She opened her mouth to yell when the goblin abruptly froze, all of the air left him in a surprised gasp, and he toppled forward.
Behind him stood a beautiful woman with long, silken hair that was the crystalline color of honey, and eyes that were a dark amber color.
A black and white cat was crouched on her shoulder, his bronze eyes glittering in the dim firelight.
Angelique stared dumbly at the pair in a mixture of shock and delight. “Gabrielle? Puss?”
The cat twitched his whiskers, which made the black, half-mustache that covered one side of his face move. “Are you sincerely inquiring? If so, I worry some of your cranial capacity has leaked out your ears from the various missions Prince Severin has sent you out on and will resolve to sternly lecture him so as to warn him off from doing so in the future.”
Gabrielle, the Crown Princess of Arcainia, grinned—which increased her beauty from gorgeous to stunning. “Hello, Angelique!”
Angelique blinked, still trying to process their presence. “What are you doing here? We’re not that close to the Arcainian border, are we?” She swung around to peer at Elle as Quinn joined her in observing the Loire princess.
Elle planted a hand on her cheek and looked innocent. “What? Why does everyone assume I did something?”
“Because usually you have done something,” Quinn said. “And I know that after only a short acquaintance.”
“Short but heartfelt,” Elle corrected. “We’re friends now.”
“Elle,” Angelique said.
“Fine, fine. I may have notified them of your actions via magic mirror just before I left Chanceux.”
Quinn finished wiping her dirtied arrows off with a cloth before returning them to her belt quiver. “Ahh, I see. That’s why you were so insistent we travel at a normal pace when you could have easily ridden double with Angelique or me.”
“Maybe. Yes,” Elle admitted.
“While the reception we’ve received has been simply divine,” Puss drawled, “perhaps we ought to dispose of these goblins?”
“Ahhh, yes.” Quinn peered down at one of the goblin carcasses. “I was considering it might be easier to simply move camp.”
“Probably.” Gabrielle glided closer, the fire making her honey-colored hair glow. “Especially with Puss here. He’s got a few useful spells for camping.”
“A few?” Puss sputtered. “I’ll have you know I am a veritable treasure when it comes to camping conveniences!”
Gabrielle ignored him and smiled at Quinn. “I’m Gabrielle, by the way. This is Puss.”
“Master Puss, that is,” Puss corrected her. “And you ought to introduce yourself by your official title.”
“Crown Princess of Arcainia?”
“No! I was referring to the title that matters: Marquis of Carabas and hero of the people!”
Quinn grabbed an armload of the wood she’d collected for the campfire. “I am happy to make your acquaintance. I am Quinn of Midnight Lake. I’m a soldier in the Farset army.”
“And the future bride of the King of elves!” Elle dumped snow on the campfire. The hot coals hissed as the fire sputtered and went out.
“Ohhh, you’re that Quinn! I heard of your adventures when Severin sent out a notice to the alliance,” Gabrielle said.
“Saving the elves is quite the impressive feat—for a human,” Puss added.
Angelique could only dumbly stare as the others scuttled around the camp, preparing to move. I’ve got two princesses and a future queen camping with me as we plan to break into a Chosen stronghold run by black mages. Why is everyone acting like this is a social tea? “But…Gabrielle, Puss…why are you here?”
Gabrielle—visible in the dim light of the moon that reflected off the snow so brightly, Angelique could make out some of her facial features—cocked her head. “We’ve come to help you, of course.”
Puss crouched on Gabrielle, his rear going up as he braced his paws on her shoulder before he jumped, springing into Angelique’s arms. He dug his claws into the fabric of her cloak as he pushed his face into hers. “And please allow me to assure you that you need our help.”
Angelique cleared her throat around the inexplicable lump that gathered there. “But…”
“We’ve been failing you,” Gabrielle rested her hand on the pommel of her sword strapped to her belt. “You’ve done so much for the continent, and we’ve done so little to help you. It’s time we change that.”
Elle, having finished rolling up her things and strapping them to her pony, used a piece of firewood to point at Gabrielle. “Exactly! Yes! Frankly, it’s making me feel horrible that you’re so touched by this. You’re our friend, Angelique. We should help you—or we’d be the worst type of friends.”
Quinn leaned against Fluffy. “We’re going to prioritize Evariste because he’s important to you.”
“When Elle reached out to tell me what you were doing, I knew I had to come,” Gabrielle said. “It will be my honor to finally have a chance to try and repay you for all the kindness you’ve shown me and Arcainia, and for all the sacrifices you’ve made on behalf of the continent.”
The pang in Angelique’s heart was so foreign (it had been so long since she’d last felt it) that it took her a few moments to realize she was happy.
She was glad it was dark—it meant no one saw when she started to cry, but she did sniff and mash her face into Puss’s fur.
The persnickety cat didn’t even complain. He purred with such strength, his entire body vibrated.
Gabrielle slid her arms around Angelique, hugging her as Angelique hugged Puss. “We’re here for you.”
“Thank you.” Angelique’s voice was watery, and some of Puss’s hair was sticking to her face while her tears burned her cheeks, but Angelique felt happier than she had in years. “Thank you,” she repeated.
Quinn strode up to the still-embracing Angelique and Gabrielle. She set one hand on Angelique’s shoulder, then tipped forward so their foreheads touched.
“Wait! Me, too!” Elle dropped the bag she’d been holding and jumped into the huddle, throwing her arms around Quinn and Gabrielle.
“Careful—Angelique is holding precious cargo,” Puss chided.
Angelique laughed and enjoyed the closeness and companionship she’d been longing for ever since Evariste left.
She wanted the moment to last, but after a few heartbeats, she cleared her voice. “As lovely as this is, we probably ought to move camp—or we’ll be up half the night.”
“You have a point.” Elle let go and backed up, giving the other women space to part.
As Angelique watched them go, a part of her realized the hugs and companionship she experienced with Evariste were…different.
Not any less precious, but it has a different feeling to it. But why? Evariste was my master, but he was undoubtedly my friend as well. He’s only a few years older than I am.
Puss waited until everyone had settled back into their tasks before he touched his nose to Angelique’s. “You’ve done well,” he gruffly said. “I’m very proud of you.”
Angelique grinned. “Thanks, Puss.”