Page 59 of The Light Falls
“It’s terrifying how few rights the Lesser Fae have if this is the proposal.” Cormal’s voice is full of anger. “They’re not recognized by the law as having any rights. They cannot own land. They are not guaranteed freedom from slavery, nor do they have the right not to be tortured or persecuted. They cannot change locations without permission. They cannot gather or serve in law enforcement. They can be tried without cause by any law enforcement in the land without a trial. The list goes on and on.”
He tosses the papers down on the table, and they scatter like the wind. “Lucifer said he couldn’t support a fight against them, and I fully understand why. It’s atrocious. Everyone talks about how enlightened the light Fae are compared to the rest of the supernatural, but they’re not. The Underworld exceeds this kingdom on so many levels.”
A startled look crosses his face, then a scowl. “Fuck. I owe Lucifer an apology. I berated him for not giving our citizens what they need, but they have it a hell of a lot better than most of the population here. The Lesser Fae outnumber the aristocratic Fae by at least twenty to one, yet they have almost nothing.” He picks up the other foot.
“Solandis said her father thought the same years ago. He was in discussions with the Fire Fae when he and her mother were killed by the dark Fae,” I say tiredly.
Yawning, I smile at the fierce look on his face. Few people know this, but Cormal champions the underdog. He hates to see people with little means trod upon or taken advantage of. It’s one of the things I like most about him.
“You look tired. Go to bed. I need to go into my office and catch up on stuff. And I want to pull together additional security and a plan for the weapons shipment,” he says gruffly, standing.
When he holds out his hand, I take it and get up. “Ok. Let me know what you’re thinking on timing and location so I can pass it on to Camon.”
Standing next to him, my body instinctively brushes his, needing to be as close as possible. I look up into his blue eyes while I stand on tiptoe to kiss his firm mouth for several long seconds. Slowly releasing his lips, I draw back and wink.
“I’m dying a slow death from the few scraps you’re doling out,” he drawls. “But I kind of like not rushing. It gives me time to think of all the things I’m going to do when I finally claim every delectable inch of you.”
Images flow into my mind, making my eyes widen, and heat pools between my legs. “Cormal…” I swallow. “Words. Feelings. Not sex.” I can’t even utter a coherent sentence.
He presses up against me. “You don’t get to dictate the words I give you and when. Right now, all I want to do is lay you beneath me and fuck you until neither of us can think about anything but each other.”
The sound of a throat clearing has me stepping back from temptation. Just in time, too. I was teetering on the edge. “Hello, Eris.”
She narrows her eyes at Cormal. “Staying or going? I haven’t got all night.”
A strangled chuckle emerges from his throat. “Going. Take care of her.” He gives me a hard kiss full of intent and slides another image into my brain.
Eris waves him out and sweeps around the room like a whirlwind. The only time I see her pause is when she looks at the stack of papers sitting on the table. An expression of hope crosses her face.
Solandis voice echoes in my mind.Brownies pretty much run this place.
“How many brownies are there in the palace?” I ask Eris.
She squints as her mouth moves soundlessly. “One hundred and thirty-seven. Why?”
“And how many Lesser Fae in total?”
“Mixed bloods too?” she asks.
“Any who would be impacted by the proposal on the table,” I answer, as it is the only one I think matters.
It takes her a few minutes. “Six hundred and twelve.”
My stomach churns, but I have to ask this question. Ever since I heard Cormal mention it, I couldn’t think of anything else. “Are any enslaved?”
She shakes her head. “King Arles freed everyone before the Fire Fae Rebellion.”
King Arles was Solandis’ father.
Thank the goddess.
She sees the relief on my face and makes a correction. “He freed everyone in the palace. Lesser Fae in the palace are treated better than most households in the kingdom. Some are not as lucky as us.”
Her words rebound in my head. “I see.” That has to be the first thing changed.
“Thank you, Eris, for the information,” I tell her. “On a separate note, I need to get money in the morning. Who do I see?”
Hatred glitters in her eyes. “Lord Keir manages the accounts.”
