Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
MERI
R ivan’s staring at a map, and I’m texting Cormal when Madoc returns. He strides in with blood on his clothes and the lines of his face set into a fierce scowl.
I jump up. “What happened?”
Madoc takes a deep breath. “Edsel thought he could use his army to hold on to his land. He was mistaken. Lady Dahlia and her children will be relocated to the nearest town. After they bury Edsel.”
He pours himself one of Cormal’s bourbons and walks over to kiss me hello. My eyes flick to the glass in his hand. The two are becoming more alike each day, and it’s quite irritating.
Rivan taps on the map. “What are you going to do with the land?” When Madoc lifts a brow, he clarifies, “There’s plenty of available land in this kingdom, but not all of it is hospitable.”
“I haven’t even thought about it yet,” Madoc replies tiredly. “Why?”
“One of things the non-titled Fae want the most is the ability to own land,” he informs him.
“Titled Fae, too,” I interject, remembering why Lady Estrella fought so hard to keep her land. “I never understood why the titled Fae didn’t just claim land for themselves.”
Madoc sits up. “Because land lost due to a dispute, an act of treason, or rebellion is returned to the crown. Land lost to the Wilds or a natural disaster or the enemy is never replaced because there is no law to account for those scenarios.”
“What if we offered everyone a piece of land? The plots can be reasonably sized, and if they want more, they can purchase more,” Rivan suggests. “Autumn probably has enough land for two to three thousand Fae?” He stares down at the map. “If the crown has land originally owned by another, that could also be an option.”
He circles a few areas. “Also, what if we tie rights into the land? If you own land, you have voting rights. This gives them a stake in the kingdom and the incentive to vote for additional rights. Those with homes are more likely to commit to improving the kingdom and investing in its future.”
Madoc walks over and peers at the map. “I doubt we have enough for twenty thousand.” He circles the land the Fire Fae lived on prior to the first war. “One thing I won’t do is give them the land that sits between the dark and light Fae kingdoms. It would be like giving my enemy a house in my backyard.”
Rivan appears frustrated but nods. “I understand and agree. They’re too volatile. Who’s to say they won’t want more land or better land? Besides the Fire Fae, I think this could work. If we get a thousand Fae to accept the offer, that’s a thousand less to fight.”
Madoc takes a sip as he thinks through the ramifications. “It also supports the broader vision of equality. I agree. Send out messengers tonight to post the offer in every town. We’ll see how many want to own a piece for themselves.” He taps the map. “Once we know the number, we can determine the size and location of the parcel.”
Rivan takes off, and Madoc comes over and sits next to me on the small settee. He grimaces. “This couch is terrible.”
“I plan to change everything once the dust settles,” I admit. “Do you think Rivan’s plan will work?”
He lifts a shoulder. “I’m not sure if it’s too little too late, but we have to try.” He cleans his clothes and leans back. “The army fought well. Beld is a strict but formidable commander. His men listen to him, and they didn’t hesitate to fight against Autumn’s soldiers.”
“Where’s Cormal?”
I smooth the hair back from his face. “He went to check on his empire.” King of a very different kingdom, but a necessary one. If not, the criminals in The Underworld and other places would create chaos. “The bed is probably more comfortable.”
Madoc opens an eye. “But you’re here.”
“That’s easy,” I tell him, changing into silk pajamas. “I’m exhausted. Worn out from last night.” With a wink, I walk over and slide into bed. “Come. Sleep.”
He removes his clothes and falls in next to me. Seconds later, he’s out.
Rivan races into the room early the next morning. “We have at least a thousand at our door and more on the way.”
Madoc opens one eye and glares at him. “The sun hasn’t even risen.”
“The messengers went out last night with the offer, and it’s working,” Rivan exclaims. “Fae have come for the land.” He walks to the window and points to the ground.
Madoc grunts, then gets up, dresses, and goes to the window. Silent for a moment, he looks at Rivan and grins. Grins. I almost fall out of the damn bed.
He slaps him on the back. “Well, hell. Let’s go give away some land.” Grabbing the map, the two head out.
Madoc returns a second later, followed by Rivan, to give me a kiss, then leave again. Not wanting the fuss of a shower, I clean and dress the magical way, then head to the library. I remember seeing a record of all land transactions that could come in handy.
A couple of hours later, Rivan comes searching for me. “Thirty-three hundred Fae took the land deal, which is fantastic. The bad news is we have to find those Fae a good parcel of land. It will be tough.”
I shove the book and map over to him. “There’s roughly seventeen massive areas across the kingdom that are uninhabited and fit your criteria.”
His mouth drops open, and he pulls the information closer. “How did you find this?”
