken.
“But,” Angelique continued, “I made the greatest mistake of my life when I let Evariste get taken. I don’t want it to happen again, but it’s stillfrightening.”
“What is? Your magic?” Evariste edged across the small gap between them, his arm brushing hers. His gaze wandered to her lips, but Evariste reluctantly forced himself to switch his focus.If Angelique uses her magic, she can devastate Liliane’s forces. Much rides on her ability to use her magic. She can’t be scared ofit.
Angelique stared at the ground. “Yes.”
Evariste was preparing to launch into a lecture about her magic when she surprised him bycontinuing.
“Do you think Evariste willmind?”
Puzzled, he wrinkled his brow. “That you used your core magic? Certainlynot!”
“But I don’t think he realized the full extent of my magic,” Angelique said. “I’m not sure anyone has. It can do things…” She shifted and looked at him with haunted eyes. “Do you think he can forgive me? Foreverything?”
“Angel, how many times must I say it before you believe me? I don’t need to forgive you because you haven’t done anything wrong,” Evariste gently said. “When this is all over, and you find me, we’ll sit down together, and you can tell me everything. And when your tale is told, I will tell you with absolute certainty that you didwell.”
Angelique pressed her lips together and slightly twisted her face. “I really miss you,” shewhispered.
Some of Evariste’s pain thawed at her earnest expression. He gently pushed some of her thick hair from her face. “And I missyou.”
“I’ll find you,” she vowed. “No matter what. I’ll findyou.”
Evariste slowly eased his arms around her in a comforting hug. “Iknow.”
He felt her breathing deepen as she pressed her face into his shoulder. Though he wished it was out of ardor, he knew it was the heavy hand of exhaustion that made her lean into him as sleep stole her away fromhim.
