"I dropped us off at the closest location the magic can allow since we can’t teleport directly into the palace," Lila told her as they walked on.
"Why is that?" Violet asked, intrigued.
"It’s for the safety of the royal family. If anyone could just teleport at will into the palace, enemies could easily launch attacks anyti."
"Oh." Violet nodded in understanding.
"Although," Lila added, "your mother, Queen Seraphira, has the unique ability to teleport among her other powers. It would be nice to know what you can do now, princess."
Violet smiled shyly, nerves and anticipation eating her up. All this was new to her, and she was about to et her biological mother. How was she supposed to act? This was going to be awkward.
It occurred to Violet at that mont. "How did you get out of Baron’s imprisonnt? I said I was going back for you, but I didn’t know how, and Asher warned not to attempt dream walking by myself."
"That was wise of Asher." Lila turned back to look at him, but he didn’t react, his expression unreadable.
She continued, "Baron used to lure you out, but thankfully nothing went according to his plan. The Queen figured out Zyrella’s betrayal and realized sothing was wrong. She rescued ."
"Zyrella?" Violet repeated, confused.
"You have so many things to learn. Don’t worry, you’ll be settled soon enough and learn the Fae way." She suddenly announced, "And we’re here."
"Whoa," Violet breathed as she looked up, montarily halting in her steps. Not just her, even the cardinal alphas stopped, the breath knocked out of them.
The palace itself rose from the heart of a vast forest. Tall, ancient trees lood on both sides of the narrow path leading to the entrance — if it could even be called that.
The circular gate stood open, made entirely of aged stone and twisted vines. There were no guards, not a single soul watching over it, yet sothing about that stillness made Violet’s skin prickle.
The gate looked ordinary enough, but Violet knew no one crossed that gate uninvited and lived to tell the tale.
"Do you feel that?" Violet whispered to Alaric, referring to the gate.
Alaric’s brows furrowed. "It reeks of energy." He lifted his hand, crackling with a faint charge of electricity, reacting to the pull from the gate. "It’s magnetic," he said with awe.
Lila turned and said, "The gate opens only when it senses Fae blood. Otherwise, you’re roasted on the spot."
Roman muttered dryly, "That’s faestatic."
Asher spoke up, "So what are you trying to say? That we won’t be able to enter without her?" He took Violet’s hand. "That’s not going to happen. Wherever Violet goes, we go with her."
Lila sensed his threat and rolled her eyes. "We’ve taken that into account. That’s why we tuned the wards sustaining the gate. Your kind can pass."
"You an ’her’ mates, right?" Griffin corrected.
"Excuse ?" Lila frowned.
"We are her fated mates, not just guests to this realm," he said pointedly.
"Fated mates or not, you’re still guests in the Fae realm until the Queen says otherwise," Lila replied.
Roman and Alaric exchanged a look but said nothing, though the worry in their eyes was clear. They’d known this day would co — the day the Fae would judge them — and now it was here.
Seeing their unease, Violet stepped forward. "My mates will receive the sa welco I do. Otherwise, I command that you take back to the human realm. Am I clear?"
"They’re already welcod," Lila said calmly. "Otherwise they wouldn’t be standing here. Now, it’s ti to go in, princess."
"I’ll go first," Asher said, stepping ahead. "Let’s see if the Fae are really as welcoming as they claim."
What were the chances that the gate was as secured as Lila claid it was. Moreover, what if Violet went in and couldn’t co in afterwards while they’re stuck outside?
Asher didn’t trust Lila. She always claid to an well for Violet, but her ways were too mysterious. If he went first and sothing went wrong, at least Violet would be safe to destroy this place herself.
"Asher?" Violet said, concerned.
"She said the gate is safe, didn’t she?" Asher smirked. "See you on the other side, my purple queen."
Without hesitation, he walked in and disappeared completely. There was no reflection from the other side, only their anxious faces staring back.
"I guess I’ll go next," Griffin said, but Roman beat him to it, leaping in with a shout of excitent.
"That bastard," Griffin grumbled, then sighed and stepped through as well.
Now it was just Violet and Alaric.
"I’ll go ahead first," Lila said and vanished into the gate.
Alaric smiled and reached for Violet’s hand. "Our turn."
Violet smiled softly and intertwined her fingers with his. Together, they walked in.
Warm tingles spread across Violet’s body as the magic washed over her — probing, and testing. Then it softened, recognizing her, welcoming her like an old friend.
When they erged on the other side, she was fine, but Alaric was sweating, pale.
"What happened?" she asked quickly.
"Let’s just say it’s going to take so getting used to," he said.
Violet sighed, guilt building in her chest. The one place that finally welcod her was not friendly to her mates.
Thankfully, ahead of them, Asher, Griffin, and Roman looked fine. Behind them, the Fae guards followed.
Violet turned, her breath catching as she took in the size of the courtyard. Glowing flowers blood along the cobblestone path, responding to their footsteps as if greeting them personally.
"Let’s go in," Lila commanded.
They obeyed.
anwhile...
Hannah stood hesitantly before the gate. She’d barely made it through the portal before it sealed. Everything was happening too fast, and she had no choice but to go along for now.
She rembered what Lila had said about what happened to those without Fae blood — but the cardinal alphas had gone through, and that had to count for sothing.
Taking a deep, shaky breath, she stepped forward and vanished into the gate.
User Comments
0 comments from readers