Page 133 of Rage of Her Ravens

I was suddenly struck by a disturbing thought as I gave each of my mates a pointed look.

No, we were never her lovers, if that’s what you’re thinking,Drae answered, laughter ringing in his words.She was like a mother to us, nothing more.

Good,I grumbled.I don’t think I could stomach the thought of you sleeping with my aunt.

My mates had the nerve to laugh out loud.

The girls gave us funny looks.

“I don’t know how demon possession works,” Drae said aloud as he stood and went to refill his wine, “but hopefully, they haven’t infected her, too.”

The color drained from Nikkos’s face. “That would be bad.”

I swallowed at that, casting Ember a nervous glance.

“Really bad,” Blaze added.

I suppose if and when we ever came face-to-face with Malvolia, Em could tell us if our aunt was a demon.It would explain why she’d gone mad,I wanted to say, but kept that thought to myself.

* * *

After the girls finishedtheir tarts, we walked them back to the nursery where I intended on playing dolls with them while Mrs. Euphemia was away. I shared looks with my mates after we walked into the nursery. We still hadn’t had ‘the talk’ with the girls, and I supposed now was as good a time as any.

We set them on their bed, and I knelt in front of them, wiping crumbs from their faces. “I hope you haven’t been driving Mrs. Euphemia crazy.”

They shared a long look, and I knew they were telepathically speaking, probably trying to get their stories to align.

“We’ve been good,” Aurora finally said. “Mrs. Euphemia’s face only turned red twice.”

I heaved a sigh. I didn’t know what Drae was paying Mrs. Euphemia, but I was certain she deserved a raise. “I’d prefer her face didn’t turn red at all.” I grabbed their hands. “Now before we go play, we must talk about what happened yesterday.”

Ember looked up at Drae, her bottom lip quivering. “Uncle Drae, thank you for saving me from the bad men.”

He knelt beside me, kindness reflected in his smile. “You’re very welcome.”

“Aurora, is there something you’d like to say?” I rubbed her knee, giving her an encouraging look.

She vehemently shook her head. “No.”

I gritted my teeth. Why did I think this would be easy? “You left the safety of the castle walls without permission or an escort after you were told not to do that.”

“I told Aurora to take us back,” Ember said, “and she called me a ‘scaredy sprite.’”

Aurora gave her sister a sharp look, then turned her gaze to the smooth satin bedspread beneath her legs.

“Aurora, do you understand that Uncle Drae almost died saving you girls?” I asked.

“Yes, Auntie.” She sniffled then looked up at Drae with wide eyes. “I’m sorry, Uncle Drae.”

“Come here, child.” I swore I heard my heart sigh when he took her in his arms and sat on the bed with her. “Listen to me.” He wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’m not angry with you. I was very worried, though. If anything happened to you girls, it would break your auntie’s heart.” He swallowed as he looked at me. “And all our hearts, too.”

Nikkos and Blaze murmured their agreement.

Aurora nodded as more tears slid down her face. When Drae rocked her in his arms, I didn’t think I could adore him more than at that moment.

Ember tugged on my sleeve.

“Yes, sweetheart?” I asked her.

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