Lucien paused and tried to identify what it was in him that was so vehemently opposed to letting Ariane slip from his life. Puzzled, he glanced up at Ariane again.
Her dark brown hair was glossy in the afternoon light, and her intelligent eyes were alight with interest—though she occasionally chewed on her lip.
He didn’t think she’d ever seemed more beautiful before.
Oh. Oh. So that’s it. I think I just might love her.
It certainly fit the bill. Besides Ariane, he cared very little if anyone besides his family flitted through his life or not. He had told her things he hadn’t even voiced to Severin—his doubts that he wasn’t good enough, his worries everyone would think him lesser—and when she accepted them graciously and with a smile, he had almost collapsed in relief.
It’s no small wonder I fell for her—it is only foolish of me not to have noticed sooner.
To be fair, he hadn’t really loved a woman in this manner before. He had never even entertained the thought. He always imagined it was impossible because who, in the name of all that was good, would accept him, much less want him?
I love her…but what do I do about it? Lucien hopped in a circle, deftly avoiding Ariane’s hands when she tried to herd him back onto his pillow. I can’t just declare my love—she’ll throw me in the pond! Do I give her gifts? A manor maybe?
Usually when he was trying to charm a particular lady for political reasons, jewelry and pretty words did the trick. But Ariane was different. She wouldn’t fall for his old tactics, and it wouldn’t be right even if he tried, as she actually meant something to him.
It was something he would have to discuss with Severin—once the Summit was over. If he had to, he could remain a frog while Angelique left with the emperor. That would give him a few more days with Ariane nearby and would earn him enough goodwill with Severin that his sharp-minded brother would hear out Lucien’s problem-of-the-heart.
Severin will know what to do—he married a commoner himself. Until then, I’ll just…let her see more of me and hope she’ll accept it.
It didn’t occur to Lucien that his family might not approve—he had often done as he wished, and he suspected if his parents learned of the hold Ariane had over him, they would agree to a courtship if only to embrace her as a method to control him.
Lucien croaked in surprise when Ariane picked him up and held him in her arms, forcing him to be still. He tried to wriggle from her grasp.
“Lucien, stop it,” she whispered. “You’re distracting.”
Lucien tried to smile and puffed up his chest. “Well.”
“Not in that manner,” Ariane said.
Lucien sniffed, though he settled in her arms. “You just don’t know what you’re missing.”
Ariane scoffed, but there was a smile in her eyes.
Yes, Lucien concluded. I’ll have to learn some new tricks…because she’s worth it.
Two days later, Ariane struggled to hold Lucien’s cushion—he was not a light frog—as he bid farewell to the Lady Enchantress Angelique and Emperor Yevgeniy. Lucien, Mage Firra, and Mage Donaigh were the only Summit attendees present. Everyone else had said their farewells in the chateau and were already cloistered in another meeting, for the Ringsted representatives were scheduled to depart the following morning, and there were still arrangements to be made.
“I am surprised and impressed that you are willing to remain a frog until I return, Prince Lucien.” The lady enchantress tilted her head as she studied Lucien, the corners of her lips barely turned up.
“For the sake of my brother’s sanity, I shall,” Lucien said. “Because I am such a selfless person.”
Ariane snorted.
Angelique’s smile deepened for a moment. “It is true your brother rests easier knowing you remain strongly protected.”
“How long will you be, Angelique?” Mage Firra asked.
“It depends on what I find,” Angelique said. “It is difficult to gauge Sorcerer Rothbart’s power from reports. I hope I can face him alone, but if my power is not enough, I will send word for help.”
Mage Firra opened her mouth, but her eyebrows furrowed as she studied Angelique’s smile, which had taken on a slightly sad edge, then said nothing at all.
Hmmm…there seems to be pain here. But over what, I cannot guess. Unless Lucien is right, and other mages really do fear her?
“We wish you luck with all we have,” Mage Donaigh said.
“Thank you,” the enchantress said.
“Are you ready, Lady Enchantress?” Emperer Yevgeniy crossed the courtyard on the back of a beautiful red roan horse. His escort—guards and a few secretaries—were already mounted on their animals as well, the Kozlovkan banner held up by a flagbearer.
“Nearly so. I just have to summon my mount,” Angelique said.
“Ahh, yes, Pegasus,” Mage Firra said.
“Who?” Ariane asked Lucien.
Angelique raised a hand to the sky. “Pegasus! It is I—Enchantress-in-Training Angelique. I summon you from the skies to carry me across the lands. Come!”
There was a boom—like the growling roll of thunder.
A black shape plummeted from the sky. It looked vaguely like a horse—though its mane and tail were made of dark blue flames, and its black body seemed more like the night sky. It had huge black wings, and when its front hooves touched the ground there was a crash that made the courtyard tremble. The black wings disintegrated into a cloud of feathers that floated away in a cloud.
The horse—Ariane hesitated to call it that, but she didn’t know any other word that could describe it—snorted, making its black nostrils flare coal red. When it pawed the ground—casting sparks into the air—the horses in the emperor’s party backed away and rolled their eyes in fear.
It pranced up to Angelique and tossed its head. Angelique did not shrink back, even though the horse circled her and shrieked—a noise like breaking glass. Instead, the enchantress stroked its head. “Did you enjoy your sojourn in the skies?”
The steed grunted deep in its throat and briefly leaned its head against her torso, then went down on its forelegs so Angelique could ease onto its back.
“He’s very fond of you, isn’t he?” Mage Donaigh asked.
Angelique patted her mount as it scratched one of the starry flecks of white on its foreleg. “We’ve come to an understanding.”
Mage Firra snorted. “I’m pretty sure no enchanter or enchantress before you could boast that Pegasus gave them cuddles.”
Mage Donaigh adjusted his hat. “Strange times we’re in!”
“Not strange, but dark,” Angelique said grimly. “Stay safe as you investigate Carabosso. Do you think Princess Rosalinda will wake soon?”
Mage Donaigh looked to the ground, and Mage Firra sighed. “We can only hope at this point. Godspeed, Angelique.”
“To you as well.” Angelique circled her mount once, then moved to join Emperor Yevgeniy’s party. “Goodbye!”
“Goodbye,” Ariane said, adding her voice to the mages’ farewell.