Chapter 640

Violet groaned, “What? What is it now?”
She could already tell this was not going to end well.
Rhara was the one who answered, “As much as pixies are lesser Fae, they are still respected among our kind. And as the princess of the Free Fae, that makes them your subjects. Hence, you must learn how to negotiate with them.”
Asher perked up at once, his expression darkening. “Negotiate?” His tone dripped with disbelief. From what little he knew about the Fae, negotiating with them was the fastest way to get tricked, cursed, or worse.
He growled low in his throat. “Violet is not doing any negotiating.”
Lucen’s gaze flicked toward him, saying pointedly, “There are rules to the Fae realm, beast. Bargaining with the pixies is the only way to get your snake brother back.”
Lila, added, “He’s right.”
Asher’s glare shifted to her. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am,” Lila said smoothly. “But the pixies love something more than deals.”
That got Violet’s attention. “And what’s that?”
Lila’s lips curved. “They love shiny trinkets. Enchanted gifts.”
Violet’s excitement deflated instantly. “Oh, wonderful. And how in the world am I supposed to get shiny enchanted trinkets?”
Rhara chuckled lightly. “Princess Violet, this is your home. Surely your mother wouldn’t refuse you access to her treasures.”
Violet blinked. “Wait, you mean—”
“Yes,” Lila said with a knowing grin. “Her jewelry chamber. You’ll find more than enough to impress the little creatures.”
Violet exhaled in relief. Maybe being a princess wasn’t bad after all.”
“Good,” Lila said. “Now, wait a minute while Rhara and I prepare the gifts. We’ll find the little rascals soon enough.”
As soon as they left, the space seemed to shrink. Only Violet, her men, and the winged stag remained, and the tension was so thick, the temperature rose with it.
Violet’s nose twitched. The air was stifling, heavy with her mate’s scent. It was rich, potent, and everywhere that they were choking her without even realizing. The testosterone was practically dripping off them in nauseating waves. At this point, it was as if they were having a dick measuring competition
“You should be careful with this bargain,” Asher said suddenly, stepping closer until his body shadowed hers completely. “I don’t trust a word those creatures say.”
And surely, it wasn’t a coincidence that his broad frame blocked Lucen from view.
Violet noticed but said nothing. There was no point in feeding their jealousy.
“I know,” she said, her tone touched with appreciation. “I’ll be careful.” She reached for his hand and squeezed gently. “Besides, I have you here with me. You won’t let anything happen to me.”
Something in Asher’s chest loosened. The insecurity that had been clawing at him since they arrived seemed to fade under her words. Their gazes locked, the air charging with attraction once more.
Then Alaric’s voice cut through it.
“Dude,” he said dryly, “can’t you get some clothes?”
Lucen arched a perfect brow, completely unbothered. “Why? Does it bother you? Can’t keep your eyes off me?”
Griffin snarled before he could stop himself, his jaw flexing. He was one breath away from throttling the annoying Fae.
He took a good, deliberate look at Lucen — lean, tall, sculpted — and snorted. Sure, the guy was built, but not that built. Not like him. Griffin had raw strength, and he knew it. When it came down to a show of strength, Griffin was confident of winning.
Lucen tilted his head, that sly grin never faltering, clearly enjoying every spark of tension he was causing.
Violet’s eyes narrowed. As fascinated as she was, she had to be careful around this one. Fae were tricksters after all.
Thankfully, Rhara and Lila finally arrived, and the tension lessened.
Lila carried a small, golden box in her hands and Violet’s eyes locked on it immediately, curiosity sparking. “What’s in there?”
“This,” Lila said, holding it up, “is something very precious.”
Then she opened the lid slowly, reverently, as though unveiling a relic of the gods. Inside, nestled on a bed of soft white silk, lay a pearl necklace, each orb shimmering with an inner light. The pearls weren’t uniform; each seemed to carry its own hue, pale blues, faint golds, and deep whites that glowed as though alive.
“It was a gift,” Lila explained. “From the merbeast. They said it was crafted from the tears of the sea-king’s daughter when she suffered her first heartbreak. Each pearl is a tear crystalized by grief, purified by the sea’s blessing. It’s one of the finest things your mother ever owned.”
Violet leaned closer, breath catching in awe. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. The necklace seemed to pulse faintly, almost calling to her.
