“Probably not, but we must do what we can,” I said.
The lapse of silence afterward prompted Emma to take charge, as I knew she would do once she got a spare moment. “We can’t keep avoiding the issue of same-sex relationships in Malovia. Marriage between fae of the same gender must be legalized, and fae who identify as lesbian, gay, transgender and otherwise must be allowed to live freely, instead of being put to death for being who they are. This isn’t a debate, or up for discussion. It’s what I promised to do as queen, and I won’t go back on my word.”
Tension ran throughout the Circle at her words. This was an issue that had been brought up in every council meeting for weeks now, and we still hadn’t come to an agreement. It had divided the Circle multiple times, but like a wolf on the hunt, Emma wasn’t willing to let go of the issue. She was going to make the council sway to her opinion one way or the other.
I hoped by the gods it was today, because we were wasting precious time on an issue that should be obvious. The other Circle members needed to stop resisting and agree with us. I couldn’t understand why it was anyone’s business on who was mated to who, so long as everyone was a consenting adult. But some on the Circle didn’t see things that way.
I wish Lady Magdalina was here to help sway opinion, but she was gone—again. Where was she these days? She rarely, if ever, showed up to these meetings.
“We just made Unseelie magic legal to use, your grace,” Lord Deverel said. “To change another fae tradition so quickly—”
“You know what kind of rulers we would be when you voted for us,” Emma said flatly. “You knew this wasn’t an issue we were willing to compromise on. So either get with the program, or we’ll waste more time bickering about it. I will not change my position.”
Lord Deverel flushed. Finlay ran a hand through his dark curls and said, “I’m in favor of it. I don’t see what the hold-up is.”
“Of course you are, Lord Dunbar,” Lord Deverel said through clenched teeth. Finlay waved him off as if he were an irritating fly.
Finlay was close with Ozzie and Jasper. He didn’t want to see them hang if their relationship ever came out, and he would give us his vote.
But Lord Eryk shook his head and added, “It can’t be done. I understand your personal feelings, my queen, but—”
“This isn’t personal,” Emma shot out. “It’s about doing the right thing, which Malovia keeps running away from, and the king and I plan to set things straight.”
“Most shifters and sorceresses mate with the opposite sex. It is how our kind is designed. To take this kind of risk for a few outliers is too large a step,” Lady Bella said.
I’d heard that word before—outlier. My cousin had used it when speaking of the less fortunate, and I didn’t realize how wrong it was until I’d become an amputee— become the outlier.
I deepened my voice and leaned forward, to let the Circle know I wasn’t messing around. “No. The queen is right. This rulingmustpass.”
“You are putting the nation at risk! This could throw the country into chaos all over again, and earn more support for Gabriella!” Lord Deverel argued.
“Or it could earnusmore support,” Stefan said. “We don’t know how many fae within Malovia are hiding relationships with those of the same sex, or how many fae might support this new law, because the issue is so controversial. We could earn their loyalty by reversing the law against same-sex relationships.”
“Or their hatred,” Lord Eryk said glumly.
“We are being cowards. We can’t keep denying our heritage,” Delmare insisted. “Fae had mates of all kinds before we began intermingling with humans and took their medieval customs as our own. The dark ages are long over. Fae must be allowed to be who we are.”
“I understand you have different opinions than the rest of us, due to your…inferior birth,” Lord Deveral all but sneered, referring to Delmare’s peasant roots. She, besides Emma, was the only one on the Circle who had not been born a noble, and Deverel liked to hint at it, though he’d never gone this far.
Delmare didn’t react, but Stefan sure did. The table shook as Stefan’s fist slammed against it.
“Watch what you say to my mate,” he growled, and a bit of smoke emitted from his nostrils. Deveral poised in his seat, like he was ready to duel Stefan right here and now.
Things were getting heated. I raised a hand to calm everyone down, before Lady Elowen stood. She appeared nervous, but cleared her throat and threw back her head before she stated, “My sister was among those you speak of. She claimed she was mated to a sorceress. I was disgusted by the thought of it. I couldn’t understand.”
Lady Elowen appeared ashamed as she dropped her head. “I thought I was doing the right thing by revealing her love. I wanted her to change. I thought she had a choice, that she was turning her back on our country by refusing to mate with a shifter. It has been my greatest mistake, for it cost my sister her life. My sister was hanged for hercrime, but how could it be a crime to be in love with someone who was meant for you? I see now that I was wrong— that our traditions are wrong. And the only way I can possibly fathom making my mistake right is to voice my support for this ruling. We can’t continue to break families apart.”
A humble quiet fell over the Circle. Several members dropped their gazes, until I broke the silence. “There are definite risks to approving this ruling. We will certainly lose fae to Gabriella’s army once we reverse the law. Some— dare I say, even many— may oppose the new way of doing things. But I think any fae we will lose is not someone I want to fight for us. So, once again, I am asking for a vote. All in favor?”
Hands shot up. I noticed Lady Elowen’s speech had swayed a couple of members on the council who’d been opposed before, including Lady Bella and Lord Lockett.
“All opposed?”
Lord Deverel and a few others raised their hands, but the vote passed this time. Emma gave a sigh of relief. She rubbed her temple and muttered, “Finally. Thank the gods.”
“I’ll have the reversal drawn up tonight, and announced in the morning,” I said. “I think we’ve covered quite enough today. Meeting dismissed.”
Lord Deverel stormed out, pissed he hadn’t gotten his way, but he’d be back tomorrow. He liked his place on the council, and wouldn’t give it up due to losing out on a few issues.
