Page 90 of Madness of Her Mages

That souring in my gut turned into a sharp pain.Not like this.

They will be fine.He flashed a confident grin.She wouldn’t dare mistreat them and risk your wrath. You have enough weight on your shoulders. Let this go.

‘Let this go?’ Why did I get the foreboding feeling those words would come back to haunt me later?

Chapter Eighteen

Malvolia and most of her coven were waiting for me on the beach. My aunt had an impatient look as her gaze traveled the length of my body. I read the meaning in the unimpressed look in her eyes:I waited for this?No doubt she was used to her witches rushing to her at the snap of her fingers, but I had to help the servants dress the girls as well as feed them.

I scanned the familiar faces of my aunt’s coven, noting Felicity and her mates weren’t here. Then I caught Lady Veronica’s knowing smirk. A look passed between us, and I got the feeling she knew what had happened to them.

Do you see Felicity or her mates?I projected to Drae and Blaze.

Blaze laughed.They’re probably hugging their chamber pots.

I knew my reaction was petty, but I didn’t care. I inwardly smiled, hoping she and her mates had gotten sick enough to learn their lessons.

I doubt they’ll threaten us again, but if they do, it will be their last,Drae said, his eyes narrowing while he scanned the skies.

I followed his gaze, gasping when a deluge of fire mages burst into the sky, launching from somewhere in the center of the city like hornets flying from a fallen nest. That nest of hornets flew in our direction, landing in neat columns and rows, spraying sand everywhere while shaking the ground beneath my feet. My mates shielded me from the worst of the spray with their wings. By the time the dust had settled, I gaped at the massive army offire mages, all dressed in black fighting leathers and standing in perfect square formations without a feather out of place. I was not prepared for the size and strength of Malvolia’s army, and I had no idea that being in the presence of so many fire mages would make me feel like I was walking on the surface of the sun.

Drae explained the first regiment was made up of about nine thousand mages. About three thousand of them stood in a formation beneath the imposing seawall. Even the frigid spray of the water from the wild waves overhead didn’t provide enough relief from the stifling heat. I was sweating beneath my leathers, but I understood my clothes would offer some protection should I be struck by friendly, or unfriendly, fire.

Drae also told me the first regiment was broken into three battalions of about three thousand mages each. My mates stood by me as I used my voice on one battalion at a time, groups landing and then flying away, spraying sand on us each time. I was relieved when no demons came forward. After the third battalion was finally dismissed, the beach cooled considerably, the only heat coming from my mates who stood protectively close to me.

I was shocked by the appearance of the second regiment, made up of five separate battalions. I had been under the impression that Malvolia’s army was entirely fire mages, but the second regiment was composed of entirely different soldiers. The first battalion of about a thousand was solely female, their various robes indicating their magical strengths. Thankfully, none of them were demon possessed. The next four battalions were what Malvolia referred to as hybrids, winged Fae without fire power due to their human or Sidhe blood. They were archers and sword and spear wielders. They were usually first to go into battle, too, which meant they would surely suffer the most casualties. It was their job to take down as many dragons as possible, clearing a path for the fire mages. My siren revealedno demons among their numbers, which meant we were able to contain the spread. This gave me hope that perhaps Fachnan’s court didn’t have many demons, either.

Afterwards, we met up with Nikkos and Malvolia invited us back to her suite of rooms for tea. I sat on a brocade sofa in between Blaze and Nikkos while Drae sat in a chair next to us, his wings draped behind him. The two witches, Cordelia and Ivy, sat opposite us. I bit my tongue when Lady Veronica chose to sit in a chair next to Drae. He looked away from her, pretending not to notice when she flashed a coy smile.

Malvolia sat in a high-backed chair next to our sofa, her two spring lovers, who’d apparently fallen back into her good graces after the other night, standing behind her, fanning her with their wings while waiting on her like attentive servants.

The tea was mildly fruity, and so were the cakes. No bigger than my palm, they were covered in vanilla icing, filled with raspberry cream, and simply divine. I would’ve eaten a dozen of them if nobody had been looking. Using powerful magic had worked up my appetite, after all, so I helped myself to seconds. I made a note to take a few cakes for the girls as a special treat after supper. I noticed the rest of the witches present didn’t eat and only took a few sips of tea. By now I should’ve been used to Malvolia’s court wasting food, but I still had a hard time comprehending it after seeing so many poor families in Caldaria going without. I certainly hoped there were no poor and destitute in Thebes. If so, Malvolia could keep them fed with the castle leftovers.

Malvolia waved away her lovers with disinterest when they tried to offer her food. She sipped her tea like the rest of her coven while I licked icing from my fingers.

“Where’s Felicity?” the queen asked, her face draped in a scowl as she scanned the room.

“She sends her apologies, Your Majesty,” Lady Veronica said, then she cut me a sly look. “She told me to tell you she’s feeling unwell. She believes she ate spoiled food.”

Malvolia pursed her lips before turning to Daminica. “Go see if there’s anything to be done.”

Daminica stood, smoothing out the folds in her emerald gown. “Yes, Your Majesty.” She curtsied and then cast Lady Veronica a furtive glance.

I caught Lady Veronica giving Daminica the slightest of nods before the green witch hurried away.

Did you see the way Daminica and Veronica looked at each other?I asked my mates through thought.

Blaze tensed beside me.I caught it.

It was then I realized Malvolia might have thought she ruled her coven, but there were secret forces in control here, too. Despite Lady Veronica and Daminica both offering helpful advice, I had yet to determine if they were truly on our side. I sure hoped so.

Malvolia leaned back in her chair while looking me over with a scowl. “Are you sure your siren magic worked on my army?”

I gave her a funny look. “Of course. Why?”

“I’m worried demons will keep trying to infiltrate our court.” She dragged a hand down her face. “I haven’t been this stressed since the Crimson Tide.”

“Tell me what happened then,” I asked. I wanted to hear the story from her, mostly to see how she’d explain the thousands of Ravini she’d slaughtered.

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