Severin waited until the crown prince was sipping the drink before he asked, “Is it possible to temporarily turn a human into a smallanimal?”
Lucien spat out his wine, spraying it all over. “No! Absolutelynot!”
Angelique barely managed to hold in a cackle of glee at the prince’s obvioushorror.
“The situation is dire, Lucien,” Severin said in a firm but coaxing voice. “We should investigate all possible methods ofprotection.”
Lucien clutched his chalice. “I am not spending my days as ahousecat.”
Elle smiled winningly at her brother-in-law. “ButdearLucien, it would be for yoursafety.”
Lucien jabbed a finger at her. “Not a word from you.Severinis at least genuinely motivated by fear and affection. You just want to laugh atme!”
Elle nodded unapologetically. “Ido.”
Angelique pressed her lips together as she measured out the request.If I do enough prep-work, it will be safe enough. It’s the instantaneous human-to-animal transformation spells—like the one Sybilla used—that are more dangerous. I haven’t done something like this by myself, but I managed to put all of Ciane to sleep. One transformation spell can’t be worse thanthat.
Besides, it would do my soul good to see the flirtatious Lucien as somethingodious!
Angelique tried not to soundtoohappy as she spoke. “A transformation spell would take some preparation, but it could bedone.”
Lucien turned around to face her. “Even you have abandoned me, MyLady?”
“Would you research it, Angelique?” Severinasked.
Angelique knew her smile bordered on blinding, but she couldn’t help it. (This was the first bit of fun magic she would have casted in ages!) “It would be mypleasure!”
Pouting, Lucien folded his arms across his chest. “You three cannot beserious.”
“I hope it won’t come to such drastic measures, but I will do whatever is necessary to protect you, brother,” Severinsaid.
Lucien sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Bother the lot ofyou.”
Ellelaughed.
Angelique hid a smirk behind a hand and was tempted to discuss the transformation process in detail, but, unfortunately, she had questions about the Summit. “If you pardon the change of conversation, when do you expect other Summit attendees toarrive?”
“Most are scheduled to arrive over the next few days.” Severin began to sift through a package of papers he had brought withhim.
“Gemma and Craftmage Stil are greeting the Ringsted representatives. I estimate they will arrive in two days or so,” Ellesaid.
“That’s right,” Angelique recalled. “You meant to send them to greet Prince Callan of Ringsted and Princess Dylan of the selkies once Gemma and Stil finished their wedding celebration, yes?” Angeliqueasked.
“Yes. I felt rotten for doing so, but Severin and I could not venture to the ocean to meet them,” Ellesaid.
“They understood. Any news of the mages Sybillainvited?”
“We received multiple acceptance letters,” Severin confirmed. “It seems we’ll have a good clutch of mages present aswell.”
Angelique relaxed at the news. “I am gladdened to hear it is so.” She glanced at Lucien, who had put away his moody frown and was now eyeing heragain.
I better make myexit.
“If you will excuse me, Your Highness, I will check into the spell you inquired after,” Angeliquesaid.
That brought the scowl back to Lucien’s lips, but before he could protest, Severin bowed his head. “Of course, thankyou.”
“I’ll see you out,” Elle offered with a wink. She, thankfully, waited until they quitted the salon before adding, “You can ride straight to Chanceux and do your research there, if you wish. Lucien will take ages to ride over—he’ll have to agonize over his clothes for a good hour ortwo.”
