Defy The Alpha(s)-Chapter 759: Answer Her Call

It took a while for the full setup to be completed, and at some point, Queen Seraphira was summoned aside by an attendant, her attention briefly drawn away.

The moment her mother stepped away, Annequin seemed to decide the space Violet had been given was hers to occupy.

She drifted closer, hands clasped loosely behind her back, her smiling expression filled with calculation.

"I have a feeling you don’t like me," Annequin said.

Violet did not look at her, offering no response. Instead her gaze remained fixed on setup ahead, expression unreadable.

Annequin waited a moment. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Then another.

When Violet still did not rise to the bait, Annequin tilted her head. "Jealous?"

That finally earned her a reaction.

Violet’s brows drew together slightly. She exhaled slowly through her nose, before turning to face the Queen of Astaria.

"Jealous of what, exactly?" Violet asked.

Annequin shrugged, feigning thoughtfulness. "Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps of the fact that I am already a ruling queen at such a young age, while you"her gaze swept Violet once, deliberately, "know next to nothing about your own people and are only just learning the ropes like a babe."

She smiled, clearly pleased with herself. "I am accomplished. You are just a Free Fae princess."

For a heartbeat, Violet stared at her with such intensity that it felt as though the air itself tightened. If looks could kill, Annequin would have been ash.

Then Violet smiled, except it didn’t reach her eyes.

"I see what the problem is now," Violet started.

Annequin blinked. "What?"

"You’re starved for attention."

The words landed cleanly.

Annequin’s confidence flickered, just slightly, though she tried to mask it. Violet noticed and pressed.

"You’re brilliant," Violet continued, studying her as if she were a puzzle. "Talented. Powerful. The perfect daughter. The perfect queen." She tilted her head. "And yet it’s still not enough, is it?"

Annequin’s expression hardened.

"Because," Violet went on calmly, "you’re spoiled, arrogant, and so deeply narcissistic that you believe everyone should bow simply because you exist."

The amusement vanished entirely from Annequin’s face.

But Violet wasn’t finished.

"You boast about being a young queen," she said, voice sharp now. "But Fae live long lives. By our standards, you’re nowhere near young." Her lips curved. "If I apply human years to you, that makes you an old woman who should be ruling her kingdom peacefully, with a husband, perhaps a child, not wandering into another realm to stir chaos."

From the sidelines, Roman failed to suppress a snort of laughter.

Violet didn’t even glance at him.

"Instead," she finished coolly, "you’re here flirting with a mate that was never yours to claim."

Annequin bristled. "And you’re a princess who can’t control her emotions over a male—"

"That you will never have," Violet snapped,

Power flaring in her eyes and the air tensed.

"What is going on here?" Lila cut in, stepping forward.

Annequin smoothed her expression instantly, returning to pompous composure. "Perhaps ask your princess why she’s being cruel to her guest over a man."

"Queen Annequin," Seraphira’s voice rang out.

The Free Fae Queen approached, her presence commanding immediate silence.

"I have observed you provoking my daughter since last night, and I will not tolerate it. Mated or not, Asher Nightshade belongs to my daughter. Is that understood?"

Annequin smiled thinly. "Of course. I wouldn’t want to be expelled over something so embarrassing. Imagine the headlines, two queens quarreling over a fine male."

Violet met her stare. "Then mind your business."

Annequin inclined her head. "All resentments buried. I look forward to becoming such close companions, Princess."

Violet wanted to throw up. That was not happening.

"Good," Seraphira said, turning to Violet. "Come, daughter. It’s time."

Queen Seraphira took Violet’s hand without ceremony and led her where the device stood.

Up close, it was more imposing than Violet had expected.

The crystal sphere sat atop a tall, circular platform of pale stone, its surface smooth and flawless, almost mirror-like. The platform itself was carved with curved plaques that spiraled inward, each etched with subtly glowing Fae runes. The dome itself was cradled by an arched metal brace, the metal bent into an elegant sigil that wrapped protectively around it.

"Do the runes mean something?" Violet asked.

Seraphira lifted her free hand, pointing to one of the markings nearest the base. "Creation," she said. Her finger drifted to another. "The elements." Then another. "Life." Another still. "Death."

