Page 50 of Madness of Her Mages

Much to my relief, Drae ruffled his feathers and slowly lowered into his chair and Blaze followed.

Thank you.My knees turned to jelly, and I practically fell back into my seat.

Monte and Furori were the last to sit, triumphantly turning up their chins as if they’d won the battle of wills. I didn’t care. Malvolia’s smoke retracted back into her fingers, which meant my mates weren’t going to be turned to ash tonight, and that’s all that mattered.

Malvolia leaned her knuckles on the table, her dark gaze centering on Monte and Furori. “Shirina’s parents wronged her, too, or else she wouldn’t be here. Tell them, Niece.”

I clutched my throat when she turned a soft smile on me. For a moment, I thought I was looking into the eyes of my mother, not the sorceress queen.

I told Malvolia’s court everything, from when my parents had Thorin erase Tari’s memories and take her, to how they’d tried to do the same with the girls and me.

Gasps rang out across the table, frightened eyes reflecting back at me. Only Veronica seemed unmoved as she casually sipped her wine.

“How?” a shrill voice cried out. “His spells only last a few hours.”

I shook my head. “Not from the way my parents described it.”

That’s enough,Drae projected to me, his stony gaze pinning me from across the table.They realize now how powerful Thorin is. Now let them reach their own conclusions.

All right.I refrained from looking at Drae, for I didn’t want my aunt to know we were mind-speaking.

Malvolia leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers in front of her. “My spies reported your sister flew with Prince Helian toward the Fallax Islands. What do you think they’re planning?”

Monte laughed out loud. “The wyverns will kill them if they haven’t already.”

Magic burned my throat. How badly I wanted to command him to stick a fork in his eye.

“Lord Monte.” Malvolia gave him a cool look. “Do not speak again unless you’re called upon.”

The color drained from his face as he hung his head. “Yes, My Queen.”

My mates grinned triumphantly, earning angry glares from Monte and Furori. This feud between them wasn’t over, and I had a feeling it wouldn’t end until we killed Monte and Furori.

“And in case you’ve forgotten our history,” Malvolia added, her glare still fixed on Monte, “the Goddess Maiadra was able to control the wyverns. Don’t be surprised if Tarianya Avias can, too.”

That was the first time I’d heard my aunt use my sister’s full name. I didn’t like how the words sounded like acid on her tongue. She truly hated Tari, and yet she didn’t know her. Her opinion of her was all formed on a lie. How I wished I could tell her everything about the mind spinner. But what if she didn’t believe me? Would she mistrust me like she did my sister? Would she strike me down? If so, who would protect my mates and the girls?

“Well, Niece,” Malvolia pressed. “What are they planning? Will they assemble a wyvern army to attack me?”

All moisture evaporated from my mouth as everyone at the table turned their eyes on me. “I don’t know, but Tari never had a desire to kill you, Aunt.” Feeling like a wilting flower beneath Malvolia’s heated gaze, I snatched my goblet and took several gulps. I set my drink down with aclankand forced myself to look into my aunt’s eyes. “And I certainly don’t see her allying with King Fachnan after what he did to Lupine.”

Malvolia drummed her fingers, my anxiety rising with each click of her nails against the table’s hard surface. “Not if she doesn’t remember what Fachnan did to Lupine.”

Anxiety twisted and turned around my spine. “Even then,” I said, giving my aunt a challenging look. “Thorin might havetaken her memories, but I refuse to believe he’s stripped her principles. She will do the right thing.”

She eyed me coolly while tapping her fingernails on the table. “There are rumors that Prince Helian saved his brothers before King Fachnan razed Lupine. Do you think that’s true?”

“I don’t know for certain, Aunt.” Not a lie. I still wasn’t sure if Ember’s visions were real. “I hope so, for the girls’ sakes.”

“I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.” She shrugged a shoulder as if she was no longer bothered. I wasn’t fooled.

She leaned back, her gaze still fixed on me, as servants placed steaming bowls of creamy, pale soup and fresh rolls in front of us. My stomach rumbled, and I was reminded that I’d hardly eaten these past few days. How badly I wanted to gorge on several rolls slathered in butter, but even if all eyes in the room weren’t on me, I could scarcely breathe through this tight corset, much less eat.

Malvolia stirred her soup, though she didn’t eat it. “Do you know where the mind spinner dwells?”

“He’s in Caldaria,” I said as I watched others follow her lead, stirring, not eating. I thought about the years my family suffered without enough to eat and how grateful we would’ve been for something as simple as soup and rolls.

“With your parents?” she asked.

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