Cassian was more than willing to set his agenda for the day aside when he was informed that the queen requested him. The ask was so infrequent, as was his opportunity to really see the boys, that he actually hurried to meet her, his steps through the halls as long as his legs could reach.

Upon arrival, Cassian gave a curt bow, accepting her show of affection without any indication of his inward surprise—and pleasure. His eyes roamed for the boys, but refocused on her as she launched into conversation.

“The magic of our witches is chaotic in nature but controlled in practice. There is no containment necessary because only those with discipline are allowed to practice in spaces such as these.” He gestured towards the training ground. His eyes considered her for a beat before he asked,

“Why the sudden interest?”

She did turn her attention back to the field below when he gestured, watching again and again as they practiced. Her eyes wouldn’t move back to him even when he seemed to pause and study her words and him, then he voiced his question. “Lorendale,” it was a one word answer, and she let her eyes fall back to him as she turned to face him more on.

“I’ve… been rather busy without you lately.” Though it could have shown a strain on her, she smiled. Because she appreciated his time when he was with her that much more now, and for once she had things to give him that weren’t her fumbling for answers. “Things haven’t improved with the gifteds and non, and I had an idea. Sparked by what we have here. What you and your father created and have maintained.”

Her eyes glanced at their guards, and naturally, hers fell back a step or two to allow her privacy with her husband. “What if we have a place where the gifteds could come and learn to control their gifts. A safe space, but a regimented one. Like here,” her fingertips touched the window as a bright incantation lit the space below them. “Non-gifteds are worried about gifteds not being in control or controllable. Gifteds don’t want to risk themselves by training on their own. Having them train like here, coming in and treating them like the witches…” her eyes lit with a bit of excitement. Her words a little rushed and breathless. Because this was her idea… hers. Sparked by Nevermere.

“But we would need a way to provide a safe area. Gifts range so wildly that I want to find a way to secure an area to keep their magic in… which is why Arynn Frey might need to be spoken with. No collars, but perhaps a building. Large and covered but with walls and a roof that wouldn’t collapse or break… indestructible or absorbent.” It was easier in her head, but she looked to Cassian with a bit of hope, that she didn’t sound like a child or foolish. She was a dreamer, Cassian was a strategist. But that could be why they were such a good match.

Cassian listened to the idea. It was not entirely unlike the one he had spoken to Simon about, that which the Royal Court member was supposed to have put in writing so that Cassian could bring the pitch to Iliana…but also, the heart of it was different. Iliana wanted a space to help gifteds grow in their magic. Cassian’s idea was a space for gifteds to be free from fear and prejudice.

“It is a lofty aspiration.” He admitted after giving a thoughtful pause. Cassian never sugar coated things with Iliana. “Arynn Frey would surely have more to offer, if they are willing.” After all, Lorendale no longer had an alliance with the kingdom of enchanters.

“I wonder,” he added, more slowly, “if a project of this nature might send the wrong message to the citizens of your kingdom. The gifteds and non are killing each other.“

She was ready for the questions, had already worked through some of them with her uncle, Augustus who seemed unsure as well of the idea. Not against it. But perhaps slightly reserved because this would be a stance from Iliana… and Cassian in a way. As her King, her co-ruler, either he sided with her or he’d make it known he didn’t support her. Which would possibly grow a divide. She didn’t think that was what was about to happen.

In fact, she was glad he ask. “The non-gifteds have always brought their voice to the unknown of the gifteds. How they are not controlled in their powers, this could be a way to have them controlled, but over themselves. It lets the maintain their freedom, gives them a chance to understand their strengths and risks. To learn to serve their kingdom and prove they aren’t a risk to every non-gifted that is around. They’d be known, instead of hiding. Which the gifteds have been a mix up of in favor and against for a long time. Hiding because of collars, now hiding because non are afraid.”

Hope was growing in her chest because he hadn’t immediately shot her down. “Doing nothing but trials has only escalated things. I want…” she reached for his hand and if he didn’t pull away, she’d squeeze his hand with hers. “I want our people to be more empowered and I want us to be the King and Queen that brought the gifted and non-gifted together.” Green eyes shining as she looked up to him. ‘Us’ ringing in her ears, because she wanted Cassian a part of this. Even if he chose to only voice his support.

Cassian’s observation of his wife’s excitement was something to marvel at. She was already a beautiful woman, and lit up like this she shone all the more brightly. He let her take his hand, of course.

“I fully support your objective.” He told her, squeezing her hand back. The monarch’s who united Lorendale. Indeed, it would be quite the legacy to leave. His lips parted, but closed again before he said more. The unspoken remained on his face.

