Chapter 678: One Happy Family

A dozen scenarios flashed through Violet’s mind at once.

Who could have followed them here? If even Lila couldn’t identify the girl, then this had to be someone completely unfamiliar.

And suddenly, it clicked in her head. Those moments back in the North when she had felt those strange, prickling sensations, like eyes were on her. She had dismissed them then, too caught up in the problems surrounding her to dwell on them.

But now, it all slammed together in her mind with chilling clarity. She had been followed. Violet just hadn’t realized it until this exact moment.

They followed the Queen through the halls of the palace, the entire place an epitome of refinement and ethereal grace. But the beauty didn’t last long because the deeper they walked, suddenly the air grew colder, heavier and darker.

The once luminous walls now dulled into rough, shadowed brick. Even the magic here felt harsher, as if whatever lived in these depths didn’t deserve the palace’s warmth.

At the end of the corridor stood a single guard. He straightened upon sighting them and bowed his head.

"Your Majesty."

His gaze moved to Violet.

"My Princess."

Violet acknowledged him with a small tilt of her head, nothing more. Her stomach was already too tight to manage words.

The guard stepped aside, and the massive iron door behind him groaned open on its own as the magic controlling the mechanism pulled it apart.

Queen Seraphira walked in without hesitation.

The dungeon reacted to her presence.

One by one, orbs embedded in the walls flared to life, illuminating row after row of empty cells.

"For a place this huge you lack prisoners," Roman pointed out.

"The Free Fae believe in peace, not violence," the Queen explained. "So we settle most disputes through mediation, and when matters are severe enough to require judgment, the accused is sworn before our gods. If they are guilty, the gods strike immediately. That is why we have no prisoners, Alpha. The guilty don’t live long enough to fill them."

That confession drew everyone’s attention. That was not what they had been expecting

Alaric said, "Avoiding violence isn’t always wise. Violence has its place. It exposes truth faster than any diplomacy. It keeps tyrants cautious, cowards in line, and reminds a kingdom that consequences still exist."

He glanced at the empty cells.

"A ruler needs mercy, yes, but also the power to enforce their will. Without that balance, a realm becomes predictable, and predictable kingdoms are the easiest to exploit."

The Queen halted mid-step and turned to Roman.

"You may not know this, but the average Fae can bear only one child in their lifetime. If the gods are generous, perhaps two."

Violet froze. Even the alphas stilled.

"Everything demands balance, and you cannot have powerful Faeries overwhelming the realm unchecked," the Queen continued. "Childbearing is difficult, and rare. Unlike humans, who multiply freely, our numbers are fragile. Hence every life lost sets us back generations."

She gestured to the empty cells.

"So imagine what happens if we embrace violence as freely as your kind does. We would not merely suffer casualties, we might as well edge ourselves into extinction."

"Well, thank the gods I’m a hybrid," Violet breathed out, visibly relieved. She—who planned to birth an entire community—couldn’t even begin to imagine popping out just one child in her entire lifetime. Nah, that was not happening.

"Then perhaps," Asher said dryly, his gaze sliding to her with pointed emphasis, "you should consider cohabiting with species who can help grow your population."

"Don’t worry, Alpha Asher," the Queen said calmly, unfazed by the barb."There will come a day when the Free Fae will gladly welcome strangers into our fold. You’d see it."

Then the Queen turned and continued walking before the West Pack Alpha could open his mouth again. She’d already learned Asher had a natural gift of speaking the kind of blunt truth designed to grate on one’s nerves.

They passed dozens of deserted cells until finally, the Queen stopped.

Before them stood the only occupied cell.

A very handsome Fae stood in front of it, straight-backed and alert. The moment he saw the Queen, he bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty."

"Rise Taryn."

He straightened, eyes falling on Violet.

"Princess."

Violet bowed slightly, acknowledging him.

Then Taryn gestured, "She’s the one."

Violet inhaled, steadying herself. It was time to see who followed her into the Fae realm.

Taryn stepped aside granting Violet an unobstructed view of the cell. At first, she saw nothing but the silhouette of the prisoner since the inside was dark. However, she could make out the girl.

Violet took a single step forward.

The girl too moved into the spill of the light and they met for the first time. She had raven-black hair, sharp cheekbones, and beautiful dark brown eyes. There was something about her that felt familiar but Violet couldn’t exactly place her fingers around it.

"Hello, Violet," the girl said casually, as if greeting an old friend at brunch rather than speaking to her through iron bars. "Nice to finally meet you."

Violet frowned immediately. "Who are you?"

The girl tilted her head in amusement, the corner of her mouth lifting in a knowing smirk. "Honestly, I thought the face would give it away. But then again..." She shrugged lightly. "Since you want to know—"

Her fingers curled around the bars, her gaze fixed on Violet with unnerving certainty.

"I’m Hannah..." She paused, "I’m your sister."

The words hit Violet like a physical blow.

Her breath stuttered. Her feet moved back on instinct, her heartbeat slamming against her ribs. Sister? No—no, Angus sent her after her?!

Behind her, the cardinal alphas tensed instantly, inhales echoing through the dungeon. But it was Queen Seraphira who reacted most violently.

The Queen’s hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide with shock and horror.

"No..." Seraphira whispered under her breath, barely audible. "Angus had other children?" She had always believed Violet was his only beloved child—blood of his blood and all.

But Hannah only smiled wider, her eyes glinting like a secret finally set free.

"Surprised?" she asked sweetly. "Well, I’m so excited to finally meet my sister!"