Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 478: The Fae Realm

"Your Majesty."

Queen Seraphira opened her eyes to find Zuru, the court healer, hovering over her.

She tried to move but couldn’t. Panic nearly rose in her throat until the memories came flooding back.

One moment she had been in court, holding session, and the next, a strange, draining sensation had washed over her. And then, there was darkness.

She raised her hand only to find gnarled roots buried in her veins. Realization struck her that she was beneath the Tree of Life.

Said to be the last surviving tree touched directly by the Goddess herself when she once walked among her people, the Tree of Life was sacred. It had the power to heal most illnesses or injuries. No wonder Zuru had brought her here.

To the untrained eye, the Tree of Life resembled any other, but it shimmered faintly with divine energy, and right now, that same energy pulsed visibly through the queen’s body, tracing the glowing roots where they had entered her skin.

Zuru gave a subtle nod, and the roots began to withdraw, one by one, from her veins. Seraphira gasped softly as a hint of pain pinched through her arm. But then, at last, she was free.

Zuru gently helped her sit up.

"You lost a tremendous amount of power, Your Majesty," he said calmly. "We had no choice but to bring you here to recuperate."

Seraphira sat still for a moment, letting the pain ebb from her limbs and the last of the tree’s energy settle inside her.

"How long have I been out?" she asked.

Zuru looked hesitant to respond. Then, she gently said, "It’s been quite a while, Your Majesty. Two weeks at least."

Her breath hitched.

The sacred grove where the Tree of Life grew was silent around them, save for the gentle rustle of the wind. Towering trees encircled the glade, but none compared to the Tree of Life itself. It’s root were buried deeply into the sacred soil, its canopy humming with divine power. Only the royal bloodline was permitted here, and beyond the reach of ordinary Fae folks unless permitted.

As the strongest of the Free Fae, Seraphira’s well-being had always been prioritized above any other.

A sound of rustling leaves drew their attention.

From between the trees emerged a tall female Fae, broad-shouldered and battle-scarred. Her long green hair shined like moss under sunlight, and her pointed ears peeked out from beneath silver-clasped braids. She knelt at once.

"Your Majesty," she said solemnly.

"Rhara," the queen acknowledged, her eyes narrowing. "Update me. Now."

your collapse, your majesty, Baron has taken

Seraphira blinked. "What?"

shakily to her feet, her voice laced with disbelief. "He should’ve felt it. We share a life force. If

"Are

the liberty of reading your magic. What happened to you was no accident. Someone siphoned your power

like a blade between her ribs

person who could get such

Her voice dropped, seething

"Baron."

Zuru nor

been one - had rotted

"Where is Zyrella? She should have

in Rhara’s expression, and that alone was enough

"What happened this time?"

has shifted her allegiance. She stands

from Seraphira’s face. "No. No,

Zuru’s mouth opened to stop her, but the queen vanished

burst of magic, Seraphira appeared in her bedchamber, her legs buckling beneath her. She cursed under her breath, catching herself against a wall. Moving with her magic had not been an issue for

framed in obsidian. Her hands shook, but her voice remained firm as she

séla’choráe en

words vibrating against the glass. But nothing happened. Lilarin did not respond even

tried again, louder and

séla’choráe en

the mirror remained

chest as the the

Lilarin was gone.

Zyrella knew how to summon her and she

when she opened

out of the room, throwing the doors open with a force that startled the guards posted outside. Their eyes widened,

"Y-your majesty....!"

ahead with purpose. She

remind them exactly who the Queen of the Free Fae

—---------

and enchanted stone, and high arched ceilings. Ancient

flowing ivy, its back high and graceful, unmistakably the

his own throne. He sat on the

and sharp cheekbones that could cut glass. He was the picture of calm arrogance as he reclined in Queen Seraphira’s throne, one leg resting