Page 17 of Vibing Unity

“I’ll take back the idea and we can discuss it. Immediately, I have some concerns.”

“We welcome them so we can formulate a possible proposal to fully present to you, Your Highness,” one of the councilwomen agreed.

I shot Izzy a worried look and she smiled. “No one has pressured me or—that aide has an issue with me because I’ve been in some closed-door meetings. I wasasked, and—I want my people to succeed as well, but I have the same reservations you’ll have. Starting with the fact that there might be a way to cleanse now, but that doesn’t mean peoplewill. Some people want to be evil.”

And that was our excuse to shut down talks should we ever want to.

“Yes, that’s my main one,” I fibbed. “We might need to invent some sort of…” I glanced at Shael who nodded.

“Gauge of how much buildup a witch or warlock’s magic has. Yes, we’ve been discussing that already for our own security. We allowed people around you who had problematic magic and we didn’t know. We want to not make the same mistakes in the future or risk Faerie. I will speak to our academic heads.”

“Not Lageos?” I hedged.

“We can speak to him as well, but we invented a great many magical items, runes, and more before your father came into the lives of Faerie, Your Highness,” she reminded me gently.

Fair enough.

I focused back on the topic at hand. “So that’s my concern. Also, I wouldn’t ever want this to be something people threw money at. No more of this elite everything that only the wealthy can have access to.”

“Severalof us agree, Your Highness,” Anya said firmly. “Plus, it’s clear that it worked in Ms. Thorne’s case because of her dedication. That has to be a factor. No more giving a leg up to the lazy.”

“Exactly, but more than that, Izzy always gave back.” I thought of how to phrase what I was trying to say when I saw the confused looks. “From the moment we met, she’s always jumped in, Anya. You know that. Babysitting hobgoblins. Helping me drastically as an unknown. All the countless—the havens wouldn’t be without Izzy.

“The bakery getting going. Even Natalie’s business. Helping fairies come back. She never stopped. I’m not saying people need to dedicate themselves like that, but there has to be some sort of give and take. Why should we otherwise? Because we can?” I gestured to the council. “So could you, but you have other things to do too.”

“You’re not wrong,” Anya immediately agreed. “In my perfect world, it would be some sort of summer program for those who were towards the bottom of their grade and wanted to improve. And as you said, not bought with money but hard work. Ms. Thorne made it clear that part of it was the physical aspect you push. Being in Faerie—the complete package.”

“The idea has possibilities,” Shael accepted. “And certainly something for asmallgroup to test the idea with this summer. That we select and check everyone is willing and deserving so our people aren’t wasting their time. We also have been talking about the level of education since we’ve been gone.”

Anya seemed amused and sat back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. “Don’t be polite now, Commander. I’ve heard your rant about our spoiled brats getting away with too much and the entitled parents making everything too easy for them and being too stupid to realize the damage they’ve done to our communities.”

Shael simply smiled. “I was going to say it nicer in public, Anya.”

“I appreciate your bluntness, Shael. Half of us here do. Just get it out.”

So Shael did. She made it clear that she could bring the proof too and had access to old lesson plans she used to audit on behalf of the light realm to make sure they were knowledgeable about the supes of this world. Everything used to be more challenging from classes to the physical.

She wasn’t picking on anyone in particular, but even sitting through some of the master’s level classes at Artemis was ridiculous. She said they reminded her of freshman lectures she used to audit, and it wasn’t her memory because she checked. And there was no more punishment system. Bad kids used to be punished.

Now they were just excused for being kids.

Julian came rushing into the room just as she wrapped up. I had forgotten that was why we were there, and I couldn’t hide my surprise that he was fifteen minutes late for his appointed time. “Queen Sasha doesnotlike to be told no.”

I groaned.

Mrs. Rothchild was right behind him and bowed to the council. “Our queen takes full responsibility for Dr. Craftsman’s delay and apologizes profusely for disrespecting this council. She was overly focused and didn’t realize this was where Dr. Craftsman needed to be when he said it was important.”

“These things happen,” a different council member said, clearly wanting to know more. “We appreciate Queen Sasha’s apology and respect for our time. We were able to handle other matters, and all is forgiven.”

I was glad when they all agreed.

However, I told Mrs. Rothchild in her mind that I was going to spank Sasha if she bullied my mate when I wasn’t there and about my damn wedding. She looked worried, so I’d called that one accurately.

Then went pale when I said I could always rescind my offer to have the Royal Performers play when Connor got mated if she was going to be mean.

“It’s fine,” Julian promised, figuring out what I was doing. He kissed my hair. “I got a bit snippy when she decided to change things.”

“That doesn’t make it okay,” I growled. I thanked Mrs. Rothchild and the dragons, waiting until they left to sigh and then glanced at the council. “Excuse your aides and help and I will explain. The minds here are about to explode. You willnotleak this or pull the petty shit, or so help me—do not test us this time.”

---