23

Things got crazy too fast and in a way I couldn't have seen coming. Too many supes from Earth immediately jumped onto this idea that there could be any other option to be in charge of fairies besides me.

Especially male.

Older.

Hated me.

You know, all the important stuff to be a ruler and always ignoring that the guy had broken a bunch of our laws and was a criminal. They didn't care about any of it, and we couldn't tell them how bad the crimes were because they didn't know about demons.

Though I thought trying to assassinate me a few times was more than enough reason.

Fairies were pissed at the reaction. They were beyond pissed.

And I thought hobgoblins were going to declare war on every other species of supes because it was some idiot from each species that had immediately opened their mouth and demanded this stranger no one had verified take over. It was honestly pathetic. They saw their one last chance to get back their corrupted ways and no one holding them accountable.

Or so they assumed since the guy was a criminal. So that part they cared about? It was all insane and just made me want to quit. Seriously just quit.

Again.

The only thing that kept me together was the support from the people of Faerie. I didn't see one person say anything about giving this guy a chance or hearing him out. They were all very much of the opinion of "off with his head."

It probably had more to do with him trying to let demons into Faerie than caring for or worrying over me, but I wasn't going to push it and upset myself more. Neldor didn't think that was the case and I let him lie to me if he was.

Fuck it.

The problem became that those who stood with me were back to banning people from their businesses… And people weren't okay with it this time. I saw one clip that said a good point pretty well.

"Look, these jerks trying to overthrow someone else's leader are jerks," a woman said on an interview. "But I'm tired of these businesses I just want to shop at throwing fits and getting involved. Target doesn't ban people who have felonies or talk out their crazy asses.

"I fully understood it when it was the hobgoblins and people were talking about them like slaves and keeping them in cages. Full stop. That was—they should have done more than ban them from businesses, and I think those people should have been punished more. But anytime someone doesn't like their leader or talks about replacing her, they can't just ban people.

"And I don't like feeling in the middle because I'm a fox shifter and people I don't even know are yelling for it. Their leader is the one who constantly says we are more than our species. So it seems a bit hypocritical that they're saying they might ban our whole species for how my leaders are acting. I didn't elect them. I'm tired of supporting a business that treats me like a pawn."

I actually agreed with her. I really did.

So I said that in a press conference. I even played the clip making it clear who I was specifically agreeing with so there wasn't any miscommunication.

"The only thing I will add is the immediate and fierce reaction is because—it's more than tossing me out," I said to the reporters. "Your elders get tossed out, they retire. A royal gets tossed out and they are retired . So I absolutely agree with this woman, and we all need to find other ways and do better, but the harsh reaction is people are calling for me to be usurped.

"That means me dead. Don't kid yourselves about that or it's just I don't get the queen crown. This is a push for my death . I didn't push for the death of the councils I cleaned up. Yes, they were punished and their sentences were death, but this is—I've committed no crimes. My people want me as their leader. This is pushing for a coup where I'm dead, not something petty."

People seemed to back off after that and even that woman was reinterviewed saying she didn't think about that it meant my death. She was more understanding and appreciated my saying I understood their side. Also, that the hobgoblins apologized but were simply scared for me and wanted more people to speak up.

And they had. People were coming out and saying they were too tired of the bullshit. I was the one who got rid of the Underground. I'd done a lot. It wasn't just fairies or them being back but my being their boss.

So enough already.

To say the assholes were shocked was an understatement.

But it didn't stop there and fairies were messing with their lives. Some protested at their houses and others were talking about throwing them out of their jobs and more given they thought that was acceptable.

Seriously, at this rate, we were going to go to war with the whole supe world. I made it clear that fairies weren't going to break the law and do what we were against, but they were allowed to protest all they wanted.

While all of this was going on, I did what I needed to for review week and also used my magic to search more areas for fae dogs, hobgoblins, and unicorns. After the week, I had handled all of Asia and Australia.

And I only found fae dogs and less than we'd worried were left out in the cold which was amazing.

It also helped me to decide how I wanted to handle all of this and I did another press conference Friday night. I asked everyone to take a step back and stop. People shouldn't have said what they did, but it was the same jerks who were desperate to get rid of me. As a society, we'd all come a long way and we risked ruining all of that.

There were more productive ways. If people were tired of their leaders, they only needed to ask us for help. If people knew of crimes that weren't being handled or swept under the rug, they could ask us to investigate. There were reasons these people wanted me gone and it wasn't just they were sexist. There was always more to it than that.