If she was beaming with excitement before, it grew twofold as he gave his support. An easing in her shoulders to know he was going to support this and when he went to speak she braced for suggestions or questions… but he fell quiet. Yet it lingered, she could see the way his eyes seemed to think saying the words. “Tell me your thoughts,” she encouraged, her hand still in his as she waited. Her smile fading but not the genuine want for them to continue this talk fading from her eyes.

Cassian let a silence linger again before speaking.

“I am wondering after your source when you say that citizens of Lorendale want gifteds to be trained in their magic.” He said it simply, quietly, giving her the opportunity to tell him where she had gotten this information from.

She was glad he didn’t brush her aside. Instead she gave an almost sheepish, small smile. “It wasn’t that they want them to be trained. But it’s the solution I thought might best ease their worry. From the talks I’ve had with our Advisor of Law, Mara Saelim, and Lady Steward, Scout Kane… They worry they are unknown and dangerous because they hide their gifts… which to me means they see them as unskilled. And someone who possesses great power but no control of it… that is something to be concerned over.”

Iliana’s eyes flickered back to the training field below and then back up to him. “It’s not going to soothe everyone or ease all their minds… but if the majority of them can come to understand. From both sides, for the gifted to not be afraid as they are now and given almost a… safe place to learn and train. I just thought maybe it might help us bridge more of the division.”

Cassian was silent, listening to what Iliana had to say and weighing it against his own intel. He nodded, and when he finished he quietly posed an alternative perspective,

“Or, those fearful of the gifted may see money and resources spent on training the gifted as a bias and as equipping their ‘enemies’.” He searched her eyes, hoping she would understand that he wanted what was best for Lorendale too—and he didn’t think this was it.

“Consider surveying the people. Those without gifts, and then even asking those with gifts.” It was a suggestion. She could take it or leave it, of course.

Having set that with her to do with what she would, Cassian proceeded to speak, latching on to something else she had mentioned.

“On the topic of a safe place for the gifted, I have a proposition to place before you.” He waited for her to welcome what he had to say.

With Cassian, she listened because he had always sounded wise when speaking to her. He had a way of separating his heart from his crown. She still struggled with it at times, instead speaking more with her gut and passion than anything else. She was learning, always learning, but she couldn’t help the way her face fell a little when he put out the thought that others would view them as enemies. “Not all will like it. They don’t like what is decided unless they have the control over it. One side wants the other gotten rid of. I can’t-,” her voice cut off as she glanced at the guards around them. Even if they were not lingering closely, she swallowed her words. She couldn’t make both sides happy. And that’s what made her gut twist the most.

“I will try and find more council. Opinions.” She agreed gently as she looked back at the witches training below. They used to be held in the same way as gifteds… put down… scrutinized… not trained to their full potential. Maybe she would seek to find a witch to consult with as well… an older one who would remember those times…

His next direction pulled her full attention. “I welcome you to place it.” She said with a small smile, green eyes curious and wide.

The witches of Nevermere had never been treated the way the gifteds of Lorendale had. Never. The women of the land hadn’t known or understood their full potential until Julius. No one had ever explored it or pushed them. They had been content with simple lives, to not be militarized, to not have their sights set on attaining more and more power. Most older witches likely longed for that simple life again. Now, however, their granddaughters were dying in battle. There had been an exchange, and it wasn’t necessarily good.

“The new city I am building on a Coheed tribe’s ruins.” He mentioned it, letting her catch up with where he was heading. “I want to extend an invitation to the gifteds of Lorendale to live there, in Nevermere. From what I understand, there are some that want to fight for reform in Lorendale, and there are some that simply want peace and don’t expect to find it in their homeland anymore. Will you give them a choice?”

The mention of Coheed always sent a twisting feeling in her cut. She had, of course, only heard the rumors of Coheed. Had been just a child when they last decided to descend upon Lorendale… where gifteds had been the ones to stop them in their tracks. How they wanted to get rid of all gifteds was still a mystery to Iliana… how they couldn’t see the good if they just gave them a fighting chance…

Her brows flicked just slightly together, her first instinct bubbled up in her throat: no. It wasn’t because she wanted to force them there but running? And all the way to Coheed? “Removing them completely won’t…” she let her eyes fall away from his own. She didn’t want to send her people away. Even if it was their choice. “What of the others who decide to not go?”

Cassian heard the start of her sentence and knew where it was likely headed. But she was wrong. Removing a persecuted people from a society that had a history of hating them would actually fix the problem. For those that chose, they could be with Nevermereans, witches, accepted in a society where magic was very accepted. Praised, even. Not everyone would want to run, but surely some gifteds wanted to be done with the fighting and live in simple peace.

He didn’t voice the argument. Iliana would surely take time, if not now then later, to consider it more.

“They will continue on as they are, whether fighting for change or hiding. I’m simply proposing the opportunity for freedom.” Surely it would appeal to some gifteds.