With Queen Seraphira gone, Violet was left alone with her beloved stepfather—and she had no intention of spending family ti with him.
She had barely risen from her seat when Baron said, "How exactly do you intend to rule the Free Fae when you plan to return to the human world?"
Violet paused.
Slowly, she turned back to face him.
Baron’s gaze was hard and filled with resentnt. "Isn’t that greed?" he continued, his tone edged with bitterness. "Rule your beast father’s kingdom. You know nothing about the Free Fae and our people, so leave us be."
Violet let out a humorless laugh.
"And you think you’re the right fit?" she asked coldly. "Your delusion is far more impressive than my supposed greed."
Across the hall, the cardinal alphas had already noticed the shift. They didn’t move imdiately, but their bodies tensed, their instincts on alert. They knew Baron wouldn’t dare do anything openly—but they also knew Violet was fearless enough to provoke him.
When Violet leaned closer with a scowl, all four of them rose to their feet in unison. If Baron so much as lifted a hand, they would be on the dais in seconds.
Violet stopped just short of him.
"Thank your lucky gods you’re married to my mother," she said, venom laced into her word. "If it were in her place, you’d be screaming in whatever hell even immortals fear."
Their eyes locked, not that Baron blinked.
Violet straightened, turning to leave, then stopped as she rembered sothing.
"Oh," she added casually, glancing over her shoulder. "The next ti you try to fuck with in my dreams?"
She pointed down toward the floor, where Asher stood watching them with unnerving stillness.
"My mate will make sure you wake up a vegetable. Trust , Asher doesn’t threaten, he delivers."
She didn’t wait for a response and walked away with her head high, leaving the space around Baron buzzing with tension.
Baron watched her go, a slow, thoughtful smile curling his lips.
"And that," he murmured to himself, "is exactly why he’d be perfect."
The mont the cardinal alphas noticed Violet approach, they moved out of their positions imdiately, creating space for her at the center without a word. Violet slid into the seat between them, noticing the way her mates protected her from either sides.
Asher was the first to ask. "What happened? What was that about?"
Violet said lightly. "Nothing important. Just giving my stepfather a friendly reminder why he shouldn’t ss with ."
Griffin’s jaw tightened instantly. "If he ever lays a hand on you, I’ll pulverize him myself."
Violet laughed. "Then you’d kill my mother."
Except the words hit harder than she expected now she said it.
Griffin’s expression fell, guilt flashing across his face. "Oh. I— I’m sorry."
She waved it off quickly. "It’s a joke."
But even as she laughed, the truth underneath it tightened her chest. Her mother’s life was still tied to Baron’s and one careless move was all it took and she’d be gone forever.
Queen Seraphira might not have been the best of mothers but Violet just got her and she wasn’t about to lose her anyti soon. They will find a way to unbind her from Baron, one way or the other.
Roman noticed the shift imdiately.
"Forget all that," he said, already reaching for a plate. "Eat, my dazzling Princess."
Violet blushed. Roman, the charr.
He picked up a piece of honey-glazed fruit that was soft, and dripping with syrup and crushed petals, and held it to her lips. Violet opened her mouth obediently, but instead of pulling away when she took the fruit, she lightly sucked his finger before releasing him.
Roman froze.
His eyes darkened instantly, pupils blown wide, while his breath hitched like he’d been struck. Violet smirked, thoroughly pleased with herself.
Alaric cleared his throat. "Enough of that. We have a decree over our heads, rember."
Roman groaned, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, right. The dick killer."
Violet nearly choked on the fruit.
"Stop it," Griffin warned Roman just as he shifted closer, lifting a spoon from a bowl of warm grain soaked in spiced milk. "Open, my love," he said gently.
Violet obeyed again, laughing as she swallowed. Being pampered like this made
her feel oddly small and cherished all at once.
And right at that mont, the pain hit her without warning.
Violet gasped, her fingers clutching at the table as a sharp spike drove through her skull. "Ah—"
All four of them were on her instantly.
"What’s wrong?" Asher asked.
"Your head?" Alaric pressed.
Violet squeezed her eyes shut. "The headache has began and Goddess, it’s terrible."
That was all it took.
Griffin stood and swept her into his arms as if she weighed nothing. The Fae watched the as he carried her away from the feast, her head tucked against his shoulder. Violet barely registered them, the pain drowning out everything else.
They moved fast through the halls, and back to the private chamber. Griffin laid her gently on the bed while the others worked at removing her outer garnts until she was left in soft innerwear.
Lila arrived monts later, holding a steaming cup. "Let her drink this," she said, pressing it into Alaric’s hands. "It’ll dull the magic backlash."
Alaric went to her and Violet didn’t argue. She swallowed the bitter brew in one go, grimacing. That was terrible.
"Good," Lila said, satisfied. "Have a rest. You should be better in the morning."
When she left, Roman climbed onto the bed beside Violet without hesitation, pulling her close and setting his fingers gently at her temples. He began to rub slow circles, the pressure perfect.
"Breathe," he murmured. "Let it pass."
It worked. Gradually, the pain loosened its grip, fading into a dull ache. Just like that, Violet’s body relaxed inch by inch.
The others settled around her and
Violet sighed, the tension finally draining from her chest.
She felt blessed having four marvelous mates by her side. So she closed her eyes with a smile, sleep slowly claiming her.
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