Page 1 of Madness of Her Mages

Part One

Demons, Deception, and the Tides of Destruction

Chapter One

Malvolia Avias

60 years earlier

Pressing my hands against the cold, damp stones, I navigated through the dark tunnel, trying not to gag on the putrid gas that filled my lungs as I sloshed through the rotten sewage that went up to my knees. I stilled, dread coursing up my spine when the pitter-patter of scurrying rats echoed somewhere above my head. Oh, how I wished I could smoke every scurrilous creature out of this hovel, but I’d learned the first night in the sewers what gas did to flame after setting my robes on fire and singing off my eyebrows. I sighed in relief after reaching the alcove where I’d hidden away my twin. I heaved myself onto the stone platform, crawling through the low tunnel toward her, wincing while chafing my shins on the jagged stones.

Flickering candlelight spilled from the grates above. We were somewhere beneath the alchemy chamber. I could tell by the pungent smells of herbs wafting into our cramped space that thankfully dulled some of the smells of the sewer. We had yet to hear or see the green witch who’d lived in the alchemy chamber, and I feared she’d been killed along with the rest of my grandmother’s court. I gritted my teeth to contain my rage when I thought of the wicked, power-hungry mage, Djall, who’dmurdered my family. Dark magic swirled in my veins. Very soon I would make sure he paid for his crimes.

My sister was at the end of the alcove, shivering against the wall while wrapped up in musty blankets. Her once-rosy cheeks were an alarming shade of gray, concaved from a fortnight of starvation after refusing to eat the moldy bread and scraps I’d collected. I had to get her out of here soon.

I pulled a bladder of water and a loaf of moldy bread from my pocket, holding them out to her. “Sister, I’ve brought us some food.”

She waved me away with a groan. “I’m not hungry.”

She was wasting away. If she didn’t eat soon, I feared she’d succumb to sickness. I’d already lost so much. I couldn’t lose my beloved twin, too. “But you must eat.”

She leaned her head back against the wall, a solitary tear cutting through the grime on her cheek. “I miss Mama.”

I fought back the darkness that trickled into my veins at the mention of our dear mother. I heaved a shaky sigh. “Me too.”

She blinked at me through glossy eyes. “And aunties and Grandmama.”

“I know, darling,” I soothed, pushing a wayward strand of hair out of her eyes. I let out a hiss when I felt her forehead. I flattened my palm against her heated skin. “You’re burning up.”

“I know.” Her eyes fluttered shut as she heaved a ragged breath. “The elements will take me to our family soon. I can feel it.”

Panic iced my veins and threatened to cut off my words. No, not Flora. I couldn’t lose her! “Flora, please.” My throat constricted as I forced out the words. “I can’t live without you.”

Her shoulders fell as she murmured something incoherent, her head lolling to one side. I pressed a kiss to her warm cheek, telling her how much I loved her, before crawling back out of the alcove. Fear and rage fueled my veins, propelling me backthrough the sewer. I had to find Selig now. I knew it was a risk leaving the sewers, but I didn’t look like Princess Malvolia at the moment. My sister had transformed both of our faces so that we looked like hybrid servants. Djall didn’t know about Flora’s skin-shifting magic, the only reason we were both still alive.

Chest heaving, I pushed myself up the long, slippery slide toward the top of the sewers, forcing open the grate with an angry growl. I fell into the dirt, back arching like a cat while I heaved vomit and bile. By the time I finished, my head spun with sickness. Closing my eyes, I released a long breath then inhaled the cool, briny ocean air. I couldn’t afford to be sick. Not now when my sister needed me. After the last wave of dizziness subsided, I slowly opened my eyes. Night had fallen, and the castle keep was eerily quiet with the exception of the sound of the powerful northern waves hitting the seawall. I was near the compost dump behind the stables. An angry horse’s neigh rang out. Somewhere in the distance I heard the beating of wings, and music and screeching laughter filtered down from above.

Snarling, I turned my gaze to the looming tower, looking in the direction of my grandmother’s bedchamber. Silhouettes of naked women danced in the candlelight.

Bastard.

Djall would pay.

Dark energy leached from my fingertips. I looked down at my magic as if it was a foreign thing. I was still learning how to wield my powers. I wasn’t trained to go up against a mage as powerful as Djall, but I had no choice. I would simply have to outsmart him.

“Your Highness, what are you doing here?”

Gasping, I arched back. I’d been so consumed by worry, I hadn’t noticed Selig approach. Selig was only about thirty-five years old, twenty years older than me, and still young for a mage. He’d been assigned as my mage five years ago when mygrandmother had first noticed my strengthening powers. He’d not been a particularly gifted mage, but he’d been kind and loyal—more than I could say for his uncle.

As unkind as Djall had been to others, his cruelty paled in comparison to the way he’d berated and beaten his nephews, which was one reason why I suspected Selig was willing to help me. I’d heard the whisperings at court that Djall was in truth Selig and Thorin’s father, that they’d been born out of an affair with a human whore, which was why their magic wasn’t as powerful and why Selig’s wings were two useless appendages hanging down his back and Thorin’s wings weren’t much stronger.

Perhaps it was Selig’s tumultuous childhood that enabled him to take pity on my sister and me now. Selig had hidden us in the sewers when Djall had first turned on my family. If not for him, we would’ve starved to death or worse. Together, Selig and I had been plotting his uncle’s demise, a plan that I realized would take far too long. We had to act now.

“I had to come.” I stumbled to my feet. “Flora is getting worse.”

He stepped back, his nose wrinkling. “You must be patient. My uncle will let his guard down soon. I just need a few more weeks.”

I turned up my chin, reminding myself I was a future queen while refusing to feel ashamed for my smell and appearance. “I don’t have a few more weeks. Flora will die if I don’t get her out of there.”

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