Page 3 of Rage of Her Ravens
I shrugged him off while speaking through the side of my mouth. “A little too much wine,” I whispered. “Nothing a filling meal can’t fix.” Then I raised my goblet, wincing when wine sloshed on my sleeve. “A toast to my sister and my new brothers-in-law,” I called to the crowd.
“I’ll toast to that,” a deep voice bellowed.
Bile rose into my throat when a familiar Ravini half-breed stepped out of line and pulled down his hood. Thorin looked too much like his brother, Selig, with that unkempt, dark beard and a narrow face. But whereas Selig had a dull look in his eyes, Thorin’s eyes were sharpened to blade points, his gaze fixed on my sister.
My heart hit my stomach when Flora visibly swallowed.
A wave of screams rose from the crowd. Women pulled down their dark veils and men hid behind their black, feathered wings, a futile attempt to shield their minds from Thorin’s magic.
My loyal fire mages rushed to the dais, standing between Thorin and us. They spread out their wings and created a fire barrier.
Thorin walked up to the line of mages and bowed before my sister, acting as if the smoke and heat didn’t bother him. “Forgive my late arrival. I only just found out about the wedding.” He turned his sharp gaze on me. “It seems your courier lost my invitation.”
“There was no invitation,” I spat, resisting the urge to pull my veil down over my eyes. I would not let my court think I feared the mage who had the power to change our memories, even if his spells only lasted a few hours. My court had taken to wearing the veils ever since the Dark Tide when Thorin’s vengeful mage uncle had nearly wiped out my entire family and court. My sister and I had been the only members of the royal family to escape his mind-melting magic.
Derrick and Marius pushed Flora behind them as spouts of fire sprung from their palms.
Thorin threw back his head, chuckling. “Put away your fire, boys. I’ve only come to offer blessings to the bride.”
My sister’s mates snarled at the mage, their fire rising like geysers. Impressive, though their flame paled in comparison to my conflagrations.
“Thorin!” Selig cleared his throat beside me. “You’re not welcome here.”
Thorin gave his brother a mournful look before clucking his tongue. “Never thought I’d see the day my own brother stabs me in the back.”
My sister gently pushed through her mates. “It’s okay,” she mouthed to them while cupping each of their faces. Then she looked down at Thorin, her brows drawn as if she was about to lecture a toddler. “Thorin,” she said stiffly, her lips pinching into a scowl.
“Flora.” Thorin looked into my sister’s eyes as if they held the moon and stars and every other constellation. “You’re the image of perfection. I hope your grooms realize how lucky they are.”
She smoothed trembling hands down her pearl-colored gown. “They do.”
Thorin’s lower lip hung down in a pout. “Why wasn’t I invited?”
She shook her head. “You know why.”
He held out his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I thought we were friends.”
“We were.” Flora cleared her throat. “We are.” She lowered her voice. “But everyone’s frightened of you.”
Thorin rubbed his bushy beard while eyeing her. “Are you?”
She turned up her chin, glaring down at the mage. “Should I be?”
“No.” His shoulders slumped in defeat. “Will I be able to visit you in Elisi?”
“No!” Derrick and Marius boomed in unison.
Ignoring them, Thorin looked at my sister with wide, watery eyes. “Flora?”
It’s a ruse,I projected to my sister through thought.Don’t believe him.
I know,she answered, her audible sigh ringing in my ears.
Pulling back her shoulders, she gave him a reproachful look. “Thorin, I’m not a child anymore. I have responsibilities to my mates and to our people.”
His eyes flared with rage. “Which means you can’t associate with a pariah.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice faltering.