Trial of Magic (The Fairy Tale Enchantress #4) - K. M. Shea Page 0,230

White. But I’m not alone. I have friends who will help me.

Angelique squeezed the Mullberg princess perhaps a little too tightly, but Snow White gently patted her back until Angelique released her.

“You have no idea how happy I am to see you,” Angelique said.

Snow White pushed her black curls over her shoulder. “I wish it was for a happier occasion. I had to read your missive three times before I could believe what I was seeing.” She pursed her lips as she studied the Conclave walls like a general sizing up the enemy. “Though I was not as shocked as I would have been before the Conclave proved to be absolutely useless in freeing Faina of that foul mirror’s influence. Clearly, that was done intentionally.”

Angelique grimaced. “Yes, I imagine you are right.” She stood at Snow White’s side and joined her in studying the Conclave walls—although Angelique’s gaze was more baleful. “In fair warning, your arrival is going to bring very…mixed feelings.”

“Oh?”

“The two remaining Council Members are under the impression that this is something we need to solve ourselves—and that we should not allow any country to interfere.”

Snow White scowled. “Because that’s worked so well for the Veneno Conclave recently.”

“Thankfully, their opinions are in the minority.” Angelique slapped her hands on her thighs. “And I don’t really care for their opinion anyway. They worked closely with four Chosen mages for years and were never suspicious?” Angelique shook her head. “We’ll do what needs to be done—whether they agree with it or not.”

“Mullberg will help,” Snow White said. “Because this is bigger than mages.”

“Agreed.” Angelique started back up the hill, trudging toward the Conclave entrance. “It’s about the future of the continent.”

Chapter 38

Angelique led Snow White—and Fritz—to the purple tent that was still being used as a headquarters of sorts. Pieces of the city had been repaired, but fearing traps or listening charms, Clovicus and Sybilla had opted to keep the headquarters mobile and move it around on a daily basis.

As predicted, there was a very polarized response to their introduction—Clovicus and Sybilla were delighted, while Tristisim and Felicienne were almost frosty.

At least all the war mages were welcoming. Angelique nodded to Javed as the war mage saluted and left the tent—joining the others guarding the perimeter. I really should have been prouder to be a war mage, no matter how I felt about my core magic. They’re the most decent group of mages I’ve met.

Once the tent flap drifted shut behind the war mage, a caramel-brown shield flickered into place—the work of one of the war mages standing guard.

Clovicus rapped his knuckles on the arm of his chair as he sagged into his seat, and a second shield shimmered into place. “We’re now protected, and our words are guarded and inaudible to anyone standing outside the tent, Princess. You may speak freely.”

“Thank you, Lord Enchanter.” Snow White sat down on a chair Fritz had maneuvered in front of him, allowing him to guard her back.

I will admit that although I find their case as ridiculous as the other couples I have encountered, their romance has made them into a good team. Angelique pressed her lips together as she lingered in the shadows of the tent.

Tristisim, Sybilla, and Felicienne all sat down in chairs across from Snow White. Tristisim indicated Evariste should sit in the last remaining chair, but he drifted off to stand by Angelique—near enough that she could feel his heat.

Discreetly, Angelique edged close enough to make their elbows brush—still seeking out reassurances that he was with her.

“We must offer our thanks for your swift response to Angelique’s message, Princess Snow White.” Sybilla gave Snow White one of her warm, grandmotherly smiles. “Prince Severin has been kept apprised of the situation, but given that the Veneno Conclave resides on Mullberg land, there was very little he could do to help in such a quick amount of time.”

Snow White shook her head. “I-I must disagree. Though I haven’t yet had the chance to meet him, I am certain Prince Severin of Loire will be better able to help strategize against the Chosen than I. But Mullberg is willing to offer any aid we can in the meantime w-while the Conclave adjusts to this terrible situation.”

“Thank you for your gracious offer, but I’m afraid at the moment, what we need most is a way to make certain we’re not housing any more Chosen.” Clovicus leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “Right now, everyone is jumpy and suspicious. We’re one