Dining staff silently slipped in glasses of water and raspberry lemonade for each couple as Aedan began his speech. “As you all know, Hemlit has had a policy of isolation and secrecy for Sirun for more than a century. This began because my parents were afraid of people in the other kingdoms discovering that our royalty has included a history with several fae individuals, and they feared you might use that to find weaknesses and exploit our people.”
He smiled at me. “Today, that history is about to expand to include a bit of humanity as well.”
I squeezed his hand, and he turned back to everyone else. “I am not afraid of our truth. I believe these differences are strengths, not weaknesses. They have made our lives richer and more beautiful. They are to be celebrated, not feared.”
He made eye-contact with all ten rulers from the other kingdoms and took a deep breath. “Effective immediately, you and your people are welcome in Hemlit. I would like to encourage a culture of peaceful exploration and exchange and collaboration.”
Most of the others nodded slowly, appearing to appreciate the thought and consider how to respond. Before the thoughtfulsilence could turn uncomfortable, Amias lifted his glass of pink lemonade. “Floren supports you and extends a similar invitation.” He glanced around the table. “This has the potential to begin the greatest era of peace and cooperation in more than a thousand years.”
Marian raised her glass. “Moorehead agrees. If you’d suggested such a thing ten years ago, I’d have told you it wasn’t possible.” She turned to Robin, who smiled at her. “Today, I’m thrilled to be part of it.”
Nolan raised his glass. “Fazendas is honored to agree and reciprocate as well.”
Altair raised his glass and nodded his head. Ella grinned. “That’s his way of joining.”
Robin chuckled. “Thanks for the interpretation, Ella.”
Aneira raised her glass. “Crossing The Shield is not for the faint of heart. If any of you survive, Briskold welcomes you.”
Kendrick laughed. “That’s an open invitation from us.”
Everyone lifted their glasses a little higher, and then took a drink. I rushed through my sip to watch their reactions. Half of them smiled at the mixture of sweet and tart. Altair, Caryse, and Aneira’s eyes widened, but they each took another sip to cover their surprise.
Robin coughed and pulled his cup back to stare at it. “Aedan. What in the name of hospitality is this?”
Everyone around the table erupted into chuckles. Ella grinned. “I thought it was a delightful variation on a drink I haven’t had in years.”
Nolan lifted his glass higher. “A human favorite mixed with a bit of elf?”
Kendrick smirked. “Some of you were clearlyraised on a narrow, royal palate. I’ve never had it before, but I’d love to get more.” Someone from the shadows rushed forward and refilled his glass.
I leaned forward. “I grew up taking care of a small lemon orchard, and my father—a human—introduced us to lemonade. When raspberries came into season this summer, our cook here—a native elf of Sirun—came up with the brilliant idea of adding them to the lemonade.” I glanced at Aedan. “We thought it would be an appropriate way to begin an era of learning more about each other.”
Robin took another drink. “It’s good, but next time warn us.”
Aedan raised a brow as the kitchen staff descended with platters of pastries, fruits, and breakfast meats. “I did not realize you’d grown so fragile as to require a warning for every new food item.”
Marian laughed. “He’s fine. He just hates to admit to actually being surprised. This—” She spread her hand at the food being delivered. “Looks amazing.”
Aedan smiled. “We asked our cook to find foods that would be both new and familiar to each of you. We hope you enjoy it.”
After everyone dished up a plate and began eating, Aedan set his fork down. “I have another topic I would like to discuss while we eat.” He glanced at me, and I squeezed his knee. He was excited about this idea, but he had confessed he was nervous about how the others would receive it.
But we had both agreed to not let our fears stop our good ideas.
Robin smeared a blueberry jelly across a piece of bread. “Well, go on then.”
“I would like to propose that we come up with a name to represent all six kingdoms as a group. So we can say things like, ‘All six kingdomshave agreed on…’ whatever topics may come up in the future. Or so we can invite everyone with one name. Something to suggest a loose collaboration instead of a nervous independence.”
More heads nodded as everyone continued eating.
“I like the idea,” Robin said, “but The Association of United Kingdoms makes me want to gag. And none of our people would agree—we’ve been working on getting people to treat elves and humans as equals for years, and we still have a long way to go.”
Marian rolled her eyes. “Just becauseyoucan’t think of a name that doesn’t sound like a cover for an invasion doesn’t mean nobody else here will.”
Robin kissed her cheek. “The Association of United Kingdoms does not sound like a cover for an invasion. It sounds like a name a group of old women came up with for their knitting circle to make it sound more exciting.”
She kissed him back. “Precisely. Maybe let some of the more creative minds work?”
