Page 121 of Song of Her Siren

Chapter Twenty

Shiri

Thankfully, my auntwasn’t in her bathtub this time. I didn’t want Blaze to see her “toy” collection or, Goddess forbid, her playing with one of her penises. My aunt was so depraved, I wouldn’t put it past her, especially since Helian was gone. If she thought to direct her advances on Blaze, I wouldn’t hesitate to turn her to ash.

A servant brought us through her sitting room, which had been cleaned of all dirty dishes and clutter, and to her garden area. She’d doubled the guard, and more clusters of firemages flew above us, warming the air with their flames while practicing aerial battles.

Malvolia was sitting by a pretty fountain with colorful fish in the pond below. She wore a modest black dress that actually fell to her ankles and a matching black robe. Her crown of thorns was missing, and she wore no face paints. Odd.

Though I refused to show my aunt any deference, Blaze bowed when we approached. “Your Highness.”

Ignoring him, she gave me a pointed look. “Where have you been?”

I stiffened under the weight of her stare. “Waiting for Tari to return with my mates.”

“I see one of them is with you.” She motioned toward Blaze. “Where’s the other?”

One of them? Grr. She knew their names. I clasped Blaze’s hand. “Yes, Blaze is with me,” I corrected. “Nikkos will be here soon.”

“Good.” She turned her gaze to a cluster of firemages that fought almost directly above us, sparks from their confrontation landing near our feet. Clearing her throat, she looked at me again, her eyes softening. “And your twin?”

I tensed at the mention of Tari. “She and the rest of our family are in Cyrene.”Far away from you, I wanted to add.

She nodded, her lips pressed together in a firm line. “Any news from Caldaria?”

“An evil is spreading across Caldaria.” I smoothed trembling hands down my skirts, afraid that by voicing the news aloud, it became more real. It was a foolish fear. The demons were here, whether I wanted to acknowledge them or not. “They believe demonic spiders are obliterating the villages. Also, the older satyrs remember Thorin attacking them years ago, which means the demon mistress has killed him and taken his powers for herself.”

She stared in the direction of a group of firemages that streaked across the sky like falling comets. “I dreamed about the day Thorin spun my mind, turning me against my sister.” Her voice took on a dreamy air as her eyes glossed over. “I fought him, but it wasn’t enough. I had the chance to kill him when we were younger, but Flora stopped me. She always had a soft heart. It was why she could never be queen.” She let out bitter-sounding laughter, then looked at me as if she was staring into my soul. “Though, I suppose her heart has hardened, hasn’t it?”

I smiled at Blaze when he squeezed my hand. “I suppose it has.”

“Gadea has sent a missive.” She pulled a rolled parchment out of her robe, tossing it onto a nearby bench. “She’s finally rebuilt her mists and has seen some disturbing images.”

“What images?”

“You know how frustrating gray witches are.” Malvolia rolled her eyes. “She says the attacks will come from sky, sea, and land.”

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