Chapter 761: Most Powerful Fae

"Yes, how did you predict that?" Alaric was curious about it too. If there was any ability Violet had displayed the most, it was atomization, and he’d assumed that would surface next only for the opposite to happen.

Asher shifted his weight and explained, calm as ever. "Earth, air, water, and fire. Those are the core elements. In some Fae lore, there’s spirit, and possibly a sixth—shadows. These are the foundations from which other abilities are derived. Since Violet started with fire, I figured she’d work her way through the basics."

"And you chose earth over air?" Alaric pressed. "That feels like a stretch."

Roman and Griffin exchanged a look. Alaric had just revealed his next guess, and both of them silently filed that information away.

Asher shrugged. "A bit of luck and critical thinking. If we’re starting from the foundation, I’d rather begin with the most ideal one. In case you haven’t noticed, Queen Seraphira—Violet’s mother—is a healer."

"And?" Roman said flatly. He still didn’t see it.

But Alaric’s mind was already racing. "Healing is a branch of earth magic," he murmured.

"Bingo," Asher said, eyes twinkling.

"So you’re saying..." Griffin began slowly, "...healing is a specialized expression of earth magic, not a default ability."

"To the Fae, at least," Asher replied. "An earth elementalist can heal, but healing isn’t guaranteed just because someone controls earth. I figured if Queen Seraphira can heal, then Violet might inherit the potential. She’s strong enough for it. Looks like my gamble paid off." He smiled smugly.

"I swear, I hate how observant you are sometimes," Alaric groaned, defeated.

Asher tapped his temple. Alaric was brilliant, no doubt—but intelligence alone wasn’t enough. Observation required awareness, instinct, and reading what others overlooked. That was one lesson he’d learned well from Henry.

"So Violet is a healer too? I don’t get it," Griffin said. "Didn’t Violet heal Alaric when he nearly died during the North Pack attack?"

Asher turned sharply. "Didn’t you say that was the mating rune?"

Alaric touched his side. "I swear it was. The same way she drew energy from me—"

"But if she’s an earth elemental," Roman cut in, "we might not know for sure."

"Not until she trains," Asher finished.

Then Griffin grinned. "I hope it’s both. If she’s an earth elementalist and a healer..."

"She’ll be terrifying," Roman muttered.

None of them disagreed.

"Then we move on to the next section," Roman announced, rubbing his hands together like a man about to enjoy himself far too much.

Alaric groaned loudly. "Are we still doing this?"

Roman flashed him a grin. "Of course we’re still doing this. We’re doing this until it’s over."

Griffin snorted. "At this rate, we might as well violate the no-sex rule."

For once, Asher surprised them. "Honestly," he said dryly, "we might as well put a dampener on Alaric while we’re at it."

Alaric’s jaw dropped. He turned slowly to stare at Asher, utterly blank.

Roman lost it, snickering outright, while Griffin slapped a hand over his mouth, shoulders shaking.

Alaric blinked at him. And then he laughed sarcastically. "Nice one. And you’d be the dampener, I suppose?"

Asher didn’t even flinch.

Roman clapped his hands once. "Alright, that’s enough. Let’s get this going before our mate ruins it by casually manifesting another ability."

That wiped the humor from Alaric’s face. "Fair."

They gathered closer, lowering their voices instinctively as the Fae moved around the field. Just like before, the decision would be left to chance.

"Same rules," Roman said. "Coin toss."

Alaric straightened. "I’m calling first this time."

Asher’s mouth twitched. "Naturally."

Roman flipped the coin into his palm. "Call it."

"Heads."

Asher snickered. "Of course you’d choose that this time."

Alaric rolled his eyes. Now the asshole thought he was copying him.

Roman was about to toss it when Alaric lifted a hand. "No. Griffin should do it."

Roman raised a brow. "You don’t trust me?"

"Sorry," Alaric said unapologetically, eyes flicking to Asher. "Asher’s your buddy."

Roman laughed, unbothered. "Fair enough."

Griffin stepped forward, rolling the coin over his knuckles before flicking it high into the air. It spun high, and landed on the stone.

"Tails."

For a heartbeat, there was silence.

Then Asher buckled over laughing.

He laughed so hard he had to brace himself on his knees, tears streaking down his face.

The nearby Fae hissed sharply.

"Quiet!" someone snapped. "No distractions for the princess!"

Asher waved a hand in apology, still laughing as he wiped his eyes.

Alaric, meanwhile, sulked like a scolded child with his arms crossed and jaw tight.

