I had arrived in Prince Aaron's homeland to address his parents about a girl who had barged into his bedroom. I was baffled by the source of my anger; it seemed uncontrollable. Outwardly, I maintained composure, but inwardly, I was boiling with rage. Once we landed, Marigold, the prince's fiancée, and I were left by ourselves as Prince Aaron had departed. In solitude with her, she embraced me, offering apologies, unaware that I was bonded to the nature fae, expressing hope that this mix-up wouldn't hinder a future friendship. My fury subsided, recognizing her as another casualty of there parents' schemes. Returning her embrace, I too expressed a desire for friendship. As she took her leave, she extended a dinner invitation and shared her views of Prince Aaron as a decent man burdened by past sorrows. She implored me to envelop him in love and aid in erasing the scars left by his mother's despotism.

When Marigold departed, I kissed my horse and urged them to behave. I was then led by another fae towards the garden where Prince Aaron awaited. Upon arrival, I observed Prince Aaron in conversation with an exceptionally handsome fae, as striking as he was. This fae stood taller than Aaron and was considerably more robust, whereas Aaron possessed a lean, muscular build, though not bulky. The fae's gorgeous green eyes seemed to speak directly to the soul, and his long, dark brown hair contrasted with Prince Aaron's blonde locks. His chiseled face and jawline were reminiscent of actors post-botox, yet his features were genuinely unique and strikingly real. As our eyes met, I experienced a familiar pull, a draw towards him. Approaching me, I admired the icy gaze of his eyes mirroring mine, and the appreciative way his eyes surveyed me, igniting a desire within me to flaunt myself as a male peacock would to attract a mate. I was utterly captivated by his beauty, just as I had been with the others, and when he spoke in Bulgarian, I understood every word.

I was taken aback when Aaron pulled me close and pressed a heated kiss to my lips. Before I could catch my breath, Darien's dominating kiss overtook me, and he called me his beautiful gazelle. Oh, how I swooned, realizing once again that my heart was leading me into trouble. Six suitors were indeed more than five, and to complicate matters, I discovered that he was Aaron's older brother, not just another friend. This revelation left me stunned. What was I to do now? After the introductions, I calmed my frazzled heart and followed the princes into the fae castle. Once inside, Aaron and Darien each took one of my hands and led me into a throne room where a beautiful woman and a very handsome man sat. They looked perfect together, yet their hearts seemed disconnected. Upon seeing their sons, they smiled, but I could tell the father's smile was more genuine than the mother's, which seemed cold and distant.

when the father saw his sons he sat up and asked in his strong powerfilled voice 

"Yes, my sons, how is it that you're here in the throne room, a room which you both despise entering? And Aaron, what are you doing outside of the academy? Is it serious?"

I could see the genuine concern and confusion on the king's face. When he glanced at his queen, who had subtly shifted her expression to appear unsuspicious, a realization dawned in his eyes. He glared at her but remained silent as Aaron stepped forward, bowed to his father, and then spoke.

"I apologize for my abrupt arrival, dear father, but I am here to discuss a matter concerning my personal life. It pertains to the appearance of my betrothed, chosen by you and mother, arriving in my dorm with a forceful request. Following the annulment, it was proposed that Marigold join my school and share my bed as a means to rekindle a connection that only you and mother seem to perceive, not us, in hopes of hastening a marriage. This is despite a prophecy declaring that I cannot be in a relationship with anyone other than my destined partner."

I witnessed Aaron's father become enraged and glare at his queen, demanding an answer for attempting to impose a life partner on him, fully aware that he could marry no one but his destined mate. The mother turned her head so swiftly that it gave me whiplash, and then, in a seething tone, she said,

"Indeed, it was I who compelled Marigold's parents to sever her ties with the man she was seeing, to ensure she remained pure for my son and honored our kingdom. It was I who instructed Marigold to attend the academy and attempt to allure my son, fulfilling her duty as a virtuous fae woman to persuade him to consider her as a potential bride and marry swiftly. As for the prophecy of a so-called fated mate destined not only for my son, the chosen heir, but also for four other chosen heirs from their respective supernatural kingdoms, I refuse to accept it. I desire a pure woman to be the queen of my kingdom and my son's wife. There has been no news of such a woman who is predestined for five men—a repugnant and inappropriate notion uttered by old men with the memory of a dunce. How can a woman have five mates? The only women known to do so are those we refer to as ladies of the night"

I was seething at the words coming from the mouths of Prince Aaron's and Prince Darian's mother, because in a world as modern as ours, how could polyamorous relations be deemed disgusting and worthy only of a lady of the night? I remained silent as the king and queen argued, but it was Prince Darian who halted the dispute and then posed a question that stunned the entire room into silence.

