Defy The Alpha(s) - Chapter 674
Chapter 674: You Will Die
At once, the room exploded with overlapping voices, not just Violet’s, but the cardinal alphas’ as well.
“What?!”
“What do you mean by other contenders?”
“Contenders? Isn’t Violet your only daughter?”
“Quiet.”
The Queen’s command cut through the air like a blade, and the hall fell instantly silent.
The Queen continued calmly, “A contention for the throne is far greater than the petty power shuffles of noble houses. Our crown is not passed down by bloodline alone. The throne belongs to whoever earns the people’s favor and the blessing of the heavens. That is — and has always been — our law.”
Her gaze slid to Violet.
“This time, you will not simply be proving your birthright. You will be competing against distant relatives and powerful fae who believe the era of my bloodline has ended. They think the heavens will choose them instead.”
She drew in a slow breath.
“So yes, if you fall in the Trial, the victor will ascend the throne in your place.”
“Seriously?” Violet threw her hands up. “You knew about this and you’re just telling me now? How the hell am I supposed to compete with powerful faeries who have centuries of training and experience?”
“Exactly!” Roman chimed in with a nod — and the fact that Roman of all people agreed only proved how insane this was.
Queen Seraphira stayed composed. “The Trial is not won by brute power alone. It tests wit, courage, instinct, and favor. The goddess gave you to me for a reason, and deep inside, I know you were destined for this throne no matter what others say or do.”
“Then forgive me,” Asher cut in, “if I don’t share your reckless faith.” His slitted eyes glinted with anger. “Your daughter is dangerously unprepared for a trial that could kill her, and you’re talking to me about luck?”
Griffin added instantly, “I’m a man of faith, Your Majesty, but this?” He gestured toward Violet. “Even I can’t pretend this makes sense. Violet is not prepared. Simple as that.”
Alaric followed immediately, his voice cold. “Don’t use faith as a shield for your failure to prepare your daughter. That is irresponsible and it puts her life in danger.”
Queen Seraphira hissed, offended. “I am not foolish enough to throw my daughter into death’s door without preparation. Which is exactly why her training begins tomorrow.”
“I will evaluate how many abilities she currently holds, and try to draw out others that may lay dormant. Then I will assign multiple tutors to hone every Fae skill she possesses. Meanwhile, I will work on buying more time for her.”
“Violet is a hybrid,” Asher said firmly. “You can’t focus solely on her Fae half and ignore the other. Her wolf might be the very advantage that tips the scales in this trial. So we will be contributing to her training.”
Asher met the Queen’s gaze head-on, refusing to budge. It was a silent dare that said, ‘tell me no, and see what happens’.
After a beat, Queen Seraphira replied. “Fine. Train her as you see fit. Nothing is too small.”
Her tone made it painfully obvious she didn’t believe their training would make much difference, but the cardinal alphas let it slide. Tonight already held enough conflict.
“Princess Violet,” Roman teased her, “I’d say your days ahead are about to be intense.
Hopefully, you’re ready for some aggressive training.”
Violet managed a small smile, but the breath she released was heavy. She’d hoped that finally speaking with her mother would lift the weight she’d been carrying yet somehow, it felt like even more had been added to her shoulders.
Alaric suddenly asked. “Tell me, Your Majesty, what exactly does this trial look like? Is it a single fight-to-the-death duel, or does it come in stages?”
Griffin followed immediately, his eyes narrowing with tactical concern.
“And how transparent is this competition? Who oversees it? If one of the contenders tries something dirty like sabotage, poisoning, or an illegal spell? How would we know? How would Violet be protected?”
Asher asked precisely, “More importantly, how do we ensure your husband doesn’t use the trial as an excuse to eliminate Violet?”
He went on to say, “Baron already has a history of trying to harm Violet, forgive me if I’m not comfortable with a trial where anything can go wrong.”
Roman chimed in, rapid-fire as always.
“And can someone drop out?”
Violet said to him, “I’m not dropping out.”
But Roman gestured vaguely. “I know. Just saying, what if one of the contestants suddenly decides they don’t want to be, you know, murdered for the throne?”
“All of your questions are valid,” Queen Seraphira smiled, “And it fills my heart with the utmost joy to know my daughter has four protectors who care so fiercely for her.”
Then she turned to Alaric.
“As for your question, the Trial of Ascension is conducted in three stages. The first stage is fixed, unchanged for centuries. Every heir, every contender begins there. But the second and third stages…” she exhaled, “…are determined by the Free Fae Council. They deliberate, argue, and ultimately choose the remaining trials without interference from the crown. This is to prevent favoritism, corruption, or any attempt to manipulate the outcome.”
Her eyes found Violet this time, “It ensures no ruler, not even I, can shape the challenges to benefit my heir. The trials are meant to reveal destiny, not manufacture it.”
“Then what’s the first stage?” Violet asked.
Queen Seraphira answered.
“The Ascension of Death.”
A cold stillness swept through the table. The cardinal alphas exchanged looks, and for once, none of them had words to say. The name alone was too ominous.
Seraphira continued, “It is considered the simplest stage, yet paradoxically the most dangerous. Contenders undergo a spiritual passage, a direct encounter with Death itself.”
Asher’s entire body tensed. “Death?” He didn’t like this. “Explain.”
“Contestants are sent into the realm of the dead. They would walk among the spirits of our ancestors and speak to them. And from those ancestors, they must receive a blessing — a recognition of worthiness — to participate in the trial.”
Roman let out a strained laugh. “You’re joking, right?”
But the Queen didn’t so much as blink.
Violet swallowed. “And if I don’t get their blessing?”
Seraphira’s answer was calm and merciless.
“Then you will not return. You will die.”