Chapter 760: Titty Rights

"That was pretty predictable," Asher said in the midst of the celebration. Violet had always shown signs of being a fire wielder, ever since their first encounter with Baron during dinner with the queen. And with a temper like hers, fire manipulation fitted her perfectly.

"So let’s make it fun," Roman said, his eyes glinting. "Let’s predict what her next power will be."

"Sounds fun," Asher said, surprisingly joining in immediately.

Griffin pinched the bridge of his nose. "You’re all starting things now," he said flatly, already regretting the look in Roman’s eyes.

Roman scoffed. "Starting things? No. We’re just making things interesting." He leaned back on his heels, arms folding casually. "Besides, you’d be interested too once you hear what the reward is."

Griffin’s eyes narrowed, wary. "What reward?"

Roman announced with his signature sheepish grin. "Simple. Whoever correctly guesses Violet’s next power gets exclusive tit rights for a week."

The words landed heavy such that Alaric made a choking sound in the back of his throat while Asher let out a breath that sounded suspiciously like a growl.

"That," Alaric said carefully, "is the worst idea you’ve ever had."

Roman blinked at them, mock-offended. "Really? Nobody wants exclusive titty time with our mate?" He tilted his head, eyes gleaming. "I thought you’d all be ripping each other’s throats out by now."

Silence fell and it was not the calm kind, but the type where predators assess each other.

Griffin shifted uncomfortably as he realized even he was considering it. The realization alone annoyed him.

Roman noticed. Of course he did.

"See?" he said smugly. "Perfect revenge material. Think of it as friendly competition."

Alaric crossed his arms. "One week is too long."

Asher shot him a sideways glance. "Why? Not confident you’ll win?"

Alaric gave him a sharp look. "Oh, I’m very confident. I just can’t wait to see your face when I do."

Griffin raised a hand. "We’re shortening it. I am not surviving a week of any of you holding that over my head."

Roman considered it. "Fine. Four days."

"Two," Griffin countered immediately.

"Three," Asher said without hesitation.

"Two," Alaric snapped back.

Roman laughed, his eyes bright. "Two days it is."

Just like that, the decision was made. At once, their gazes sharpened, and instincts ignited. Uninterrupted access to Violet’s boobs for two full days? None of them wanted to lose.

"Hold on," Alaric said, thinking. "There are no defined rules in this game yet."

Roman glanced at him, amused. "Such as?"

"For example," Alaric continued, "what happens if two people call the same power?"

Roman shrugged easily. "Then I guess you share. Our mate has two breasts after all."

A low growl of dissatisfaction rippled through the group. They had turned this into a competition and exclusive access to Violet’s boobs was the whole point, but now?

"Fine." Griffin said this time, "Then I add a condition." He raised a finger. "No more than two people can call the same power."

Roman considered that, then smirked. "Smart and annoying."

"So you agree?"

"Yeah," Roman rolled his eyes. So much for his hidden plan.

So far Alaric and Asher were the most brilliant ones which meant he would likely follow after either of their guesses. Unfortunately, Griffin just put a stop to that.

Griffin shifted his weight. "Then what’s the order?"

Asher answered immediately. "Rock, paper, scissors."

Griffin turned on him at once. "Oh no. Absolutely not." He pointed between Asher and Alaric. "You two want to rig this before it even starts."

Everyone knew that both of them were good at it.

Asher didn’t even blink. His face remained infuriatingly blank.

Alaric shrugged. "Not my fault I’m brilliant."

Griffin scowled. "That’s exactly my point."

Roman laughed, enjoying this far too much. "Alright, alright. We’ll leave it to fate." He reached into his pocket. "Coin flip."

At that, all four of them paused.

There was something about chance that made it feel fair even though it could still be rigged.

"Heads," Asher said calmly.

"Tails," Alaric countered.

Griffin watched the coin closely as Roman flipped it into the air. It spun, catching the light, then slapped back into Roman’s palm.

Roman peeked, then looked up slowly. "Heads."

Asher inclined his head slightly, satisfied.

Alaric clicked his tongue. "Whatever."

Asher and Alaric had already claimed their places earlier. That left Roman and Griffin, and one last coin toss would settle the order once and for all.

