“It’s not that I thought you were making empty promises—I believed that you want to help me, which is more than anyone has done in a long while for me.” Angelique wrung her hands as she struggled to find the words. “It’s just…there’s so much going on. I imagined your priorities would have to shift given the repercussions.”
Quinn relaxed and settled back into her pillows. “I gave you my word—and your troubles should be a priority. As for all the repercussions, I won’t pretend there’s not work to be done. Emerys will need to connect with his generals and troops, and the Farset government will have to adjust to all the missing officials and warriors returning now that the princesses’ curse is broken. But that is why it is important to work together. It’s like my band.”
Feeling stupidly shy, Angelique sat down on the edge of Quinn’s bed. “What do you mean?”
“The Farset army is divided up into bands, and to us soldiers, our bandmates become family. We depend upon one another, and we work together to accomplish what a single soldier cannot. I will go with you to search and help you, while people like Bridget remain in Farset to guard it, and Emerys leaves to reclaim his warriors. It’s the best plan that most efficiently accomplishes what must be done,” Quinn said. “Because you must be helped, Angelique. It doesn’t matter if I could work elsewhere. You need help—so you shall have it.”
Angelique felt like shrinking under the weight of Quinn’s kind gaze. “Thank you,” she said to her hands.
“Quinn is right.” Bridget scratched her jaw and frowned. “And frankly, I find it disturbing that you expect people to retract their help. That’s despicable.”
Angelique shrugged. “The continent is an unsteady place. I cannot blame the leadership for focusing on the areas that will prove crucial to our survival.”
“Maybe, but it still seems silly that they haven’t given you additional help,” Bridget grumbled.
“I’ve had some help from a group of smugglers,” Angelique said. “Odette and her crew have aided me when I’ve been on several particularly sticky assignments.”
Bridget squinted. “If you’re trying to convince us, you should probably just stay quiet.”
“Bridget!” Quinn said.
“It’s not like I’m wrong!”
Angelique laughed as some of the tension she’d been holding bottled up in her heart loosened. “Your parents have raised honorable daughters.”
“Could we get that in writing?” Bridget asked. “Mum will faint if we tell her a Lady Enchantress called us honorable.”
Quinn swatted a hand at her sister but addressed Angelique. “It’s settled, then. I’m coming with you. We’ll need to discuss what supplies will be necessary to pack and when we should leave.”
“It won’t be anytime soon.” Angelique pointedly stared at Quinn’s injured shoulder.
Quinn made a “hmm” noise in the back of her throat as she also peered at her shoulder.
“I’m glad that’s figured out,” Bridget said. “You both seem equally muleheaded, so between the two of you, I’m sure it will work out well.”
“Bridget,” Quinn growled.
Bridget grinned at Quinn, but then turned all of her attention to Angelique, her eyes sparkling with glee. “So, you like magic horses, do you? Do you want to meet my red horses? I bet they’ll let you ride them—and I also bet unlike Quinn, you’re not too scared to take them up on the offer!”
As Angelique predicted, they didn’t leave for about two weeks as Quinn needed time to heal. Angelique used the days to send messages to Prince Severin of Loire to bring him up to speed—and given that Bridget, along with all the soldiers in Quinn’s band, were being named elf-friends in a fancy ceremony, Angelique insisted they remain until the ceremony was over.
A part of Angelique thought they’d never actually leave—she’d been thwarted too many times for the tiny flame of hope that had sparked in her chest to do more than just sputter in dread.
So when early afternoon arrived and found her mounted on Pegasus while Quinn went over the supply list and checked the gear she’d strapped to Fluffy, Angelique was almost addled with shock that it was actually happening.
“Rope, a bedroll, travel rations…” Wrinkles spread across Quinn’s forehead as she went down her list.
“Do you have enough rations?” Emerys frowned as he peered over Quinn’s shoulder. “Maybe you ought to take more. There’s no telling if Angelique will actually stop to feed you if you do find a lead.”
Quinn ignored her love’s suggestion. “Angelique, did I place two spare quivers of arrows or three in your magnificent bag?”
“Two,” Angelique said. “But then Emerys gave me three more, so you’ve got five.”
Emerys smiled winningly at Quinn as he leaned against Fluffy. The mount shifted slightly, almost jabbing him with its massive antlers that grew out of its head—which was long like a horse’s but tapered like a deer’s.
Quinn pursed her lips at him. “Stop interfering. I’ve been a professional soldier and hunted monsters far longer than I’ve known you.”
“Yes, but you can’t ever have too many arrows.” Emerys abandoned his spot for the sake of his health and strolled up to Pegasus and Angelique. “And besides, Angelique’s bag can hold a closet’s worth of items.”
Quinn frowned.
Emerys laughed airily and tried to rest an arm on Pegasus’ backside, but the constellation smacked his hindquarters into the Elf King, making him stagger a step.
“I apologize, Pegasus.” Emerys tipped his head in respect to Pegasus, then shifted his gaze to Angelique. “Good luck. Normally I’d ask you to take care of Quinn, but frankly I suspect she’ll be the one fishing you out of trouble because that’s just who she is.” Emery’s offered her a quick grin, which faded into an iron-like determination. “You’ll find him, Angelique. I know it.”
“Thank you.” Angelique briefly struggled to swallow around the unexpected lump in her throat.
“You promise you’ll only search until spring?” Emerys asked.
Angelique would have scoffed at him, if not for the shadow of concern that darkened his eyes.
“Yes, Emerys. Once spring comes, Quinn shall return to you for the most annoyingly large wedding of the century.”
Emerys grimaced. “Don’t let Alastryn hear you say that—she’ll try to make it happen.” He shifted his stance as his exaggerated horror faded away. “It should only take a season for us to find my armies and generals with the Black Swan Smugglers’ help. The largest irritation will be waiting for enough of my magic to return so I can break my warriors’ curse.” He furrowed his brow and glanced up at her, magic flickering in his eyes. “I know I already promised you once, but I will swear it again, Angelique. Once my forces fully recover, I will help you find Evariste.”
Unused to getting warm feelings from the annoying monarch and actually liking him, Angelique cleared her throat. “Thank you. But while I appreciate your well wishes, shouldn’t you be saying your farewells to Quinn?”