I guess they had plenty of time to talk while I investigated the Chosen strongholds.
“Yes, well, I apologize for keeping my true abilities hidden from you,” Angelique said.
“You had valid reasons,” Snow White said. “If you had revealed who you were, I don’t know that it would have changed much regardless. We couldn’t have stormed the palace as one princess, Seven Warriors, and a single enchantress. That would have been the epitome of folly.”
Angelique laughed—a gusty exhale that rattled her lungs with her mirth. “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear you say some of my own reasoning.”
Snow White was too graceful for a shrug, so she slightly pursed her lips instead. “It’s true.”
“It is.” Angelique impulsively set her hand on top of Snow White’s clasped ones. “But most would still look upon my dishonesty with ill favor. Thank you, Snow White, for understanding.”
She studied Snow White for a moment, trying to discern what she could from the princess’s clear blue eyes. She wanted to reach out and tell the princess just how much her friendship meant, but it felt dangerous.
It was possible that Snow White would reject her.
But Quinn, Gabrielle, Elle, and Puss taught me: it’s better to reach out and risk rejection than to miss out on true friendship.
“Thank you for being my friend—despite all of this,” Angelique said.
Snow White’s blue eyes practically shone, and her smile was so warm, it melted all of Angelique’s fears. “Of course.” She removed her hand from under Angelique’s, only to grasp Angelique’s palm between hers. “If you ever have need of me, call. I’ll answer—not for Mullberg, but because you’re my friend.”
Angelique swallowed around the unexpected lump of emotion that clogged her throat. “Thank you.”
Snow White must have sensed her awkwardness because she squeezed Angelique’s hand, then released her to reclaim her tea.
Once Angelique was able to blink past the sting of happy tears, she sniffed, then glanced at Evariste.
He wore an…odd look.
It was affectionate, but not the same endearing look he’d give her when she’d bumbled through learning new kinds of magic or the difficult exercises he’d give her later in her apprenticeship. It was less proud or doting and more personal.
Our balance has changed, Angelique realized. Although I’m an apprentice, I don’t act like one—and I certainly have more experience than a regular apprentice. How will our relationship work if we don’t have the teacher-student bond we used to?
Part of that would be working out exactly why her magic connected with him—wouldn’t that be fun to explain to Clovicus when they finally met him face-to-face?
“Would you like some tea, Angelique?” Snow White asked as she held the teapot—which glittered with a gem-encrusted menagerie of birds.
Mentally shaking herself, Angelique pulled her eyes off Evariste. “Yes, please.”
“If we leave for Loire within an hour, we’ll make good time,” Angelique said.
Snow White pursed her lips and peered up at them. “You still do not plan to stop by the Veneno Conclave on your way to inform Prince Severin and Prince Lucien of what occurred here?”
Angelique shook her head. “Severin needs to know first—he’ll actually do something about it,” she said. “I doubt the Conclave would do much more even if we did tell them, and they’ll fuss over Evariste’s return and waste time we don’t have.”
Snow White nodded, which relieved Angelique greatly.
She’d told Snow White of the Conclave’s inaction, but she hadn’t explained her entire sordid past with the organization.
There’re only about a million reasons why we want to avoid the Conclave. If we hope to avoid their detection for a few more weeks, we need to leave before whatever mage the Conclave sends to “investigate” Faina finally arrives!
When Snow White peered at Evariste, he smiled handsomely.
“Whatever Angel thinks is best,” he said. “I’ve been locked in a mirror for years. I really haven’t the faintest clue what has transpired in my absence.”
His ability to play innocent is shocking. Is this a newfound ability, or could he do this when I was his apprentice?
“I see.” Snow White looked around the hall, which had become the unofficial receiving room since the finer parts of the castle were just now starting to be repaired. “I cannot say I blame you—for we freed Faina nearly two days ago, and we have not yet received word from the Veneno Conclave representative we sent Fritz to notify even before I ate the spelled apple.”
“Yes.” Angelique evasively looked away and settled her expression into a frown. “It is disappointing.”
Snow White cleared her throat. “I h-hope you two have a safe journey.”
“It would be a fast one—if I had access to my magic,” Evariste said ruefully.
“It will still be quick.” Angelique rubbed the back of her neck, trying to relieve some of the tension she felt building there. “Pegasus can bear us both.”
“I must add my thanks for your willingness to carry my letters and reports to the princes of Loire,” Snow White said. “And please…if you could ask for mercy on our behalf when you explain why we failed to attend the Summit, I would appreciate it.”
Snow White—who had just fought an ugly battle to save her stepmother from an ancient artifact that neither she nor Faina should have been able to resist as long as they had—wrung her hands at her ignorance and self-perceived failure in aiding the rest of the alliance.
She still doesn’t know how brilliant she is—or just how much she’s done.
“Don’t worry, Snow White,” Angelique said. “Severin will understand. Rather, he’s going to be grateful for everything you’ve accomplished this spring.”
“I freed Faina, yes, but the mirror is gone,” Snow White said.
“Perhaps,” Angelique said. “But you stopped what would have been a major blow to the continent when you saved your stepmother and held your country together.”
If Mullberg had fallen…
“If you say so, Lady Enchant…” Snow White trailed off when she noticed Angelique was glaring at her.
“Snow White. I have already told you: I have lent you clothes, we have slept next to each other on the ground, and you have seen me at my scruffiest. There is no need for formalities between us. It’s just Angelique—or even Angel!” Angelique firmly said.
Evariste gave Angelique another mysterious look she couldn’t quite interpret and chuckled. “Thank you for your hospitality—and for mounting the attack that resulted in my freedom, Your Highness.”
“It was the least I could do, Lord Enchanter Evariste,” Snow White said. “I am sorry I did not move sooner or that I never saw you in the mirror. I might have done something earlier then.”
“I could only appear when dragged forward by the mirror—or by magic, as Angel showed. As the mirror was choosing to shield its presence from you, there is no way you could have known,” Evariste gently reminded her.
“Still, it’s rather disheartening.”