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Arianna lowered the papers, her heart beating fast. This had to be a dream. “Zylah mentioned there’s been a shortage of staff due to the slaves who left.”

Niall exchanged a glance with the council members. “Yes,” he huffed out a breath. “It’s an issue we’re trying to resolve.”

“What about those in the town below? Surely there could be volunteers.”

“It poses a security risk,” Meegan said.

“But we need to consider it,” Felic offered.

Arianna furrowed her brow. “A security risk to me, you mean?”

Meegan nodded. “We’ve kept threats at bay by limiting those permitted to enter.”

“I’m quite capable of protecting myself and if not,” Arianna gestured toward Rion and Talon, “I have others to help.” Not to mention those in her father’s guard. She rarely saw them, but could scent their presence everywhere she went.

Niall nodded. “Then we’ll begin scanning potentials, both Fae and half-breeds.”

Felic cleared his throat and opened a heavy book. “Can we discuss the extreme expenses associated with the slave’s freedom and how they’ll be compensated?” He looked at Arianna. “Would you be willing to pull from your personal funds?”

Arianna blanched. She looked at Niall, then back to Felic “I—” Gods, where was she supposed to find money? “I can ask my father perhaps,” Arianna trailed off at Niall’s wide grin and the way he tried to hide laugher behind his sleeve.

“I guess I didn’t do a good enough job explaining the royal coffers, did I?”

“I—the what?”

The council looked at him and Niall shook his head, that smile still on his face. “Forgive me. I thought I made it clear on your initial tour of the grounds.” He thought back. “I suppose that explains why you weren’t more excited when I mentioned it.” She stared at him blankly. “You are probably the richest Fae who has ever walked the continent.”

She swallowed hard. “So when you said royal coffers . . .”

“I meant your coffers. Your money. Money that has been collected over a very, very long time. Centuries. Longer. The contents were gifted by the four countries as payment for their queen to come so she could implement her will without hindrance.”

“I—I didn’t know.” Arianna shook her head, trying to regain her composure. “Of course the money can come from there.”

Felic scribbled something in his book.

Arianna straightened and watched for a moment as they exchanged bits of information, shuffling through papers to line everything up the way she wanted.

They had freed children, but it wasn’t enough. Not by a long shot. She squared her shoulders and prepared herself for the next onslaught of questions. For the flat-out refusals or for them to laugh in her face.

“I want to abolish slavery completely.”

Everyone stopped. The council. Niall. The world. Her heart.

They gaped at her as if she’d just made the most outrageous suggestion on the planet.

Declan glanced toward Niall then wetted his lips. “It is one thing to deem it illegal within the confines of a single city, but to do so across the entire continent . . .” His words trailed off. Arianna knew this wouldn’t be taken lightly. She knew it would take work, but she had made a promise and she intended to keep it.

Fina, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, though her words were careful. “This is the way we’ve lived for centuries. Humans serve us as punishment for their pasts.”

“Pasts they don’t remember,” Arianna said. “A past those living had no part in.” She clasped her hands on the table before her. “I know the history and I understand the anger, but when is enough enough? Why do we punish half-breeds for their split heritage when our blood courses through their veins as well? When did we decide that being half Fae meant you weren’t Fae at all?” Arianna met their uncertain stares. “Enough with the anger. Enough with the heartbreak. On both sides.”

The council members kept silent, but their uneasy gazes told her they weren’t convinced. She rolled up her sleeves to reveal the thick marks around her wrists.

Arianna’s voice was quiet. “Do you have any idea how much pain slaves suffer through day in and day out? Do any of you know what it’s like to be clapped in iron and separated from your magic? To be vulnerable?”

“No,” came Niall’s soft voice.

“None of you do.” Arianna rolled her sleeves back down. “Slavery is a horrendous act and if you want peace, then it has to stop. It’s time we move on from our hatred.”