Page 71 of Madness of Her Mages

“She doesn’t need to apologize, Your Majesty,” Felicity said sweetly while pressing a hand to her heart. “The fault was all mine. Cousin, I do not wish to quarrel with you. I’m sorry I haven’t been very welcoming. I know it must be hard for you coming to a strange court after your parents’ betrayal. After supper tonight, let us show you Thebesian hospitality. You and your mates are invited to partake in wine and cheese with us in our private suite of rooms.”

Malvolia’s smile practically stretched ear to ear. “Cousin, what a wonderful idea.”

Felicity turned up her chin, looking far too proud of herself.

Well, at least she’s making an effort,Nikkos projected to me.

She’s not.I squeezed his hand while answering back through thought.We’ll discuss it later.

With Malvolia giving me an expectant stare, I had two options: expose Felicity and thereby reveal my secret ability to hear the projected thoughts of bonded mates or else go along with her ruse. I could expose her now, force her to reveal her plans with my siren voice, but, no. I would go along with her for now. My mates and I would decide later what to do.

“Of course, Cousin.” I plastered on a smile, refusing to let Felicity and her mates know that I was aware of their plan. “We’d be happy to accept your invitation.”

When she and her mates smiled back then shared sly looks, I knew this animosity between us was about to take a dark, possibly deadly turn.

Chapter Fourteen

Ember

Ember stared at her letters so long, her eyes were starting to cross, and her hand ached from holding the ink pen. She’d already smudged ink all over her arm and her pretty dress, and she was still no closer to perfecting her letters, but Miss Grethel said she couldn’t play with her dolls until she finished every letter. She cast a longing look at a particularly pretty doll with black hair and pale skin sitting on a nearby shelf. All the dolls here were as pale as teacups. They looked very much like the lady who’d dressed Auntie yesternight. How Ember missed her auntie and longed for her to return. She wouldn’t have forced Ember to sit for hours writing the same letters over and over. And where had Uncle Nikkos gone? If he was here, he would’ve let them play.

She heaved a sigh while smudging the tail on the letter she’d been practicing. She looked over at her sister, who’d given up her letters completely and was resting her head on her arm while doodling pictures of flowers that reminded Ember of the garden at Abyssus.Rora,she projected to her twin through thought.I hate it here.

Aurora sat up, one cheek smudged with ink.So do I.

“Girls, it’s time for luncheon.”

Ember looked up at Miss Grethel, who hovered over them with a scowl as servants wheeled a tray of food into the room. Miss Grethel scolded the servants for their tardiness as they quickly removed their ink pots and set three trays on the table. They shuffled out of the room, giving the girls pitying looks before closing the door behind them.

Though Ember was hungry, she was in no mood to eat. She wanted her auntie and uncles.

“But we want to play with our dolls,” she said with a pout, motioning toward the pretty black-haired doll. She had a lavender dress like Ember’s.

“No time to play.” Miss Grethel shook her head, frowning. “We must eat and then get back to learning our letters.”

Ember let out a groan. “We’ve been learning our letters all morning.”

When Miss Grethel grabbed the doll off the shelf and walked back toward her, Ember perked up, her legs swinging beneath her.

“This doll?” Miss Grethel asked.

Ember excitedly dropped her pen and held out her hands. “Yes!”

Miss Grethel lifted the doll by her head, holding it in front of her before cracking its skull with a sneer.

Ember and Aurora gasped. Ember’s eyes watered over with tears when her nursemaid discarded the doll on the floor, her head completely splitting open. “No more complaints!” She shoved the trays in front of the girls and snatched off the domed lids, revealing two identical plates of stew and bread. “Now eat before I lose my temper again!”

Ember’s gut twisted, and she was no longer hungry as she looked at Aurora with a pout.She’s mean, Rora. Take us to Mrs. Euphemia.

No.Rora frowned.Auntie said not unless it was an emergency.

It’s an emergency!Ember wiped tears from her eyes while nodding toward the shattered doll.Look at what she did to Bethamy Four.

It’s just a doll, Em, Rora said with a sigh.I’ll take us to Mrs. Euphemia if Miss Grethel tries to crush our heads.

Ember covered her eyes with her hands as more tears fell.I don’t want to be here anymore.

She flinched then relaxed when Aurora placed a hand on her back.I don’t either, but Auntie needs us to be good.

---