Page 147 of Song of Her Siren

I had no idea how I’d managed to get to Ash with trembling limbs. Maybe I’d leaned on Finn. One moment, I was gaping at him, and the next, I was on the floor with him, melting into his strong arms and sobbing tears of joy while he stroked my hair.

The girls had crawled off him and were at the buffet table, helping themselves to juice.

After we finished hugging, we broke the news to him about the shifter stronghold. He took it better than Finn had, though I could tell he was holding in his emotions. Finn told them about Helian and Ivar and his goons. I thought the news would’ve pleased Ash, but he seemed more disturbed by that news than the plight of the shifter stronghold.

“I should’ve been there to help you,” he kept grumbling.

I rubbed his arm, assuring him all was well, though it didn’t seem to soothe him.

“Where’s our mother?” Finn asked.

“She has gone to the new temple to enlist help from the other witches to interpret the book of spells,” Blaze answered. “I’ll send word to her that everyone is well.”

“Thank you.” Finn splayed a hand across his heart. “What about your father and Drae?”

“Father is healed. I’m working on Drae tomorrow,” Shiri said, her wary gaze straying to Blaze. “His demon is harder. With both Blaze and Nikkos helping me, I should be able to do it.”

Blaze squeezed Shiri’s shoulder. “Youwillbe able to do it.”

She kissed his cheek, then said to me, “Malvolia has requested you return as soon as possible. Gadea has warned her that a flying giant with the strength of ten dragons is coming, along with other flying creatures and a demon army.”

“A flying giant and other flying creatures?” Would we have enough dragons and wyverns to defeat them? I clutched my throat, my insides churning. “Our plan is to return now that Helian has control of the dragon army. Does Malvolia intend on behaving this time?”

Shiri visibly swallowed. “After she woke from Thorin’s spell, she was mortified by her behavior toward you and Helian.”

I shared a stunned look with my mates. “Really?”

Shiri threw out her hands. “Shocking, I know, but Malvolia is being”—she paused, as if searching for the right word—“nice.”

Finn scratched the back of his head. “Then maybe there’s hope for Arabella.”

Ash snorted through his laughter. “If Arabella’s nice, then I’m a bunny shifter.”

“Our father still doesn’t wake,” Shiri said to me, frowning. “They need your healing magic.”

“Of course.” I clung to Ash, not wanting to let him go. “May we leave the children with you?” I asked her.

“Absolutely.” She clasped her hands, smiling. “I’ve missed them.”

Aurora tugged on Shiri’s skirts. “We want tarts.”

Ember went boneless against her aunt’s legs. “We’ve only had vegetables and bread.”

“I think castle life has spoiled them.” Shiri laughed while ruffling their hair. “It wasn’t long ago that we were lucky to have porridge for all three meals.”

Both girls made a face.

“I’ll send the servants for tarts,” Shiri said, eliciting squeals of joy. “We’ll be here when you get back,” she said to me.

I let Ash and Finn help me up. “What happens if we run into Malvolia?” I asked my sister.

She shrugged. “No need to worry. I’m sure she’ll be kind to you.”

I had little faith that our aunt had truly changed, but Arabella had saved my children, so maybe there was hope for Malvolia. I would still watch mine and my mates’ backs when at her castle. It would take more than Malvolia telling Shiri she’d changed for me to trust in the woman who’d haunted my childhood nightmares.

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