Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 866

Chapter 866: Unforgiving Queen

"Who goes there? Reveal yourselves!" The command rang out the moment their carriage came within range of the palace gates.

The carriage slowed, the white horses stamping lightly against the stone path as if aware of the tension in the air.

"Let me handle this," Alaric said, already moving before Violet could respond. He stepped down from the carriage with ease, his presence commanding.

"Alpha Alaric—you’re back," one of the guards was startled, before relief crept into his tone.

The second guard’s gaze drifted toward the carriage, his voice trailing off. "Is that the...?"

Violet didn’t wait for the rest. She stepped out of the carriage gracefully, her presence alone enough to answer their unspoken question. Her golden eyes swept over the guards, calm and observant.

"Princess Violet!"

Both guards dropped to their knees instantly, heads bowed in respect.

"You don’t really need to do that," Violet said, a little uncomfortable with the display.

Behind her, Asher had already stepped out, his gaze sharp and alert as he scanned the surroundings, missing nothing.

The guards rose quickly to their feet. One of them lifted a hand to the strange device fastened around his neck and spoke into it.

"The princess is back," he announced.

Violet’s attention snapped to the object, her brows drawing together. "What is that?"

Alaric leaned in explaining to her, "Think of it as a walkie-talkie but made with Fae magic. Inspired by human design, it’s one of the many changes around the palace."

Violet stared at him, speechless. She had been gone for only three days, and already the palace had magic tools modeled after human technology.

An uneasy feeling settled in Violet’s belly, and she didn’t know whether to feel impressed or wary.

"Come, come," the guard said excitedly, gesturing for them to move on.

The second guard was more hesitant when his gaze fell on Asher, but that was until his eyes landed on the mating rune at the top of his hand. His gaze quickly snapped to Violet’s, his eyes widening in shock.

"T-they’re mated!" he shouted. "They’re finally mated!"

The first guard, upon hearing this, exclaimed, "They are?!" His eyes immediately searched Asher and Violet for the rune, and he nearly choked on air when he saw it.

"They’re mated indeed!" he shouted in celebration.

Violet’s face flushed red. She hadn’t realized they had been rooting for her.

"I think I like him," Asher said to her through the matebond.

"Of course you do," Violet snorted. "He practically announced your sex life for you."

"This is a three-way bond. Try to have some decency," Alaric cut in mentally.

Asher scoffed. "Then fuck off, pervert. Slam the door on your way out."

"Asshole," Alaric shot back.

Together, they were escorted into the palace, and that was when Violet began to notice the changes. The palace was tense, filled to the brim with security. Not just that, the statues had increased. More watchers.

Aside from that, the palace was eerily quiet, like a graveyard. In the past, there had always been chatter with Fae servants moving about their duties, and the groaning of brownies hidden in the walls or beneath the floors. Now, there was nothing.

"What’s going on?" Violet asked, unable to hide the unease in her voice.

"Some of the Fae affected by Baron’s little revolt are back home burying their loved ones or trying to heal the injured ones. The ones here are staying out of the way. Like I said, Queen Seraphira is a bit brittle right now."

"Where is the queen right now?" Violet asked as they moved deeper into the palace.

The guard leading them stiffened a bit before answering, "Her Majesty is holding court. She has been doing so these past few days."

Violet commanded. "Take me to her."

The guard slowed, glancing back at her with clear discomfort. "Are you sure you want that, Princess? Perhaps you’d rather rest with your mates and wait until the queen is done. She would surely come to you—"

"Take me to the queen," Violet repeated, firmer this time.

There was no room for negotiation in her voice. If Seraphira was truly on a killing spree, then Violet needed to see the raw, unfiltered version of her mother, not the one that would be presented to her after everything had already been done.

The guard swallowed and nodded. "As you wish."

They moved quickly after that, the air heavy with tension. Even the servants they passed kept their heads low, moving aside quickly, afraid to be noticed.

When they finally reached the grand hall, the guards stationed at the doors straightened in surprise.

"Damn. Who knew the queen had this in her?"

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