He gave her a warning look, but his expression softened when he dropped his gaze to Gemma. “When Angelique and I go face the rider, Gemma, I ask that you remain at camp. It’s going to be a battle, and I fear the rider would attack you.” He reached over Pricker Patch’s neck to smooth Gemma’s wavyhair.
Gemma didn’t protest the gesture of affection, but as soon as he finished, she readjusted her locks. “Of course,” shesaid.
“You agree so easily?” Angelique watched warily as Pegasus pinned his ears and shook his head. When she patted his neck, he jerked his head in Pricker Patch’s direction and huffed in irritation.Ahh, he wants to go faster.Preoccupied with her mount, she almost missed Gemma’sresponse.
“Naturally,” Gemma said. “My survival instincts are quite strong, and I know I have few—or perhaps even no—skills of combat. It would be safer for me to remain as far away as possible. Besides, someone must see that Pricker Patch and…” She nodded atPegasus.
“Pegasus,” Angeliquesupplied.
Pegasus swished his tail at the sound of hisname.
Gemma stared at a shooting star that skid across Pegasus’ neck. “Pricker Patch and Pegasus are fed andwatered.”
How very wise and practical. It seems every hour I come to like her more and more—even if she made the nearly unforgiveable sin of thinking Stil fancied me.Ugh.
Stil smiled sappily at the seamstress. “Good. And thankyou.”
Angelique, however, laughed. “I like her, Stil. You’ve chosenwell.”
“Thank you.” Stil positively glowed intriumph.
Gemma didn’t seem to feel the same, for she sighedloudly.
Angelique held in a snicker. “Although the lady does not seemjoyous.”
Pegasus pranced a few paces, flicking snow into air, then stopping to snort at the powderystuff.
Stil sized Gemma up. “I will wear herdown.”
Gemma raised hereyebrows.
Angelique grinned unrepentantly. “I think Pegasus wants to stretch his legs a bit. We’ll rideahead.”
“Excellent! Go on, shoo.” Stil swatted his hand atAngelique.
Gemma frowned a little but reluctantly nodded as she studied Pegasus. “He does seem a bit impatient. Ridesafe.”
Angelique waved and spun Pegasus so he faced south again, but not before she saw Stil reach for Gemma, and Gemma dodge hisgrab.
“This will provide us with bonding time, darling! We can play my guessinggame.”
“No on both accounts,” Gemma replied dryly before Pegasus bolted, leaving the lovebirdsbehind.
The bright sunshine of the day lifted a little of the weight that had pulled at her since realizing that Stil and Gemma were right: a war likely was on the horizon. (Even if they didn’t know whom it was that theyfought.)
Magic wars were not unheard of. Besides the Snow Queen’s war against the Chosen, there had been others. But the Snow Queen’s war was undoubtedly the biggest…until now when there was the possibility of a war spanning not a single country, but theentirecontinent.
Angelique grimaced at the thought, but when Pegasus swerved to avoid a drift, she sank lower into thesaddle.
That is something to discuss with Clovicus. First, I have to scare off this nightmare and its rider that are huntingStil.
She didn’t relish the upcoming fight—nightmares were twisted—and her stomach flopped at the thought.But I bespelled an entire city—the capital of Sole! If I can do that, I can handle a nightmare. Or rather, I’ll have to—for Stil’s sake. Even so…I’d rather do this with someone instead of by myself. Stil will be there, but while he can defend himself, he doesn’t have many fighting abilities. I’ll have to make sure I attack the nightmareandprotectStil.
The thought filled Angelique with dread. She hated involving those close to her in fights. Pegasus had gotten hurt when they were attacked by a basilisk, and she’d nearly lost Puss when she was trying to heal him and had encountered a band ofgoblins.
And there’s the worst of all…Evariste.
Pegasus finally slowed down to a prancing canter just as he released a trumpeting shout that made the flames of his body burn higher and a few black feathers twirl aroundthem.
