“Oh?”
“Indeed. They genuinely like you—Gabrielle is terrible at toadying up to important persons, and I don’t imagine Princess Elle the spitfire is much better at it,” Puss said. “They consider you theirfriend.”
Angelique paused for a moment and glanced down at the cat. “Really?”
Puss shook his head in disgust. “Only you would be emotionally oblivious enough not to notice,” hegrumbled.
Is that why I was given a room in the family wing? Because I’m afriend?
Puss’ claws pricked her skin, bringing her back to the present. She cracked a smile at him and hurried after Gabrielle. But through the delicious dinner and the hilarious antics of the Arcainian princes, Angeliquewondered.
* * *
The Summitofficially began the following day, and each representative—or rather each set of representatives—took turns describing their country’s grievances. It was a process that took more than one day of meetings, given the depth of thetroubles.
Most problems, Angelique was aware of—the goblins in Erlauf, the various crises of all the royal families, and even the harpies Princess Astra of Baris had mentioned at the dinner. There were also, of course, the missing elves, the twelve princesses of Farset who appeared to be cursed to wear out their shoes every night, and Princess Rosalinda and the city of Ciane that still slumberedtogether.
But although Angelique knew of the troubles due to the role she played in them, or just firsthand knowledge from all of her travels, there were a few unpleasant surprises that bubbled to the surface several days into theSummit.
Angelique shifted in her padded chair and glanced at the other mages. Only a few of the magic users sat together; for the most part, they had been sprinkled throughout the ballroom, seated between the various royals andrepresentatives.
Angelique was seated far apart from them, nestled in with the crowd of princes (and princesses) Arcainia had sent. Puss and Gabrielle were on one side and Princess Elise on the other. (She couldn’t say she regretted this decision, even if Puss’ steady side-commentary almost made her laugh at inappropriate moments on four differentoccasions.)
“Is that frog of a prince dangling hisfeetin ateacup?” Puss’ voice was crusted with disdain as he peered at Prince Lucien—seated at a table just behind Severin’s seat. The prince was splayed out on a velvet cushion and was attended to by a well-dressed young woman who appeared to be contemplating flattening him if her look of disgust was anything to goby.
“A frog body is too good for him,” Puss continued. “You should have turned him into asnail,Angelique.”
“Shhh,” Gabriellemurmured.
Puss twitched his whiskers at the chastisement, but Angelique was glad the princess had done so, or she would have missed Emperor Yevgeniy of Kozlovka’s closingremarks.
“Sorcerer Rothbart’s shadow has plagued my people foryears,” he said. “We need help—of the magical sort—to dislodge him if we are to provide any sort ofsupport.”
Colonel Friedrich of Erlauf studied the emperor with his good eye—the other was covered with a black eyepatch. “You’ve informed theConclave?”
“Yes,” the emperor said. “No help hascome.”
Angelique sat dumbly in her chair—until she noticed Severin staring ather.
Great. It seems like I get to be the Conclave’s representative here. That will certainly make the other mages look favorably upon me—hah!
Angelique cleared her throat. “I will admit to the Conclave’s fault in this area,” she said. “But I believe we were only recently informed of your situation.” She glanced at Finnr, who nodded in reluctantconfirmation.
Emperor Yevgeniy shook his head, and the slight downward angle of the edges of his eyes made him look tired. “I am afraid I must disagree with you, Lady Enchantress. I have been sending messages to the Conclave foryears.”
Years?
Surprised, Angelique glanced at Sybilla, then Finnr. Both seemed as astonished as she was, their frownsdeepening.
Unexpectedly, it was Princess Astra of Baris who spoke next. “I understand your frustration.” She narrowed her eyes and studied the older emperor. “But I find it disdainful that one rogue sorcerer can occupy your entirecountry.”
Emperor Yevgeniy clasped his hands together. “Baris is only dealing with harpies, are theynot?”
“Yes, but that is likely because fifty years ago we managed to fight off a wave of dark magic,” the princess said. “And we had to do thaton our own. Neither the Conclave nor any of the countries here were willing to help at the time. Back then, we all warned you that it did not bode well for the future, but our cautions were ignored. And now you say you cannot handle one measlysorcerer?”
She glanced at Angelique, giving her an apologetic look—for one of the warnings they had delivered was given to Evariste andher.
Angelique smiled and waved itoff.
