Quinn, proving her saint-like qualities once more—set a hand on the bossy elf’s arm. “Don’t push her.”
Themerysaldi maneuvered his arm so he held Quinn’s hand, then he pointedly faced his mask at Angelique.
Not at all in the mood to play, Angelique scowled. “What do you want?”
Themerysaldi pointedly looked down at his hand holding Quinn’s.
Ugh. I forgot—he’s completely taken with her. Of course. Goblins stand on your border but forget that—let’s fall in love! I swear, for being an elf, he lacks a lot of their wisdom.
Angelique rested her chin on her fist and didn’t care if she looked like a scowling grandmother. “Am I supposed to approve of your relationship in Lord Enchanter Evariste’s absence? Congratulations, you’re very—very—lucky she’s willing to put up with you.”
Quinn’s eyes nearly popped out of her head, showing that the Elf King was not so lucky that the object of his affection was also insane enough to prioritize romance in a time of dire need.
Good for her!
“W-what?” Quinn stammered.
Themerysaldi puffed up like a cat. “T-that’s not what I meant!” He swiveled to glance at Quinn and judge her reaction.
Hah! Embarrassed is he? Good. He deserves it.
“Oh, you’re still in that stage where neither of you have confessed yet. How cute,” Angelique rolled her eyes and sipped her tea—even cool, it still tasted delicious. “If I didn’t know better, I would swear there was some kind of love blessing on this generation. Everyone is getting married and falling in love in situations that, frankly, I don’t think are at all romantic—much less logical!”
Themerysaldi leaned over and whispered to Quinn, “Angelique has never had any special feelings for anyone.”
Angelique ignored his stupid observation and continued to ramble. “Who has time to flirt and giggle when you’re running for your life?”
“It always made me feel sorry for Evariste,” Themerysaldi said. “Poor man constantly tried to convince her romantic love was a valid and special thing.”
Angelique scowled into her teacup and vaguely wondered if there was anyone responsible for the mass amount of twitterpation that had struck. If so, she’d like to have a word with them. Several strong words. “I swear, if I have to deal with one more curse that involves true love, I’m going to scream.”
“I see…” Quinn blushed deeply at the Elf King, then awkwardly turned her attention to Angelique. “So, Angelique, will you help us?”
Feeling like she was a hundred years old, Angelique sighed and set her teacup down. “I’ll remain in the area. It seems like the elves and the twelve princesses of Farset are the last hold-outs of curses—at this moment. Every other country has resolved its issues and is now working with Prince Severin and Prince Lucien to shore up their defenses. As long as I am here, I will provide support to the Farset army and fight with them.”
“Thank you, Angelique,” Themerysaldi said with a shocking amount of sincerity.
“I’m not using my core magic,” Angelique warned.
“Just being here is enough.”
Quinn shifted in her armchair. “If you’ll excuse me asking, but what do you mean by core magic?”
“Most mages have one specific kind of magic they can use and specialize in.” Angelique sat up straighter in her chair. “It’s called their core magic because it is where their strength lies and is considered—to a certain extent—a reflection of who they are. Weather mages are gifted with weather control; craftmages have the power to place spells and charms on inanimate objects, and so on. The more powerful magic users, like Lord Enchanters, have such a high level of core magic, they can use it to achieve other spells that would normally be beyond their abilities. As an enchantress, I can spin illusions, modify curses, use a bit of weather magic, and more because I power the spells with my core magic. But the strongest spells any magic user—enchantress or otherwise—can cast will always be those involving their core magic.”
“And you do not like to use yours?” Quinn asked.
Angelique struggled to hold a neutral expression. “Correct.”
“I see.” Quinn glanced at Themerysaldi, then quickly looked away when she realized the Elf King was already facing her.
Ugh. Young love.
Angelique would have rolled her eyes, but she liked Quinn enough to contain her jaded attitude. For the moment, anyway.
“Will you remain here, in Sideralis, tonight while the rest of us attend the…celebration?” Themerysaldi asked.
“Yes, I’ll rest here,” Angelique said. “As I said earlier, there’s nothing I can do to change or alter your curse. It’s too powerful. Even if I worked with Sybilla, we couldn’t change it. So there is no sense in joining you.”
“Emerys indicated earlier that Lord Enchanter Evariste could end the curse,” Quinn said.
Angelique peered at Emerys again. Hmm. That’s an interesting observation. “It’s possible. He has a much greater understanding of casted spells and curses—like this one.”
Emerys grimly shook his head.
Angelique frowned, puzzled and surprised. “That’s not why?”
A strangled growl erupted from Emerys throat.
“I see. I’ll try to ponder why he would make a difference then.” Angelique swiped her teacup and leaned back in her chair.
Was his magic used to cast the curse? We already know the Chosen have been milking him for his magic…
Angelique slightly shook her head, then forced her attention back to the conversation. “In the meantime, I wish you luck with your endeavors tonight, Quinn.”
“Thank you, Lady Enchantress,” Quinn said.
“Angelique,” she insisted.
Quinn smiled. “Angelique.”
“You’ll need to take extra care, Quinn,” Themerysaldi said. “If you mingle in the party, that will make its pull that much stronger.”
“We guessed as much, but I appreciate the warning,” Quinn said.
“It speaks highly of your abilities that you and your band have uncovered this much,” Angelique said. “Perhaps the Veneno Conclave should consider adopting similar training methods.”
“The Conclave does not train its students for war,” Themerysaldi pointed out.
“True.” Angelique frowned at the giant window. “I can’t help but wonder if that has contributed to our inability to respond to the numerous direct attacks by the Chosen. We’re too afraid to get our hands dirty and wade into the muck to help.”
And many are too helpless to do anything besides fret.
“You aren’t afraid,” Quinn said.
Angelique grinned at the compliment. “Of course, I am. But I had a very good master who taught me that I needed to reach past my fears for the sake of saving lives. Those with magic have a duty to help others in need.”
Themerysaldi grunted. “Evariste always was a do-good preacher.” He blinked, then quickly corrected himself. “And he still is, I imagine.”
“Yes,” Angelique said softly. “I hope so.”
Chapter 5