Page 121 of Madness of Her Mages

I stifled a yawn. “I would’ve much preferred to wake up with a kiss instead of my aunt’s name on your lips.”

He brushed his lips across mine with a growl. “Later. I plan on thoroughly kissing you and so much more.”

“Mm.” I ran my hands through his thick, cropped hair. “I’ll be looking forward to ‘later,’ then.”

Drae and Nikkos still had those ugly red welts around their necks. They refused to heal them.

“Let Malvolia be reminded of her cruelty,” Drae said while angling his chin and looking in the mirror.

“I doubt she’ll care,” I said wryly.

As much as I hated leaving the girls and Nikkos behind, we decided it would be best not to expose the children to Malvolia’s court of nightmares again. Malvolia’s moods were getting toovolatile, especially as more and more of her courtiers were fleeing to the countryside. Each night Malvolia’s court was more depressing than the previous one. Tonight’s court was made up of mostly Malvolia’s coven and her current and future lovers. My aunt sat at her throne, her lips twisted into a familiar scowl while her lovers tried their hardest to please her. There were still a handful of nameless lords and ladies scattered about, though I could tell by the nervous tapping of their feet and shifting in their eyes, they would probably flee the palace soon. And then there was that sad trio of musicians who sat hunched over their instruments on the stage behind my aunt. The strings they plucked sounded like dying cats, a far cry from the harmonic quartet that had played at court a few nights ago.

Drae and Blaze locked arms with me while we walked through the hall, our heads held high as we pretended a demon war wasn’t at our doorstep. I spied Lady Veronica in a darkened corner of the hall sipping wine while whispering in Daminica’s ear. Veronica’s wig was taller tonight, the pointy shape matching the potted plant she stood beside. Our gazes locked when she saw us, and she waved us over, flashing an excited smile.

I stiffened, then plastered on a smile before tugging on my mates’ arms.Shall we see what she wants?I asked my mates through thought.

Drae’s expression was one of cool indifference as he offered her the slightest of smiles.Wouldn’t be a bad idea.

And so we casually strode over toward her, nodding our heads at the few lords and ladies who were bold enough to acknowledge us.

“Princess Shirina.” Lady Veronica gently tugged me away from my mates and kissed my cheek. “Daminica and I were just talking about your magnificent displays of magic today.” She nodded toward the green witch who greeted me, a sharpness in her eyes I hadn’t noticed before. “Though it is a shame aboutthat temple. It was so fun for afternoon trysts,” Lady Veronica cooed, swatting Drae’s chest with a pretty silver fan. “I’ve collected several feathers within those walls.”

Drae’s cheeks flushed crimson, and I knew his feathers had been among those collected at the temple. For some reason, I was no longer bothered when Veronica flirted with my mate. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that she saved our asses today. Or maybe it was because I suspected her insatiable temptress was a mask used to conceal the shrewd witch beneath.

“Princess Shirina,” Lady Veronica giggled while taking my arm in hers, “take a turn about the hall with me.” She swept her fan toward the nearly empty hall and that sad trio of musicians whose new song sounded like congested dragons.

My gaze swept over the room as we took a turn around the floor. I took a chance and casually glanced at my aunt, heaving a relieved sigh when I saw she was preoccupied with her old and new lovers. One lover rubbed her feet, another fanned her back, another served her fruit and wine, while the other two sat on her armrests, giving her puppy dog eyes while she blatantly rubbed their thighs.

“Everyone is leering at us,” Lady Veronica said with a frozen smile while tugging on my arm, stopping us to snatch two wine goblets off a servant’s tray. “Here.” She handed a goblet to me while flashing a toothy grin. “You need it.”

I couldn’t argue there. We stood in a shallow alcove, my back to Malvolia as I downed the wine in a few gulps.

I set the goblet down on the windowsill and gave Lady Veronica a pointed look. “How?” I whispered.

I’m a telepath.I froze when her voice rang loud and clear in my head as if I was mind-speaking to my mates.I can project thoughts into people’s heads. I can also read your thoughts.

I forced a smile when a servant came by and refilled my wine. He was a handsome young Fae, though his rounded ears gave away his human blood. “What?”And fuck.

Lady Veronica laughed, winking at the blushing servant as he refilled her goblet.I only hear your thoughts when they are fueled by strong emotion,her taunting voice echoed in my head, such as when you want to rip off my feathers and throw them in the fire or when you call Malvolia a fucking bitch.

I nearly choked on my wine.

Don’t worry.She elbowed me, flashing her signature wicked grin.Your secret is safe with me, and for the record—she cast a sly look in the queen’s direction—there are many times when I agree.

“I see,” I spoke between clenched teeth, keeping my voice to a strained whisper. “What other magic do you possess?”

I can see the future.

Damn. I knew it. Dare I ask what she could see? “Why did you help us?” I hissed, my gaze altering between her painted face and two courtiers who strolled by. “More importantly, what do you expect in return?”

I expect nothing less than for you to defeat the evil that threatens our court and all of Faedom. There’s a reason the seers at Malvolia’s court disappeared.

“Why?”

Many of us are still here. We’re afraid to come out.

“Why?”

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