Page 16 of Madness of Her Mages

“I can’t punish him.” Drae crossed over to him and handed him a goblet of wine. “She’ll know.”

Blaze tossed back his drink in a few large swallows before placing the empty goblet on the mantel. Legs braced apart, he crossed his arms, leveling Drae with a dark look. “This could play in our favor. She won’t question your loyalty if she thinks you sent for her.”

“Otherwise,” Nikkos added while shoving a biscuit into his mouth. “Sol and Bertram would’ve alerted her first.”

Blaze nodded his agreement before giving Drae a pointed look. “She needs to know she can trust you.”

Drae stood in front of the hearth, clutching his wine goblet while staring into the crackling flames. Finally, he heaved a long sigh. “As much as Romulus’s betrayal burns, you’re right.”

“You need to eat, my love.” Nikkos pointed to the platter of biscuits. “Food will fuel your magic.”

So will vigorous lovemaking,I thought, then berated myself for thinking of sex at a time like this. I took a bite of biscuit, moaning when warm butter and sugar exploded in my mouth. Elements, I was hungry. I finished off that biscuit and then ate another and another.

After I had my fill, I looked around the room at my mates. “Where shall I sleep now that Malvolia has my bedchamber?”

Blaze waggled his brows while looking at me like a starving wolf with a bone. “There’s plenty of room in my bed.”

“You may sleep in my bedchamber with Nikkos,” Drae said. “Blaze and I have much to do before the morrow.”

Blaze’s features fell before he plastered on a tight smile.

I couldn’t deny I shared his disappointment. I’d been looking forward to sharing a bed with all three of my mates. Then again, there was also the matter of where the girls would sleep. Did Itrust Mrs. Euphemia to keep them safe? What if Sol and Bertram returned? Or what if Malvolia decided she no longer trusted us?

“You’ll need rest before the journey,” I said to them.

Drae crossed over to me, kissing the top of my head. “We’ll find you later tonight,” he murmured, his warm hand across my back making me want to melt into him.

“Do you need help?” Nikkos asked.

“One of us must stay with Shiri and the girls.” Drae visibly swallowed, his eyes flaring. “Sol and Bertram might return.”

I shuddered as a tremor coursed through me. Malvolia’s mages or not, I wouldn’t hesitate to kill them.

Nikkos licked his lips, a gleam in his eyes.What shall I do with you all to myself?he projected through thought.

“Before you get any ideas, the girls are sleeping with us,” I warned. “I won’t be able to sleep without them near.”

I understand.He flashed a mischievous grin.That doesn’t mean we can’t sneak off to the bathing chamber together.

My face flushed as I remembered the last time we’d snuck off into a bathing chamber after he’d healed from a traumatic head injury. Funny how that night had felt like weeks ago, yet only a few days had passed. I feared time would pass much too quickly while we traveled back to Thebes with Malvolia. All too soon, and I would be forced to face down my sister as fate propelled us faster toward an unavoidable war.

Chapter Four

Lord Draevyn Inferni

The night was especially cloudy, blotting out most of the stars above as I flew up to the battlements. I was not looking forward to this confrontation with the captain of my guard, but it had to be done. I had to know how much he’d already said to Malvolia and how much more he planned on telling her. Then I’d decide what to do with him. I’d left Blaze in charge of the castle’s servants. I wanted him to find out more about those nurses. I’d already interrogated the head housekeeper who’d hired them and had yielded little results. Blaze had the gift of persuasion and could charm the scales off a dragon. If anyone could find out more about those nurses, he could.

Romulus was crouched on the topmost turret, his pale wings a stark contrast to the night sky as he whittled a dragon out of wood. I wondered why he’d chosen to isolate himself on this turret. When he didn’t look up at me, I had my answer. He’d been waiting for this confrontation. Tiles shifted beneath my feet as I found my footing a few paces above him, knowing I might need the advantage should things get physical. He’d already proven he couldn’t be trusted.

I cleared my throat. “Romulus.”

He blew dust off the sculpture then cast me a cursory glance, his bottom lip bulging with tobacco, his bushy white eyebrows lifting. “My Lord.”

I folded my arms, growing more agitated by his insolence. “Anything you’d like to say?”

He pocketed his blade and sculpture and slowly stood, a strand of his long white hair blowing across his face. “I have no regrets, My Lord.” He ruffled his pale wings and protruded his chest. “I have been loyal to the Inferni family for three hundred years, and I will continue to be so.” He paused, eyeing me through slits. “Even if your definition of loyalty varies from mine.”

I gritted my teeth. It wasn’t as bad as I’d feared, but bad enough. “I see.”

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