Don’t. She told herself. Don’t be silly and needy.
Whether weakened by lack of sleep or by the necessity of assurance, Angelique ignored her own thoughts and crept her hand out, silently pinching the cuff of Evariste’s sleeve—a tactile reassurance that he was with her, even if her eyes were closed.
He didn’t seem to notice the indirect contact; his eyes were already shut.
Satisfied, Angelique closed her eyes. Between the steady woosh of his breath, the beautiful sound of the warriors adjusting their weapons, and the feel of Evariste’s tunic on her fingers, her worries receded, and Angelique fell asleep.
The few snatched hours of sleep Angelique got hardly felt like more than a nap, but upon waking, she nagged a captain of the palace guard into taking her to the abandoned Chosen hideouts, which was far more productive than sleeping.
It was, however, a study of anxiety, given that she and Evariste agreed it was better if he stayed behind in the well-guarded palace and in a bubble of Angelique’s magic in which she put every protective spell she could think of.
The hideouts were unremarkable compared to what Quinn and Angelique had seen in the dens on Mullberg’s East coast.
There were no goods stored within them, and while there were records, they were—unfortunately—mostly recordings of Queen Faina’s mental state.
Disappointed by the lack of findings, Angelique returned to Glitzern and was somewhat discombobulated to find Evariste safely in the magic bubble, having tea with Snow White as Wendal and Aldelbert were in the middle of demonstrating the beauty that was Aldelbert’s “Glory-Intensifying Stretches.”
Snow White stood upon Angelique’s entrance to the room—a sunny parlor that hadn’t seen any of the prior day’s action and possessed a pretty patio Angelique had spelled so well, it would survive an avalanche. “Lady Enchantress. Did you find anything of use?”
“After everything we’ve been through, Snow White, I insist you call me Angelique.”
Angelique paused to observe Aldelbert, dutifully instructing Queen Faina. “Now lean back on your heels and crouch as if you were sitting in a chair, even though there is not a chair, because the world is your throne, and you sit upon it with thighs of iron!”
“Fine iron,” Wendal added.
The corners of Faina’s eyes crinkled with amusement as she followed the pair’s instructions and crouched as they displayed.
Angelique slightly shook her head, then turned to wanly smile at Snow White and Evariste. “I found proof of things we already know. Based on the records they kept, it appears the Chosen kept at least one mage on watch on a rotational basis—to watch the mirror and observe Faina. But I was unable to find records that they were sent to do anything else besides stand watch.”
She plopped down next to Snow White on a burgundy-colored sofa. Her iridescent skirts puffed around her before conforming to her sitting position.
She’d changed into the color-changing gown after waking up. It’d been more than a little awkward since Evariste hadn’t technically given it to her, yet; he’d been storing it in his room before he was taken.
But there was no point in hiding who she was anymore, so she’d donned her more-station-appropriate clothing before telling Snow White the truth of who she was—and her knowledge of the alliance and Prince Severin and Princess Elle.
“Unfortunately,” she continued. “There wasn’t much new information to glean for the alliance besides the obvious conclusion that the Chosen had been attempting to break Faina for years.”
“That’s about what I’d expect,” Evariste said. “Occasionally, Chosen mages approached the mirror. They’d have to be watching it to know when it was safe to approach, especially given the time Queen Faina spent in her room before the mirror entirely controlled her.”
Angelique closed her eyes and rested her fingertips on her eyelids. “It corresponds with what Quinn and I learned, too. We knew they were entering Juwel on a rotational basis. At least we now have proof—because the Veneno Conclave will demand boatloads of it before they finally get moving.”
Snow White settled back into her spot and picked up her teacup—gold, and set with exquisitely cut gems that were arranged in the shape of a peacock. “It’s still disappointing that there was nothing helpful at all.”
“There were some covert correspondences,” Angelique said. “They only contained references to the mirror—and one or two of them mentioned Evariste’s health. But the names included may be useful. I recorded them all to give to Severin when I contact him tonight.”
“I’ll have aides make copies for Mullberg and will send the originals to Prince Severin,” Snow White promised. “Perhaps a mage will find something hidden in the paper?”
“Maybe,” Angelique said with little hope. “Unfortunately, this careful planning is very common within the Chosen’s ranks. But it would be best to cover all possible situations, I imagine. Did you ever discover a reason why the mirror targeted you with such hatred?”
“Yes. I spoke with Faina at length about the subject,” Snow White said. “It wanted to irradicate me because in her love for me, Faina was able to resist it. It’s why it took as long as it did for her to succumb to its effects.”
“That’s very impressive,” Evariste said. “It speaks much of Queen Faina’s strength of character—and of her love for you.”
Snow White smiled shyly and nodded.
It’s also another display of the power of love—maternal or otherwise. It does my soul good to see that the Chosen has a consistent failing.
Across the room, Aldelbert continued to instruct Faina. “No, reach high above your head—as if you are stretching towards your glorious future and blessing the sun with the beauty of your face!” Aldelbert reached high over his head and laughed.
“Your arms are too angled, Your Majesty. You must attempt to stretch directly overhead,” Wendal helpfully added.
Snow White and Evariste both calmly sipped their tea, as if Aldelbert teaching the Queen his admittedly strange stretches were an everyday occurrence.
I suspect most countries are going to find their future monarchs are far more unflappable than their predecessors.
Snow White cleared her throat. “Lady—no—Angelique?”
Angelique shifted so she properly faced Snow White. “Yes?”
Snow White set her teacup on a wooden table that was painted to resemble a mountain sunset. “I don’t believe I’ve officially thanked you for everything you’ve done, starting in the woods when I was desperately trying to find Fritz and the others.”
Angelique blinked in surprise, then smiled. “It was my duty as an enchantress to help you, but it was also my pleasure. We might have had a rough time of it—with the constructs and all—but you’re a delight to be around, Snow White. You’ll make a fantastic queen someday soon.”
A pink blush heated Snow White’s cheeks. “Thank you. Your good opinion means much to me. I enjoyed our time together, too.” She clasped her hands and set them on her lap with minimal awkwardness. “But I want to say that I am especially grateful now that I know what you put aside to help me. Mullberg won’t forget—I won’t forget.” Snow White meaningfully looked at Evariste, who smiled mysteriously over his cup of tea.