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That evening, Saoirse studied the female slave who had served her for years. Eithne was faithful, but what might she have become if she weren’t born in Brónach?

Saoirse set a stack of papers down and twisted to face the female. “What would you do if you were granted freedom?”

Eithne froze and Saoirse heard her breath hitch. The female’s heart quickened and she struggled to keep her voice steady. “It’s not a slave’s place to think about such things.”

“It might be,” Saoirse said. Rion’s Arianna would command the slaves’ freedom eventually. Rion had told her about the time their queen had spent in Rion’s camp. The scars she was said to carry around her wrists.

Though she hated to admit it, Zylah had been right about one thing. Saoirse had never truly stopped to consider what freedom might mean to a slave. She’d always seen them as property and now she felt sick to her stomach about the whole idea.

“Have you ever been told why the Fae hate humans so much?” Eithne shook her head. “Millenia ago, Fae lived alongside humans on the continent to the north. Some coexisted, but most couldn’t get along. Humans were ever-changing while the Fae with their long lives liked to keep things the way they were. It started many wars and eventually the Fae lost.”

Eithne’s head shot up, disbelief covering her face. Saoirse continued. “They learned our one weakness. Our families. Younglings.” Eithne’s face paled. “They clamped iron around us and took our abilities with a knife to our children’s throats. As I’m sure you are aware, we treasure our children above all else. The blessing is so rare.” Saoirse shook her head.

“We complied with all their demands and they killed our children anyway. Slaughtered them right in front of their parents. It broke most, but those still willing to fight escaped and fled here. A land full of dangerous unknown creatures.

“It’s a long brutal story. One that encompasses the usage of Dark Fae to do our bidding. They protected us, believe it or not, and the humans stopped hunting us down. We freed those we could, but I’d wager there are Fae still trapped in the north even now.”

“That’s . . . awful.”

Saoirse gave a strained laugh. “Yes. Awful, yet we’ve done the same to humans and half-breeds, blaming those alive now for the sins of their forefathers.” Saoirse looked at her slave again. “It’s time for a change, and I want to know if you were granted freedom, what would you do with it?”

Eithne chewed her lip. “I don’t know.” She gestured to the clothes she’d been folding. “This is all I’ve ever known.” She caught herself then. “I’m grateful, though; you’ve been very kind and I’ll happily serve you for the rest of my life.”

Saoirse tasted her fear, then pulled a key from her pocket. Eithne froze all over again. Saoirse approached her carefully and took the female’s callused hands in her own. She put the key in the tiny hole, twisted, and the first shackle fell. “You’re free to do as you will, but stay by my side.” The second shackle hit the ground. “Allow me to pay you to continue the work you’ve always done, and I’ll give you whatever future you want.” Tears fell from Eithne’s eyes. “I can never return the years you’ve lost, but I want to teach you how to live on your own and when you’re ready, you can set out and find the life you should have had all along.”

Chapter Thirty-four

Arianna

Excited was the understatement of the century. Arianna had spent hours listening to a dozen people talk over one another about color schemes, themes, fabrics, ribbons, dresses, and more.

She had wanted to run and let the designers handle things, but Arianna had forced herself to offer her opinions and feign interest. She wasn’t sure how they expected her to be excited about such things when so many suffered across the continent. She had documents to review that were far more important than the color of ribbon. Or what flower arrangements should decorate the ballroom.

But Arianna had to remind herself that the people of Ruadhán had never known hardship. They’d lived in finery from birth. An easy life full of color and soft fabrics and full stomachs.

Rion and Talon had both stood behind her, watching every move of those who’d gathered. Many had shied away from the grains of sand at first, but they grew more comfortable as the minutes ticked by until they didn’t seem to notice Rion’s magic at all.

That was four days ago.

Now she sat in the library with Rion beside her, reading through the documents Niall had prepared. Arianna rubbed her tired eyes. Niall had been thorough, editing each country’s laws one by one and changing them accordingly with a no tolerance or negotiation message stamped in big letters at the bottom of each page. She knew the demands were bold, especially when she hadn’t been in her position long, but change needed to start and it needed to start now.

Arianna looked at her mate who seemed to be studying the grains of wood on the table. “If there’s somewhere else you’d rather be . . .”

Rion laughed and finally stood. He grabbed one of her romance books. “I’m quite content where I am.” Arianna grinned when Rion opened to the first page. Fairy tales with happy endings might do him some good.

She was glad to have him here, even if they weren’t talking. His presence alone steadied her.

But even with him near, Arianna couldn’t shake her feelings of inadequacy. Eight years. She wished she could end it sooner, but she didn’t want to cause catastrophe to their economies, either. Maybe she would write a letter to her father and ask exactly how he’d implemented an end to slavery across Móirín. And what he did with those who refused to comply.

Arianna signed her name for what felt like the hundredth time, suddenly thankful for all those lessons on calligraphy.

When she finished, Arianna stood and stretched her stiff and aching body. She left the library, Rion in tow, and found the nearest servant. They pointed her toward the garden and Arianna found Niall seated on a bench, gazing into the afternoon sky.

“I finished them.”

He blinked at her in surprise. “Already?” Arianna nodded. “I didn’t expect—” He shook his head. “Is everything to your liking?”

“I think so.” She’d asked Rion to clarify a few passages, just to be sure she understood them.