"Blah!" Roman gagged, throwing up for the third ti. He heaved and groaned, clutching the toilet like it was his last lifeline, riding out whatever cursed thing the pixies had fed him.
"I think I’m dying," he moaned pitifully, forehead pressed against the cool porcelain.
"You’re not dying," Griffin said, patting him on the shoulder. "Just... don’t go to strange parties at night."
From the corner, Alaric—who was supposed to be providing moral support—snorted.
"Yeah, laugh all you want," Roman muttered, rolling his eyes.
"You should be grateful it’s not diarrhea," Alaric said dryly.
Roman opened his mouth to fire back, but another violent wave hit him. He lurched over the toilet and started hurling again, loud enough to make Griffin wince.
On the bright side, the serpent wouldn’t be creeping out its hiding place anyti soon.
Unbeknownst to them, Violet had seen everything unfold. She returned to the living room, where Asher stood before Lila and Rhara. His posture was rigid, his slitted eyes cold and razor-sharp.
"What’s happening to him?" Violet demanded.
"Now that the enchantnt’s worn off, his body’s fighting it," Lila explained.
"Fighting what?"
"Nectar," Rhara added.
"Nectar?" Violet’s frown deepened.
Lila sighed. "Sugar. Lots of it. Fae tend to have a serious sweet tooth."
"And don’t forget the pollen," Rhara chid in, "and whatever magic dust they probably sneezed into it. He might be supernatural, but his body isn’t built for food from this realm."
"Food," Asher called out, "You probably intend to feed us soon."
"There’s a spell that’ll let you handle our food, and stop you from falling for Fae charms so easily."
"Really?" Asher scoffed. "And does that spell happen to leave any residue you can use to manipulate or control ?"
Rhara shot Lila a look that clearly said, Where did you find this one?
"It’s just protection so you don’t end up like Roman did last night." Lila responded.
Asher’s eyes narrowed further. "You expect to believe that?"
Lila let out an exasperated sigh. "You think I dragged you all the way to the Fae realm to do what, control your mind? I could’ve left you behind, especially since you’re not even mated to Violet."
That last part hit a nerve. Asher’s jaw clenched, his teeth flashing in a snarl. But Lila bared her own in return, her sharp Fae teeth glinting as the air between them thickened. In an instant, the sweet-faced Fae was gone, replaced by a dangerous creature.
"Alright, that’s enough!" Violet stepped between them before it could turn into a fight.
Violet reached out, her fingers brushing Asher’s before she firmly took his hand. His muscles tensed, but she didn’t let go. Without saying a word, she led him away from the others, toward a quieter corner of the room.
"Asher," she began, turning to face him. "I get it. I understand why you’re pissed. You’re not in your elent, this is not the world you’re familiar with, and you don’t trust any of them one bit."
His eyes snapped toward Lila, still visibly bristling. "You’re right, I don’t trust them. Any of them. Not even your mother," he said flatly, eting Violet’s gaze without flinching. "Even the devil can pretend to be an angel."
Violet was speechless, her mouth parting slightly, but Asher wasn’t finished.
"That spell could have sothing attached to it, and we’d never know. Roman’s situation should be proof enough."
Instead of getting offended, Violet simply said, "Exactly. Look what happened to Roman."
Asher’s jaw tightened. "Roman happened because he can’t sit his ass in one place. He walks straight into trouble and brings it ho like a damn souvenir."
"And what if next ti it’s you? Or Griffin? Or Alaric?" Violet countered, her voice gaining strength. "You won’t be stuck here forever. You know it already, Fae are masters of glamours and charms. We’re already at a disadvantage just by being here."
Asher folded his arms, but his silence told her she had his attention.
"What if it’s not the pixies next ti?" she continued. "What if one of you falls into the hands of sothing worse? A Fae who knows exactly what he’s doing. Rember Baron?"
Asher’s worked his jaw at the ntion of that na.
"We don’t even know what he’s capable of yet, Asher. You can’t tell that doesn’t worry you. Even if my mother is the devil, at least she wants alive."
Asher’s mouth fell open, the defiance in his eyes gone. He swallowed, and tried to explain, "I didn’t an it that way..."
"No, it’s alright." Violet said gently, "I’m not saying you have to trust her, But maybe—just this once—you should listen. I’m only but one and can’t keep you all from danger. You guys need protection in this realm."
Asher sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine," he muttered at last.
"Thank you." Relief ward her tone.
"However," Asher said, "If that spell makes crave flowers or start singing in my sleep, I’m murdering all of them."
Violet snorted. "Really? That would be a cute sight."
"Violet." He growled, mock-threatening.
She laughed anyway. "Fine, that won’t happen. Also, no murdering anyone, you blood thirsty beast." Violet teased, leaning in to kiss him on the lips.
What was supposed to be a simple kiss quickly evolved into a passionate one.
Violet moaned softly, leaning into Asher until there was literally no space left between them. Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss.
A low, possessive rumble escaped Asher’s chest in response, vibrating against her lips. His hands road her body, tracing the curve of her spine, skimming down to the small of her back, before finally resting on her hip, holding her there.
Lila cleared her throat deliberately, pulling them both back to reality.
Violet pulled away, breathless, her cheeks flushed. Asher didn’t even bother hiding his annoyance, his gray eyes flashing toward the Fae female.
"So?" Lila demanded.
"We’ll do it," Asher said, "But I need to speak to the queen. I have questions of my own."
Lila told him. "You’ll et the queen over breakfast. Discussions in the Fae realm are often made over als."
Asher t her gaze. "Fine. Then do it."
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