So it was time to be productive and get results or move on. That I would handle this new threat and it would be nothing but a memory. However, how we handled ourselves and each other would leave lasting scars and consequences.

I was fighting for change that helped all supes and would give us a brighter future, one worth being proud of, and I hoped others would stand with us. It was bigger than species, and it was time more stood up to say their piece.

That was the only fighting that should be going on.

And in the name of doing better, I called a meeting in Faerie once the final results of Stefanie's condition came in. It was all of the commanders and captains along with nobles. Also, my guys, dad, and advisors. Everyone was on edge because they were worried about the topic and my mental state after everything that happened.

"Things need to change," I told them all. "I have felt this way for a while and have been very vocal since the first moment I had Guardians and commanders reporting about my private life to ancients. I've had nobles try to involve themselves in my love life and school. It's not even my not having the shield of a ruling queen as the heir.

"There's just not enough—everything got blurred. We have laws and clear lines, but there was too much corruption. We know this and there has been a lot of resetting. I'm not resetting my life— me and the rules there because of how people acted when I fainted—that cannot happen ever again. Nobles I've never spoken with besides in passing tried to step up and act like my medical proxy.

"That's insane. It's criminal in my mind because it kept my actual healer and father from doing what they wanted. So this is a storm and issue that has been brewing with me for too long." I glanced at the commanders. "I've also been very vocal how you all wear too many hats. Onas is one of the only ones who has a designated role and we burned him out so bad he broke.

"We need to do better. We keep putting it off until things are more stable and—we wait much longer and we won't make it to there. That's where I'm at. As we rebuild, we need to get the foundations right or—Queen Sasha is correct that I need to start giving the answers or people will give them for me."

"We agree, but we're still unsure which answer you want to give, Your Highness," Shael muttered.

"For starters, I'm upset how people behaved when Stefanie was injured," I said, not quite ready to get there. "We didn't even have the full scope of it and people were ready to stuff her in a barrel and send her downstream. Have some fucking respect and decency. That mentality needs to change. Big time. And I want to open a division of civilian jobs for the Guardians."

"And you want to use injured Guardians who cannot serve anymore," someone whispered, giving me a shocked look as they put it together.

"Yes, the humans have it—in America at least, and I cannot believe it's only them. Veterans Affairs helps those who serve or have served their country, especially those who were injured. I will not have an epidemic in the world I lead like they do kicking those who served their people to the side like garbage.

"There are administrative jobs that can easily be done by someone who lost part of a wing or limb. They have the training and knowledge and were hurt in the line of duty and we just toss them aside? No, no more. Not while I'm fucking in charge. And before anyone accuses me that this is just about Stefanie—"

"It's not," she whispered. "You brought it up the first time two years ago after you woke Light and Dark Guardians who were injured as I was or weren't whole. You made it clear that they weren't just booted or—you've made your position on this clear. We just didn't have the infrastructure for it all."

"Yeah, shame on me for allowing that. Now we will." I was glad when people seemed to accept that. "And hopefully, this will help the perception that people are broken or useless even if they don't have their full magic. It's pathetic." That shocked people. "I'm more powerful than five of the commanders combined? More? That doesn't make them useless .

"That makes me more fucking powerful. Enough. Seriously, it's a crass and heartless position to take and stems from this racist shit that we're better than everyone. We're not. If what we've uncovered hasn't shown that to everyone then there's no saving us."

Again, I gave them another moment with that.

"We have all of the Guardians awake now, and those who wanted to become Faerie Guardians have all been interviewed and switched. So now is the time to make changes." I clicked the remote and brought up the first slide. "Going forward, there will be a division. I know there were some lines between which Guardians were police and who were army.

"But there was back and forth. The prison guards are really the only ones who are in constant and assigned roles. I think they mostly like having that consistent role, but they also get burned out, and that can be how corruption blossoms. So nothing is perfect, and I want to discuss ideas in-depth. However , we are splitting up the Guardians.

"It's police, military, and royal security like the Secret Service. I'm over any random Guardian being on guard duty in my home and knowing too much. We all gossip way too much, and it's honestly too intrusive and over the line." They seemed to think I was being a bit much and I snorted. "How many of you know what I like best at Taco Bell? Be honest?"

Onas was the first to put up his hand. "Be honest or we will make you with magic."

Every commander and captain put up his hand along with at least a dozen nobles. Fine, my dad and my five mates, but they should know that.

