Page 102 of Madness of Her Mages

She shot up, sloshing water over the side of the tub while glaring at me. “Did I ask for your opinion?”

Resolve stiffening my spine, I refused to be intimidated. “No, but I’m giving it.”

Her nostrils flared as she looked me over like a dragon hovering over a sickly lamb, deciding if I was worth the effort to kill. “You’re very bold, Niece.”

“I know.” I turned up my chin. “I’m an Avias.”

She smiled, and in the span of a heartbeat, I saw a glimpse of what was left of her bruised and tattered soul.

“I’m sorry they hurt you,” I added, knowing I was testing her patience, but maybe, just maybe, I could crack that shell around her heart.

She flinched as if I had hurled obscenities at her. “They didn’t hurt me.”

“They did,” I pressed. “They were dishonest. They wanted your throne and lied about their intentions.” I paused, exhaling a weary breath. “They don’t deserve to die, though.”

She gave me a long look, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure if she was planning on throwing me in the dungeon, too. “And what about you? What are your intentions, Niece?”

“To bring peace back to my family and Delfi.” I folded my hands in my lap, forcing a note of calm into my voice. “To protect my nieces and my mates.”

She leaned toward me, narrowing her eyes. “And what do you want for yourself?”

“That is what I want, Aunt.” I shook my head, frustration making my head ache. “I wish I knew a way to make you believe me.”

She leaned back, resting her head against the tub with a sigh while closing her eyes. “I wish I knew, too.” And therein lay the problem. As long as my aunt refused to trust, this was how things would be between us. Though I was her flesh and blood, if she ever learned to love me, she would love me from a distance. And I still wasn’t sure I could love her after all she’d done. Elements turn me to ash if I ever treated my nieces, my sister, my mates as Malvolia had treated her family.

I gave a start when someone behind me cleared their throat. I turned around, heat flushing my face when I saw Malvolia’s current lovers, those two beefy fire mages, one with russet hair and another with hair as black as a raven’s wing, standing there expectantly, their heads held high, their bare chest and leg muscles gleaming in the candlelight. They were completely naked, though they had enough decency to cover their male parts with their wingtips. I didn’t know these mages’ names, not that it mattered. They would only be with my aunt a short while before she traded them for her new lovers.

They both bowed low, cocky grins etched into their faces. “My Queen.”

Malvolia’s eyes shot open, a slow grin stretching across her face. “Ahh, there you are. If you would excuse me, Niece. My lovers are here. They’re exactly what I need to put me in a better mood.”

“Of course.” I stood and gave her an awkward curtsy. “Goodnight.”

“Yes,” she purred while rising from the tub, soap bubbles clinging to her nude body. She was shaped very much like me, except her breasts were slightly less firm, her hips curvier, and her thighs bulky with muscle, no doubt from riding Mortimus and her mages. “A very good night.”

I left her suite of rooms with a heavy heart, for I wasn’t sure if I’d convinced her to save Felicity and her mates, which meant one more Ravini child might be orphaned.

AFTER THAT NIGHTMAREof a supper, my family and I retired to our suite of rooms. I leaned back against the side of the sofa, Ember and Aurora tucked in my arms while we stared into the flames of the hearth’s warm blaze. The girls sucked on ginger candies, while my mates sat at the table by the hearth drinking brandy and playing cards.

I stroked the girls’ foreheads, brushing the hair from their eyes before kissing the tops of their heads. “You were both perfect princesses this evening at court. I’m so proud of you.”

They sighed while snuggling against me.

“Those people are weird,” Ember said, which was something considering she kept company with ghosts.

I laughed. “I know.”

Aurora squinted up at me while rolling her candy around on her tongue. “Why do they wear wigs and paint their faces?”

“Because that’s the fashion here,” I answered.

“Em’s right,” Aurora giggled. “Theyareweird.”

Ember frowned. “And Cousin Felicity was mean.”

“I’m sorry about her. I doubt you’ll have to see Cousin Felicity again.” I grimaced when I thought of Felicity and her mates locked up in prison. Not that I should’ve had any sympathy for anyone who’d call my niece a freak or try to poison my mates and me. I did worry about their son, Teddy, and I hoped Malvolia wouldn’t execute his parents. The world had enough orphans.

Ember smiled up at me. “It’s okay, Auntie. She wasn’t as mean as Miss Grethel.”

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