Page 93 of Madness of Her Mages

“My condolences,” I said, and my mates agreed.

My father had told me that satyrs lived as long as humans, most rarely living past seventy years, which wasn’t a long lifespan to a Ravini or a Sidhe Fae, who lived around four centuries. I wondered if that was why the Ravini and Sidhe considered the other Fae races inferior.

“Then let’s get you back.” Drae strode up to her, his wings pinned behind him. “Aurora, do you think you could take Mrs. Euphemia and me back to Abyssus?” he asked while crooking a finger toward my niece. “I’d like a few moments to check in on the estate.”

“I don’t want to leave Em.” Aurora nodded toward her sister.

Nikkos held Ember while blue flame encased their hands. “Em will be fine, sprite,” he said with a wink. “And we’ll wait for your return to eat the cakes and ginger candies.”

“We’ll only be gone a few minutes,” Drae said with a smile while holding his hand down to her. “That will give Nikkos time to heal her wounds.”

Aurora’s lip hung down in a pout. “We want Mrs. Euphemia to stay and be our nursemaid.”

“No more nursemaids while we’re here, girls.” I couldn’t help the tears that spilled over my eyes as I stroked the top of her head. “Your uncles and I will take turns taking care of you.”

Blaze sat on the table beside Ember. “Mrs. Euphemia will be waiting for you when we all return to Abyssus, okay?”

Aurora and Ember shared a frown. “Okay,” they both relented.

Mrs. Euphemia went to Ember, kissing the top of her head. “I’ll see you soon, darling girl.”

Ember’s wobbly smile was nearly enough to bring me to my knees.

Drae wrapped his arm around my waist, murmuring against my skin. “We won’t be gone long, my love.”

“Thank you.” I raised my lips to his, kissing him as if it would be our last, pouring all of my fears into the feel of his lips on mine.

I gave Aurora one last hug before Drae took her from me, holding her against his chest while grasping Mrs. Euphemia’s hand. The next moment the three of them disappeared, leaving behind the scents of sulfur and sage mixed with lavender, mint, and honey while taking a huge chunk of my heart with them.

Nikkos pulled his hands from Ember’s, revealing smooth, healed skin.

“All better?” I asked, forcing a smile while rubbing Ember’s back.

She didn’t answer as she fell into my arms, her tears soaking my gown.

Elements, how were we supposed to get through another day in this court of nightmares?

IT DIDN’T TAKE LONGfor the entire castle to find out about Ember and Aurora’s abusive nursemaid. Cordelia and Ivy were the first witches to pay their respects. They brought the girls small figurines of dragons, fire mages, witches, and winged horses made of a striking black wood called iron wood. The girls were ecstatic and happily played with their new toys by the hearth. Lady Veronica paid us a call, accompanied by Daminica. Lady Veronica brought little golden tiaras with red jewels that I worried Ember and Aurora would destroy or lose. The girlsthanked her with curtsies and then wore their tiaras while playing with their toys.

It was almost time for supper when we heard the click of heels in the outside hall. My mates and I had finally settled down for a drink beside the hearth while watching the children play, stealing a few moments of family time before the chaos of Malvolia’s court.

I shouldn’t have been surprised when Malvolia marched into our bedroom suite unannounced, her black cape flowing behind her like a swath of ink. “I have brought the child a tau stone so this doesn’t happen again,” she said haughtily while holding a small round stone out to me. “She swallows it like a pill. Then they can return to their nursemaid. I’ve already summoned Miss Grethel.”

I rose from the sofa, smoothing out the folds in my robe and waved the stone away. “The girls stay with me, and Aurora isn’t swallowing anything.” I didn’t bother reminding her I also had possession of a tau stone. If I’d wanted to suppress Aurora’s magic, I would have done so already.

The shocked scowl my aunt gave me was expected from someone who wasn’t used to being defied. “She disobeyed you.”

I squared my shoulders, preparing for a verbal battle with the queen who probably took lessons in warfare from the very devil himself. “I gave her permission to escape if they were in danger.”

“Danger?” she scoffed. “What danger?”

I crossed my arms, leveling her with a glare. She couldn’t be serious. “Your nursemaid’s cruel discipline.”

Her top lip pulled back in a snarl. “You have a fool heart, just like your mother.”

Heat that radiated off her burned the air between us. I wouldn’t be intimidated by her tantrum. “I’d rather have a fool heart than no heart at all,” I snapped, rage surging through my veins.

She made an exasperated sound as she brushed past me, jarring my shoulder on the way to the server. She gave Nikkos a pointed look. “Aren’t you going to offer me a drink?”

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