Page 115 of Madness of Her Mages

Malvolia’s lover thankfully left us at the tower entrance—one less guard to worry about—and we followed the guards down the stairs without incident. Meanwhile, tension ratcheted up my spine. I had to not only slow time, but stop it. I’d slowed time to a crawl before, the last time being when Sol and Bertram had attacked me. I’d never completely stopped it. And yet I said I would, all because I refused to let Shiri go into the dungeon without me.

I recalled how Nikkos’s healing powers had strengthened. Ever since bonding with my beautiful mate, the magic that flowed through my veins felt different, more powerful. I thoughtof Shiri’s magic. How she’d been able to turn an entire temple to rubble. She manifested a magic she didn’t know she had—all to save her mates. I would do the same to save my mate. I would not fail. Icouldnot fail.

What’s the plan?Shiri asked through thought as we descended the stairs toward the corridor with both Felicity’s and Marius’s cells.

You and Nikkos go into Felicity’s cell,I projected to Shiri and Nikkos.I will wait outside.

Then what?Nikkos asked.

Then I stop time,I said, hardly believing the words I was thinking.I’ll get the keys and move you both to Marius’s cell. The guard won’t know you’ve moved. I’m giving you five minutes in Marius’s cell. Then I’ll stop time again and move you back to Felicity’s cell.

Won’t Felicity and her mates say something if we disappear and reappear in their cell?Shiri asked as we descended the final steps.

She’d better not,Nikkos grumbled.I saved her life back at the temple. Malvolia would’ve let the rubble bury her. She owes me.

Nobody will believe them anyway,I said.They’ll think Felicity and her mates are trying to start more trouble. They won’t risk losing their pardon.

The guard gave us funny looks when we reached the iron door leading to the hall of cells. Ruffling his feathers, he scowled as if he had a chance in hell at refusing us entrance. “That’s as far as you go,” he said, grabbing Felicity’s arm. “I’ll take the prisoner from here.”

Felicity cried out when he dug his fingers into her arm.

Shiri squared her shoulders, pulling on Felicity’s other arm. “I need to question them again.”

I recognized the touch of siren infused into her voice.

“But...” the guard argued, loosening his grip on Felicity.

“Do you dare question the princess?” I boomed.

The guard’s face paled. “No, My Lord.” He released Felicity and jammed a key in the lock on the door, the rusty hinges squeaking with the movement.

The guard opened the door, and we were met by a new guard inside the corridor.

“The princess and my brother are going inside to question them,” I said to him with a snarl, tensing when Lady Veronica giggled behind me.

The guard gave us a strange look, but when Nikkos and I bowed up our chests, he backed down and opened the door to Felicity’s cell.

Remember, no more than five minutes in your father’s cell,I reminded them.

They grimly nodded before following after Felicity.

I breathed out a shaky breath when the guard shut the door behind them. This was it. I could do it. Ihadto.

I faced the guard, and he faced me. I ruffled my wings, sizing him up as he crossed his arms. I noted he indeed had big hands. My gaze shot to Lady Veronica, and she smiled back at me.

You can do it. I have seen your future.Her voice projected in my mind as clear as if Shirina was mind-speaking me.Just give me the signal when you need me to distract him. Something simple,she said,like scratching the back of your neck, since you can’t project your thoughts back to me.

My jaw dropped, and I quickly closed it. What the fuck? I arched a brow, giving her a look.

One of my many abilities you didn’t know about,she said through thought before pouting.I would love to show you all my hidden talents, but your mate doesn’t like to share.

“Elements,” I breathed, then remembered my purpose. Blocking out all distractions from my mind, especially LadyVeronica, I focused on my magic, knowing our lives depended on it. Then I recalled Lady Veronica’s words.You can do it. I have seen your future.Well, damn. I had to do it now. I leaned against the door, crossing my arms and closing my eyes while envisioning time coming to a standstill.

Stop, stop, stop,I chanted to myself.

The world would stop turning, the waves would go still, birds suspended midair. All would slow to a stop except me. I had to do this for Shiri.

Stop, stop, stop.

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