Funny how making myself sick trying to retrieve the mirror is what thawed her,Angelique mused.I’ve done more dire things—like kill the wyvern or save Severin from his curse—so I wonder what it is about searching for the mirror that softenedher.
“What did you need, Angelique?” Severin asked, interrupting her thoughts with his rumblingvoice.
“Did Stil’s report on the elves catch up to you?” Angeliqueasked.
“It did,” Severin said. “I have some Rangers looking into it, but my forces are split as we try to communicate the absence of the mirror to all our allies. I’ll be thankful when the mirrors are enchanted anddistributed.”
Angelique shifted. “But youwilldo something aboutit?”
He nodded. “I plan to call on the Farset King by winter—he requested that something be done for his daughters, who seem to have an odd curse placed onthem.”
I wonder what lucky mage will be asked to look into that.Angelique barely managed to keep her sour thoughts off her face and instead nodded thoughtfully.But winter isn’t too far off. Since Clovicus and I spent midsummer playing in the mountains, and then I needed time to recover, it’s almost fallnow.
“While there, I’ll look into the elves—this Odette should have another delivery to make by then,” Severinfinished.
Relief made Angelique sag a little, so she wasn’t so stiff.They are going to do something about it, and it won’t be entirely up to me—even if he does try to hoist those cursed princesses off on me. I can live with that.She cleared her throat. “I am very glad to hear that. Thankyou.”
Severin bowed slightly. “Of course. If the elves can be restored, they will be a great boon to ourfight.”
“Yes. Speaking of which, I was hoping you had information on Suzu,” Angeliquesaid.
“I do.” Severin folded his hands behind his back. “I don’t have any of the written reports with me at the moment, but I can give you a summary until we return to thepalace.”
Angelique tried to smile serenely and not give any indication that her heart had leaped at his words. “Ofcourse.”
“She is a talented sorceress—though not nearly as notably skilled as her husband, Rothbart,” Severin said. “According to reports, she’s said to favor fire magic—though she is capable of a wide variety—and she doesn’t seem to have a particular base location; she has been sighted in several of our allies’lands.”
“We might have had her pass through Erlauf.” Friedrich’s dark eye grew a hardenededge.
“When Friedrich and I first met, some mercenaries attacked Friedrich,” Cinderella said. “They were dressed like Erlauf soldiers but carried Trieux weapons. They admitted to being hired by a woman who was said to represent a larger group. There’s a good chance it was Suzu based on the matching description—though we don’t know for certain, as the mercenaries never got hername.”
Friedrich scowled. “I’m betting she was likely behind the black mage that tried to kill Cinderella that same summer. He died before we could thoroughly question him, or we’d know forcertain.”
It took everything Angelique had to keep her hands calmly folded. “You have a physical description?” she asked in a voice that was admirablymild.
“Elletook it upon herself to track down a physical description.” Severin scowled. “She’s reported to have black hair, pale skin, dark eyes, and has a tendency to wear darkcolors.”
“Sounds like a ray of sunshine,” Friedrichmuttered.
“Anything more distinctive about her?” Angeliqueasked.
“Besides her power?” Severin dryly asked. “Most of the populace who have seen her are wowed first and foremost by hermagic.”
That’s understandable. As a mage myself, I tend to forget how rare weare.
“Lately,” Severin continued, “her name has been linked withCarabosso.”
Angelique stiffened. “Carabosso is still acting up in Sole?” she said more thanasked.
“Yes,” Severin said. “It’s not confirmed that Suzu is with him, but several of my Rangers and a few intelligence agents from Farset have confirmed that she is working withhim.”
Angelique briefly closed her eyes.This is it. I finally have a trail I can follow—I have something I can actuallydoto search for Evariste!She forced her eyes open and kept her expressionmellow.
“We were unable to uncover anything related to a Liliane or an Acri,” Severin added, “but we will continue thesearch.”
See? My dreams are exactly that—dreams. I should have known better—Evariste wouldnevertry to kissme!
Angelique slightly shook her head then met Severin’s gaze. “I cannot thank you enough, Your Highness, for thisinformation.”