I knew that about them.

"Yeah, I don't know all of your names and you know that about me? I don't give a shit that I'm the future queen. That's just weird and more importantly dangerous ."

"It is," Neldor agreed when a few people scoffed. "Because if they know it's an order for our meetings, they know which items to target. I absolutely agree there is way too much information about you out there. It's disturbing as one of your mates even if we aren't together. I've heard many of the enlisted Guardians talk about your preference for cheeky panties."

"Gross," I growled.

When people started arguing or making comments that it wasn't how things were done, I shot out my magic to basically cuff them all upside the head.

"This is happening," I said firmly. "I will be queen. That makes me the boss in a monarchy. If you still find that confusing, educate yourself so you stop looking stupid or corrupt in front of me. I'm open to suggestions and tweaking things, but this wasn't a meeting to ask for permission. I don't ask for fucking permission."

Most stared at me in stunned silence.

"You wanted me to make it official and act like the future queen, well, now I have. I've declared it and some of you have acted like you're going to be my new board of directors like the ancients were to the previous queens. Hey, that wasn't the way things were supposed to be. That was corruption and bullshit . I ended it. We're not restarting it.

"Not now, not ever. Okay?" I glanced around and made it clear that I wasn't kidding. "I've had captains come into situations and declare I needed to stop what I'm doing and try to physically stop me. And it was ignored after." I gave Dalyor a pissed look in front of everyone. "That shit ends. Now. People get demoted and more going forward.

"Nobles don't make the decisions for me and are never involved in my medical anything. I get some of you were doing it out of genuine concern; I truly do. It wasn't your place. The people close to me know what's what. So enough. You wanted me to step up and declare I will be the queen? Well, you fucking got me, so get your shit together and back in your places before it's too late."

I pulled up the next slide that added to the first.

"No one will be assigned to the royal security division of the Guardians. They will try to qualify for it and be the best of the best. They should be to protect the queen just as the Secret Service is to protect the president and government. They will have different assignments just like they do so every commander and captain here will study their structure and hierarchy.

"That is what you will do before we have the discussion of details and specifics. But the head of this division will be Prince Hudson Vogel, my mate and a future prince of Faerie. He has been training in understanding the differences between what he grew up with since he was a baby and how things work here.

"Unfortunately, everyone has been overruling him and pushing him aside like a kid or it's an honorary position. Hear it from my fucking lips—it's not a fucking honorary position. I gave it to him because I trust him more than all of you." I snickered when they couldn't hide their shock. "I've known him longer. I love him , and he is one of the last people I would ever doubt.

"So yeah, it's him, and if people don't start respecting that, they'll lose their rank, jobs, titles, lands—all of it. He and my father will be the ones to choose who is accepted into this designation and their roles. They will work with whichever commander who—"

"I change my answer," my dad interjected. "I didn't understand this part as well. I thought this was part of the police. I apologize. I change my answer that I want Iolas the one who does this, not the police."

I nodded that I heard him. "We can work on that, but a commander will be the advisor and liaison to this head. We like having some accountability and checks and balances better instead of chickens with heads cut off. I'm not even blaming the commanders on this. It's all hands on deck all the fucking time, but we are not being efficient with that anymore.

"I don't even remember who to go to for things anymore, and I spend so much time repeating conversations or something I already spoke to someone—enough. Just enough." I glanced at my dad. "I'm glad you changed your answer because I want Onas in charge of the police department." I met Onas's shocked gaze.

"I find that surprising after all I have done, Your Highness," he hedged.

I licked my dry lips. "I want to make it a civilian position just as I want to make the head of the military. That is the position I'm giving Stefanie just as the humans have in most countries. It's directly from my cabinet then, and it's not as confusing with ranks and too many bosses giving orders or—it works. Mostly."

"Your Highness, I cannot—" Stefanie started to argue.

"You can't be on active duty, Commander," I said bluntly. "Your wing cannot be healed and you lost about twenty percent of your magical ability. I don't care about that part since losing twenty percent of really fucking strong is still crazy compared to most, but it's the rules and I get it. It means you're not combat-able.

"Great, okay, there's tons we all do that has nothing to do with combat anything. And a lot of it needs to be separated better. We need one top commander. From what I've learned, that was basically the ancients—though that was super illegal—and really it was supposed to be my dad or Prince Alok. Well, that means Julian right now, and he will be—"

"Tamsin Vale, don't even joke about that," Julian whispered, his eyes too wide looking like he might faint.

