“Only my loyalty,” I said. “My cousin was in over his head. He didn’t know what he was getting into. ButIdo. My father was king. I watched and learned as he led this country, and he was one of the greatest fae rulers of our time. I also saw the toll that it took on him, and understood the sacrifice he had to make in order to sustain Malovia’s greatness. I am willing to pay that price. I am not above anyone in Malovia. I am nothing but a vessel for the people’s will. I am not here to rule Malovia. I am here to serve her.”
Lady Raelinn nodded at my response, and turned to Emma. “What say you? You are his mate. Why should we give you a crown?”
“If I am queen, I will bring equality to Malovia,” Emma said. “I can’t say that my ideas aren’t radical, according to the fae, but they are just and right. This idea of separating people according to social class and wealth has to stop. Same-sex relationships need to be legalized— no one should be killed for loving who they love. Our old and our sick must have our support. We need to install better programs in Malovia, so that no one in our country goes without a meal or a home. We used to be one of the wealthiest nations in Europe, before Elijah drained our treasury, and Iknowwe can be so again. Once we are stable, we can share our riches with the people, and use our magic to better our world. We cannot continue sacrificing our most desperate fae in order to keep this country alive. Greed is a manic beast, and when he is done consuming those at the bottom, he will continue to rampage to the top, until eventually, he will come for us. Then there will be no one left for greed to ravage, because this nation and everything it stands for will be gone.”
Her words were chilling, but I felt them in my heart to be true. Continuing to throw away the less fortunate was convenient, but it was a short-term plan for those at the top to maintain power. Eventually, their selfishness would turn on them, and there would no longer be anyone left to sacrifice in the pursuit of power.
“Forgive me for bringing this up, but all of Dolinska knows of your… condition,” Lord Gray said. “How can we be sure you can adequately perform the duties of being queen?”
I thought that was a rude question, but Emma steeled her tone and said, “I have never allowed my illness to get in the way of my life before. Yes, it will be difficult. There will be times I won’t be able to fully commit to the crown.”
“But I will stand in her place,” I offered. “When she is too ill to perform, I will step in for her.”
“We can’t have a sick queen on the throne. It makes us look weak,” Lady Raelinn argued.
I was about to bark back a very cruel response, but Emma spoke before I could. “I am a strong sorceress. All of you have heard of what I’m capable of doing. My strengths overpower any shortcomings I may have, and I don’t consider my disease a weakness, but an asset. The energy I have is reserved for important matters, not trifling concerns. My focus is to help Malovia before myself.”
Emma cleared her throat and added, “And... I will also legalize Unseelie magic for all dark fae to use within Malovia.”
Her announcement caused shock to ripple through the Circle. Lord Bennett and Lord Lockett both reared back. Lady Renia and Lady Bella’s eyes widened, while Lord Eryk’s face reddened in anger.
“Are you insane?” Lord Eryk hissed. “Such a progressive ruling would shock the citizens of Dolinska!”
“No, she should go on,” Lord Gray said. I was surprised at his support— he and the rest of the griffins appeared eager to hear what Emma had to say.
“People saw Ethan and I use Unseelie magic during the Battle of Arcanea University,” Emma said. “You know we have Unseelie blood, yet you’re still considering putting us on the throne. How can you have Unseelie rulers who use Unseelie magic, but still make dark magic illegal? It would put Ethan and I above the law, and that’s wrong.”
“HalfUnseelie rulers. You both have Seelie blood,” Lady Raelinn objected. “It is one thing to have an Unseelie heritage, even to use dark magic to defend yourself in battle. But to legalize it foreveryday use? You have no idea the kind of backlash we’d receive.”
“You know that the griffins have always agreed that dark magic should not be outlawed,” Lord Gray said. “This is something our Faction has been pushing for years.”
“But at what cost? You cannot possibly agree with your mate on this,” Lord Eryk said, glancing at me.
“In this we are aligned,” I said. “Look at our people. They are divided between Seelie and Unseelie. Those with dark fae blood hide in the shadows, experiencing prejudice and hate from every which turn. It is this divide that is tearing the country apart, and it mustend. This division between the light and the dark is ripping our nation in two, and it has to be stopped. The Black Claw would have never risen to power if Unseelie magic wasn’t outlawed. So much death and pain could’ve been avoided if we decided to work together, instead of fighting each other. The Seelie have to admit we are responsible for an entire sect of fae dying out. We need to make reparations, and validate the fae that still have dark magic flowing through their veins. Unseelie magic needs to be legalized. Bringing our people together is the only way we will obtain victory over Queen Gabriella. More than that— it is the only way we will bring our people together. Unseelie magic is neither bad nor good— the idea of it being evil is a social construct, one we can examine and change. Emma and I used Unseelie magic for good to save Arcanea University during the battle, after all, and what could be more noble than that? If Unseelie magic remains outlawed, there will be another war, and another and another, until our race eventually dies out. We have to say that it ends here.”
Lord Eryk appeared quite frustrated, but Stefan spoke up.
“We agree with this ruling,” Stefan said, gesturing to himself and Delmare. “Unseelie magic should be legalized.”
“And the wolvens as well,” Finlay said. “Lady Magdalina and I will not vote against something that will unite our country.”
“Us griffins will all vote for the legalization as well,” Lord Deverel said. “This is not something we are divided on.”
The alicorn nobles shifted uncomfortably, but it was clear they were outvoted. The ruling would pass— if Emma and I were given the crown.
“You are asking us to change so much in Malovia in such a short time, and during a time of war,” Lady Bella replied. “Elijah did the same, and it has left us in pieces. Why should we trust you with our country, and not install a king with a more stable and conservative stance? Think carefully, for your answer depends on my vote.”
The Circle appeared tense. They knew voting for us would be a gamble. It’d be easier to go with a ruler who didn’t have such radical ideas.
But that was exactly why they needed us, because if the fae did not change, our race would die. There was no other alternative.
“Progress is never easy. It is an unsure, dangerous road, and one never quite knows where you’ll end once the journey is over,” I said. “But Maloviacannotremain stuck in the past. We won’t survive. If we continue to repeat our history, it will lead to our annihilation, either by the other supernatural races or at our own hand. Playing it safe is no longer an option. If it were, we would not be here. As a nation, we need to grow.”
A few lords nodded somberly, and Emma took the lead. “I know this is a big step. We are asking you to trust us with the highest power in the nation. That role was abused and mistreated. Malovia became a mockery in the supernatural world once Elijah and Gabby took the throne. We are asking you to let us repair it. You are right. Dying for Malovia would be no great thing. But living for it, breathing for our people,thatwould be the honor. All we can ask is that you allow us to take Malovia into our hands, so Ethan and I can ensure this nation stays alive. Malovia is our great love, and she will not continue to exist unless there is someone at the head of it who is willing to do whatever it takes to preserve her legacy.”
The members of the Circle looked between each other, and Lady Magdalina spoke. “I think we’ve heard quite enough. All who are opposed to giving Ethan Nowak and Emmaline Sosna the royal monarchy, and installing them as the king and queen of Malovia?”
Not one person raised a hand, and my heart leapt in hope. Stefan glared around the area, as if daring anyone to vote against us. Emma stiffened next to me, and I saw her go pale.
