But the biggest difference by far was thepalace.
It was an unusual structure given that it was made of wood. Every part of the castle jutted up in triangular cut-outs that were intricately decorated with snowflakes and the country crest—a reindeer. It had always been beautiful, but it seemed cleaner now that the air of desperation and doom had been sweptout.
Ostfold flags hung from the walls, and out front, an army officer was reviewing sword stances with recruits who—Angelique was surprised to see—were allfemales.
Odette eyed the recruits with interest. “I didn’t know the Verglas army accepted females among itsranks.”
“Historically, they haven’t,” Angelique said. “I imagine this is the work of the new Verglasqueen.”
“Remarkable.” Odette pulled one of her daggers from her bandolier and balanced the blade on the tip of herfinger.
When they were nearly at the palace entrance, Angelique patted Pegasus’ shoulder, garnering his attention. “Do you want to leave? I don’t think it will be too many days before the expedition sets out, but I don’t know how forgiving you’refeeling.”
Pegasus set his chin on her shoulder, but before he gave any gesture to reveal his decision, someone shouted from the palaceentrance.
“Angelique!”
Angelique pulled back from Pegasus, her jaw dropping when she saw a familiar head of bright copper hair marching toward her. “Lord EnchanterClovicus? What are you doinghere?”
Clovicus laughed as he casually ambled up to her, his arms swinging at his sides. “Don’tyousound excited to see me? Be careful; you’ll hurt myfeelings.”
The enchanter had traded his long, draping robes for a brilliant green tunic with embroidery that seemed tomovein the fabric. With the glittery get-up, he looked a little more like a roguish noble than an agelessenchanter.
“I didn’t know you were planning to come to Verglas,” Angeliquesaid.
Clovicus smirked. “What you mean to say is you didn’t inviteme; rather, you asked me to send weather mages. Am Iwrong?”
“No,” Angelique agreed. “You arrived with them, I takeit?”
“Not quite,” he said. “There are no weather mages here. I decided to come myself, and I suspect two enchanters on this little expedition will be more than enough to get us through themountains.”
Angelique blinked. “No weather mages?” sheparroted.
“None atall.”
She blinked some more. “…why?”
He sighed and gazed off sorrowfully into the distance. “I just get so lonely. It’s only me in the Veneno Conclave—no cute little apprentice to brighten my day. Instead, I have to look at Tristisim’s gloomy face far more often than I want.” He winked. “When I received your letter that contained the newest findings about the Chosen and your request for weather mages, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to rejoin common society and use my magic for somethingconstructive.”
Angelique pressed her hands together and rested her fingers—in a praying position—on her chin and lower lip. “The Council had an assignment for you that you didn’t want totake?”
Clovicus laughed hollowly. “Worse,” he said. “They gave me anassistant.”
Angelique felt like his echo. “Anassistant?”
“Yeah, some minion of Crest’s named Wallace. The Council said it was to make me more efficient in my role, but I’m pretty sure he’s just there to spy on me since I’m the only tie they really have to you, now, given that Sybilla has always flouted her independence.” Clovicussighed.
Angelique frowned. “What aboutStil?”
Clovicus snorted. “He mailed the Assignment and Appointments Department a sketch of his donkey’s rear end when they sent him a summons for a new assignment right after he got married. It nearly gave poor Alfonso a heart attack, but Sinèad thought it was great fun. Regardless, Stil has made it perfectly clear where his allegiancelies.”
Warmth invaded Angelique’s heart, and she knew she had to be grinning like an idiot.I was stupid to even wonder if Stil would forget about me after falling in love withGemma.
Odette shifted, shaking Angelique back to thepresent.
“Ah, forgive my poor manners. Lord Enchanter Clovicus, may I introduce you to Odette—the leader of the smugglers that Rothbart cursed and the beloved of Prince Alexsei ofKozlovka.”
Clovicus turned on his charm and smiled ruggedly. “So, you are the famed Swan Queen. Thank you for joining us on this littleexcursion.”
