Page 122 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

Drystan pulled a face. “What do you mean? Famine?”

“Of a type. Their magic lacks because the land is drained, and their rule and law are needlessly restrictive and oppressive.No one has any real choices. But the society is vibrant and thriving nonetheless. It could just be so much more if fae were allowed to choose their own path and do what they were passionate about rather than what their bloodline dictates.”

He tilted his head. “What do they not have a choice in?”

I blew out a breath. It was so different there. Almost impossible to explain without seeing it for oneself. “Dragons are expected to relocate to the First Kingdom to be in the King’s army. It’s the law. There is no choice. If you are a dragon, you fly for the King. You can’t be anything else.

“The King enslaves dragons?” Drystan choked.

I thought about my words carefully. “Yes, and no. You and I see it that way, but they see it as a societal norm. An honor, too. No one has ever pointed out that it seems wrong. It’s the same with healers,” I said, taking Kiera’s hand in mine. “The healing magic is stronger in the kingdom Kiera is from, so therefore, all healers come from there, and if you are from there, you become a healer. There is no other option.”

“It sounds barbaric. What if you have healing magic and you are from somewhere else?” he asked, mystified.

“The healing magic in you is probably never recognized because it’s not seen as of value, and therefore, it’s never cultivated.”

“They might train you if you are an adept, but without training, how would you ever know? So it’s rare,” Kiera added.

“That makes no sense.” Drystan glanced between us.

“It’s the same all over the realm. Every fae stays within the prescribed confines of the role their origin dictates. They could be so much more if it were different.”

Kiera listened, her brilliant mind working overtime as she digested the thoughts I’d only really hinted at before and begun to explore just recently. But without directly comparing it to our society, it was impossible to make her see the possibilities.

“So this is the change you want to make?” she said, really seeing the scale of my ambition for the first time.

“Yes. I want fae to have free will to choose their path, but more than that, we shouldn’t be ignoring powers because they are born in the wrong place. I think the realm would be better for it.”

“You’ll never convince the King.” She met my eyes, and I knew what she was saying.

“Not with a war threatening, but one day, maybe.” I gave her a tight smile. I’d been told the same about the elders. But they couldn’t rule with the old ways forever. I wouldn’t say it, but all kings died, and even theirs was getting up there in age. He had heirs that might be easier to convince.

She looked me over, confusion in her eyes. “Why do you care?”

“Because I have known safety and security my entire life, I’ve had room to grow and learn what my passions are and do with them what I please. Your people have been deprived of that. Sure, they are thriving under their circumstances, but there’s no autonomy. You are free in one sense but enslaved in another. Same as me. I am free to choose my own path, but at what cost? My mate, my other half, was out there in a place I was cut off from, and I would have never known. Things need to change, Firefly. But in ways the leaders are not ready to accept. I think it will take a war to make them see, and it’s coming.” I brought her hand to my lips. “And what if that’s the reason magic is dwindling in the kingdoms? It’s not spread evenly, nor is it used to its full potential. The Goddess takes away gifts we don’t use.”

“That was deep, brother,” Drystan smirked, taking a huge swig of his ale.

“You’ve known all this time magic is disappearing there, because you can see that it’s normal here?” Kiera realized.

“Yes, so how can I not believe it has something to do with how we live?”

“It could be because you have more dragons,” she countered.

I lifted my shoulders. “It could be anything, but I’d rather try to reverse the tides than let the rivers run dry.”

She nodded pensively.

“Do you think I have a mate out there?” Drystan added to the silence.

“Always thinking about yourself!” I laughed.

He grinned. “I’m tired of Dad pushing for children when half the fae in the city won’t speak to me.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have bedded so many of them.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s not welcome in half the taverns either.”

Kiera laughed. “Got a reputation, do you?”

“Don’t let my brother lead you to believe he doesn’t either.” Drystan grinned at me.