Page 103 of Madness of Her Mages

My heart clenched and sputtered as shame gripped my chest in a vise. I grabbed Ember’s hand, smoothing my thumb over her healed knuckles. “I’m sorry, dearest.” I had to work hard to force out the words as emotion tightened my throat. “I’ll never leave you with an unkind nursemaid again.”

“It’s okay, Auntie,” she said as she snuggled me. “It wasn’t your fault.”

Tears threatened at the backs of my eyes as I kissed the top of her head again. I didn’t deserve her forgiveness, but I was relieved to have it.

“Aurora,” I said to her sister while stroking her shoulder, “I never got the chance to thank you for saving your sister today.”

She crunched her candy and swallowed it. “You’re not mad at me?”

“Of course not.” I cupped her cheek, forcing a smile despite my aching heart. “You were very brave to save her.”

Aurora nodded while reaching across me to hold Ember’s hand. “I don’t like it when Em cries.”

Oh, my heart. I swiped hot tears before they fell. “Can you girls promise me something?”

“Yes, Auntie,” they said in unison.

“Can you promise that you’ll love each other forever no matter what?” Unlike Malvolia and my mother.

“Yes, Auntie,” they said again.

“Just remember this moment if you two ever get into a quarrel.” I wiped away more tears. “You’re more than sisters. You have a very special bond. Don’t ever let anyone break it.” Though I knew a powerful spell had been cast over Malvolia’s and my mother’s minds, I was still disappointed their love for one another hadn’t prevailed over Thorin’s magic.

“Okay, Auntie,” the girls said. Ember handed me what was left of her sticky candy before they both rested their heads on my chest, their eyes heavy with sleep. I set the candy on a nearby table, wiping sticky sugar across my nightgown. I wasn’t ready to let go of them yet, so I laid back against the sofa cushions and held them in my arms, so very thankful they were safe and whole.

I had only dozed off for a few seconds when I was startled awake by a familiar voice in my head.Flora! Derrick! Where are you?

His voice sounded too much like my father’s. Again, I wondered if I was developing Ember’s spirit-talking powers. I hoped not. As much as I appreciated Ember’s gift, I had no desire to speak to the dead.

I sat up on my elbows, looking around for my mates. They weren’t at the table, but the balcony doors were open. I suspected they’d gone outside to talk and stretch their wings. I gently shook the girls awake.

“Ember,” I asked my niece as I looked into her hazy eyes, “what friends do you have with you?”

She yawned into her hand. “I have many friends.”

“Is your Pappo Marius among them?” I asked.

She gave me a quizzical look. “Pappo Marius?”

“He was Pappo’s twin,” I said. “He looked just like him.”

She squinted up at the ceiling, her gaze moving from one end of the room to the other. Elements, how many ghosts were here? A knot formed in my gut as I realized I didn’t want to know the answer. Between the Dark and Crimson Tides, I speculated the halls were filled with spirits.

“No, he’s not here,” she finally answered.

I fought my unease. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, Auntie,” she giggled. “I only have dead friends.”

“Your Pappo Marius is dead,” I answered, “and I sometimes hear him calling out to Yaya.”

Ember shook her head. “My friends say he’s in Malvolia’s tower.”

“Her tower? His remains?”

“My friends say he’s a prisoner.” She rubbed sleep from her eyes and yawned. “There’s a dungeon in her tower.”

I gaped at her in shock. “Are-are your friends saying he’s alive?”

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