Trial of Magic (The Fairy Tale Enchantress #4) - K. M. Shea Page 0,238

you not?”

“I’m two years his senior—and I’ll never let him forget it,” Sybilla cackled.

Angelique smiled at the lighthearted conversation and listened as they followed the procession.

Out of sheer instinct, she lifted her eyes to Evariste, who was riding in a cart with Clovicus just in front of them. The two Lord Enchanters had their heads tilted together as Evariste helped Clovicus make records of what he’d been able to learn while held captive—this time for the Veneno Conclave to review since they’d already sent off similar records to Severin.

He’s safe, she reminded herself. He’s out of that mirror. His magic might be sealed, but he’s safe. That’s really all that I care about.

The odd pain that had plagued Angelique every day since he’d been taken was gone. He was back, and things had returned to normal…almost.

It’s not that there’s any strain between us, but things are different. Angelique shifted her gaze to the cloudy sky. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is because so much is the same—standing next to him still feels natural, and there is no hesitation between us in conversation. I’m so glad to have him back, and I’m filled with the constant need to remind myself he’s really here. I’m practically as terrible about touching as he was when I was a student. I haven’t hidden anything from him, and he has no reason to hide anything from me, but…our relationship isn’t quite the same as it was.

Pegasus jingled his head, and Angelique immediately dropped her uncomfortable thoughts to soothe the constellation, patting him on the neck.

“Don’t worry, Pegasus. We’re almost there. But I’m sure I could ride in the cart with Evariste and Clovicus if you needed to leave?” Angelique asked.

She’d summoned the starry equine without thinking when they’d started to leave, and she’d been gratified that he’d come.

Pegasus awkwardly turned his head so he could peer at her with one eye, the muscles in his neck bulging so a shooting star shot down to his shoulder.

Giving into the temptation, Angelique slumped over his neck and hugged him. “But I’m glad you’re with me, old friend.”

Pegasus snorted and flicked his fiery tail, but he kept his pace sedate as he stayed in line with Sybilla’s mule and Lovelana’s mare.

The procession arrived at the Verglas border the following afternoon. At the front of the line, mages joyfully darted into the neighboring country, embracing those who popped through with them, uninhibited by the guarding magic.

“I think the last of the Chosen mages left last night,” Angelique said to Pegasus. She was still mounted on his back as they stood halfway up a Mullberg foothill—which afforded them an excellent view of the movement in the procession. “But I’d still like to watch from a distance so I can see the entire line.”

In case we get any last-minute runners. It was a grim thought. One Angelique didn’t want to verbalize because that would make the mass betrayal that much more real.

Pegasus snorted, then clambered higher up the foothill so they were positioned at the very top of it.

The procession snaked through a pair of hills that funneled them directly into Verglas. From this position, they could watch everyone as the procession shuffled across the border. Odile and her wyvern flew over the border, landing on the other side in a move that resembled a graceful dance. Sybilla and her mule barreled across the border to go greet her student.

I don’t think there are any Chosen forces among us—they’d be foolish to stick around this long. But after all that has happened, I’d better be on guard in case they decide to attack.

Angelique glanced to the north—at the immense mountain range that made up most of the Verglas-Mullberg border. To the west, Verglas opened up in grassy plains, squares of freshly tilled farmland, and thick patches of forests.

Something glittered on the horizon.

Angelique plucked her spyglass from her satchel secured to her saddle and fitted it to her eye.

Troops, wearing chainmail and dressed in Verglas colors of light blue and white, marched toward the border. They were armed, but given the size of the force—it was barely two squads compared to the army Mullberg had guarding the valley between the two hills—Angelique was pretty certain they were merely meant to be guides and serve as an official welcome.

Pegasus shifted, so Angelique wasn’t too surprised when Evariste’s voice drifted on the wind to her.

“Do you see something?”

“Yes. King Toril and Queen Linnea sent us the welcoming committee they promised.”