CHAPTER 619: THEIR PRIVATE QUATER

As Lila led them through to their quarters, they moved like children lost in a dream, their gazes wandering over the impossible structure that surrounded them. From the outside, the palace hadn’t looked half this large. Yet here they were, walking through endless halls that shouldn’t exist. Guess that was Fae magic for you.

"The Queen wanted the princess to have her own quarters," Lila said as they walked. "But I advised against it, knowing how mates prefer to stay close at all times. She saw reason and gave in."

"One thing you did right for once," Asher responded bluntly.

Lila’s head snapped toward him, her glare sharp enough to bore a hole through his skull.

But Asher met her gaze with that cold, unreadable look of his, daring her to say something more.

"Can we not?" Violet cut in, her voice tired. She’d dealt with too much in the past twenty-four hours; the last thing she needed was another petty argument.

"If you say so, Princess," Lila replied, her tone neutral but her pride clearly bruised.

Asher said nothing, though a flicker of guilt crossed his face before vanishing just as quickly.

Lila suddenly stopped. "We’re here."

The tall, regal door was carved from aged mahogany, its surface etched with curling vine-like patterns that shone faintly under the light. It stood framed between two white pillars veined with ivy leaves.

Lila didn’t even need to knock because as soon as she came close enough, the enchantments woven into the wood reacted to her presence, and the door opened on its own.

Seeing that, Roman frowned. He hoped those doors were friendly; there were no gaps he could squeeze through conveniently when he shifted into his friendly neighborhood serpentine form. It would take him all night to dig out an escape route.

"Impressive," Alaric said, stepping forward and running his fingers along the wood. "It’s almost like the technology in our world. Does it respond only to approaching footsteps, or is it customized to certain people?"

"It opens upon predicting footsteps."

"Then what about privacy since anyone can just come in?" Asher asked with a scowl.

Although it was a harmless question, perhaps because of the tension between her and Asher, Lila answered with a touch of arrogance.

"The house is sentient. It means it’s aware of everything that happens. If the occupant desires privacy, it knows not to open. You can speak to it — it listens."

"Such a convenient way of spying." No sooner had Asher spoken than a vine cracked out of nowhere and whacked him across the face.

Lila smirked knowingly. "Better treat the house well. Accidents do happen," she said with a veiled threat as she stepped into the room.

The others went in, leaving Asher behind. Violet was the one who turned and took his hand, sighing. "One step at a time."

"This place seems too good to be true," he muttered, suspicion thick in his voice.

"We don’t know that yet, not without getting to know the realm first."

"Are you two coming in or what? Afraid of change, Asher Nightshade?" Lila teased.

Asher rolled his neck as if working out a kink, then made up his mind. "Let’s go in, then." He took Violet’s hand, and she smiled as they walked in together.

As expected of the quarters, it was massive — an enchanting mix of human luxury and Fae wilderness. The first thing that caught their eyes was the soft blue light filtering through the stained glass windows, the same kind from the hallway — except here, the vines had grown into the room, creeping along the stone columns and trailing across the ceiling.

Lila hadn’t been kidding; the Fae truly lived side by side with nature.

The scent of wildflowers filled the air with a clean, fresh sweetness that reminded Violet of spring mornings. She was relieved to know she wasn’t allergic to flowers after all, just that particular one.

To the left was the living space: a wide sitting area with low couches of pale moss-green velvet, arranged around a glass table shaped like a blooming petal. Bookshelves spiraled from floor to ceiling, carved around living trees that seemed to have grown straight through the room itself. The shelves were lined with books, scrolls, Fae trinkets, and strange artifacts.

Floating globes of light hovered above, illuminating the space with a soft, warm glow.

"This place is wicked!" Roman shouted in delight before flinging himself onto the canopy bed at the center of the room.

The bed was enormous, large enough to comfortably fit all five of them. The frame was made from intertwined roots polished to a dark sheen, their knots forming natural spirals. A soft cream curtain draped loosely around it, giving the whole setup a cozy yet ethereal presence.

Pillows in muted forest tones were scattered generously, while ivy and wisteria trailed from the ceiling beams, perfuming the air faintly.

"Goddess, this is so soft, I feel like I’m lying on a bed of clouds," Roman said, flailing his arms like someone swimming in water.

As expected of Alaric, curiosity got the better of him. He joined Roman on the bed, letting out a sigh. Roman hadn’t been exaggerating, the mattress was deep and soft, the sheets warmer than fur.

Soon the both of them were turning and tossing across the bed, testing it.

"Come join us, Violet," Roman said, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Mmhmm," Violet replied dryly, seeing through him. She wasn’t falling for that trap.

"I’m going to check the bath," she said instead.

"I’ll come with you," Griffin offered.

Together, they passed through the vine-draped archway and entered the bathing chamber.

The large freestanding tub, oval and smooth, was carved from polished stone, filled by golden fixtures that poured crystal-clear water. Pots of herbs and flowers surrounded it, releasing a calming fragrance that filled the room.

The floor tiles were etched with sigils that warmed subtly underfoot, while light spilled through frosted glass panels draped with emerald curtains.

A vanity stood near the door, its mirror rippling faintly like water whenever someone approached, showing not just one’s reflection but also the shimmer of their aura.

Right now, Griffin’s aura was as bright as the sun. And perhaps most dangerously of all, they were alone.