Page 137 of Madness of Her Mages

“What?” I asked.

But then Ember and Aurora cried out, covering their faces with their hands.

My heart slammed against my chest when I looked down and saw Tari’s mates had shifted into hulking beasts, and they were attacking a silver-haired Fae in a spray of blood and guts.

“King Fachnan,” Drae mumbled.

Of course. For the attack on Lupine.

“Let’s go,” I said, my heart sinking to my gut while I looked at the girls clutching my mates with trembling lips. “They can catch up.”

And so we navigated our way through frozen fire mages and dragons, their flapping wings holding them in place while they fought their invisible restraints. The looks in their eyes as they glared at me promised retribution.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Tarianya Avias

Knowing we wouldn’t have the strength to fly straight to Fallax, we went to Thesan first to rest and gather supplies. Words couldn’t describe the tumultuous emotions that pulverized my soul as we flew over the island of Thesan, the dense fog giving way to a familiar tropical forest. Not even the fireflies that lit our way could assuage the grief in my heart after we’d come across my dead wyvern’s body floating in the sea. Helian was probably dead, too, for though we searched for him, we never found his body. And though I was so relieved that my daughters and sister were safe and finally with me, filling one gaping hole in my heart, Helian and Beau had created another.

My mind and body were numbed with grief as Bea slowly landed in the clearing between the three familiar huts. My father and my sister’s mates landed behind us, depositing my mother, sister, and children on the ground. Ash jumped from Bea first, his clothes in tatters, blood stains all across his chest and arms.

“We have to check the perimeter for threats,” Finn said as he helped me dismount. “No telling what’s moved in here while we were away.”

And wash off,I projected to them through thought, my gaze darting to our daughters who looked at their fathers like they were monsters of nightmares.You both look like you’ve bathed in blood.

Ash’s top lip pulled back in a snarl.He had it coming.

I don’t begrudge you your revenge.I motioned toward the girls as they clung to their aunt’s legs.But the children look frightened.

His shoulders sagged when the girls buried their faces in Shiri’s skirts.Alright.

I clung to them both, wincing at the dried blood that flaked onto my hands. I wasn’t ready to let them go yet.Return to us soon, my loves.

Finn kissed my cheek.We will.

Show the fire mages the supply hut. We should have cooking supplies and grains, Ash said.Have them start a fire.

Alright,I answered, rubbing warmth into my arms as I watched them go, shredding what was left of their clothes as they shifted into giant wolves and did a quick check inside the huts before disappearing into the trees.

I turned toward my family, forcing a smile though inside I was dying.Helian. Beau.

My heart broke for Bea who flew off with an agonized squawk, circling the perimeter before heading in the direction of the stream.

My mom handed me my bag. “They wouldn’t stay still the entire trip,” she said while rolling her shoulders. I hung the strap around my neck and rubbed my rabbits’ ears, more for my comfort than for theirs. My daughters. They were finally here, and I was absolutely terrified. What if they hated me for leaving them? I saw the wary looks they gave their blood-crusted fathers, and I feared they’d witnessed the attack on Fachnan. What if they were terrified of us?

“What is this place?” Shiri asked me as she spun a slow circle.

“This was my mates’ home for many years.” I slowly approached Shiri and the girls.My daughters. My beautiful daughters.I smiled at them, my heart soaring when they smiled back. “It should be safe here, but my mates are checking theperimeter.” I turned to Shiri’s three mates, huge fire mages with impressive wingspans and swirling tattoos. The sight of them caused a shiver to skitter across my bones. They could probably burn this entire jungle down if they wanted. “There should be supplies in that hut there—grains and cooking pots.” I pointed to the closest hut on stilts, looking as we’d left it. “Would you light a fire?”

“Of course,” they said.

Two of them flew to the hut while the third, the one with the most intimidating scowl, stayed with Shiri. He didn’t frighten me, though. I knew he was a good mage if he loved my sister.

I was vaguely aware of my father going into the forest to collect wood, leaving my mother to awkwardly stand there.

She clasped her hands together, her smile appearing plastered to her face. “Well, we’re all together again.”

I didn’t blame Shiri when she rolled her eyes and turned her back on our mother. We were all together again through no thanks to our parents. They both had a lot to atone for. But for now, all I cared about were the two cherubs blinking up at me while clinging to Shiri’s skirts, one with long hair in twin braids who sucked her thumb, and the other with loose hair that came a little past her chin, an inquisitive look in her eyes.

---