Page 129 of Madness of Her Mages

“About the war.” Trying very hard to keep my tone even, I motioned toward the bustle outside the tent. “When are we going to battle?”

“Oh, that,” she drawled. “I’ve made my move. Now it’s time for Fachnan to make his.”

My mouth fell open as I shared stunned looks with my mates.We’re just going to wait?I asked my mates.For what? For the dragons to set our entire camp on fire?

She knows you’d stop them,Blaze answered.

She shrugged. “I sent Fachnan an ultimatum, surrender or his city will be destroyed by my earth-shaking siren. His and Viggo’s troops are lining up alongside his wall.” Malvolia eyed us over the rim of her goblet. “So did you have a good visit with your father yesterday?”

Fuck!my mates projected in unison, their voices ringing through my head like a gong.

I tensed, very aware that I was gaping at my aunt before I forced my mouth shut. “You knew?”

“Of course.” She laughed. “You think I thought you cared about freeing Felicity?”

“Actually,” I corrected, “I did. And by the way,” I added, “she helped me. Did you free her and her mates?”

Blaze squeezed my hand.Pick and choose your battles,he warned.

Every day is a battle with her,I answered.

She tossed back her head, laughing before looking at me with cold eyes. “She helped you once for a few minutes.”

I fought my anger, very aware that I was on shaky ground. “We had a deal,” I said coolly. “They should be freed.”

Shiri,Drae warned through thought.Please let it go.

I refused to look at him while scowling at my aunt.

“And they will be after the war,” Malvolia slurred before downing her entire goblet of wine. “Now back to Marius.” She eyed me through slits. “Why didn’t you free him?”

“Because he’s your prisoner,” I said matter-of-factly, trying my hardest not to show emotion. I didn’t want her to know how much Marius meant to me lest she tried to use it against me.

Good answer,Drae said through thought.

I know,I responded, my spine tensing.I’ve got this.

She leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers. “You could have freed him and escaped to Fachnan’s court.”

I followed her lead, leaning back while toying with the stem of my wine goblet. “We could have.”

“But you didn’t.” She arched a brow. “Why?”

I took a slow sip of wine before staring directly into her eyes. “Do you really need to ask why I would rather serve my aunt than a king who’s probably demon possessed?”

She drummed her fingers on the table, her gaze softening. “I recalled memories today of my aunt and great-aunt. They helped take care of your mother and me. I have no idea why I’d forgotten them, perhaps it was less painful to bury the memories.”

Or there are holes in the mind spinner’s weave,I projected to my mates.

Let her come to her own conclusions,Drae said.

I will,I answered. I’d already learned that Malvolia wasn’t ready to hear the truth, even though we were running out of time, on the brink of a war that could be, and should be, prevented. Perhaps if I jarred her memories, she would discover the truth on her own. “What were they like,” I asked her as I set my goblet down and folded my hands in front of me, “our aunts?”

A smile cracked the shell of her hard features. “They spoiled Flora and me with attention and toys. They had no children oftheir own, you see?” There was a whimsical note in her voice, and I noticed her eyes were less clouded. Was the mind spinner’s curse wearing off? “But they loved us as if we were their children—just like you love Ember and Aurora.” She paused, averting her gaze. “I often regret that I didn’t get to love you and your sister in the same way.”

My breathing stilled when I looked into her eyes, the same as my mother’s eyes, and saw what could be love reflecting back at me. And was it my imagination, or was that a tear in the corner of her eye?

“I don’t know what to say.” Was she expecting me to reciprocate her love? Because I couldn’t.

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