Roman grinned. "That’s rough."

Alaric muttered something unkind under his breath.

"Alright," Roman said. "My turn with Griffin."

Asher straightened, clearing his throat. "I’ll toss."

Griffin cracked his neck. "Tails."

Roman didn’t hesitate. "Heads."

The coin spun again. It hit the ground.

"Heads."

Roman burst into a victorious celebration, pumping his fist once before a chorus of Fae hisses reminded him where he was.

Griffin only shook his head, resigned.

Alaric squinted. "What’s the price this time?"

Roman’s grin turned dangerous. "Winner gets exclusive cuddle rights. Full bed access. Two days."

Alaric and Griffin groaned in unison.

"That is totally unfair," Griffin muttered.

"If I’d known that was the prize," Alaric added darkly, "I would’ve fought harder."

Roman laughed. "Someone’s going to be making the coach their best friend for a while."

Then he sobered. "Alright. Guesses."

Asher went first.

The answer was too obvious. However, he shared a brief look with Alaric before saying, "Shape-shifting."

Alaric frowned. "I don’t need your pity."

Asher shrugged. "I’ll take back my words if I can. Unfortunately, rules are rules."

Alaric exhaled. "Air manipulation."

Roman didn’t hesitate. "Air manipulation."

Griffin sighed. "Atomization."

Roman grinned. "Let’s see who wins."

"Asshole." Griffin muttered.

All four of them turned back toward their mate Violet who was still unaware of the madness unfolding behind her.

The dome changed again and a great pressure swept across the field right before the wind came.

It was not a breeze nor a gist, rather a

roaring surge of air tore outward from the dome, ripping across the ground with violent force. Fae cried out as they were lifted off their feet, their hair whipping wildly.

The air wielders reacted instantly, slamming their palms down and seizing control of the currents before anyone could be hurled away completely to Goddess knows where.

The wind spiraled upward, forming a towering vortex around Violet. Her hair lifted, eyes glowing while the others had to shield their faces away from the current.

As if the wind was done with their performance, it died down immediately, the dome glowing a soft, swirling blue.

For a moment, no one said a word. Instead Fae stared at Fae. Cardinal alpha at cardinal alpha. Even Annequin for once looked impressed. It was obvious to everyone that princess Violet was not just gifted, she was powerful.

Then Queen Seraphira announced with the proudest smile, "My daughter wields the third element. Air!"

Applause rippled through the training field, rising and falling like waves as the Fae celebrated Violet’s awakening.

The cardinal alphas were already gathering together once more, ready to continue their games when Violet suddenly groaned aloud.

It cut clean through the celebration like a blade and then her knees buckled.

"Violet?" All of her mates said at the same time.

She doubled over, clutching her stomach as a sharp crack of bone grinding against bone sounded through the space.

The applause died instantly as Violet screamed. Her spine arched violently, her limbs twisting at unnatural angles as gasps tore through the crowd. Her color bleeded away, reshaping. Same with her hair which darkened and reshaped. Her face contorted, bones shifting beneath flesh as her new identity formed.

"What is going on? Should we help her, your majesty?" one of the Fae asked Queen Seraphira concerned.

"No, let her be," Queen Seraphira breathed, seeing through what was happening.

Before their eyes, Violet’s form finished settling and standing where the princess had been moments ago was Queen Annequin.

This was not an illusion nor glamour. It was perfect and exact down to the sharp cut of her jaw, the color of her eyes, and the very domineering presence she carried.

The field fell into horrified silence.

Annequin stared at her—at herself—with naked shock, her composure cracking for the first time since her arrival.

"What—" she started, then stopped, lips parting as she took a slow step forward. "That’s not possible."

Violet—no, Violet as Annequin—looked down at her hands, flexed her fingers as if they didn’t belong to her.

"I—" Her voice came out as Annequin’s.

Roman broke the silence with a low, stunned whistle. "Well," he said, "I guess that’s the end of our games."

"Shapeshifting came a bit early," Asher said. "Perfect mimicry."

Queen Seraphira stopped beside Violet, eyes blazing with equal parts awe and fear.

On the other hand, having overcome her shock, Annequin finally laughed. "Oh," she said, "this just became very interesting. Of all the people to mimic, Princess, you chose me. You must love me so much."

But as proud as Annequin sounded, there was a hint of fear in her eyes. If Violet could mimic her, did that include her powers as well? Because if that were the case, then Violet might very well be the most powerful Fae alive.

And that was a problem.