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They were silent for so long, Arianna wasn’t sure they would speak again. Maybe they would need to wait until next week to answer, but then Niall said, “It will take time. Even Móirín took eight years to phase it out completely and there are still illegal trading rings to this day.” His face fell. “As I’m sure you’re aware.” She was. She’d been kidnapped in her home country. A place where slavery had been outlawed for decades.

“Merchants rely on the labor to trade and transport goods,” Niall continued. “Many who care for our well-being rely on the same. There are slaves, I’m sure, who will want to set out on their own instead of accepting a wage. The loss of labor could throw an entire economy out of balance. If you want to abolish slavery successfully, it will be a slow process.”

Time. Time wasn’t something humans had. Most half-breeds didn’t have it, either. Arianna hated the idea. Eight years was such a long time for them to suffer, but she couldn’t risk economic collapse.

Niall seemed to notice the sorrow on her face. “However, there are laws we can implement that will make their lives more comfortable.” Niall looked toward Gavin and the young male jumped to his feet, eager to be part of the conversation. He’d been so silent, Arianna had forgotten he was there. Gavin laid his pen and tablet on the table.

Niall thought for a moment. “We can make it illegal for them to live in harsh conditions. We can demand proper meals three times a day, outlaw severe beatings, and place a limit on how many hours they work in a day.”

Arianna nodded. It was something, at least. “And I want the elderly taken care of, too. They don’t need to work hard labor.”

Niall nodded. “We’ll ensure their comfort.” Gavin kept writing, then stepped back. Niall reached for her hand, then stopped himself. He glanced at Rion’s watchful gaze. “I hope all this pleases you.”

Arianna swallowed the lump in her throat. “Very much.”

“Enough that you’ll stay? Enough that you could call this place your home?”

Arianna met the council members’ faces one at a time and saw the hope in their eyes as they waited for her reply. They had taken her threat to leave seriously. They had met her demands instead of writing them off. And they were willing to do more than she ever imagined.

“When I woke up this morning, I was ready to pack my bags and leave this city behind.”

Niall sat straighter. “And now?”

“Now I’m ready to see this continent changed for the better.”

Niall loosed a breath. “I can’t say how glad we are to hear that.” He stared at her for a moment with something like admiration in his gaze, then clapped his hands together, startling everyone in the room. “Right, now that that’s out of the way, on to discussions about the ball.” She paled. “Which only involves you, I’m afraid.”

“What?”

“The vendors and shop owners are in the next hall over. They’ll be here any minute and want your input on, well, on everything.”

Arianna twisted in her seat when Niall waved his hand and a guard opened the door. She looked toward Rion and Talon, suddenly wishing she’d worn something a bit more inviting.

Niall and the council stood. “Prepare yourself. They’re a little excited.”

Chapter Thirty-three

Saoirse

Alec pinched the bridge of his nose. His dark brown hair hung over even darker eyes as he scanned the page, reading over its contents for the third time. The black envelope and gold phoenix seal told Saoirse exactly where it had come from.

She tried to be patient. “What does it say?”

Alec sighed and slid the paper across the table. “This new queen is going to start changing things faster than I anticipated.”

Saoirse read over the words. A single paragraph that demanded an end to child slavery. Not a request. Not something they planned to work toward. A law that carried harsh consequences if not implemented.

“I’m sure this is going over well in Fiadh.”

Alec scoffed. “Pádraigín is the one who procures the slaves. I’m willing to bet their council is in an uproar.”

Saoirse popped a grape in her mouth. “Maybe, but the Lord of Pádraigín is the one who signed it.” And Saoirse wondered how that would be received by the other nations. Perhaps the council in Ruadhán felt no one would take the new queen seriously before her official coronation. “Besides,” Saoirse tossed the paper and envelope back onto the table. “It’s about time. Trading in children is barbaric.”

Alec eyed her. “Some might label you a human sympathizer.”

She shrugged. “They can label me what they wish. Don’t you think the whole slave thing is a bit outdated anyway? I mean, Móirín did away with it ages ago and it’s worked out well for them.”

Alec didn’t reply. The grief of their past weighed heavy on all of them. No amount of time would ever heal a wound so deep.