"The gods bless us with such powers," Seraphira continued. "These runes acknowledge that gift. Some of them act as conduits, directing the flow of magic while the others are simply markers."

Violet nodded slowly, absorbing every word.

Her gaze lifted to the dome itself. Despite its significance, it looked dull and ordinary. There was no glow, or anything to suggest it held anything special at all.

She frowned. "It doesn’t look like much."

Seraphira followed her gaze knowingly. "Not yet."

"So it comes to life when I place my hands on it?"

"Not really," Seraphira replied. "Someone must activate it first."

Violet turned to her. "You."

"Yes."

Seraphira stepped forward, positioning herself directly in front of the platform. She released Violet’s hand and lifted both arms, palms open toward the dome.

She glanced over her shoulder at Violet,

"You are my daughter, and that means you are expected to be powerful. But the attuner requires an initial source—someone strong enough to supply it with the energy it needs to awaken. That part is my responsibility."

Without warning, a surge of violet energy poured from Seraphira’s hands, brilliant and luminous. The magic arced forward in rippling streams, sinking into the dome as though being absorbed into its core.

The cardinal alphas’ eyes locked on the spectacle. Even Annequin, standing a distance away, went quiet, observing the whole process.

The dome stirred. At first, it was a little shimmer beneath the crystal’s surface. Then color bloomed inside it, slow and swirling, bands of deep indigo, silver, and gold folding into one another.

Seraphira’s magic continued to flow. The more energy she poured into the device, the more violently it responded. The colors within the sphere brightened, rotating faster.

But Violet noticed the change in her mother before anyone else did. Seraphira’s shoulders tensed while her breath hitched. The veins along her neck glowed with the strain.

"Mother—" Violet started.

Seraphira did not answer only for her

knees to buckle suddenly.

"Your Majesty!" Lila shouted, lunging forward just in time to catch her before she fell.

Guards came closer to help too.

"I’m fine," Seraphira said immediately, waving them off even as Lila steadied her. She straightened, forcing herself upright, her jaw set in determination. "I’m fine."

The energy finally receded. The dome dimmed, its violent colors dissolving into a soft, misty white glow that pulsed gently as if it had settled into a resting state.

Seraphira took a slow breath, then lifted her chin.

"It’s done," she announced.

Violet stared at the dome, her heart pounding. This was the moment everyone was waiting for and she was so nervous.

Seraphira must have noticed because she said to her, "When you place your hands on it, it will call to what already exists inside you. Nothing more. Nothing less." She looked fatigued but she masked it with a reassuring smile.

Violet took a deep breath. Well, what’s the worst that can happen?

Every eye followed Violet as she lifted her hand.

Its just a touch, she told herself.

Her palm met the smooth surface of the dome and for a moment, nothing happened.

Then pain slammed into her stomach with the force of a sledgehammer.

Violet gasped, a soft, broken sound tearing from her throat as her knees nearly buckled. It felt as though something deep inside her had been struck awake. Heat. A swelling force coiled tight in her belly, pulsing and expanding, demanding release.

Warmth spread outward from her core, rushing through her veins like liquid fire.

Her fingers twitched.

"I—" she breathed, not even sure who she was speaking to.

Instinct took over and Violet thrust her hand forward.

Flames erupted from her palm in a brilliant burst of red and gold, roaring outward in a sudden arc of heat and light. The Fae nearest to her stumbled back with startled shouts, stumbling over each other.

The fire vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving only the scent of scorched air behind.

"Oh gods—" Violet whispered, her heart racing. "I’m so sorry."

Silence followed.

For a long, suspended moment, Violet stood frozen, her hand still outstretched, fear curling tight in her chest.

Then a sudden applause rent through the air.

Fae clapped, and cheered, staring at Violet with open awe.

Huh?

Queen Seraphira stepped forward, pride clear in her voice.

"The princess can manipulate the element of fire."

The applause grew louder with mostly Roman whistling and calling her name at the top of his lungs.

Violet smiled, then looked down to see the dome beneath her palm had changed. Its soft white glow was gone and was replaced by a deep, molten red.

Fire had answered her call.