Page 44 of Madness of Her Mages

Oh, those blasted tarts. How could I have expected them to forget? “I’ll put in a request for tarts next time.”

“Where’s our nursery?” Ember asked as she laid her doll across her legs.

“We’ll look for it tomorrow.” I snatched a little flower-shaped cake off a tray and took a bite. Sweet sugar melted on my tongue. “Tonight you can stay in our rooms.”

“Yes, Auntie,” they said in unison while sipping their tea like refined ladies.

Elements knew our rooms were big enough. The sitting room alone could easily accommodate them with the wide sofas. In fact, I’d probably rather they slept there during our stay, somewhere where I could keep an eye on them.

I slowly pushed off from the table. “I have to prepare for supper with Aunt Malvolia.”

Aurora’s eyes bulged. “Do we have to go with you?”

“No.” I repressed a grin. I could tell by the whine in her tone, she didn’t want to go. She and her sister hadn’t warmed up to Great-Aunt Malvolia yet, and I doubted they would anytime soon, unless our aunt miraculously developed an affection for children. “Tonight you get to stay with Uncle Nikkos.”

“Yay!” They bounced in their seats, sloshing tea on their dresses.

I quickly patted them dry then kissed the tops of their heads. “Eat here while I get ready.”

They eagerly nodded and reached for more cakes.

The servants drew me a steaming bath, and I was more than ready to wash off the grime and dust from our journey. The bathing room reminded me of the inside of an atrium, with thick, wooden beams crisscrossing just below the tall glass ceiling. Hanging from the beams was a large chandelier with softly glowing candles that reflected off the many tall mirrors surrounding the circular room. The big tub was the centerpiece of the room, walled by a square partition for privacy and situated on a raised dais like a secret shrine.

After I dismissed the servants from the bathing room, I disrobed before climbing into the steaming tub that was slightlysunk beneath the floor. The water was so deep it went up to my collarbone. I wasn’t in the least bit surprised when my three mates slipped into the partition and closed it behind them, looking like starving dogs with one bone between them.

Drae didn’t ask for an invite as he threw off his clothes with amazing speed and climbed into the tub. I pulled my knees to my chest and gave him a cool look, letting him know I was in no mood to play. I was still perturbed by the way those Fae had flirted with him. Besides, the children would be calling for us at any moment. Drae didn’t seem put off as he began scrubbing his body with a sponge.

Blaze knelt beside the tub, swirling his fingers in the water, smoke misting his eyes. “Care for more company?”

Yes! And no. At least he was polite enough to ask, unlike his older brother.

Nikkos knelt beside his brother, his hungry gaze roving over my every move as I cleaned beneath my arms with a sponge.

I gave a start, gasping when Drae splashed me with his wings, drenching my hair. He had a devious look in his eyes, his naughty smile almost melting my resolve. Instead, I splashed him back, pleased when I struck his mouth with soapy bubbles. “So how many of your former lovers will I have to contend with?”

He jerked back. “My lovers?”

I aggressively scrubbed my arms. “Was I not clear enough?”

Drae raked his hands down his face with a groan before looking at me like a toddler who’d been sent to time out.

Ugh. It was too painful and awkward waiting for him to answer. Not that he didn’t deserve to feel awkward, but I wasn’t about to sit there with bated breath waiting for him to explain himself. I turned my attention toward Blaze while gently cleaning my sore thighs. “Well? What about you?”

“I only have a fewformerlovers here.” Blaze emphasized the word ‘former’ as if that made it all better. He scratched theback of his head while stumbling to his feet. “Plus, I visited the brothels a few times.”

The brothels? Was that supposed to make me feel better? “What about you, Nikkos?” I asked his brother.

His cheeks reddened as he stood and thrust his hands in his pockets. “Same as Blaze.”

Well, damn. Why had I been foolish enough to think there hadn’t been other girls? My mates were far too tempting and handsome. I gave Drae a pointed look. “And you?”

He had the nerve to laugh. “One of the perks of being a titled lord—I’ve never been in want of lovers.”

“Women hoping he’d make them the next Lady of Abyssus,” Blaze said casually as if we were discussing the supper menu.

I arched a brow while I finished cleaning between my legs. “One of the perks?”

“Not a perk anymore.” Drae splayed a hand across his heart, batting his lashes like an innocent boy. I wasn’t fooled. “You’re the only woman I want, Shiri. Promise.”

---