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."

her head. "After your collapse, your majesty, Baron has taken over

Seraphira blinked. "What?"

voice laced with disbelief. "He should’ve felt it. We share a life force. If I was sick, he should have

pounding now. "Are you saying Baron was

took the liberty of reading your magic. What happened to you was no

a blade between her ribs and she didn’t need her to

could get

darkened. Her voice dropped, seething

"Baron."

nor Rhara

between Queen Seraphira and her consort, Baron. Their love - If there had ever been one - had rotted away years ago, buried beneath power plays, mistrust, and whispered threats. In one word, there was

"Where is Zyrella? She should have been

change in Rhara’s expression, and that alone was enough to make

"What happened this time?"

Rhara hesitated, then straightened. "Zyrella has

from Seraphira’s

if sensing what was coming, Zuru’s mouth opened to stop her, but the queen vanished before

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 her until now. She hated

toward the tall mirror framed in obsidian. Her hands shook, but her voice remained firm as she stared

séla’choráe en

the glass. But nothing happened. Lilarin did not respond even though

tried again, louder and

séla’choráe en darúh

mirror remained

chest as the the truth struck

Lilarin was gone.

her. Only Zyrella knew how to summon her and she had betrayed. Why? For a couple of coins

them. And when she opened

marched out of the room, throwing the doors open with a force that startled the guards posted outside. Their eyes widened, after all, the queen was supposed to be

"Y-your majesty....!"

ahead with

exactly who the Queen

—---------

a marvel carved of living crystal and enchanted stone, and high arched ceilings. Ancient tapestries bearing the sigil of the

ivy, its back high

not in his own throne. He

bit the noble consort : tall, broad-shouldered, with perfectly groomed dark hair and sharp cheekbones that could cut glass. He was the picture of calm arrogance as he reclined in Queen Seraphira’s throne, one