Page 48 of Madness of Her Mages

Maybe they think she’s the witch predicted to destroy Malvolia,Blaze’s voice reverberated in my head, and I knew he was speaking to both Drae and me.

No doubt,Drae answered while giving me an appreciative look.

Do we correct them?Blaze asked.

No,I answered.Let them fear me.

Is that what you want?

If it means they’ll leave us alone, then yes.Instinct told me I wanted to keep my aunt’s sycophants at least an arm’s length away, preferably more.

My mates agreed with me.

“And now she is going to use her siren’s call on all of you,” Malvolia continued, sloshing wine on her wrist when she waved her goblet toward me. “To ensure no demons try to penetrate my court.”

Heated murmurs rose up among the crowd like a cresting wave.

A look of understanding passed between Malvolia and me, and I summoned my siren. “Quiet!” I commanded, inwardly smiling when every courtier and lady went silent, gaping at me like fish out of water. I then used my siren’s call to expose any demons, and my shoulders sagged in relief when no one answered.

“Thank you, Niece,” Malvolia said with a wink.

I released our guests from my spell and smoothed trembling hands down my skirts at the looks of hatred reflecting back at me.

When I thanked a servant who poured wine into my goblet, he looked back at me as if he’d seen a ghost.

Malvolia nodded to the others sitting at the table, going around the circle while introducing me to so many lords and ladies, my head was spinning. How was I supposed to rememberall their names? I looked for the Fae who’d flirted with Drae on the battlements, but I couldn’t recognize anyone under all that makeup.

Then she introduced me to a scowling distant cousin named Lady Felicity and her two mates, Geoffrey and Steffan. Malvolia said Lady Felicity and I were related through my grandfather, though I wasn’t sure how. Not that it mattered. I had a feeling this cousin and I wouldn’t become close friends. I swear the temperature in the room dropped ten degrees when she looked at me, her eyes as cold and calculating as a serpent’s.

She wore a blue gown and a gold wig weaved with strands of blue. Her mates wore blue vests as well, a contrast to their russet wings and hair. They were brothers, though not twins. They were pale for Ravini Fae, with square jaws, flat noses, and smatterings of freckles across their faces. Since powerful witches had more than one mate, I wondered what kind of magic my cousin possessed. Judging by the tilt of her chin, she was certainly confident in her abilities.

“And I’ve saved the best for last.” Aunt Malvolia flashed a wicked grin while nodding toward the woman who sat next to Blaze. “Lady Veronica Franco.”

I looked around my mate and forced a smile while fighting the urge to laugh at her attire. Unlike the rest of the court, who all wore shades of white or gold, her wig was a pale silver with several flat tiers, as if a sick dragon had crapped on her head. But that wasn’t the oddest portion of her costume. The top of her silver gown was made up of layers upon layers of black feathers painted silver at the tips. Her neck and bodice had so many feathers that I was surprised she could hold her head up. Her lips, eyes, and cheeks were painted silver, too, matching the silver flecks in her eyes. She could have been beautiful without all that makeup with a pert, upturned nose and the soft curve to her face.

“Very nice to meet you, Lady Franco,” I finally said.

“The pleasure is all mine, and please call me Veronica.” She splayed a hand across her feathers, her smile as bright as the sparkle in her eyes. “Your resemblance to our queen is uncanny. You’re absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling bad about my earlier thoughts of her. Since she was so kind, I tried to think of a compliment. I nodded toward her feather plumage. “Your necklace is fascinating.” It wasn’t a lie. I took a sip of wine, pleased by its mild fruity taste.

“Isn’t it?” she drawled, licking her silver-flecked lips. “I always wear it to court. It’s a collection of my sexual conquests, plucked directly from my lovers’ backs, though it’s only a sampling of my favorites. I have thousands more feathers stuffed into my mattress.”

“Oh.” The wine soured on my tongue when I heard Drae mutter a curse.

“I believe this row belongs to you, Lord Draevyn.” Veronica stroked the feathers that rested on her large, pert bosom. “I must say”—she giggled—“I had the most fun collectingthosefeathers.”

Drae averted his gaze mumbling, “I hardly remember.”

Blaze squeezed my knee.Don’t let her get to you.

Hard not to,I answered, my blood boiling.

That’s what she wants.He cleared his throat.That’s what they all want.

I clutched the stem of my goblet with whitened knuckles, keenly aware that all eyes at the table were upon me. Veronica was teasing Drae to get to me, and the rest of Malvolia’s sycophants were waiting for me to take the bait. I cast my aunt a sideways glare. She was leaning back in her seat, her eyes alight with mirth as if she was enjoying the spectacle. So this was what it was like in her court? And my mates had missed it here?

“Of course, you remember.” Veronica clucked her tongue, her eyes narrowing on Drae as if he was an errant toddler. “The last time involved chocolate sauce. I’ve never tasted a more succulent fruit.” She dunked a finger in her goblet and sucked off the wine, her eyes dancing with mischief. “So tell me, Princess Shirina,” she said with an innocent air while looking around Blaze at me. “Is it true you mated to all three Inferni brothers?”

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