Page 14 of Madness of Her Mages

Malvolia’s gaze centered on me. “You used your siren voice?”

I visibly swallowed. “Yes.”

She arched a thin brow. “And they obeyed without a fight?”

I was all too aware that the room had gone silent and all eyes were upon me. My gut twisted with unease, but then Nikkos squeezed my knee. Just that one simple act grounded me and gave me courage. I offered him an appreciative smile. “They did,” I answered, keeping my gaze centered on Malvolia.

She leaned forward, clutching the sides of the table, sparks flaring in her eyes. “How many giants were there?”

I looked to Drae. I’d been so consumed in searching for my mate and nieces and sending the giants away to count their numbers.

“About fifty to sixty,” Drae answered.

“Elements!” Malvolia let out a shrill burst of laughter before looking down the table at Drae. “I wonder why you sent for me, Lord Inferni, when your mate so easily dispatched of the giants.”

Did you send for her?I projected to my mate, unable to keep the note of accusation from my voice.

No.Drae visibly tensed, the veins on his neck protruding while he clutched his wine goblet.

Who did?Blaze asked.

Later,Drae answered before facing Malvolia with a serene smile. “I flew ahead of my brothers and Shirina and arrived a day earlier.” He looked at me with a flash of pride in his eyes. “I had no idea our mate could dispatch an entire army of giants.”

Malvolia rubbed her chin, her piercing stare like the sun’s harsh rays boring holes into me. “I see.”

“I didn’t know I could do that, either,” I answered truthfully.

“You don’t have much experience using your magic,” she said, a hard look in her eyes as if she was waiting for me to crack.

Elements, she unnerved me. I knew my magic was probably stronger than hers, yet I still feared her. “Not when I was forced to hide it from my parents,” I said on an exhale.

Something in her hard gaze softened, and the look of pity she gave me made me want to crawl beneath the table. It felt wrong bonding with her over a mutual distrust of my parents. Some part of me still felt like I should be loyal to them, like I was a terrible daughter for aligning with Malvolia.

“You need a tutor, Niece,” Malvolia said to me. “Someone to help you refine your magic.”

My stomach soured, for I had the feeling Malvolia would want to be that tutor. “I’m sure I can manage on my own over time.”

“We don’t have time.” She leaned back in her chair, her dark gaze sweeping over the table. “War is coming to the continent. My spies say Duke Viggo and Fachnan will form an alliance soon. With your sister coming into her powers, it’s only a matter of time before they launch an attack, which means we must attack first.”

I tensed at the mention of Tari, feeling the need to defend her. “My sister won’t—”

“You’re all returning with me to Thebes tomorrow,” Malvolia interrupted, her words clipped and stern, leaving me no room for argument. “I will personally see to your training, and I must present my niece at court.” She flashed a tight smile, one that didn’t match the steel in her eyes. “We will have a grand celebration.”

I swallowed a lump that had wedged in my throat. I was fully entangled with the sorceress queen now, and I wasn’t sure how I would find my way out of it. I bowed my head. “You’re too kind, Your Majesty.”

“Please dispatch with the formalities, Niece.” She waved me away like she was swatting a bug. Then that glint in her eyes softened once more, and for a moment I felt as if I was looking into my mother’s eyes. “We are family.”

Family.If only our blood ties would assure my safety in her court. “Yes, Aunt Malvolia.”

“Much better.” Her thin smile flattened into a grim line as she pushed off from her chair and stood. Chairs clamored around us, and Nikkos grabbed my elbow, pulling me to my feet as everyone else rapidly stood, their wings slackened, their eyes vacant as they went as still as statues.

“If you’d excuse me,” Malvolia said, her eyes on Drae at the other end of the table, “I’ve had a long journey.”

“Of course.” Drae bowed stiffly, his wings ruffling behind him. “The servants have prepared my mother’s bedchamber for you.”

“Excellent.” She waved to the rest of us. “As you were.”

Everyone fell back into their chairs while exhaling ragged breaths, their shoulders slumping in relief.

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