Trial of Magic (The Fairy Tale Enchantress #4) - K. M. Shea Page 0,192

of the first few wretched months after he’d been taken, when she’d been riddled with guilt at the thought that she could have done something to stop the attackers. She’d also deeply regretted the fight they’d had about her magic shortly before he was taken.

She fidgeted in place.

It’s awkward to acknowledge it now. So much has happened…and I’m so happy to see him, but so much has changed. And I don’t know where we stand or what any of this means.

“I’m sorry,” Angelique blurted out. She wasn’t sure if the apology rushed out of her because it had been a weight she’d been carrying for years or because she was trying to distract herself.

Evariste’s eyes had drifted off to the sliver of sun still visible over the mountains, but they abruptly flicked back to her. “Sorry for what?”

“For our fight. The one we had about my magic—whether or not it was dangerous—before the Chosen took you,” Angelique said.

Evariste wrinkled his forehead and somehow managed to look handsome in his regret. “Oh, Angel. Have you been thinking of that for all these years?” He let go of her hands and instead placed his on her shoulders—which was fine, except the wind was still cold, and now he didn’t even have a piece of the heat charm warming him!

“Maybe, yes,” Angelique scanned him, trying to figure out if she could put the ruby in his pocket, but there were no visible pockets in his cloak. “Because you were right about my magic. I was afraid of it when I needed to master it.”

“Then you finally believe your magic isn’t dangerous?” Evariste asked.

Angelique snorted. “Oh, it’s dangerous. It’s not something I will handle carelessly, but all the practice I’ve had means I can maintain control of it.” Angelique tilted her head as she thought. “But there are many kinds of core magic that have the potential to be dangerous—elemental core magic and weather magic are obvious examples. Just as a fire mage is careful with his or her magic, I must be careful with mine. But careful does not mean I have to lock it up and never use it.”

Angelique paused, surprised to discover her words were true. I don’t love my core magic—I’ve suffered too much for that. But I am willing to use it now that I can see how it’s necessary to protect, as I protected Evariste, Snow White, and the warriors from the constructs. Quinn was right in that my magic is like a soldier’s path. Instead of mindlessly killing, it’s my duty to protect and defend.

As if stirred by her thoughts, her magic unwound. It layered the area so thickly, the air almost seemed to shimmer in the swiftly fading evening light.

She had half-expected Evariste to jump in and tell her that she needed to completely accept her magic—he’d done that before.

He surprised her greatly, though, by simply nodding. “You’ve come a long way.”

Something deep in her relaxed.

I will always appreciate how Evariste believed in me and supported me, but it would be idealistic to a foolish extent if he continued to insist there was no possible danger in my magic at all.

“Thank you.” She smiled at him, but it was strangely difficult to meet his gaze, so she looked away.

He kept his hands where they were on her shoulders, and Angelique squeezed the heat charm between her fingers as the silence stretched on.

He’s going to get cold, even if he’s not acting like it.

Angelique placed her hand on his wrist, sandwiching the charm between them. The gesture felt awkward, as did touching his hand when she tried to adjust to that position.

Evariste raised an eyebrow at her, and the desire to talk and fill the moment burned in her.

“Truthfully, the greatest danger of my magic is that there is so much of it,” she sourly said. “Whenever I use it, it always seems like it can continue to grow even though my mind is already cluttered with the dozens of weapons, and if I tried to use more, I’d likely fumble. It’s a gluttonous magic, really.” Angelique playfully scowled.

“You feel everything your magic touches?” Evariste asked curiously.

“Yes.” Angelique removed her hand from the awkward position and frowned a little as she tried to figure out where else she could touch him that wouldn’t feel…odd. “It’s easy to lose my concentration if it becomes too overwhelming.”

“Ah,” Evariste said. “And that is why I must apologize.”

Angelique peered up at him despite her good sense. “I beg your pardon?”

“I was