Page 57 of Madness of Her Mages

She gave me a funny look. “Threats?”

Was she really so unaware? “You heard Lords Monte and Furori. An eye for an eye.”

She shook her head, snickering. “They know they would be signing their own death sentences if they harmed the girls.”

“Do they?” I didn’t bother masking the accusation in my voice.

Anger flared in her eyes. “Did you not see the guards stationed outside their door? There are two more guards on the balcony.”

I arched a brow. “Because you don’t trust Monte and Furori not to try?”

“Because I knewyouwouldn’t leave the girls unless they had security.” She spoke to me as if she was lecturing a child. “Nothing will happen to them in my castle, Shirina. You have my word.”

Maybe you should stay with them,I projected to Nikkos.

He looked up from the book he was reading to the children.Then Malvolia will know you don’t trust her.

I don’t care. They need someone to protect them.

Aurora can teleport if they’re in danger.

Malvolia gave Nikkos and me a cool look. “Are you two done discussing?”

Nikkos’s face flushed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Good.” Malvolia turned up her chin, scowling down at Nikkos. “Young Lord Inferni, I’m taking Shirina to meet my coven first, and you know I don’t like fire mages in the council chamber.”

He bowed his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You may remain in the nursery for now, but try to stay out of the nursemaid’s way,” she said haughtily. “Give her a chance to get acquainted with the girls.” She crooked a finger at me. “I need your siren powers this morning.”

I couldn’t describe my overwhelming sense of relief that Nikkos would stay with the girls. Sure, I would have felt safer with him with me, but I cared more about my nieces’ safety. “Of course, Aunt,” I said, motioning toward the door, “but first I must check the girls’ guards for demons.”

Her eyes bulged. “Oh, good idea.” She motioned for me to lead the way.

The fact that she hadn’t thought of checking the guards who held my nieces’ lives in their hands told me how much she cared about Ember and Aurora. Her lack of consideration for anyonebut herself didn’t endear me to her. Maybe the sorceress queen wasn’t as evil as I’d originally thought, but I had yet to see any evidence that she was a good Fae.

Malvolia followed me into the hall and out on the terrace and warned the guards that I was going to use my voice on them, which annoyed me. Luckily, none of them were demon possessed, but if they had been, they could have reacted before I had a chance to disable them. Before I left the balcony, I checked the balustrade, which was indeed tall and made of sturdy, smooth stone, though the top was wide enough for the girls to walk across. I feared they wouldn’t resist the temptation. Luckily, we were only one story up from a beautiful garden with a deep pond. Elements, if they saw that pond they would demand to go down, or else teleport to the pond without permission. There were so many ways for them to find trouble here. At least Nikkos would be with them.

“Shirina, we have work to do.”

I turned to see Malvolia standing in the threshold, giving me an impatient stare.

“Yes, Aunt.” I breathed out a deep breath and followed her back into the nursery. The girls sat at the table with their nursemaid, their eyes wide as she read them a bright picture book about a lost baby dragon.

I went to Nikkos first. He stood by the balcony doors, his face grim as he watched the skies. My breath caught when I saw a line of fire mages in the distance. There had to be at least a hundred of them flying through the sky in a V formation before breaking apart and diving like cannonballs falling out of the sky.

What are they doing?I asked through thought.

Training,he said grimly.For war.

I fought back my apprehension before kissing him on the cheek.Thank you for staying with them.

He flashed a half smile.Just doing my duty.

I will reward you later,I said with a wink.

His smile widened as he folded his arms across his chest.I’ll be looking forward to later.

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