Faina’s strength of character—and of her love for you.”
Snow White smiled shyly and nodded.
It’s also another display of the power of love—maternal or otherwise. It does my soul good to see that the Chosen has a consistent failing.
Across the room, Aldelbert continued to instruct Faina. “No, reach high above your head—as if you are stretching towards your glorious future and blessing the sun with the beauty of your face!” Aldelbert reached high over his head and laughed.
“Your arms are too angled, Your Majesty. You must attempt to stretch directly overhead,” Wendal helpfully added.
Snow White and Evariste both calmly sipped their tea, as if Aldelbert teaching the Queen his admittedly strange stretches were an everyday occurrence.
I suspect most countries are going to find their future monarchs are far more unflappable than their predecessors.
Snow White cleared her throat. “Lady—no—Angelique?”
Angelique shifted so she properly faced Snow White. “Yes?”
Snow White set her teacup on a wooden table that was painted to resemble a mountain sunset. “I don’t believe I’ve officially thanked you for everything you’ve done, starting in the woods when I was desperately trying to find Fritz and the others.”
Angelique blinked in surprise, then smiled. “It was my duty as an enchantress to help you, but it was also my pleasure. We might have had a rough time of it—with the constructs and all—but you’re a delight to be around, Snow White. You’ll make a fantastic queen someday soon.”
A pink blush heated Snow White’s cheeks. “Thank you. Your good opinion means much to me. I enjoyed our time together, too.” She clasped her hands and set them on her lap with minimal awkwardness. “But I want to say that I am especially grateful now that I know what you put aside to help me. Mullberg won’t forget—I won’t forget.” Snow White meaningfully looked at Evariste, who smiled mysteriously over his cup of tea.
I guess they had plenty of time to talk while I investigated the Chosen strongholds.
“Yes, well, I apologize for keeping my true abilities hidden from you,” Angelique said.
“You had valid reasons,” Snow White said. “If you had revealed who you were, I don’t know that it would have changed much regardless. We couldn’t have stormed the palace as one princess, Seven Warriors, and a single enchantress. That would have been the epitome of folly.”
Angelique laughed—a gusty exhale that rattled her lungs with her mirth. “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear you say some of my own reasoning.”
Snow White was too graceful for a shrug, so she slightly pursed her lips instead. “It’s true.”
“It is.” Angelique impulsively set her hand on top of Snow White’s clasped ones. “But most would still look upon my dishonesty with ill favor. Thank you, Snow White, for understanding.”
She studied Snow White for a moment, trying to discern what she could from the princess’s clear blue eyes. She wanted to reach out and tell the princess just how much her friendship meant, but it felt dangerous.
It was possible that Snow White would reject her.
But Quinn, Gabrielle, Elle, and Puss taught me: it’s better to reach out and risk rejection than to miss out on true friendship.
“Thank you for being my friend—despite all of this,” Angelique said.
Snow White’s blue eyes practically shone, and her smile was so warm, it melted all of Angelique’s fears. “Of course.” She removed her hand from under Angelique’s, only to grasp Angelique’s palm between hers. “If you ever have need of me, call. I’ll answer—not for Mullberg, but because you’re my friend.”
Angelique swallowed around the unexpected lump of emotion that clogged her throat. “Thank you.”
Snow White must have sensed her awkwardness because she squeezed Angelique’s hand, then released her to reclaim her tea.
Once Angelique was able to blink past the sting of happy tears, she sniffed, then glanced at Evariste.
He wore an…odd look.
It was affectionate, but not the same endearing look he’d give her when she’d bumbled through learning new kinds of magic or the difficult exercises he’d give her later in her apprenticeship. It was less proud or doting and more personal.
Our balance has changed, Angelique realized. Although I’m an apprentice, I don’t act like one—and I certainly have more experience than a regular apprentice. How will our relationship work if we don’t have the teacher-student bond we used to?
Part of that would be working out exactly why her magic connected with him—wouldn’t that be fun to explain to Clovicus when they finally met him face-to-face?
“Would you like some tea, Angelique?” Snow White asked as she held