The longer she looked, the harder it became to look away. It radiated the urge to claim it, guard it, and to never let it leave her sight.
She tore her eyes from it reluctantly. “I feel bad giving away something so precious.”
Lila scoffed, waving a hand. “What nonsense. The Queen has so many jewels she doesn’t even remember half of them. Trust me, she won’t miss this one.”
Rhara gave a curt nod. “And if the princess hesitates any longer, the pixies will have their fun with her serpent forever. Lucen—”
She turned toward him. “Lead the way.”
Lucen announced. “As you command,” He gestured forward. “Follow after me.”
The group set off together, stepping out of the hallway and into the open morning light. The Fae realm had transformed with the dawn. What had been eerie and still last night now brimmed with motion and life.
Dozens of creatures moved through the palace courtyard, short, long-limbed figures with wrinkled skin and wide glassy eyes, wearing patched tunics made of moss and petals. Some carried brooms taller than themselves, sweeping fallen leaves. Others lugged trays of flowers, rearranging them in symmetrical patterns that glowed faintly when touched.
Violet slowed, watching them in fascination. “What are those?”
“Brownies,” Rhara explained, not missing a step. “They keep the palace clean and running. Efficient little beings, though they can be mischievous if ignored. Offer them cream once in a while, and they’ll worship you for life.”
Violet nodded, making a mental note. She had a lot to learn about this place.
They crossed through a garden where blossoms opened as they passed, their petals shimmering with dew. The air was fragrant, warm, and alive. Soon, the palace walls gave way to thick forest.
Lila took the lead, her steps confident. Every time her hand moved, the forest responded. Thorns drew back, flowers bowed, and tangled bushes parted neatly as if fearing her touch.
Violet stared in amazement. “How are you doing that?”
“Perks of being born Fae,” Lila said with a grin. “Nature listens when you speak its language.”
By the time they reached a clearing, the air had shifted again and there, in the middle of a flower-woven glade, was Roman. Official source ıs ⓝovelFind.net
Violet froze. Her jaw nearly hit the ground.
Roman lay sprawled across a couch made of blossoms, blissfully half-shifted — scales glittering faintly under the sunlight, hair braided with wildflowers. Dozens of tiny pixies surrounded him, their wings flickering like shards of glass. Some painted symbols across his chest with liquid gold, others fed him drops of nectar, and a few perched on his shoulders, braiding his short hair while humming tunes that sounded dangerously hypnotic.
Roman’s eyes were glazed with that lazy, dream-drunk look she knew too well.
“Roman!” Violet shouted, storming forward.
The second her foot crossed the edge of the glade, she was flung backward as if struck by an invisible wall. She landed hard on her side, the breath knocking out of her lungs.
“Ah—gods!” she groaned, pushing herself up and wincing.
Lucen looked down at her, expression maddeningly calm. “Forgot to mention, Princess, you’re supposed to knock.”
Violet glared up at him. “You’re joking.”
Lucen tilted his head innocently. “Pixies are territorial. Barging in uninvited is considered rude. The barrier was generous, actually. It could’ve turned you into a toad.”
“Wonderful,” Violet muttered through clenched teeth, brushing dirt off her gown. “Just what I needed, fairy etiquette lessons.”
Alaric helped her to while Griffin looked ready to rip the barrier apart with his bare hands, and Asher… well, Asher’s death stare said enough.
Violet sighed, glaring at the lounging serpent and his tiny admirers. “Hang on, you glitter-covered idiot. I’m coming for you.”
Lucen walked toward the invisible wall and without hesitation, raised his hand and knocked thrice.
The sound echoed, rippling through the air like a drop in still water. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a hum, the barrier shone before dissolving entirely.
Immediately, a chorus of high-pitched, chirpy voices filled the clearing.
“Come in, come in!” they sang, their tones overlapping like laughter. “Guests! Pretty guests!”
Lucen smirked and stepped forward first, brushing a strand of hair from his face arrogantly. “Men first, I guess.” he said over his shoulder before striding inside.
Rhara and Lila followed almost immediately.
Violet stood at the edge, her stomach twisting with nerves. She took a deep breath, muttering under it, “Anything for my mate.”
Then she stepped through the invisible threshold.