Chapter 682

On their way back, though the Queen walked ahead with her back straight and her chin held high, yet anyone with eyes could see the heaviness in her steps. Weariness clung to her like a second skin.
They all knew what her problem was, and it was finding out Angus had more children after Violet. What exactly had she expected? The man had literally kidnapped their daughter as a baby while she ran back to the Fae realm with her tail between her legs. It shouldn’t shock her that Angus went on to produce more powerful children. She hadn’t given him any more—he simply found replacements.
Asher’s gaze, especially, bored into the Queen’s back as he thought. He could see it clearly: Queen Seraphira was still very much in love with Angus. And he had betrayed her. Not that Asher could blame her for struggling. He wasn’t even bonded to Violet yet, and he was already so in love with her he couldn’t imagine breathing without her.
With a broken bond like theirs, the longing never faded. They would keep pining for each other. Except Angus clearly found ways to “cope” with the loneliness—by getting his stick wet at every opportunity—unlike Seraphira.
On the bright side, thank the goddess there was an entire realm separating the two of them, because Asher could only imagine how easily Angus would manipulate her again. The thought was revolting.
Asher made a mental note to tell Violet to make sure her mother never left the Fae realm or came anywhere near Angus unless it was over his dead body.
Suddenly, the Queen stopped.
They all halted with her, waiting with a sense of tight anticipation for what came next.
Then the Queen turned gracefully. She studied them for a brief moment before saying, “This will be the end of our conversation tonight.”
From her tone, it wasn’t up for debate.
The cardinal alphas exchanged a glance, and Griffin answered for them. “If you say so, Your Majesty.”
The Queen’s attention shifted to her daughter. “You should prepare yourself as well, Violet. Tomorrow night, I’m holding a party in your honor. It’s time I introduce you to the Fae.”
Violet blinked, taken aback. “Wow,” she breathed. “That’s… sudden. But alright?”
What princess didn’t want to finally see her people? Violet forced herself to keep the tone cheerful.
“Your mates are expected to attend too,” the Queen added.
“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Asher replied.
There was no universe in which he’d allow Violet to be surrounded by a swarm of Fae he didn’t trust.
The Queen didn’t comment on his tone, only nodded. “Have a restful night, then.”
She turned sharply and walked away, her gown trailing behind her until she vanished down the hall.
Violet and her mates remained where they stood, watching her disappear into the corridor.
“She’s sad,” Violet murmured.
Beside her, Roman clicked his tongue. “Why wouldn’t she be sad? Imagine staying celibate for years only to find out your mate was out there being ultra-max fertility god virile. I’d cry too.”
“Shut it,” Violet smacked Roman in the stomach, and he doubled over with an exaggerated groan of pain.
“We should return. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow,” Alaric said.
Oh right. Her training started tomorrow. A weird mixture of excitement and nerves fluttered through her chest.
“Let’s go then,” Griffin said, and without any warning, he scooped Violet straight off her feet.
She squealed in surprise before laughter bubbled out of her, her body melting easily into his arms as the group began walking away.
Meanwhile…
Queen Seraphira was as numb as hell by the time she reached her chambers. Even her guards, who were trained to read the slightest shift in her demeanor, couldn’t decipher what was wrong as she walked past them with a heavy air.
It all felt like a nightmare she’d woken into rather than from.
She felt used, disgusted, and above all, furious. Every memory with Angus slammed back into her all at once—the times they had spent together before she discovered he had lied and wanted Violet for another purpose.
Or perhaps what pissed Seraphira the most was him having more kids after her. Not just one, but eight more kids. He’d moved on effortlessly, spreading his seed like pollen in spring while she had longed after him like a fool.
The sheer disrespect made her stomach twist.
To think she had even prayed that he would be redeemed. That he would realize his wicked ways and repent. That maybe—too late as it might be—he would one day make it up to Violet.
Goddess above. How could she have been so painfully naive?
There was a knock on the door, followed by Lila’s voice from outside.
“Your Majesty?”
Seraphira ignored it, and the door did not open for her.
Lila called again, “Your Majesty?”
Finally, the Queen answered, “We’ll talk tomorrow, Lilarin. Let me be for tonight.”
There was a pause behind the door, as if Lila was trying to understand why the Queen was suddenly like this.
Then she responded, “If you say so, Your Majesty.”
And that was the end of it.
Seraphira took a deep, shuddering breath. There was no way Lila didn’t know. She had sent her to find Violet and keep an eye on Angus. Why hadn’t she told her? Out of concern that the truth would hurt?
Well, it did hurt in the end. But it was better knowing than staring Angus’ offspring in the face without warning. That wound cut deeper.
Seraphira didn’t want her around tonight. If Lilarin hadn’t told her this, what else had she been hiding?
Not just Lilarin, Seraphira even turned down her handmaiden, who came to settle her for bed. She wanted to be alone.
So she tended to herself, then laid down on her bed in her silky nightgown, staring up at the ceiling.
Her heart was heavy. If she could get her hands on Angus right now, he’d be as good as dead. That fucking son of a biscuit.
Seraphira had been certain she wouldn’t sleep a wink. But like a thief, sleep stole over her. Orıginal content can be found at.net
And the next moment, there was Angus.