Angelique blinked back the possibility of tears that stung her eyes and traipsed into Alabaster Forest before Emerys could rescind his invitation.
Quinn gave her a warm smile that did a lot for the good of Angelique’s soul. “Come. We can talk as we walk to Sideralis.” She tugged on her horse’s reins and motioned for Angelique to fall into step with her.
“Thank you.” Angelique took in a deep breath and did her best to adopt a more peaceful attitude—for Quinn’s sake. Certainly not for the sake of the selfish, stand-offish—she stopped her inner tirade and smiled at Quinn. “And…could you explain to me how the two of you came to be friends? I fear I am rather ignorant of the goings-on of Alabaster Forest.”
Walking through Sideralis was both comforting and disconcerting. It took Angelique the entire walk to the palace before she started to pinpoint the issue.
The city—which was normally bustling with elves—was quiet. Oh, there were a few elves out and about. But they seemed tired and their usual elegant steps dragged. Even the few elf children Angelique saw staggered as they followed their parents into their tall and narrow homes.
Physically speaking, Sideralis looked the same. The river still flowed down the center of the city as beautiful bridges arched over it, crisscrossing in ornate patterns. Homes that were decorated with glass and spires that were welded to resemble stars and animals glittered in the anemic sunlight from the protective resin coating all elf houses were painted with.
It was untouched by time—flawless and as wild as the immense trees that surrounded the city. But the air was so hushed, it was almost smothering.
Is it part of their curse? Angelique almost snorted. Or, it could very well be the low morale that comes with living in a curse for years upon years. Sometimes I can be a dolt.
She shook her head as she stepped through a side entrance of the palace.
“I’ll call for tea, but do you want to freshen up first?” Themerysaldi asked, his voice slightly muffled by his mask.
Angelique frowned. “Freshen up?”
“You look wild,” the Elf King said. “And very untidy.”
“Go take a swan dive off a tree,” Angelique snarled.
“Temper, temper!” Themerysaldi tut-tutted.
“Please excuse Emerys,” Quinn said. “He’s spent some time shape-shifting into a variety of animals lately. It seems the beast-like habits have stayed with him as a result.”
Themerysaldi tilted his head. “Are you implying I’m acting like an animal?”
Quinn raised her eyebrows. “I was going for outright calling you an animal, but if you think I was implying, perhaps I need to be more obvious.”
A muscle in Angelique’s cheek twitched as she watched the Elf King.
He’s been sitting around his woods for years, seemingly in high spirits, and is apparently having a fine time flirting. Has this been fun for him?
“I believe I will take a moment to…collect myself.” Although she tried to keep her voice even, her words came out tight as she spat them out between clenched teeth.
“Great. Here, you can use this room. We’ll be waiting for you in the Evergreen Tea Room.” Themerysaldi swung a door open, then scooped up Quinn’s hand and started marching away. “You may shout if you require anything,” he yelled down the hallway.
Angelique stared at the retreating king, then slipped into the powder room. I can’t hurt him. I need him to find Evariste. Need. Him. Even if I’d like to shake him until his teeth rattle.
Angelique’s slippers were soft and muffled on the white stone floor. There was a large mirror—which let her see just how scary she looked with her hair half yanked from her braid and her face flecked with dirt.
The stone basin filled with water that was conveniently placed on a small table with a plush towel tempted her, but Angelique collapsed into an armchair, thumping herself good when the satin pillow placed on the seat proved to be much thinner than estimated. She hit the chair with enough force to jar her spine.
Angelique grimaced and yanked the ribbon she’d used to tie off her braid free from her wild locks. Still sitting in the chair, she peered at her slumped reflection.
I don’t think I’m going to get my hair in any kind of braid without using magic. Which feels tedious at the moment.
Her hair spilled over her shoulders in messy waves, but at least it didn’t look quite so windblown.
It’s good enough. I don’t care what Themerysaldi thinks of me anymore anyway. I just need his help to find Evariste.
Angelique peeled herself out of the chair with a groan and staggered over to the basin of water and the soft towel waiting for her.
The water was icy cold, but Angelique gritted her teeth as she washed her face and actually felt a little better as she wiped her face off with the towel.
A tap at the door made her turn around.
“Lady Enchantress?” Lady Alastryn—Themerysaldi’s cousin who had kindly taught Angelique nearly everything she knew about elven culture and customs—stood in the doorway.
Again, Angelique was assaulted by the strange combination of disconcerting comfort.
Comfort because even though years had passed and Angelique had seen children grow into adults—like Wybert from Boyne—Alastryn had not aged at all. Her hair and face were the same—Angelique even remembered the hunter green gown she was wearing.
But the defeat in her eyes was new. The bright elegance that the elven lady had previously exuded in every move she made had dimmed, and her smile wasn’t as big as it had been when Angelique was Evariste’s student.
“Lady Alastryn, how good it is to see you,” Angelique said.
Alastryn swept across the powder room at a trot—unusual for the lady who didn’t typically move faster than an elegant walk—and threw her arms around Angelique. “It gladdens my heart to see you, Angelique.”
Angelique—surprised by Alastryn’s show of affection—stood in shock for a moment before she returned the embrace. “It’s been a terrible few years,” she said. “I hope the cost has not been too high?”
Alastryn stepped back and shook her head. “It has been wearing upon us. But we have hope. Emerys will tell you all he can—but when he asked me to prepare tea for your visit, I could not wait to see you.” The elven lady looked Angelique up and down as if she couldn’t believe her own eyes. “You’ve changed—you have grown stronger.”
Angelique uneasily pressed her lips together. “I’ve had many opportunities to practice my magic—more than I would like.”
Alastryn nodded. “Given…this,” she struggled to speak as she turned in a circle, “I cannot imagine outside our forest has been peaceful. But you deserve to rest—I shall send your favorite tea. Talk with Emerys. He will explain what he can, and by then I will have your regular room cleaned for you.”
Feeling bold, Angelique took Alastryn’s hand and squeezed it. “Thank you, Alastryn.”
The elven lady smiled, then slipped from the room as quietly as she had arrived.
Angelique glanced back at her reflection, taking in her free-spilling hair. It’s not going to get any better, though I should make sure my silver eye color doesn’t peek through and frighten Quinn.