Page 25 of Madness of Her Mages

“Good morning, Your Highness,” Drae said, bowing low.

Nikkos and Blaze also bowed to her, and I followed suit, nudging the girls to do the same.

“Good morning, Aunt,” I said to her.

Malvolia flashed a dazzling smile, and for a moment, I was brought back to our cabin in the woods. My mother always emerged from her small bedroom with a similar smile the mornings after our father returned from his travels. Perhaps those two fire mages who went to bed with her last night had put her in a good mood.

Following Drae’s lead, I stood back up, pulling the girls with me. The girls trembled against my skirts, and I warily eyed the horse when it let out another demonic neigh. Nikkos and Blaze both took a step forward, the backs of their wingtips touching my shoulders, two shields between me and the monster horse.

Malvolia looked between my guards, winking at the girls. “Good morning, Grandnieces.”

The girls blinked at her as if she was a troll.

“Say good morning to Aunt Malvolia,” I whispered to them.

“Good morning,” they squeaked, then pressed their faces into my skirts.

Malvolia’s smile faltered before she turned her hard gaze on me. “I missed you at breakfast.”

“It was easier to feed the girls in our bedchamber,” I said.

Whatever was left of her smile vanished as she nodded toward the girls. “They’re afraid of me.”

“They’ve heard frightful stories of you,” I answered truthfully.

Her top lip pulled back in a snarl. “Lies.”

“So you didn’t put a price on your own nieces’ heads while we were in the womb?” I asked accusingly.

Careful, Shiri,Drae mentally warned while facing me.

I will not lie to appease her,I answered him, annoyed that he was now standing beside the queen. He wasmymate, not hers.

I’m not asking you to lie,he scolded.I’m asking you to be careful.

Malvolia gaped at me. “I did put a price on your heads, and you know why.”

I pressed my palms into the girls’ backs, my lips twisting. “Then you must understand why they’re frightened of you.”

She snorted at that, brushing off my accusation as if ordering the deaths of her unborn nieces was inconsequential. Her gaze narrowed on Ember as my niece turned from her, sinking further into the folds of my dress. “They don’t have Avias eyes.”

“They have their fathers’ eyes,” I answered coolly.

“And sharp canines.” She looked them over as if she was determining the worth of sows at the market. “Can they shift yet?”

“No, not yet.”

“What other magic do they have?”

I tensed at her question, knowing I couldn’t trust her with that information. “Their magic is still burgeoning.”

She gave me a long look. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“They will not be pawns in your war.”

My mates tensed, their feathers standing on end.

Easy, Shiri,Drae warned, shadows falling over his features.

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