Page 68 of Madness of Her Mages

Fuck is right,I replied.What choice do we have?

Blaze blew out a breath, shifting in his seat.

I ran my tongue over the roof of my dry mouth, fully aware that what I was about to say could cost me and my family our lives. “She didn’t.”

Her eyes widened, then narrowed as she leaned closer toward me. “She did.”

I slowly rose to my feet, staring her down. “Look into my eyes and tell me I’m lying.” I enunciated each word slowly. “She. Didn’t.”

The general fell back in her chair, looking up at me as if she’d seen a ghost. “How do you know this?”

“Are you sure you’re ready to hear this?” I sat back down, ruffling my wings. “It’s about to get very weird.”

Her features turned to stone. “It’s already weird.”

I shared another look with Blaze, and he threw up his hands, swearing.

“Our mother’s spirit conveyed to us that Thorin has altered everyone’s memories.” I paused, watching her expression turn from shock to horror. “Even Malvolia’s.”

Her nostrils flared, and thunderclouds swirled in her eyes. “How did she convey this to you?”

Don’t drag Ember into this.Blaze’s warning echoed in my skull.Shiri will never forgive us.

He was right. If I told her our niece had spoken to our mother’s ghost, there was no telling what Malvolia would do to Ember. I couldn’t risk the chance they’d interrogate or hurt her.

I gritted my teeth. “You’re going to have to trust us that she did. We’re not going to divulge the how.”

Her mouth fell open. “Why not?”

I shared a look with Blaze. “We have our reasons.”

Her top lip pulled back in a snarl, and she had a look like a wild beast about to pounce. “I could force it out of you.”

“You could try torture, though our siren mate won’t be very happy when she learns of it.” I slowly stood, beckoning my brother to follow. “We have given you enough information.” I folded my arms, leering down at the general, who still sat in her chair, gaping up at me as ifIwas a phantom. “The question is what will you do with it? Will you risk Malvolia accusing you of lying and cutting you down like she’s done to so many other witches she mistrusted, or are you going to trust us to tell her everything when the time is right?” I didn’t wait for her to respond as I turned and banged on the door.

“Open the door,” the spymaster called from behind us, a strong rattle in her voice.

Good. She was scared. She should be. Weallshould be.

Shiri

THE SITTING ROOM WITHINMalvolia’s suites was almost as big as the main sitting room at Abyssus. It was unfortunately a little too cozy, though, for I didn’t think there was a room big enough in this castle to escape Cousin Felicity’s eye daggers. She sat between her two mates, her face twisted into what I now believed was a permanent scowl. She had so many frills on her lacy, white gown, she looked like an explosion of pollen. Her mates also wore matching white trousers, a sharp contrast to their russet wings. I thought it odd she wore white when she was supposedly a blue witch. Yesternight and this morning she wore blue. I got the feeling she chose white to insult me.

I sat on a settee beside Nikkos, his wing protectively wrapped around me while we stared outside the double doors leading to a pretty patio with more tables and chairs and a verdant garden with a fountain in the center. Mages flew by overhead, practicing their war games, their flames warming the courtyard below and sending a rush of heat into our room.

Nikkos loosened his collar, and I fanned my face.

Malvolia leaned back in her high-backed chair, her crossed, shapely legs plainly visible through the slit in her tight, black gown. Her breasts were practically spilling out of her low-cut top that was held up by thin beaded straps. Her seasonal lovers stood behind her, fanning her with their wings while dressed in nothing but extremely tight trousers that revealed the shape of their huge bulges. I realized that my aunt probably chose her lovers based on penis size. I wondered why they were here if this was a family tea, though they remained quiet, and she had yet to introduce them to me. At the moment, they seemed to be fillingthe roles of servants, refilling her tea and cakes while fanning her back.

Malvolia took a slow sip of tea while eyeing us over the rim of her saucer. “Well, that was an interesting morning.”

I expelled a shaky breath. “It certainly was.”

Felicity heaved an overly dramatic sigh but said nothing as she slouched against one of her mates.

Malvolia frowned at her as if she was comforting a child. “You look tired, Cousin.”

Felicity sighed again, louder this time. “We were woken up early by children running through the hall.” She covered her mouth to stifle a yawn. “I didn’t know you were allowing children at court, Your Majesty.”

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