Chapter 777: The Queen Is ill

The Fae Realm

Even though Violet appeared mostly healed, Queen Seraphira still insisted she be taken to the royal infirmary, where Zuru personally examined her.

The healer assessed the princess’s core and

In the end, she declared her magic stable. Exhausted, but no longer volatile. All she needed now was rest.

Only then did the cardinal alphas take their mate back to their chambers, where Violet finally drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.

But while she slept, her mates did not.

They gathered in the adjoining living room, seated around the low table, voices hushed and careful not to carry through the walls.

"You know," Griffin said, breaking the silence, "for once, I’m glad this happened in the Fae realm. Imagine Violet losing control in the human realm. She’d never forgive herself for the lives she might’ve taken."

"I highly doubt that," Alaric countered at once.

Griffin frowned. "Excuse me?"

Alaric had his arms crossed as he explained, "Back at the North Pack, when Violet used that power, as terrifying as it looked, she didn’t hurt us. Not even once. It was as if her powers knew who not to harm."

He gestured vaguely toward the doorway, meaning the outside world. "But today wasn’t like that. The dome was designed to draw magic to the surface. Unfortunately, the damn device pulled on more than it and Violet could handle."

Roman grinned. "On the bright side, the Fae will think twice before messing with our mate in the future."

Griffin snorted softly. "That’s one way to put it. I mean, who in their right mind would challenge someone who can erase them from existence?"

"Well," Alaric added more soberly, "let’s not celebrate too soon. It’s a struggle for the throne and some Fae have a death sentence."

He turned his gaze toward Asher, who had been silent the entire time, standing near the window with his arms folded, eyes distant.

"You’ve been awfully quiet," Alaric said. "What’s going on in that scheming mind of yours?"

Asher didn’t look at them when he spoke.

"The Queen is sick."

There was no dramatic pause or softening, just the truth, dropped clean and heavy.

Alaric, Griffin, and Roman looked at one another, their eyes communicating all the things their mouths didn’t say.

Then Alaric cleared his throat. "You heard it too."

Asher turned to them. "I’m sure all of you heard it," he said, his gaze trained on their faces. "And saw it too. The queen was struggling with her powers."

Roman shrugged. "Werewolves fall sick sometimes. It might not be anything serious."

" ’Remember your health,’ " Asher quoted Lila’s words. "That doesn’t exactly sound like, ’Remember, you’re sick.’ The queen is hiding something else, which, at this point, isn’t surprising."

Over and over again, the Fae had proven they were masters of secret.

Griffin frowned. "Are you trying to say the queen is dying or something? That doesn’t make sense. Fae live long lives, even longer than wolves."

Alaric agreed. "Griffin’s right. And Seraphira is the Queen of the Fae. There’s no way they wouldn’t have a solution to whatever is ailing her."

"Serious or not, the fact that the queen was so incapacitated that she couldn’t fully help her daughter already unsettles me," Asher said, his intense gaze boring into each and every one of them. "Violet is about to go through an important trial. I need to know the queen is in perfect health to see her through. And if the queen is dying," he added coldly, "we need to understand how that will affect Violet."

Alaric nodded slowly. "You do make sense. If the queen is severely sick—or worse—we can’t just sit on it."

"And how exactly do we do that?" Griffin asked. "It’s not like the queen will come out and announce she’s ill. Just like in the human realm, it’s politics. No monarch wants news of weakness spreading. It destabilizes the kingdom. And she doesn’t trust us enough to confide in us." He paused. "Not to mention her crazy husband. Goddess knows what he’d do with that information."

Roman snapped his fingers. "Or we lure Lila in here and Asher compels her to tell the tru—" He stopped abruptly. "Oh. Right. She’s immune." He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Forgot about that annoying detail."

"No," Asher said firmly. "I’ll meet with the queen myself. She’ll tell me the truth."

Griffin, Alaric, and Roman stared at him blankly, like someone watching a child announce he was about to build a house with no tools, no money, and no plan.

Asher saw the look they were giving him and ignored it. He went on, saying, "If the queen’s health is truly that serious, then sooner or later the truth will come out—no matter how much she tries to hide it. It’s better she tells me now, so we can be prepared to deal with the fallout of whatever caused it, than keeping it a secret and making life even more difficult for Violet than it already is."

Listening to Asher’s words, the cardinal alphas began to see the wisdom in them.

"You’re right," Griffin concurred. "So when do we intend to see the queen?"

"Not we. I am," Asher corrected calmly. "She might not appreciate a crowd. And someone needs to stay behind and look after Violet." He was already preparing to leave.

"I’m coming with you," Alaric said. "If the queen really is sick, my expertise might come in handy."

Roman and Griffin exchanged a look. That left the two of them behind.

Instead of feeling sidelined, Roman grinned. "Don’t worry. We’ll take very good care of our mate."

Asher’s expression shifted instantly. "Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, Roman Draven," he warned.

Roman lifted both hands in mock surrender. "Why do you guys always assume the worst of me?"

Griffin cut in smoothly. "Relax. I’m here."

Roman rolled his eyes. These people were always so dramatic. What exactly did they think he was going to do to Violet? Aside from a little cuddling—she probably needed someone to hold onto while she slept. Maybe a kiss or two on the forehead.

Hehe. Perfectly reasonable things.