Page 140 of Rage of Her Ravens

Drae threw up his hands with a curse. “Fine.”

Blaze jumped into the air and helped his brother lift the portrait off the wall. They had barely lifted it when an envelope fluttered to the floor.

I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth.

Nikkos and Blaze carefully hung the portrait back on the wall as Drae snatched the envelope, ripping open the seal.

After he removed the letter, he visibly swallowed, his hands trembling as he read the words aloud.

“Our Dearest Sons,

You are reading this letter because your father and I didn’t survive the madness that has swept over the country. I pray that you escape the slaughter and grow to be strong, loving, and loyal men.

A few months ago, all was right with the world. With my help, Princess Flora Avias had finally conceived. The Avias line always bears twin girls first, so Queen Malvolia named her sister’s unborn daughters her heirs.

But then madness took hold of the palace. Queen Malvolia suspected her sister of wanting to assassinate her and take the throne that Flora had abdicated over thirty years ago. If you knew Flora as I did, you’d know she never had a desire to rule, much less steal the throne from the sister she loved. The world suddenly makes no sense. Our once kind and benevolent queen is burning it down, and I fear we may get caught in the crossfire.

Should we not survive, we want you to know, dear sons, that we would die a hundred deaths and burn in a thousand fires just to keep you safe. Do not weep for us, for we have passed beyond the veil together. May you one day understand the limitless love after holding your precious children in your arms.

Your loving and devoted mother,

Lady Chara Inferni”

“Holy flames!” I looked at my mates through tear-soaked eyes as I squeezed Drae’s arm. “I’m so sorry.”

Nikkos and Blaze flew down to us, and the four of us held each other while the tears silently fell. And though I was relieved to know my parents hadn’t killed my mates’ parents, my heart shattered for Lord and Lady Inferni whom I had no doubt had been innocents caught up in the mind spinner’s evil scheme.

“Can we have candy now?”

I looked down to see Aurora tugging on Nikkos’s wing.

“Sure, sprite,” he said, while drying his eyes. He swept her into his arms and set her down on the sofa and then lifted Ember onto the sofa, too. Ember laid her doll across her lap, patting its back like she was burping a baby while Nikkos pulled two pieces of candy from his pocket, handing them to the girls. “Try not to get the sofa sticky,” he said with a wink.

A futile request, but I didn’t bother telling him. I was sure he already knew they’d have sticky candy residue everywhere.

I rested my head against Blaze’s shoulder as he wrapped his arm around my waist. I was grateful for his strength, for I wasn’t feeling very strong at the moment. My soul was being crushed by a giant’s fist as I tried to wrap my mind around all we’d learned.

Drae cursed while pacing the floor. “How strong is this mind spinner’s powers?” he asked me.

“He was able to steal my sister’s memories,” I answered.

Nikkos fell into an oversized chair with a groan. “And if she’s a white witch, what hope do we have in stopping him?”

“Is our mother still with you?” Drae asked Ember.

She nodded.

Drae crossed over to her and knelt beside the sofa. “Ask her if the mind spinner somehow altered Malvolia’s memories and tricked her into believing her sister was trying to take her throne?”

Ember rolled the candy around in her mouth. “She said he changed everyone’s memories.”

“Everyone’s?” Drae asked, his voice laced with awe. “The whole country?”

Ember nodded.

He turned to me and his brothers, a hopeless look in his eyes, and I knew he needed our strength. Blaze and I broke apart and knelt beside Drae.

I clasped Drae’s hand. “How?” I asked Ember, forcing a note of calm into my voice, though inside my soul was shaking.

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