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She turned her gaze to her lap, a visible shudder rolling through her. “First, I was told he was dead, and now I hear he lives.” Panic clung to her skin like a shroud.
“Fachnan is dead.” I reached forward, squeezing her hand. “That abomination is not Fachnan.”
She turned her hand in mine, squeezing so tight my fingers ached. “Did you see him?”
“Yes.” I heaved a shaky sigh while turning my gaze to the door. Where was Marius? “And I don’t think I’ll ever be able to erase that horrible visage from my memory.”
She pulled her hand from mine and sat back, her shoulders rigid. “Our walls are strong, but we won’t be able to hold him off forever.”
“Let us pray our children come to our aid before then.”
I tensed when I heard heavy footsteps in the hall, for I feared if it was Marius, he would have harsh words for me. Whoever was outside kept walking. Where had my mate gone?
“Have you seen Marius?” I asked.
“Marius has taken charge.” She motioned to the ceiling above us. “He’s assigned mages to reinforce the battlements and protect the city.”
I inwardly cringed, looking away. I’d been too hard on him when he’d been trying to protect me. Still, I didn’t regret saving Derrick. I’d never regret trying to keep my family from fracturing again. “I should be there.”
Cassandra flashed a warm smile while gently patting my hand. “You’re exactly where you need to be.” She nodded down at Derrick. “How is he?”
I turned my gaze on my mate. For over two decades he’d taken care of me and our daughters without complaint. He’d kept us safe while doing everything in his power to provide for us. He was my lover, my protector, and most importantly, he was my shoulder to cry on during the nights my heartbreak over Marius became too unbearable. What would I do without him?
“He lives.” I squeezed his arm, wishing I could transfer some of my strength to him. “Though he’s barely hanging on.” I gave the green witch a withering look as she snored in her chair, her chin pressed against her chest, her arms limp by her sides.
“Wren is our best green witch,” Cassandra said, “but she’s not Tarianya.”
“We need to summon my daughters.” I blinked back my tears, trying hard to keep my composure, though inside I was dying, my heart unraveling like a frayed piece of string. “Can you find them in your mists?”
“We will try.” She stood, smoothing her hands down her skirts. “Do you know where they are?”
“They were heading to the Fallax Islands.” I worried my bottom lip, wishing I could sense them. “But they could be anywhere with Aurora with them.” When Cassandra gave me a curious look, I added, “Our granddaughter can teleport.”
“Oh, Elements!” She clasped her hands to her heart. “Our couriers won’t fly to Fallax.” Cassandra frowned, looking from Derrick to the door. “We can send word to Cyrene and Abyssus that Lord Derrick is gravely injured. I’m sure they’ll show up at one of those places soon. In the meantime, Gadea and I will try to scry them.” She heaved a loud sigh. “But her mists haven’t been cooperating as of late.”
Of course not. I knew after watching my grandmother’s gray witches that the mists never cooperated when they needed them most.
“Thank you,” I said as she made her way to the door.
She stopped at the doorway, clutching the side of the frame. “I thought you’d like to know Queen Malvolia suffered from hypothermia and a few broken ribs, but she is recovering and should wake soon.”
“I don’t care,” I answered flatly, turning up my chin.
“I understand,” Cassandra answered. The look that passed between us was so profound, I had an epiphany. Fachnan was her Malvolia. He’d hunted her and her sons, just as my sister had done to me and my girls. She probably understood me more than anyone.
Only her tormentor was now an undead monstrosity. And mine, I hoped she choked on her own blackened heart.
Flora
THE WORLD WAS BURNING. Demons with vacuous eyes crawled up the temple walls like spiders. They ripped off fire mages’ wings and bit off their heads before discarding their lifeless bodies over the wall.
My sister was there, striking the demons with black smoke, but the smoke went right through their chests and out the other end, doing nothing but angering them.
Then she looked at me, her eyes cold and unfeeling. “You must sacrifice your daughters. It’s the only way to stop them.”
I looked down, and there were two sleeping infants in my arms. I knew them to be Tari and Shiri, though I thought my daughters had grown into women. Why were they babes again?
“No!” I stumbled back as the demons crawled toward me with hungry, red-eyed gazes, their mouths and razor-sharp teeth smeared with blood. My heart thundered in my ears as my soul was being crushed by a giant’s fist. “You can’t have them!” I backed up against my sister, giving her a pleading look. “Please, Mal, help me save them!”