“I’ve spent more time in this library than in any other place,” I drawl. “It’s my favorite haunt. Nine hundred years gave me plenty of time to snoop into every nook and cranny and find all the best books.”
He walks over and pulls me into his arms. “Thank you. This will help tremendously.” He bends his head and nibbles on my bottom lip. “Do you think one of those areas is large enough to house the Federation?”
I pull away. “No. If Madoc gives the Federation one of those areas and lets them declare their independence, it will cause a huge amount of resentment with all the other Fae. Plus, we would be sheltering a race who turned their back on both kingdoms. There has to be another solution for them.”
Rivan rubs his temples. “Another problem to solve.” He drops a kiss on my mouth. “What can I do to repay you?”
“There are so many delightful things, but honestly, I want my rune back,” I say wistfully, showing him my blank palm. “Not for the clarity, but because it made me think of you and the day we spent by the waterfall.”
He laces his pinky with mine and pulls us out of the library to the room he claimed a couple of weeks ago. Formerly one of the guest bedrooms, it’s luxurious with few furnishings but it has a huge balcony. A necessity for Rivan.
He gathers a pile of blankets and pillows and lays them outside. “Is this okay? The lighting in there is terrible, and I haven’t been able to go outside today. Phoenix need regular doses of sun and heat.”
I narrow my eyes, and he looks sheepish. “Fine. Not all of us need it, but it mentally rejuvenates us.” He pats the pillow in front of him. “Sit here.”
I plop down. Crossing my legs, I hold out my hand. “That day… I didn’t think I’d ever see you again. It nearly broke my heart, but I knew it had to be done. You deserved your freedom and so does the Federation. I know you’ll find a solution for them.”
He looks sad for a moment. “I hope so, but I doubt there’s a realm that will take them. Most of the other lands are trying to find solutions for their own people. Who wants to take in a massive number of Fae who aren’t afraid to start a war to get their independence?”
Sad but true. Every kingdom will worry that the Federation won’t be satisfied with what they’re given and will use the threat of war to gain more.
For the next twenty minutes, I soak up the sun while he works on my rune. It’s peaceful here with him. Any place, actually. He has a way of making it feel like it’s only the two of us.
“Done,” he says, lifting my hand. “What do you think?”
“I love it,” I reply with a smile. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to keep this one forever. Although, I’ll have to remember to stay away from places like Avalon, where the old magic resides.”
Rivan’s eyes widen, and he jumps up and gives me a kiss. “You’re so fucking brilliant. I love you. I’ve got to find Madoc.”
With a sigh, I lean back on the cushions to soak up some more sun.
My phone pings. Cormal has returned and wants to know where I’m at, so I give him directions to Rivan’s room.
“On the balcony,” I call out when I hear the door shut.
He stops when he sees me lying on a pile of blankets and pillows.
“Join me?”
Seconds later, he throws down more cushions and lies beside me with his face tilted toward the sun. “I’ve been in the office for two days straight, trying to tie everything up so I can concentrate on the war here. Damn, this feels good.” He pulls me in tight. “Mmm, you feel even better.”
His hand splays against my back, and he leans in for a long, hard kiss. Breathing heavily, he shifts until his leg is between mine, then continues his assault on my mouth.
“I missed you,” he grumbles. “Next time, you’re coming with me.”
“We should all go,” I reply breathlessly. “Rivan and Madoc need to get used to spending time there, too. The Underworld is my home as well.”
He tucks my head under his chin and runs his hand down my back. “We could have dinner with my sister and Oryn. Or just my sister.”
I tilt my head backward. “Did something happen between them?”
He chuckles. “I think my sister is becoming her independent, feisty self. Oryn will have to figure out if he wants this idea he has of her or the real her.”
“She wasn’t exactly herself when they met,” I drawl.
“Why are you out on Rivan’s balcony?” Cormal asks, lifting his head. “And where is he?”
I explain everything that’s happened in the last couple of days. “He took off to find Madoc.” I shift a pillow under the small of my back. “What’s your room like?”
His mouth twists. “Same as this one. Why?”
“When all this is over, I want to redo this entire floor and combine all these separate rooms into one large suite for the four of us. We can spend time together or alone, but we need comfortable furniture and an outdoor space,” I tell him ruefully. “The palace hasn’t been updated in forever.”
Cormal stands and holds his hands out to me. “My bed is much more comfortable than this balcony. Join me?”
I laugh and leap up into his arms, wrapping my legs around him. “If you carry me, I’m yours.”
“You’re always giving me something to do,” he laughingly protests. Then his hands cup my butt, and he presses into me. “Maybe I should carry you all the time.”