Pegasus bumped her shoulder with his velveteen muzzle. Angelique offered out her apple, which he took with a contentedcrunch.
“Two riders are approaching.” Nadia kept her left eye closed and her right eye pressed against the spyglass Angelique had lent the taciturn woman. “From the south—looks like a male andfemale.”
Ciane is south…could it be?Angelique held out her hand—the one free of Pegasus’ slobber. “Might Isee?”
Nadia passed the spyglass over. “Of course, LadyEnchantress.”
“Thanks for taking the watch, Nadia,” Odette said. “Have an apple—and some of the cheese. It’s great.” Though her words were casual and she sat with her legs stretched in front of her, Angelique didn’t miss the way her hands strayed to the daggers lying at herside.
“I suspect they aren’t a foe.” Angelique fitted the lens to her eye and carefully adjusted it to the right focalpoint.
The blobby figures sharpened. Angelique instantly recognized the male—she would have known that straw hat anywhere—and it only took a glance at the female with her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail and her flame-colored clothing to confirm Angelique’sguess.
“That’s fire mage Firra and war mage Donaigh,” Angelique said. “They’re personal friends of mine who have worked on behalf of Evariste and me here inSole.”
“Do you want to signal to them?” Mishaasked.
“No need. It seems they’re coming straight for us.” Angelique collapsed her spyglass and set it in her bag as Pegasus lipped her shoulder. “Do any of you require further refreshments? I believe I have salted nuts of some assortment.” She dug out another apple and presented it to the constellation, who dripped juice over her palm when he took it and crunched it in histeeth.
Odette shook her head. “I think we’re fine—unless you have another piece ofjerky?”
Angelique passed hertwo.
The Swan Queen bit down on one like a pipe and passed the other off toNadia.
Nadia pushed her long bangs out of her eyes and took the jerky. “They seemed to be in a hurry. Do you think there is trouble at thecapital?”
“Can’t be.” Angelique shielded her eyes and watched the mages approach. “Not with everyonesleeping.”
When the duo was close enough that they were forced to slow their horses so as to not run them down, Angelique waved to the pair. “Firra, Donaigh, what a pleasant surprise it is to seeyou!”
“You can’t imagine how relieved we are to have found you so close,” Firrasaid.
Donaigh whipped off his straw hat and bowed to Angelique. “Though I imagine after you hear our news, you won’t be nearly so glad to seeus.”
“I’m already aware of Carabosso’s rampages through the countryside,” Angeliquesaid.
“Oh, yes.” Donaigh put his hat back on. “He’s been doing that for awhile.”
Angelique paused in her surprise. “He’s beendestroying villages? With help from othermages?”
“What?No!” Firra’s brows furrowed with horror, and she threw herself off her horse. “Where did you hearthat?”
“We saw it,” Angelique said. “Carabosso and a sorceress we believe is named Suzu, as well as another male mage burned an entire village to theground.”
Firra groaned and leaned against Donaigh. “Of course he would up the ante onceshewokeup.”
Angelique suspiciously peered back and forth between the two mages. “What are you talkingabout?”
Donaigh’s shoulders dropped, and he wouldn’t meet her gaze, while Firra’s face crumpled withdread.
Oh no. No, no, no. They want my help withsomething.
Angelique didn’t know if it was her long held-in-check cynicism or her magic, but something deep in her howled like a wild animal. On impulse, she extended her hand to her companions. “Before we begin, please allow me to introduce you to Odette, Nadia, and Misha. They are members of the Black Swan Smugglers—though I suppose they aren’t so much members as they run it. Odette is the leader, and Nadia and Misha are her seconds-in-command so tospeak.”
“Hello.” Odette waved to the mages, who each nodded, though they stared atAngelique.
Angelique avoided meeting their gaze, desperate to avoid as long as possible hearing whatever new task they were going to foist off onher.
