Page 140 of Madness of Her Mages

Shiri arched a brow. “Marius lives.”

Our father jumped from his seat, his feathers ruffling. “What?”

Nikkos cleared his throat while wrapping a protective arm around Shiri. “Malvolia keeps him in her dungeon.”

My stomach twisted in a knot at the thought of the hell he’s had to endure.

Our mother let out a shrill cry like a wounded dragon.

“Malvolia blinded him.” Shiri gave Nikkos an appreciative smile. “But Nikkos was able to restore his sight.”

She blinded him? What a bitch! Also, Nikkos was a green witch like me? I wondered what other magic my sister’s mates possessed.

Our father jutted a foot toward Nikkos with a snarl. “Why didn’t you free him?”

Nikkos threw up his hands. “There was no time.”

“No time?” Our mother gave him a horrified look as if he’d drowned a sack of puppies.

I tensed when our father pointed an accusatory finger at Shiri. “You could have used your siren voice to free him!”

Drae pushed in front of Shiri, bowing up his chest as he stalked up to our father. My mates and I stood, if for no other reason than to get out of the way if fire and feathers started to fly. Thankfully, Blaze moved the children back, standing protectively in front of them. I knew I would be forever grateful to Shiri’s mates for looking after our daughters.

“And put Shiri’s life in danger? What kind of parents are you?” Drae let out a bitter-sounding laugh while looking over my father as if he wasn’t fit to polish his boots. “Never mind. I already know.”

Our father gritted his teeth, puffing up his chest like a rooster. “You dare—”

“Yes, I dare!” Drae shook a fist in our father’s face. “After the way you’ve failed to protect your own daughters from demons!”

“He’s right,” Ash grumbled aloud.

I tensed when our father glared at Ash over his shoulder. Ash flashed his fangs before our father turned back to Drae.

Shiri jumped between our father and Drae, her hands on their chests. “Everyone needs to calm down.”

Nikkos cleared his throat. “Marius told us not to free him until it was safe, because he knew Malvolia would have killed us all if she caught us.”

“If Malvolia wanted to kill him, she would have already.” Shiri gave our mother a pleading look. “She knew you and Father were alive. She’s known all this time.”

Our mother let out a hiss. “Then why didn’t she send mages after us sooner?”

Shiri’s shoulders fell. “Because she still loves you.”

“Don’t make excuses for that horrible witch,” our mother said while wiping tears from her eyes. “Malvolia loves no one but herself.”

Shiri jutted her hands on her hips. “I have no doubt my aunt is a self-centered bitch.”

“Trust us,” Drae added while sharing looks with his brothers, “there were many times we were all tempted to risk our own lives and kill her, but a war with Malvolia meant putting the girls’ lives in danger, too.”

I stepped forward, my stomach roiling at the thought of Malvolia hurting the children. “Thank you,” I said to Shiri and her mates, my throat tightening. “For doing everything to keep the children safe.”

Ash cleared his throat, his gaze darting from the children to Shiri and her mates as he splayed a hand across his heart. “My mate and brother and I will forever be in your debt.”

Finn held out his hand to Drae. “Words can’t express my gratitude.”

Drae took Finn’s hand, clapping him on the back. “It was our honor. They are special children.”

I wiped tears from my eyes while smiling down at them as they blinked up at me, reminding me of curious little birds. “They certainly are.”

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