Steady. I need to be steady. I can’t lose Evariste from impatience. Contacting Stil is the first step.
Angelique stared at the kite-like shape she’d folded the paper into. All it needed was one last fold down the center, and then she could set it loose outside. Hopefully she’d have a chance to send it off tonight, once Snow White and the Warriors retired.
Though that Fritz sleeps like a cat.
Angelique glanced at the quietest of the warriors. He and Snow White were exchanging shy smiles. They’d been downright lovey-dovey since Snow White had posed as Fritz’ pregnant wife on the ride to see the lords.
Ahhh, yes. Another love connection has formed. Disgusting.
Angelique didn’t even attempt to hold back her shudder of revulsion.
I respect the two of them a lot. But really, now happens to be a convenient time to fall in love? After such a short amount of time?
She shook her head and felt that she better understood the elderly grannies in her childhood village who were constantly clucking and shaking their fingers at younger generations.
Angelique had started to flip her letter over in her hands, then paused.
Those grannies would all be gone by now. Wouldn’t the children I grew up with be grandparents by now? No, not yet, but soon…
Angelique scowled at the letter and felt grouchy.
She wanted to go to Evariste, but she couldn’t.
She wanted to blast whatever mage had him until they were addled, but she couldn’t.
She couldn’t do anything she wanted!
Before Angelique could even attempt to reign in her raging emotions, Snow White sat down next to where she was sprawled out on the warm floor in front of the crackling fireplace.
“How are you feeling this evening?”
Angelique blinked in utter confusion. “Fine? Why do you ask?”
“Right before we left yesterday morning, you seemed…shaken,” Snow White said. “It wasn’t until we started riding that you seemed back to your usual self.”
“Oh.” Angelique nervously tapped her letter against her fingers as she invented a reason for her reaction. “I apologize. It was simply because I was unable to commune with herbs as I wished because many of them were still dormant from the cold.”
I can’t very well tell her what I found out about Evariste—even if it would better explain why I was so stunned.
“It didn’t have anything to do with your missing master?” Snow White asked.
It was only because Angelique had a great deal of practice schooling her face as part of her “ethereal enchantress” act she used to wear that she didn’t bulge her eyes in shock at Snow White’s very accurate guess. “Hmm?” she asked, desperately hoping she sounded casual.
“Because you’ve been helping me with my attempt to save Faina, you haven’t been able to search for your master,” Snow White said. “I can’t exactly imagine how it feels, but given my experience with Faina, I know it must be a misery.”
Angelique stared at Snow White, her nervousness melting away under the sweetness of the princess’s personality as she recognized just how much she cared.
“I know it doesn’t mean much right now, but I vow to you that once this is over, I will do everything in my power to help you find your master,” Snow White blithely continued, unaware of Angelique’s scrutiny.
“That’s a dangerous offer,” Angelique said.
Snow White tipped her head. “I don’t think it is. You aren’t going to take advantage of my power as a princess. I imagine I’m going to have to do my best to force my help upon you. Ah—yes. I wanted to ask you your master’s name. We could inquire with the lords who are lending us troops if they’ve heard of him. Gregori could also get the word out to his contacts now so at least we could perhaps get a small start on your search.” She smiled at Angelique as she pushed a lock of her inky black hair out of her pale face.
Snow White…she…
Despite Angelique’s jaded thoughts about the princess’s budding romance, Snow White was being forced to face some of her worst fears in her campaign to save her stepmother. She’d lived a royal life, and now she was staying in a cottage, helping with chores, and forcing herself to speak and bargain with veritable strangers.
And yet she still concerned herself with Angelique’s situation.
“You’re amazing, you know?” Angelique abruptly volunteered. “Mullberg is incredibly lucky to have a princess like you—one that truly cares about her people and remembers their grievances.”
Snow White smiled a little. “I’m not nearly as good as you think. You are helping me, after all. Isn’t it prudent that I ask after my own allies?”
“Except I’m just an herb wizard’s apprentice.”
“Why would that matter?”
Angelique laughed and slung an arm over Snow White’s shoulders—just as she would have to Quinn, Elle, or Gabrielle. “The fact that you even have to ask that is just another example of why Mullberg is going to be better off having you as a queen. Your intelligence will surely make this place flourish, but it’s your kindness that your citizens will treasure.”
Snow White set her lips in a half frown that said she didn’t quite believe her. “It is a nice thing for you to say. But I’m still concerned for you—and for the matter of finding your master. It can’t be easy.”
“It’s not.” Angelique tucked her letter into her sleeves. “But I’m done crying about it. I’ve decided I’m going to free him—no matter what.”
Angelique grimly stared at the fire, her vow echoing in her heart.
When we march on Juwel and breech Glitzern Palace with the Mullberg lords and their forces, I’ll be ready. I’m going to find him—no matter how much of my power I have to use.
“You still haven’t given me your master’s name,” Snow White said, breaking Angelique’s gray mood.
“Later,” Angelique said, intending to do no such thing—at least, not until she finally told Snow White who she was. “For now, we should think of happier things. Maybe we should join your warriors playing Glockshaus.”
Previously, I never really planned to tell her until it was inevitable—hopefully well after I was gone. But now…she’s my friend. I want her to know.
Snow White stood and brushed her skirts off. “It’s also called House of Fortune.”
Angelique rolled to her feet. “You mean it’s a real game?”
“Of course. Glockshaus was created here in Mullberg. I can teach you the rules, if you like?”
“Please do. I’m not certain Oswald or Rupert would correctly teach me because they are competitive and petty.”
“I heard that, herb wizard!”
“You were meant to!”
Five days after Angelique successfully tracked Evariste’s position, the compulsive impatience of her discovery was starting to settle down.
She’d performed the spell several times since sending her letter to Stil, but each time, when she felt the unforgiving cold of whatever force held Evariste captive, she cut off the spell rather than risk detection.
I think I can at least be certain they haven’t moved him.