"He will be the first to say that's a bad idea," I said dryly. "I'm not joking. It normally would be you." I shrugged. "I'm saying we need to do better especially since we're combining the realms, so I want you to be my education person—advisor cabinet person. Whatever." I focused back on Stefanie. "You are the right person, injury or not."

"Many will be upset that you promote the woman who saved your life to be the head of the military, Your Highness," one of the nobles interjected.

I shrugged. "Let them. Humans do that all of the time. Not specifically for saving their leader but for doing such heroic deeds. They give out medals and Purple Hearts and—we send them downriver." I stared the man down. "But I stand by what I said. She's the ultimate trainer. She's trained and worked with more Guardians than any other commander.

"That's who should structure the training program. Retraining programs. Maintenance testing programs. How not to get lazy because we will have generations of peace programs. She is the right person to see the big picture and not get bullied by the nobles because she is one which should also make people happy about balance."

People were quiet for several minutes until a throat cleared. I glanced over when I saw it was Neldor's… And he wasn't happy with me.

Yeah, well, I'd brought a lot of this up with him many times and he'd given me the brush-off. I understood it and he… He was too used to the way things were and should be at times.

"You also want Onas to head up the police," he said after I nodded for him to go ahead. "You're going to have a lot of trouble having a dark fairy lead the police and military."

I shrugged. "I don't see them as dark fairies. I never have. But it's still balanced to me. I'm a light fairy and big boss. You're a dark fairy and my right hand. Iolas might be the commander with Hudson and that's a light fairy." Again, I shrugged. "It's not about light and dark to me. It's resources and who is best for the position, plus I don't want to take out—"

Neldor winced when I closed my mouth so fast that he apparently knew I bit my tongue. "Oh, this should be good."

I ran my tongue over my teeth. "I don't know who put the cranky in your pants, but before you get pissy that I didn't talk to you about this first, you are part of the problem on this topic. I've brought this up with you dozens of times, but you're stuck in how things ran before. Great. Queens died under how things ran. I want to do better and live."

"Poking aside—even if valid given we all pushed off your concerns because we were buried—we do need to know your full assessment to understand where your head is at, Your Highness," one of the other commanders said. "To the outside world—and even some in this room—it would look like you promoted Stefanie for saving you.

"Onas because you don't want him to try and be a general to rally support for Prince Neldor or he steps out of line. Maybe some would see his talent in interrogations and how often you've pushed him to train more, but—we need to see the picture you do. Even if we don't tell everyone, we need to see it."

"You don't actually. You don't need to do shit besides follow fucking orders, Commander," I seethed, glad when he nodded, several other people swallowing loudly and doing the same.

However, the request he made wasn't unfair.

I sighed and glanced around. "Fine, but don't get pissy with me later, or—you can't hold this against me. I want the word of all of the commanders." I waited until they all agreed. "I think we can all agree I've had enough time working with you that I know your strengths as you do mine. We've been in tough spots—"

"Your Highness, we aren't people who offend easily," Onas promised me, sounding a bit amused.

Yeah right. Fucking babies most of the time from what I knew.

Fine, fuck it.

"Morgan and Shael are the most lethal. If we ever really do have to go to war or the shit hits the fan, I want them on the right and left of me. I've seen them in action many times, especially when Neldor was attacked, and everything they do is always flawless. They are the best weapons we have and need to always be the generals in battle with me.

"They've also adjusted the best, immediately jumping into the tech and changes. I want my dad to work with them on better training plans and pushing their magic and abilities. I want them to always be ready and maybe even have their own team of SEAL-type fairies. Iolas and Taeral immediately dive for Neldor and me. That's their role and as our advisors."

I went through the rest of them for their strengths, even commending Talila how she focused on any injured and making sure they got out and people weren't stupid.

"You really do pay attention and see more than anyone gives you credit for," Stefanie praised, beaming with pride.

"I do, and this is what Faerie needs," I told them confidently. "This is the path for my government, my reign, and our future. I want you all to take this week and do the research. I want your feedback and we build a plan to fill in the framework I've decided, but this is happening. I hope you get on board with it, but if not, others will and serve their future queen."

And if my threat wasn't clear enough, I nodded towards the dozens of captains gathered for the meeting. Yeah, there was a reason I'd wanted them there.

I was the one with the leverage to make people behave, not the other way around. They better get that through their heads because mine was going to be the one to wear the crown.

The End