Page 12 of Madness of Her Mages

“Ember, have you or your friends seen any more demons?”

I looked over my shoulder as my other mate, Blaze, hovered behind us, his arms folded over his chest, his cropped dark hair looking windswept as usual. By ‘friends’ he meant the ghosts that visited Ember. My young niece was a spirit talker. I still hadn’t decided if her unusual magic was a blessing or a curse.

Ember blinked up at Blaze. “No, Uncle.”

“We must be vigilant,” Blaze said, his dark gaze sweeping the room before he glared at the double doors that led to the outside balcony. “Sol and Bertram will be back.”

Blaze was the second oldest of my three mates, all brothers with warm complexions and impossibly broad chests and backs to support their wide wings. All of my mates had golden eyes that turned dark when they were angry, crimson when they were using their fire magic. I was so fortunate to be bonded to not one but three handsome brothers. I just hoped my mates and I survived long enough to cherish our newfound love.

“So nobody else is demon possessed?” Nikkos, my youngest mate asked as he knelt down beside me. Nikkos was the sweetest of my three mates, with boyish cheeks and an infectious smile. “Not the other mages or Malvolia?”

Ember shook her head. “No, Uncle.”

My knees weakened with relief. “Thank the elements.” I didn’t know what we would have done had Malvolia been demon possessed.

“Will you stay with us for supper?” Aurora asked, looking from me to my mates with a plea in her eyes and a pouty bottom lip.

“No, sorry.” I cupped her cheek. “We must dine with Aunt Malvolia.” I could hardly believe the words that had come out of my mouth. That I was now serving the sorceress queen I’d been taught to fear my entire life. The same queen who’d put a price on mine and my sister’s heads when we were still in the womb.

“May we eat with you?” Ember pleaded, trading Drae’s knee for mine.

“Tonight’s supper is just for adults. It’s important you stay here with Mrs. Euphemia.” I pulled back, grasping both of their hands. “Can I count on you to be good?”

“Yes, Auntie,” they said in unison.

I took both of them in my arms, kissing each of their cheeks while I tried not to think overly long on the danger we all faced if Aunt Malvolia turned on us. “I love you both so much,” I murmured while squeezing them.

They wrapped their arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. “We love you, Auntie.”

I breathed out a ragged breath while looking over their heads at Drae, a plea in my eyes.

I will do everything to keep you and the girls safe, Shiri, he said to me through thought.

I nodded as a knot formed in my throat. I only prayed everything was enough.

I COULDN’T BREATHE, and not just because this itchy corset was far too tight and the air too stifling. I was seated by the sorceress queen in a room with her fire mage army. One wrong look, one wrong word, and this entire dining hall could go up in flames.

I was grateful for Nikkos who sat beside me and Blaze who sat across from us as my aunt sat between us at the head of the table. But it felt as if there was a canyon between us and Drae at the other end of the table, several other fire mages and a few witches between him and us. I hated the formalities that came with dining with royalty. I would’ve been far more comfortable dining on a balcony or even in the nursery.

“Where are the children?” Malvolia asked while eyeing me over the rim of her wine goblet.

I cleared my throat, trying not to choke on breadcrumbs that felt like gritty sand in my mouth. “With their nursemaid.”

Malvolia set down her goblet, giving me a long look. “They cling to you like you’re their mother.” I couldn’t tell by her tone if she was impressed or annoyed by my dedication to my nieces.

I shrugged. “In a way I am.”

She folded her hands in front of her while a servant took away her plate. “How long have you been caring for them?”

“Since they were born,” I said, momentarily distracted as a servant took my plate. I was still not used to being waited on by anyone. Even worse was that none of the line of servants standing behind us looked familiar, and they all wore crimson jackets and gold sashes. Had the queen brought her own servants?

“Their mother didn’t care for them?” Malvolia asked as another dish was placed in front of her.

I struggled to remember what course we were on or what the food tasted like as dishes clanked behind us. “She did.” I felt like a flower wilting beneath the noonday sun as Malvolia gave me a look of disbelief. “She was oftentimes preoccupied,” I added.

Malvolia leaned forward, her dark eyes narrowing. “With what?”

I took a fortifying sip of wine. My explanation was about to get awkward. I only hoped Malvolia believed me. “Plotting Fachnan’s demise.”

---