Most villains never claimed to be one, but none were as dangerous as the ones who knew exactly what they were and relished being it.
And one of them happened to be her mother’s husband.
Or more accurately, her stepfather.
Violet mentally winced at the title. The idea of a father had always appealed to her once, but now? Her family tree was just so... messed up.
"We finally meet, daughter," Baron said in the most charming voice.
Oh, hell no. Violet recoiled mentally. She already had one psycho father, having two was taking it way too far.
But damn, her mother really did have a knack for choosing bad men.
Nonetheless, if he wanted to play this game, they’d play.
"No pleasure there at all, Baron," Violet replied coolly.
Instead of being offended by her sarcasm, Baron burst into laughter, as if this were all just entertainment to him.
Meanwhile, Asher, who had been silently watching from the side, studied the Fae Queen’s consort with cold calculation.
Finally, he said, "You’re the all-powerful Fae Queen, and yet you can’t get rid of him."
Before the Queen could answer, Baron’s attention had already shifted to Asher. Their gazes locked.
In an instant, Asher compelled him. "Leave us."
Normally, victims of his compulsion went glassy-eyed within seconds, their will bending under his command. But Baron didn’t look dazed, if anything, he was puzzled, as if trying to decide whether to humor the command.
Then, realization dawned on him, and his lips curved into a knowing grin, his irises glinting with delight.
"You," he recognized Asher. "You’re the wolf with the mind ability." Baron laughed out loud, "Your little parlor trick might have worked on lesser creatures in the human realm but you should know here, most High Fae are immune to such compulsion."
Violet watched the blood drain from Asher’s face, the shock tightening his jaw. His compulsion had always been his one unshakable weapon and now Baron had ripped it aside like it was nothing.
Baron continued, "And that brings me to ask, how’s our daughter preparing for her trial?"
Violet stiffened. So did Asher.
They asked in unison.
"What trial?"
If her eyes were bullet, Baron would be nothing but pulp with the way Seraphira glowered at him. She rubbed her forehead, "I was planning to tell you after Breakfast but apparently someone just likes causing unnecessary drama." She said through gritted teeth.
"That doesn’t sound like unnecessary drama," Asher snapped, his defenses snapping back into place. He should have known better than to trust her.
"Exactly," Baron agreed, sounding far too pleased. "We all want our daughter to succeed in the trials, after all."
"Could you just shut up, already!" Violet exploded. Flames crackled from her hands and shot straight toward Baron.
He didn’t even flinch. Baron moved his hand, and extinguished it as if he were taking the air from around the blaze.
Violet didn’t know which was more terrifying—the fact he could manipulate air, or the effortless precision with which he did it. He was skilled. Very skilled.
"You have raw power, but it’s untrained," Baron judged. "You’re easily flustered and hot-tempered. At this rate, you’re hopeless in the Trial of Ascension. But who knows, hope isn’t lost. If I train you, I could make something of you."
"Yeah, over my dead body," Violet spat, furious and distrustful, unsure which game he was playing.
"I’ll kill you if you even get an inch near her," Asher swore, his eyes gleaming with dark promise. The Fae was stronger obviously, but he would get the job done. It was only one Fae against four cardinal alphas after all.
Baron snorted. "It would be fun to watch you try." He clearly delighted in the fact that his life was linked with the Queen’s. If Asher killed him, the Fae Queen would die too.
Then he stood up, and said to the Queen, his wife, "I’ll speak to the Court of the High Fae and persuade them to move up the date. We can’t wait for our princess to be approved, she’ll command more respect then."
Seraphira’s hands curled into fists, her knuckles white.
Baron smiled the wider for it. "Better hurry with her training. Chop-chop, no time."
Having achieved his purpose—and that was ruining everyone’s mood—Baron pushed his chair back, stood, and said cheerfully, "Enjoy the rest of your meal. We will meet again." Then he sauntered out of the hall, whistling a tune.
They all watched him go with intense gazes until the doors closed behind him.
As soon as he was gone, Asher turned to the Queen, fury flashing in his eyes. "I should’ve known Violet wouldn’t be suddenly dragged into the Fae realm unless something was up. A fucking trial? Are you kidding me? She practically knows nothing about the Fae or how to use her powers! You just saw what happened right now." He gestured to Violet, referring to the way Baron had effortlessly extinguished her flame.
"He’s strong," Violet pointed out, still shaken. "Very strong."
Asher fired back, "And what does he mean by moving up the date? Violet’s unprepared! And why can’t you put your husband in order? You’re the fucking queen!"
Seraphira groaned, rubbing her temple. "Ever since news of Violet spread, the realm feels betrayed. I told you, the Free Fae don’t mingle with outsiders. And I, the queen, broke that rule."
"I’m not asking for excuses," Asher hissed. "I’m telling you to fix this."
"There’s no fixing it," Seraphira said, her tone hardening. "Violet is my heir, and to claim her place, she must prove herself before the Court of the High Fae. The Trial of Ascension is tradition and the only way she can be recognized as my true daughter."
For a moment, Asher and the Fae Queen locked eyes, the tension snapping back into the hall.
"And what if Violet doesn’t want to be your heir?" Asher asked.
"What?" The queen’s tone carried genuine disbelief, as if the idea itself was absurd.
The next thing Violet knew, two pairs of eyes were fixed on her.
Oh, hell no.
But just as she feared, Queen Seraphira turned to her, eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
"You don’t want to rule, Violet?"