Page 55 of Song of Her Siren

“A kind green witch,” Drae said as he handed Tari a towel. “She was Shiri’s lady-in-waiting.”

Tari wrapped her hair in the towel. “Malvolia killed a green witch?”

Not just any green witch, I projected to her, my words laced with bitterness.My friend.

I’m sorry, sister.Tari grabbed my hand, and I was shocked at the chill radiating off her.

I motioned to Drae. “My sister feels like a block of ice.”

Drae closed the open doors leading to the terrace, stoked the fire, then grabbed a blanket off a nearby chair and held it to his chest, his hands turning as red as coals. He handed the heated blanket to Tari.

“Thank you,” she said as she draped it across her lap.

Helian handed Tari a goblet with juice and a plate piled with smoked fish, cheese, and fruit. Then he grabbed another plate piled high with food and sat in a chair across from us. “In Caldaria,” he said while popping a piece of fruit into his mouth, “the offense for killing a green witch is death by dragon fire.”

“Why would anyone kill a healer?” Ash asked as he sat in a chair beside his brother, his plate also piled high. “They are the gentlest of the witches.”

I wiped tears from my eyes. “She did it to punish Daminica’s best friend, Lady Veronica, a seer who didn’t warn her that Mortimus would be killed.”

“Why didn’t Veronica warn her?” Ash asked.

“The same reason she didn’t warn Derrick he would be attacked.” I placed a hand on my queasy stomach. “Because the other outcome was far worse.”

Drae folded his arms across his chest, his expression grim. “Malvolia’s madness is worse than I feared.”

Tari pushed food around on her plate before looking up at me. “Sister, she issued a warrant for our execution while we were in the womb. She’s always been a crazy bitch.”

I tensed, looking around the room for any stray servants, grateful when I saw none. “But now that Mortimus is dead,” I said on a hushed whisper, “she’s even more unhinged. You must be very careful around her.”

“I know that now.” Her eyes darted to Ash, then softened. “I will be.”

“Will you?” I asked, still not convinced. “Your magic might be stronger, but she’s more cunning and faster, especially now that you’re drinking the tea.”

Snarling, Ash leaned toward us. “Maybe we should kill her now.”

“No!” A bolt of panic shot through me, and I instinctively jumped to my feet. “Don’t underestimate her.” My sister and her mates gaped at me as I swept the room with a hard glare. Only Drae’s stony expression mirrored how I felt. “I did once and nearly died.” I worked hard to unclench my fists as I slowly lowered back onto the sofa. “Besides, I have a feeling she won’t survive this war. I suspect Lady Veronica, the seer, has seen her demise. Malvolia knows it too.” Though some twisted part of me would mourn her, a more dominant part wanted her gone, so she couldn’t threaten our family again.

Tari arched a brow. “Do you think the demons will kill her?”

I heaved a weary breath. Why did our aunt have to be this way? What arrow of madness had struck her heart? “I’m not sure, but the next time she taunts you, just let me handle her.”

Tari visibly swallowed. “But what if she tries to killyou?”

“She won’t,” I said, while hoping, praying, I was right.

She leaned toward me, eyes narrowing. “How do you know?”

I dragged my hands through my hair with a groan. “Because she’s already named me heir to her cursed kingdom.”

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