Angelique patted her on the back. She suspected if she hadn’t been so tired, she might have shed a tear or two on behalf of the happy couple, particularly when Stil threw his arms around both of them and shoved his head into Gemma’s hair,laughing.
“So you’ll both be going south to Loire?” Angelique asked when they finally broke up the three-personembrace.
Gemma’s smile fell slightly. “No, notyet.”
“Gemma feels like she needs to stay—to support Lady Linnea,” Stil scooped Gemma close, ignoring when she tried to pry herself from his grasp. “With the state of the continent—and my promise to you—Ineedto meet with Prince Severin and Princess Elle.But, I’ll come back in a month to sweep her south withme.”
Gemma elbowed Stil. “We agreed it would be earlyspring.”
“We did,” Stil nodded. “But I can still hope that with enough pleading, you’ll move the dateup.”
“If you insist on trying, I might not be able to leave until fall,” Gemma saidwryly.
“You wouldn’t do that to me,” Stilsaid.
“Try me.” Gemma eyed Stil, but when she redirected her gaze to Angelique, the set of her lips softened. “I am sorry you had to come back to help Stil and were unable to ride on to the Veneno Conclave as you hadplanned.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. I actually ran into Lord Enchanter Clovicus and told him everything,” Angelique said. “He’s going to bring the matter before the Veneno Conclave himself. With Clovicus as the presenter, it’s likely the Conclave will take the matter more seriously. I was actually traveling back west when I received Stil’s message that you had beentaken.”
“That explains it.” Stil flicked his black bangs off his forehead. “I actually didn’t have much hope that my message would catch up with Pegasus in time. He’s too fast. I guess it’s a good thing you were doubling back. Where will you gonext?”
“Zancara,” Angeliquesaid.
“Zancara?” Stilyelped.
“Yes.” Angelique rolled her shoulders back and tapped a little of her magic—just enough for Stil to feel so he’d remember just who he was talking to. “When I ran into Clovicus, we discussed the lack of progress in finding Evariste. It was suggested I investigate Zancara in case he’s been stashed there. Evidently they used to export legendary glassitems.”
Stil frowned. “I can see the logic—though I don’t much care forit.”
“Too bad. I’m going,” Angelique flatly said. “Though I was hoping, given your wanderings, you might have contacts that could help me get through—or under—Zancara’s blastedwall.”
Stil’s frown softened as he mused over her words. “I don’t know of any way past that wall. But I know a smuggler who takes goods in and out of Zancara via the ocean. She should be able to help you—or at least share somepointers.”
“Given that I have no possible leads, I’ll take whatever advice I can get,” Angelique drylysaid.
“Yeah,” Stil agreed. “I think it’s pretty likely she could get you in, actually. Her name is Captain Neely. She’s based in the Farset city ofTylis.”
“Tylis—that’s an ocean and river port city, correct?” Angeliquesaid.
“Yep! It’s a fun place.” He cast a sly glance at Gemma. “It’s pretty populated, so it always has beautiful and luxuriouscloth.”
“Does it?” Gemma politelyinquired.
“Some of the best I’ve seen,” Stil said in a sing-song voice. “I don’t suppose, Gemma, you’d be game to go with Angelique and me and see it rightnow?”
Gemma narrowed her eyes. “You have to go to Loire to speak to Prince Severin and Princess Elle—you owe it to Angelique. And I’m remaining here to help Linnea.No.”
Stil winked. “Can’t blame a man fortrying.”
Angelique’s smile grew fond as she watched Gemma eye Stil, and Stil arch an eyebrow and smile handsomely. She stifled a yawn and allowed herself to lean against the open settee as she changed the topic. “Pray do tell me, was it a daring rescue,Gemma?”
“You think I’m capable of anythingexceptbeing perfectly debonair?” Stilasked.
Angelique smirked. “Given that I once saw you bested in chess by a cat,yes.”
“Roland is amagic, talkingcat. He hardly counts as a feline,” Stil complained. “And I had only stayed with you and Evariste at your home for a week at the time. Roland had months of practice before Iarrived.”
“He goes by Puss, now,” Angeliquesaid.
