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A few moments later, when my father walks in, the room falls completely silent. A few steps behind him,guards guide Poppy into the room. She’s in cuffs and she doesn’t try to fight as the guards herd her into the room. She keeps her head down, letting her hair curtain her face.
“What is this about, Emperor Emrys?” King Finn looks between Poppy and my father, trying to make sense of the situation.
Poppy has never been before the council before.
What a heck of an introduction.
“A few days ago, there was an incident,” Father begins.
My heart thrums in my ears.
Is he going to tell themeverything?
I listen as my father tells them what transpired. Poppy’s marriage to Florian, the dissolvement of the union, her disappearing, and then what happened while she was away.
“I have brought Poppy before the council to decide on a proper punishment,” Father says, ending his long speech.
The room is completely silent for two seconds before everybody begins speaking at once. Their voices raise in outrage, some calling for her immediate execution. But one person brings silence to everybody.
“If Poppy is no longer eligible for the dragon fae alliance, that means our Imperial Highness will take her place, correct?” Queen Winnie, of the Wisdom Court, asks.
Everybody goes quiet at her words.
“That is correct,” Father says.
Queen Winnie looks from Father to me. She bows before addressing me. “How long until your birthday, Imperial Highness?”
I clear my throat. “Three weeks.”
She bows again, then turns toward my father. “That gives us three weeks to find a work around for the treaty.We’ve found a solution before, certainly we can do it again.”
What does she mean bythat? What solution did they find?
I give a questioning look at my father, but he is looking at Queen Winnie. He nods thoughtfully.
“Yes, we will work to find a solution. But first, we must discuss a proper punishment for Poppy,” Father says, keeping his tone even.
I step up beside my father. “May I speak, Father?”
He nods.
I turn to the council members, making sure to make eye contact with each of the fae monarchs. “What my sister has done is wrong. She was incredibly selfish and only thought of herself, but I don’t believe that she has done anything worthy of death.”
“Imperial Highness, what do you suggest?” King Dash, of the Air Court, bows deeply to me.
I glance at my older sister for a moment. Her bright yellow eyes meet mine and I can see her body tremble. She truly didn’t consider the consequences of her actions. She just wanted to be free and I can’t fault her for that.
Turning my attention back to the monarchs, I straighten my shoulders. “My sister wanted to be free, so I think we should give her exactly what she wants. Freedom.”
They all stare at me, too frightened to argue against what I’ve said. The monarchs admonish me as something high above them, but if it had been my father who spoke, they would be fighting with him right now.
How am I supposed to rule the fae with fairness and equality when they can’t even tell me if they disagree with what I’m saying?
I fight to keep my posture straight. “What I mean is,Poppy’s magic should be taken away, as she has proved that she isn’t responsible enough for her gift. Poppy risked usallby going to a human doctor to have surgery.”
Magic is a gift. Fae, of all supernaturals, know this. As fae magic gets weaker and weaker with each generation, we know exactly how important it is to guard what’s been given to us.
Father nods. “I agree with my daughter.”
