the teapot—which glittered with a gem-encrusted menagerie of birds.
Mentally shaking herself, Angelique pulled her eyes off Evariste. “Yes, please.”
“If we leave for Loire within an hour, we’ll make good time,” Angelique said.
Snow White pursed her lips and peered up at them. “You still do not plan to stop by the Veneno Conclave on your way to inform Prince Severin and Prince Lucien of what occurred here?”
Angelique shook her head. “Severin needs to know first—he’ll actually do something about it,” she said. “I doubt the Conclave would do much more even if we did tell them, and they’ll fuss over Evariste’s return and waste time we don’t have.”
Snow White nodded, which relieved Angelique greatly.
She’d told Snow White of the Conclave’s inaction, but she hadn’t explained her entire sordid past with the organization.
There’re only about a million reasons why we want to avoid the Conclave. If we hope to avoid their detection for a few more weeks, we need to leave before whatever mage the Conclave sends to “investigate” Faina finally arrives!
When Snow White peered at Evariste, he smiled handsomely.
“Whatever Angel thinks is best,” he said. “I’ve been locked in a mirror for years. I really haven’t the faintest clue what has transpired in my absence.”
His ability to play innocent is shocking. Is this a newfound ability, or could he do this when I was his apprentice?
“I see.” Snow White looked around the hall, which had become the unofficial receiving room since the finer parts of the castle were just now starting to be repaired. “I cannot say I blame you—for we freed Faina nearly two days ago, and we have not yet received word from the Veneno Conclave representative we sent Fritz to notify even before I ate the spelled apple.”
“Yes.” Angelique evasively looked away and settled her expression into a frown. “It is disappointing.”
Snow White cleared her throat. “I h-hope you two have a safe journey.”
“It would be a fast one—if I had access to my magic,” Evariste said ruefully.
“It will still be quick.” Angelique rubbed the back of her neck, trying to relieve some of the tension she felt building there. “Pegasus can bear us both.”
“I must add my thanks for your willingness to carry my letters and reports to the princes of Loire,” Snow White said. “And please…if you could ask for mercy on our behalf when you explain why we failed to attend the Summit, I would appreciate it.”
Snow White—who had just fought an ugly battle to save her stepmother from an ancient artifact that neither she nor Faina should have been able to resist as long as they had—wrung her hands at her ignorance and self-perceived failure in aiding the rest of the alliance.
She still doesn’t know how brilliant she is—or just how much she’s done.
“Don’t worry, Snow White,” Angelique said. “Severin will understand. Rather, he’s going to be grateful for everything you’ve accomplished this spring.”
“I freed Faina, yes, but the mirror is gone,” Snow White said.
“Perhaps,” Angelique said. “But you stopped what would have been a major blow to the continent when you saved your stepmother and held your country together.”
If Mullberg had fallen…
“If you say so, Lady Enchant…” Snow White trailed off when she noticed Angelique was glaring at her.
“Snow White. I have already told you: I have lent you clothes, we have slept next to each other on the ground, and you have seen me at my scruffiest. There is no need for formalities between us. It’s just Angelique—or even Angel!” Angelique firmly said.
Evariste gave Angelique another mysterious look she couldn’t quite interpret and chuckled. “Thank you for your hospitality—and for mounting the attack that resulted in my freedom, Your Highness.”
“It was the least I could do, Lord Enchanter Evariste,” Snow White said. “I am sorry I did not move sooner or that I never saw you in the mirror. I might have done something earlier then.”
“I could only appear when dragged forward by the mirror—or by magic, as Angel showed. As the mirror was choosing to shield its presence from you, there is no way you could have known,” Evariste gently reminded her.
“Still, it’s rather disheartening.”
“And aggravating,” Evariste gave her a sunny smile that didn’t match his words. “But I am free now—even if I don’t yet have my magic back.”
“Yes, that is the one thing that would tempt me to stop by the Conclave first if it weren’t so important we update Severin.” Angelique grimaced. “Surely someone at the Veneno Conclave will be able to break the seal placed on you.”
We