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."

collapse, your majesty, Baron has taken over

Seraphira blinked. "What?"

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

now. "Are you saying

your magic. What happened to

blade between her ribs and

could get such easy

darkened. Her voice dropped,

"Baron."

nor Rhara

to the war 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 no love lost between those two.

to Rhara, her voice clipped. "Where is

change in Rhara’s expression, and that alone was

"What happened this time?"

Majesty..." Rhara hesitated, then straightened. "Zyrella has

from Seraphira’s

Zuru’s mouth opened to stop her,

legs buckling beneath her. She cursed under her breath, catching herself against a wall. Moving

obsidian. Her hands shook,

séla’choráe en

spell lingered in the air, the Fae words vibrating against the glass. But nothing happened. Lilarin did not respond even though

again, louder and

séla’choráe en darúh

the mirror

stillness crept into her chest as the the truth struck

Lilarin was gone.

Only Zyrella knew how to summon her and she had betrayed.

on the mirror, Seraphira slowly closed them. And when she opened them again, her amethyst gaze burned like

force that startled the guards posted outside. Their eyes widened, after all, the queen was supposed

"Y-your majesty....!"

with purpose. She had been silent

time to remind them exactly who the Queen of the Free Fae

—---------

room of the Free Fae Court was a marvel carved of living crystal and enchanted stone, and high arched ceilings. Ancient tapestries bearing the sigil of the free clans hung

wrapped in flowing ivy, its back high and graceful, unmistakably

Baron sat not in his own throne. He sat

deep green, he looked every bit the noble consort : tall, broad-shouldered, with perfectly groomed dark hair and sharp cheekbones that could