Page 64 of Madness of Her Mages

“Thorin is the least of my problems.” She rolled her eyes. “The demons have taken over Fachnan’s court, and they are trying to destroy my court, too.”

I wanted to tell her about Thorin. That he was a much bigger problem than she’d realized. That he had altered everyone’s memories and caused the divide in our family, but as black smoke continued to pour from her fingertips, I lost my nerve. “What do we do?” I asked, unable to keep the rattle of fear from my voice.

“The only thing we can do,” she answered. “We strike Fachnan first.” Then she turned to her coven of witches. I hadn’t realized they were standing behind us.

“Now you see what we’re up against,” she said to them.

They solemnly nodded, and I noticed the secretive look shared between Lady Veronica and Daminica, the same look I gave my mates when we were mentally speaking, though I didn’t hear any projected thoughts between them.

“Lady Veronica,” my aunt said to the gray witch, “get me the emissaries who went to Windhaven, and everyone who’s come in contact with them. Take Cordelia and Ivy and a dozen guards with you.”

Lady Veronica, Cordelia, and Ivy gave my aunt a quick curtsy and then hurried away, leaving behind Daminica and Felicity.

“Come.” My aunt hooked her arm through mine. “We must get ready for tea.” Her voice took on an airy tone, as if wehadn’t just watched two demon-possessed mages explode. “I have prepared a special, intimate family gathering.”

I swallowed sandy grit that coated my mouth. “Tea?”

“Yes, tea,” she said with a smile. “We will continue with our preparations to familiarize you with my court while we ready our army.”

I looked over my shoulder as Daminica and Felicity followed us. Daminica kept her head bowed, staring at the sandy, dry grass beneath her feet while Felicity stared eye daggers in my direction. “If it’s just for family, shouldn’t Ember and Aurora attend?” I asked. After what I’d witnessed, I wanted so badly to have the girls near me, just to know they were safe. I also missed my mates and hoped Blaze and Drae would return home soon.

“Adultfamily,” Malvolia emphasized. “You must get to know our Cousin Felicity. She’s a talented witch,” she whispered while casting a glance behind us. “Her elemental magic can aid us in this war.”

“Elemental magic?” I whispered back while chancing a glance at Felicity. She’d fallen further behind us, though I could probably feel the hate in her stare from miles away. If her eyes had been arrows, my back would’ve been full of holes.

“She can manipulate the weather,” my aunt said to me as we neared the stables.

“Thatisa talent,” I agreed, breathing through a wheeze when the smell of manure became unbearable.

“It is.” She squeezed my arm. “I’m displeased I’m sensing tension between you and Felicity. Demons are trying to take over my court, over the world. Now is not the time to make enemies, Shirina. We will need all the allies we can get.”

“Yes, Aunt,” I reluctantly agreed, though I wanted to tell her I doubted all the pleasantries in the world would get Felicity to like me. I had a feeling her hatred of me stemmed fromsomething far deeper than a misunderstanding at yesternight’s supper.

I then sent out a telepathic call to my mates, but only Nikkos answered me, agreeing to meet me for tea. Where were his brothers?

Chapter Thirteen

Ihad only enough time to change into another dress, a tea gown as Daminica called it, of lovely white gossamer that swirled around my ankles like a cloud, along with my new white cloak, before I was whisked away back toward Malvolia’s suite of rooms where we would be meeting for tea. I followed Daminica quickly down one long hall up a flight of stairs, and down another long hall, because apparently everything was a rush around here. Glancing outside the windows as we ran, I could see even more fire mages practicing in the sky, their shouts echoing across the courtyard below. Their new maneuvers required much more fire, and I swear the heat radiated into the castle walls, for it felt much hotter now than before. Perhaps it was being forced to run behind Daminica, or the unforgiving stays on my gown, but perspiration gathered between my breasts and on my back.

Shiri!Nikkos’s voice echoed inside my skull.

I spun around, relief sagging my shoulders as Nikkos flew toward me, that infectious grin etched into his features.

I ran to him, and he swept me up, twirling me before setting me back down with a kiss on the lips. I clung to him while he wrapped his arms and wings around me, nestling me in a loving embrace.

The girls?I asked through thought.

Fine,he answered, loosening his hold around me, letting shards of light slip through his feathers and illuminate his handsome face.Their nursemaid was reading to them. They didn’t even notice when I left.

I desperately searched his eyes, as a dull blade twisted and turned in my chest. I didn’t like being parted from them, especially not in this court of deception.That’s good, right?

It’s very good, Shiri.He cupped my cheek while his feathers tickled my back.How was your morning? You look beautiful by the way.

Face flushing at his compliment, I leaned into him, the intoxicating feel of his whisper-soft touch my own personal drug.My Cousin Felicity probably wants to put a knife in my back and Lady Veronica has very powerful mind powers,I rattled off through thought,though she feigns otherwise. I’m not sure the extent of her powers, but she’s one to watch. Oh, and I outed two demons. Their heads blew up.

He pulled back, concern marring his brow.What?

They said they’re planning an invasion, and that Duke Viggo and Selig are possessed by demons.

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