Page 5 of Madness of Her Mages

I jerked back as if he’d splashed a cold bucket of water in my face. I glared at my mage. “Selig, what is he talking about?”

Selig’s mouth fell open. “I-I—”

“Did you promise him my sister’s hand?” I spat.

“I-I might have.” Selig scratched the back of his head, causing his hood to fall back. That’s when I saw the fog in his eyes. Damn that Thorin!

My strength returned as I pushed myself from my chair. “Flora is betrothed to Prince Fachnan. You know that.”

“I know.” Selig looked at me with a dazed expression. “I’m not sure why I would’ve promised him that.”

I scowled at the mind spinner. “Thorin, I said that if you helped us, you would be allowed back at court, and that I’d banish you again if you tried to change our memories. Why does your brother have that glazed look in his eyes?”

“I don’t know.” Thorin averted his gaze for a heartbeat, long enough to know he was lying.

Magic flooded my veins like a rush of venom as my fingers throbbed and burned. “You mistake my youth for ignorance. I don’t tolerate liars in my court.”

When his eyes sparked white, I shielded my face while throwing out bands of magic, wrapping black strands around his face, muting the flare in his eyes. Thorin fell to his knees with a cry, and I twisted my magic around his neck again and again.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you now,” I seethed.

“Please, My Queen,” Selig begged, clasping his hands in a prayer pose. “Spare Thorin. Love made him act a fool. Please. He saved your life by betraying our uncle. He saved Flora.”

Thorin fell onto his back, clutching at my choking magic and flailing around like a fish out of water.

I gritted my teeth in anger. I should’ve known better than to trust him. “But for a price. There’s always a price.” And this time the price was far too great. I would never force my dear sister to marry this manipulator, not when I knew she was destined for something better.

“My Queen!” Selig called out, his voice sounding strangely far away. “We must get your sister to a healer.”

Ignoring him, I wrapped more dark magic around Thorin. He was no better than his uncle, using deceit and manipulation to get his way.

“I will arrange everything, My Queen,” Selig pleaded, his voice breaking on a raspy cry. “Please, just spare my brother. Please!”

Thorin writhed on the floor, making odd choking sounds while trying in vain to break the bands around his face. A few more seconds, and he would be dead. Then we wouldn’t need to worry about his mind tricks ever again.

“Please!” Selig cried again. “Think of Flora! Thorin is her friend! No more death! No more!”

I blinked at my mage and broke hold of my magic, stumbling back and falling into my grandmother’s chair. Thorin coughed and sputtered on the ground before me. Selig’s eyes watered as he held his brother in his arms.

I gaped at them, wondering if I’d made the right decision to let Thorin live. It took me a long moment to find my voice. “You are banished from Thebes, Thorin. If I ever see your face in my city, I will kill you. Understood?”

Thorin nodded, smearing snot and tears across his face.

When two armed fire mages came into the room, I motioned toward Thorin. “Dump him outside the city walls. Tell the guards to kill him if he tries to come back.”

Chapter Two

Thorin

39 years later

The human lands

beneath the Periculian Mountains

Back hunched so as not to bump his head, Thorin walked through the low, narrow underground tunnel leading to his mistress’s chambers while dodging dripping candlewax from the overhead sconces. He fingered the missive in his pocket delivered by the spiderlings he’d personally trained. After years of silence, he’d finally heard from Flora. Alas, the letter spoke nothing of their friendship. She didn’t inquire about his health or happiness. The letter was simply a plea for help. Would he erase the memories of her daughter, a fledgling white witch?

Why do you help her, you old fool?Samael, his demon, whispered.

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