March, of course, was the reason behind all of her problems. This would all make it easier for March to marry her. She sucked her teeth as if she’d tasted a lemon. This would make her plans for him much more difficult. But what other choice was there?

“I accept. I’ll return to Bryonica.” She held her head high and added, “Though I have some conditions of my own.”

Boze scoffed, “The audacity.”

“And what are these conditions?” Zoh asked, waving Boze’s objection aside.

“Two things. One, I would like start a sponsorship program for displaced refugees from the House of Shadows. Those people will be arriving within the week, and they are going to need help assimilating.”

“Ah, yes, Kress told me about you adopting two previously enslaved half-Fae.”

“Yes. Well, I didn’t adopt them, but I am helping them find living arrangements and work where they will be paid for their skills. And I would like to see more Society members step up to help these people in need.”

“I think it’s an excellent idea,” Kress said. “I suggested it on the battlefield, but so much was going on.”

Zoh sighed. “Fine. That should be no trouble. We will set you up with people already doing social work. You said a second objection?”

“Yes, sir. I would like the council to consider the implications of what you have done in your peace treaty with the House of Shadows.”

The council shifted uncomfortably at the weight of her words. Lockney glanced up at her and quickly back down. Bastian arched an eyebrow at the gall.

Zoh was red in the face. “That treaty is the only reason we did not slaughter their people. They should be happy by what we allowed them.”

“Certainly. They had no bargaining chips at all. So, why not take them for everything you could?” she said, forcing the words out despite the stares of disbelief.

“That is how negotiations work,” Boze snapped.

“Yes. Of course. But then why did we admit them as a tribe at all? Why give them special dispensation to continue to exist? It makes no sense if we are then going to punish them for their existence. We made them join a government that they cannot be a part of for the next hundred years. That’s a long time for resentment to grow while we occupy them.” She took a breath, meeting each of their gazes in turn. “We can’t change it now. The treaty is in place. I will renounce my place with them. But there is a reason there is unrest in this city. Do you really want there to be more with another tribe? Perhaps there is a long-term way to ease the anger. A way to find a solution to this growing pain with anyone who is not a member of the Society.”