They were the neighboring Fae. The ones the Free Fae had hidden from for centuries.
Violet turned just in ti to see her mates arrive, along with a handful of Fae who had slipped out of the party behind them. She watched their expressions shift in real ti from curiosity to confusion, and then alertness.
None of them needed to be told, these were not guests. They were invaders.
The tension thickened instantly, and one glance at her mother confird she was not pleased. Queen Seraphira’s posture had gone rigid, every line of her body coiled tight with restrained fury.
"How did you get here?" Seraphira demanded.
Annequin answered calmly, as if she hadn’t just trespassed into another’s territory. "The walls are down, Queen of the Free Fae. We have been attempting to establish contact—"
"By sending your people to intrude on our land?" Seraphira cut in, her eyes blazing with suspicion.
Annequin did not raise her voice, nor bristle. Instead, she inhaled slowly, deliberately, before responding.
"I apologize for the intrusion," she said. "Astaria is vast. With the unification of the Fae courts, there are tis when actions are taken before word reaches ."
She paused, then added, "But you may rest assured. I an no harm. I ca for diplomacy."
The word landed heavily.
Then she gestured subtly to the small force behind her, surrounded on all sides by Free Fae guards.
"In simpler terms," Annequin continued, "I am here in rcy."
Seraphira’s lips thinned.
"Convenient," Asher said, stepping forward, and all heads turned toward him. His voice was calm, but the threat beneath it was unmistakable. "Choosing today of all days, I’d almost say it was planned."
Annequin turned her attention to him.
She studied Asher slowly, and openly, her gaze sweeping from his face to his stance, the way he held himself, and the dominance in his posture. Sothing like interest shone in those eyes.
Violet didn’t even realize it until it happened but a low warning growl slipped from her throat.
Thalia was not having this.
Annequin’s eyes shifted to Violet then, and her lips curved into a smug, knowing smile. The look she gave her was condescending, if not dismissive, as if Violet were a child playing dress-up in a crown too big for her head.
"You are correct," Annequin answered. "I chose this date deliberately. The princess’s debut."
Gasps rippled through the gathered Fae. So stepped back instinctively, their eyes darting between Violet and the armored queen.
"It was the one mont I knew I would have your kingdom’s full attention," Annequin continued, spreading her hands slightly. "And it appears I was right."
The murmurs grew louder.
Beside Violet, Griffin muttered under his breath, "There’s a spy among the Free Fae."
Roman snorted. "You don’t have to look far. My bet is on the Queen’s unhinged husband."
His gaze went toward Baron, who stood off to the side, watching the exchange with far too much interest and not nearly enough concern.
Annequin went on, unbothered. "My intentions are clean. What better ti for two queens to et than the night a princess claims her place?"
Her eyes locked on Seraphira.
"Or will you turn away, and continue reinforcing the reputation your people have for being unwelcoming to outsiders? Because tell , how long do you think that will last now that the walls are gone?"
Violet clenched her fists.
She didn’t trust Annequin. Not for a second.
But she hated that the woman wasn’t wrong.
The barriers that had hidden the Free Fae were down. Whether they wanted it or not, the rest of the world now knew they existed, and others would co with curiosity. Ambition. Or an army.
Rhara leaned in toward the Queen.
"What do we do, Your Majesty?"
All eyes turned to the Queen, waiting for her final decision.
Annequin smirked. "This is the change your people need, Your Majesty."
Queen Seraphira stared at her for a long mont, trying to discern her intention with her ability. There was nothing on her.
"The Free Fae are not uncultured people," she announced. "You are welco to celebrate with us."
Annequin smiled in clear satisfaction.
The murmurs among the Free Fae, however, swelled imdiately. It was already enough that they were being asked to accept a foreign princess. Now their Queen had invited an entirely unfamiliar Fae court into their hall.
Outrage rippled through the crowd.
"However..." Queen Seraphira continued, her voice lethal as power thickened the air around her, "if I discover even the smallest deceit, or a single dangerous intention toward my people, you may rest assured, not even your bones will be returned to your kingdom."
Instead of shrinking back, Annequin looked impressed—almost amused.
"I left my kingdom without a ruler to co here," she told her. "Queen to Queen. Do you truly think that would be a wise decision if I had ulterior motives?"
"Not necessarily," Asher replied flatly. "Unless you’re reckless enough to gamble. Sotis risks pay off."
Annequin turned her gaze to him again, a slow smile curling her lips.
Violet scowled.
She didn’t need feminine intuition to see the calculation in that woman’s eyes. And since when had Asher beco this talkative? The irritation sparked hot and fast.
Queen Seraphira turned to Rhara. "Before they enter the hall, search them thoroughly. Any concealed weapon or enchantnt, and they leave imdiately."
With that, Queen Seraphira left.
Annequin extended her arms arrogantly as Rhara and several guards approached.
"Go ahead," she said with a smirk. "Touch however you like, sister."
Rhara’s scowl was imdiate, but she quickly schooled her face into professional neutrality and conducted a thorough search.
Violet remained where she was, watching closely — and waiting for sothing to happen.
Rhara straightened. "There is nothing on her."
Annequin’s gaze slid back to Violet. She winked.
That did it.
Violet had never considered herself the jealous type, but at that mont, she decided she would never like this fae. Ever.
She gathered her skirts sharply and turned away, leaving without another glance.
Her mates followed.
User Comments
0 comments from readers