I look across my desk at the males assembled in my study. All Princes from Major Houses and all very unhappy with the recent changes I have made.

"You are ruining our culture, our society," Malathin Saren reiterates.

I sigh, tired of this attack. I do not understand their fear and their desire to halt any progress. If they do not want to veer from the old ways, that is their issue and their problem. But why must they also insist that everyone else conform to their desires?

"I am not ruining anything. And if our culture or our society stays where it has been there will be violent change rather than the kind that benefits us all. Do you not see the discontent among the Minor Houses? It is an untenable situation."

They do not like that idea at all.

"It is you who is putting ideas into the Minor House Princes’ heads!"

"He is right," Franean Caffaar agrees.

Of course, Franean always agrees with Malathin. Tall and on the thinner side with light blue skin and light blue hair, his faded appearance almost seems to mimic his inner weakness of spirit. With Malathin's darker, medium blue skin, light blue hair, and heavier musculature, Franean is like the child basking in the bigger bully's shadow because he is too weak and cowardly to forge his own path.

This meeting has most likely swayed my opinion even more against everyone here. "Your vehemence in this matter indicates it is not so much that you dislike the change. It is more that you dislike that the changes so far have not benefited you," I retort, frustrated.

All five of their faces darken in rage. Once again, I have said something they do not wish to hear. In my experience, it is always truth that angers small minded people the most and the truth is, all the changes have greatly benefited my allies, Major and Minor Houses alike.

Drevakin is a good example. He has been gaining the respect of his new people in House Ti'ana and changing the culture of prejudice against the Minor Houses that thrived under Rathorin's rule and for multiple generations before. Drevakin also opened Ti’ana’s gates to increased trade with other Houses which means everyone is reaping the rewards of greater prosperity.

And both his and Elorshin's small families are thriving, their bonds with human females serve as a beacon of hope to all Alvan.

"You are overstepping," Prince Ceasner says quietly, his weathered face almost folding in on itself as he frowns.

"I do not believe I am," I counter, my tone more respectful. I can understand an older Prince finding it difficult to veer away from how he has always lived his life. Also, I cannot dismiss the wisdom his years have given.

"You are," Malathin says. "You are flaunting all tradition for your own selfish ends."

I bark out a disbelieving laugh. "Selfish?" I repeat. "Then why are my allies thriving? Why are they all loyal to me? Would anyone listen to me if my suggestions were not mutually beneficial? Rather than attempting to force me to comply with outdated traditions, perhaps you should implement some of the same policies so you too can reap the rewards of a more open channel between Major and Minor Houses. Embrace progress or fade while the rest of us move on to the future."

"You are ruining our society! The traditions and our class system are in place for a reason and they have been helping us survive for generations!"

"No, they have been keeping the Major Houses on top for generations," I murmur, shaking my head. "And for what? We can all learn and grow with each other." I meet each male's eyes as I stand. "I am done with this. I will continue to do what I believe is right for my people and everyone else who decides to put their faith in me. The arguments you are using are at best not based in reality, and at worst are caused by the scrabbling fear that your time at the top is coming to a close. Neither is compelling to me."

They stand slowly, drawing themselves up in their collective affront at the dismissal. The sight simply tires me.

"You will regret this," Malathin intones, his face tight with anger as he attempts to stare down his nose even though I am taller. His hand drifts to the hilt of his sword.

I almost wish he would draw it.

But I do not want the political mess I would have to handle after killing a visiting Prince in my own House Mansion.

Pity.

I deliberately keep my hand away from my sword.

"You are not the only power," Franean chimes in, always there to support Malathin's unpleasantness.

"I will do what is right," I repeat. "This is not about power alone."

Silent now, they turn as a unit and sweep out the door, the cloud of their self-righteous fury almost visible.

Sighing, I sit down once again, drained.

I truly enjoy being Prince of House Viir. I like being able to bring about change, to help my own people and others. I am not afraid of hard work or dirtying my hands, but sometimes the useless posturing from Princes of more traditional Major Houses is tiring.

And it has been worse as of late.

Much worse.

I have never been one to blindly follow where the group leads, which means I am not a favorite among a certain type of Prince. Recently I have been making decisions that unapologetically flaunt tradition.

I simply do not see a reason not to do so.

Traditions are just rules and policies that have been around long enough to lend them legitimacy, whether or not they deserve it. And the results of the changes I have helped make only confirm that.

Restless, I stand and walk over to the window, looking out at the bustling underground marketplace, enjoying my people laughing and prosperous. My eye falls on one of the few children in House Viir. I smile as he giggles and holds up his small, chubby arms for his mother.

The view helps be reaffirm my stance.

No, I am not making the wrong decisions.

My smile fades as the child disappears from view. Turning away, I begin pacing. Dinner is still hours away. I have work I could do, but...

I turn to the desk and the messages I have still to read. I should begin, but I find burying myself in work is no longer enough.

I run my hands through my hair as I walk out of my study, needing more space to expend my energy. I nod at the curtsying maids but keep walking. The truth is, seeing Drevakin and Elorshin so settled with their Paris and their children makes me long for the same. The utter contentment that radiates from the two of them is clear to anyone.

They have families, people that give them purpose. I have the people of House Viir, but they do not wait for me to come home at night.

They do not ask after my mood.

They do not warm my bed at night.

I want all of that. I want children of my own to fill my House Mansion with life, not simply with quiet servants and visiting Princes.

Directly after it became clear that Margot was in fact Elorshin's Pari, I went to Celestial Mates and went through the process to find a human female of my own.

But I am still waiting.

Even while Drevakin starts a family of his own.

I smile cynically as I stop in front of another window, this one looking out into the courtyard. I shake my head at myself. It serves me right that I have to wait so long after I forced Elorshin into a match that could have doomed him to a lifetime of pain. Besides, envy is not a good emotion to feel, especially toward people I consider friends, not just allies.

But I have waited so long.

I stand for some time, letting my thoughts wander where they will. When I finally move to return to my study, I know one thing for certain.

I can and will wait as long as I must to find my own match.

Hope is fire I will not allow to die.