Chapter 12
Spring finally arrived,and after attending Stil and Gemma’s wedding, Angelique elected to use the weeks leading up to the Summit to continue the search for the black mage that had attackedher.
She found no clues—not even a whisper of who he was or where he had come from. It matched the pattern of the black mages who had taken Evariste, which further convinced Angelique he knew where Evaristewas.
She checked in with Donaigh and Firra—who had recently visited the sleeping city of Ciane—for a report on Princess Briar, submitted a report of her encounter with the black mage to the Veneno Conclave (although she carefully screened the exact location of the fight) and then chose to travel to Loireearly.
Arriving before the Summit started would give her time to speak to Stil, and she had many things to discuss with Prince Severin and Princess Elle. She wanted to inform the royal pair of her arrival, which sadly meant she had to venture to Noyers first—where the toady Prince Lucien lived—before she traveled on to ChanceuxChateau.
Unfortunately, the prince and princess were rather pre-occupied, for—Angelique learned from Oliver, who was stationed in Noyers to take care of his master’s and mistress’ horses during their stay—there had been an assassination attempt on Prince Lucien the morning of herarrival.
It seems our enemy has given up all hints of subtlety and is now focusing on eradicating the largest threats. But I am baffled, for I don’t know that Lucien is a danger to them. He’s smarter and more grounded than he pretends to be—that much was obvious when I met him while Severin was still a beast in mind and body. But what kind of impact can he have that would make our enemy determined to wipe himout?
Angelique followed a butler through the winding halls of the Noyers palace, smiling awkwardly when he stopped outside an ornate door and rapped on its polishedsurface.
“Enter,” a male growled, barely audible through thedoor.
In a smooth, practiced move, the butler opened the door and bowed low. “Lady Enchantress Angelique,” heannounced.
Angelique held in a sigh as she marched into the room—which appeared to be a salon of sorts with comfortable, well-padded furnishings and gold leaf applied everywhere. (The Loire monarchs seemed to find great comfort in gold. Perhaps there was a strain of dragon blood in theirfamily?)
“I believe I have introduced myself to every servant in this palace—at least twice each—as an enchantress-in-training.” Angelique smiled—knowing that if she didn’t, the sarcasm in her voice would leak through in a most inappropriateway.
Severin bowed. “MyLady.”
Elle was not nearly so taciturn in her reaction. She skipped across the salon and threw her arms around Angelique in an embrace. “Angelique, you've arrived early for theSummit!”
“I have.” Angelique glanced from Severin to Lucien. “Though it seems you have already started the events withoutme.”
Charm oozed from Lucien’s smile as he strolled up to her. “Lady Enchantress Angelique.” He took her hands and kissed them, his lips lingering a tad longer than was polite. “You are as stunning and beautiful as ever. Your mere presence brightens this room. For the sake of my heart I must ask, when shall you respond to my sonnets of love foryou?”
He seems rather calm and blasé considering he was nearly assassinated this morning. One might think it’s because he’s foolish, but after seeing his franticness when Severin was hurt…could he really be this good of anactor?
Angelique hid her thoughts behind a mask of polite interest. “Prince Lucien, I'm glad to see you are in high spirits despite your dangerous experience thismorning.”
“Oh, it was nothing.” Lucien took another step toward the enchantress. He didn’t even blink when Elle openly elbowed his side. “But I am ever so pleased you have come to Noyers and the palace. As long as you are a guest here, I shall see that you are treated with every respect andcourtesy.”
When it looked like he was going to go in for another session of hand kisses, Angelique ripped her hands from his grasp. “Yes, thank you. However, I will not remain here long. I intend to impose on Prince Severin and Princess Elle's hospitality and stay at their chateau thisevening.”
Lucien’s smile only grew. “How delightful! I, also, intend to stay with dear Severin and dearElle.”
His sister-in-law eyed him. “Sincewhen?”
Lucien tugged on his waistcoat. “Since right thismoment.”
Severin blinked slowly, like a big cat. “I was unaware my wife had become dear toyou.”
Lucien chuckled. “Of course she has! After all, she's so...” He trailed off as he stared at Elle with carefully narrowed eyes. “Well, at least her bangs are finally cutevenly.”
Elle magnanimously ignored the observation—probably because Lucien had shifted himself out of elbowing range. “Based on your entrance, Lady Enchantress, I assume you heard of Lucien's encounter with the rogue mages thismorning?”
“Please, just Angelique. And I have.” Angelique, feeling Lucien’s eyes on her, made a hasty retreat to stand by a window and hopefully look thoughtful in theprocess.
The corners of Severin’s eyes crinkled. “Is there any sort of spell you could cast on him? Perhaps any protectioncharms?”
Lucien, surprisingly—or perhaps not, given his personality—rolled his eyes and seemed the most unconcerned about the attempt on his life. “Come now, you two sound like a pair of worried mothers! One assassination attempt is hardly frightening enough to begin requiring spells andcharms.”
“Second,” Severinsaid.