Alaric rolled the coin across his knuckles once, the metal flashing in the light before he pinched it between two fingers. "Alright," he said. "Roman versus Griffin."

Roman straightened immediately. "I like these odds."

Griffin snorted. "You like every set of odds."

"As long as I win," Roman replied smoothly.

Alaric lifted a brow. "Call it."

"Heads," Roman said without hesitation.

Griffin frowned. "Of course you’d choose heads."

"Then take tails," Roman shot back.

Griffin waved him off. "Just give me tails."

Alaric didn’t give them time to second-guess themselves. He flicked his thumb, sending the coin spinning high into the air. It arced once, twice, catching the morning light before clinking back down into his palm.

All eyes locked onto his hand.

Alaric glanced down, then slowly looked up.

"Tails."

Griffin let out a shout of joy, triumph flashing across his face before he could stop it. Roman, on the other hand, groaned dramatically.

"You’ve got to be kidding me."

Griffin smirked. "Fate has spoken."

Roman squinted at Alaric. "You didn’t rig that, did you?"

Alaric scoffed. "Please. If I were rigging it, I wouldn’t waste it on either of you."

"So what’s the order now?" Asher asked

Alaric ticked it off on his fingers. "Asher goes first. Then me. Griffin. Roman last."

Roman threw his head back. "Last?" He looked personally offended. "I come up with the game and I go last?"

"That’s the price of creativity," Griffin said smugly.

Roman narrowed his eyes at him. "Careful. If I win from last position, I’m never letting you hear the end of it."

Griffin shrugged. "If."

Roman smirked. "Don’t underestimate me."

"We’d see."

The four of their attention drifted back toward Violet, who stood unaware of the ridiculous—but deadly serious—stakes being set around her.

Roman clapped his hands together as he turned toward Asher. "Alright," he said, voice filled with anticipation. "Your guess."

Asher barely even looked at the dome before answering. "Earth manipulation."

There was a beat of silence. They had not seen Violet manifest that power at all hence it was strange for him to mention it.

Alaric’s eyes narrowed, a slow, calculating look crossing his face. "Atomization."

Roman blinked. "Atomization?" He turned his head toward Alaric. "You’re going to have to explain that one."

Alaric’s lips curved into a smug smile. "Breaking matter down to its most basic structure. That’s the ability Violet manifested in the North pack and brought everyone to their knees. They called her a goddess, our mate. Not that she isn’t."

Roman’s brows shot up. "Oh. That actually sounds fun."

Everyone turned to Griffin.

He scratched the back of his neck. "Earth manipulation," he said simply. "Same as Asher."

Roman burst out laughing. "So you’re following after him? That’s boring." He waved a dismissive hand. "Fine. I’ll take atomization then. Asher versus Alaric. Let’s see who wins."

Meanwhile, the dome’s surface, which had become a molten red, began to change again and Violet braced herself as that familiar tug hit her again.

This one was different. It was not as violent or overwhelming as the first, but deeper. It felt like something pulling at her from beneath her feet.

Violet sucked in a breath, her fingers curling as warmth surged through her legs, her spine, and her bones.

The ground beneath them trembled. A sharp crack echoed across the field and the

Earth split open.

Fae screamed as the ground yawned wide, jagged fissures ripping through the training field. Several attendants and guards lost their footing as the soil gave way, swallowing them whole.

"Move!" someone shouted.

Earth-benders reacted instantly.

Fae with control over stone and soil slammed their palms down, magic flaring as they forced the ground to obey. The earth opened no further, and with a collective effort, the fallen were lifted back up, dragged free from the earth and deposited onto solid ground.

Silence fell, all eyes on the dome which now

glowed a deep, steady green-brown now, veins of light pulsing through it like roots through soil.

Queen Seraphira’s lips curved upward. She looked proud.

"The princess is an earth wielder," she announced.

Cheers thundered through the space as applause broke out once more, Fae shouting in approval and awe. Such a raw display of power was magnificent.

Asher didn’t say a word, he simply smirked in victory.

Alaric stared at the dome, disbelief written plainly across his face. Roman’s mouth hung open for a full second before he groaned.

"You have got to be kidding me."

Griffin chuckled, shaking his head. "Who lost now?"

"No way!" Roman said to Asher, "You have to tell me, how did you predict it?"