Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 735

Chapter 735: Gift From The Fae

"Let the party begin," the queen commanded after Baron’s dramatic entrance.

Just like that, the spell broke. Conversations slowly resumed, music flowed once more, and the Fae returned to mingling as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

Although Violet sat beside the queen, it was impossible not to be aware of Baron seated at the far end of the dais with Seraphira positioned squarely between them. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Growing up, Violet had often imagined reuniting with her family, but never as Fae, and certainly not trapped in a dysfunctional dynasty locked in a war for power.

"You’re beginning to get on my nerves, Baron," Queen Seraphira said coldly.

And just like that, it began.

Baron turned to Seraphira. "Oh really? I thought my entire existence irritated you despite the fact that I’m sharing my life force with you."

Seraphira faced him slowly. "You make it sound as though I should bow to you simply because my life is bound to yours?"

Baron scoffed. "Shouldn’t you? After all, I’m the one who gained nothing from this union. You refused your duties as a wife, refused to bear me an heir. I’m the one who was cheated by that pathetic deal your mother made to me."

Seraphira laughed humorlessly. "Oh, trust me, if I’d had a choice, there would have been no deal at all. You would still be Baron Heron of the Faulkner family, married to some noble Fae, but never a queen." She leaned closer, her voice dipping low. "You knew I never liked you, even when we courted. But power mattered more to you, didn’t it? Or am I wrong?"

For the first time, Baron had nothing to say.

Seraphira didn’t give him the mercy of silence.

"You claim you gained nothing," she continued harshly, "yet the Faulkner family now stands as the strongest house at court. You wield my authority freely, abuse my power, and still have the audacity to say you were scammed?" Her gaze locked onto his, daring him to argue.

Then she added, almost casually, "I don’t care what you do with your lovers. But if you don’t want me to be painted as the jealous, evil queen who carved your lover into pieces for her disrespect, then you better control your concubines, or you may find yourself an eunuch very soon. You won’t die from it, so my life remains intact."

With that, the Queen turned back to the party, as though she hadn’t just dismantled her husband in front of her daughter.

Violet tried to hold it in but a small, traitorous squeak of laughter slipped out.

Baron’s venomous gaze snapped to her, and

Violet, for her part, kept her face perfectly straight.

It was honestly nice seeing this side of her mother, not the meek, gentle version she had always shown that had allowed not just her husband but other fae to step over her without consequence.

Perhaps there was hope for her after all.

Violet’s attention was drawn when one of the sea-born Fae stepped forward from the crowd.

She was beautiful with long green hair that flowed down her back like kelp in open water, woven through with thin reeds and pale shells. The selkie wore no bodice in the way Land-Fae did, instead, strands of beads and sea-glass crossed her chest, covering what was necessary while leaving her stomach bare. Finally, a flowing skirt, layered like waves fell from her hips.

The Fae was not alone, flanked by several selkie kin, all dressed in variations of the same sea-born elegance. Together, they halted before the dais and bowed deeply in unison.

"Your Majesty, the Queen. Consort Baron. Princess Violet," she addressed them, her gaze lingering a heartbeat longer on Violet.

"Rise," Queen Seraphira commanded.

The selkie straightened and lifted her chin.

"Princess Violet Zinnia Purple," she said, her voice melodic, like water over stone. "I am Nerima of the Selkie Tide, and on behalf of the sea-born Fae, we welcome you to the realm."

Violet tilted her head slightly, acknowledging them.

Nerima gestured, and one of her people stepped out with a small, carefully carved box.

"We bring you a gift, princess," the Fae continued. "A token of goodwill, and of hope."

Lila moved at once, ascending the dais. She accepted the box and returned to Violet’s side, opening it carefully.

Violet gasped.

Inside the box was a necklace unlike anything she had ever seen. It was a single luminous oval stone, glowing a deep, living purple and it pulsed slowly, like a heartbeat.

Queen Seraphira leaned forward, her eyes narrowing with recognition. "That stone..." she gasped. "Is this Xandrite?"

Nerima inclined her head. "Yes, Your Majesty. It is the Xandrite stone, found only in the deepest abyss of the sea where even light fears to travel."

There was a collective murmur through the hall. Some of the noble Fae had not expected that the selkie fae would give Violet such a heavy gift.

"It holds memory," Nerima said, her gaze returning to Violet. "We gift it to you in the hope that you will store your happiest memory here, made in this realm, among your people."

Violet was speechless and overwhelmed by the feeling of gratitude. This was too much a gift. So she rose from her seat, careful with her movement.

"I will treasure it," she meant it with every part of her.

Nerima smiled, warm and sincere, then bowed once more before stepping back with her people, melting into the crowd.

Once she was seated, Queen Seraphira told her. "That necklace is a gift even gold cannot buy."

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