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."

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

Seraphira blinked. "What?"

should’ve felt it. We share a life force. If I was sick, he should have

now. "Are

slowly, his expression grave. "If I may, Your Majesty, I took the liberty of reading your magic. What happened to you was no accident. Someone siphoned your

a blade between her ribs

who could get

eyes darkened. Her voice

"Baron."

Zuru nor

been one - had rotted away years ago, buried beneath power plays, mistrust,

her voice clipped. "Where is Zyrella? She should have been with

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

"What happened this time?"

has shifted

blood drained from Seraphira’s

what was coming, Zuru’s mouth opened to stop her,

burst of magic, Seraphira appeared in her bedchamber, her legs buckling beneath her. She cursed under her breath, catching herself against a wall.

toward the tall mirror framed in obsidian. Her

en

the glass. But

tried again,

en darúh

mirror remained

chest as the the truth

Lilarin was gone.

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

the mirror, Seraphira slowly closed them. And when she opened them again, her amethyst

a force that startled

"Y-your majesty....!"

didn’t stop, striding ahead with purpose.

them exactly who the Queen of the Free Fae

—---------

crystal and enchanted stone, and high arched ceilings. Ancient tapestries bearing the sigil of

high and graceful,

today, Baron sat not in his own throne. He sat on the

black robes trimmed with deep green, he looked every bit the noble consort : tall, broad-shouldered, with perfectly groomed dark hair and sharp cheekbones that could cut glass. He was the picture of