"Enough, Mother and Father, this must end. As the eldest and primary heir to the kingdom, I request the opportunity to assume my rightful place as the king of the fae kingdom. Furthermore, I ask that my younger brother be released from his royal obligations to the throne, for it was not his to claim. This responsibility was unfairly imposed upon him at the tender age of twelve, when he could not grasp the full implications of being an heir. This decision, made by Mother with her queen's authority, forced Aaron to comply and unjustly set me aside, the elder heir, on the grounds that I lacked a queen to rule beside me. Now that I have found my queen, I demand that my claim to the throne be restored, and I shall appoint Aaron as my heir. But before that, I will acknowledge Aaron as my most formidable warrior."

When Prince Darian spoke of finding his queen, my heart sank, for I had not realized that being deemed their mate by Darian and Aaron—a term I had often heard but never fully understood—might mean losing my freedom to live as I wished before settling down. However, upon learning that Darian had a queen, they insisted he present her before considering his request. As I stepped forward, their mother's face turned sour, and she looked down her nose at me, but their father gazed at me as if I were his holy grail. When he beckoned me closer, I held my head high and approached. It was then that my keen ears detected his breath catch, and as he spoke, I bowed my head slightly before looking up to face him once more.

"How do you do, young fae? What is your name, and who are your parents?"

"My name is Malaya Mikowski, Your Majesties. I am the daughter of Rebecca and Felix Mikowski. My species is a hybrid; I possess both my mother's ice fairy magic and my father's wendigo magic, along with my own unique powers—some already manifested, some yet to emerge. I take pride in my heritage and feel no shame in what I am. Moreover, I am the destined mate of both your sons and the other four princes. I am neither promiscuous nor a lady of the night, contrary to what your esteemed queen has suggested. I have loved all five, now six, of these men. I have shared kisses but have not yet been intimate with them, though that will change in the near future."

"How dare you enter our kingdom and flaunt your modern promiscuous ways before me and my king, while also claiming to love my sons and the four others? How is this not a disgrace to you, and how can you take pride in being called a hybrid? I do not, and will not, accept you as the queen of my kingdom, nor as a wife to my sons, regardless of any supposed fate. Moreover, Darien will not regain his position as heir; the responsibility will remain with Aaron, and he alone will marry Marigold, who shall be the queen of my kingdom."

"Enough, Danashaas! Deciding on the heir and their queen is my duty. Your role was to nourish the kingdom with love and open-mindedness, a vow you took upon our marriage. Yet, over the years, you have neglected these duties and grown cold-hearted. I remained silent for the sake of my sons, my kingdom, but no longer. I now decree that you shall hold your tongue and listen: Darien will be reinstated as heir, and Aaron shall be released from all royal obligations to become Darien's warrior."Malaya WILL ascend as queen of this kingdom and MATE my SONS  and none shall judge her for her destiny of uniting with six men. She will not be subjected to any insult or belittling conversation regarding her status as a hybrid. Should anyone oppose my decision, I will expel them from my kingdom and revoke their title. Moreover, Malaya will continue her studies and acquaint herself with her other companions, whether it be here in the Kingdom of the Fae or at the Academy. My decision is irrevocable. As I have decreed, so it shall be done. Darian, your official coronation will take place a month from now, during the Winter Solstice. Now, go and show Malaya both your chambers, and Aaron, extend another invitation to your friends to our kingdom. as I am deeply sorry, my son, for the pain you've endured at the hands of a woman who was meant to cherish you, but instead, you encountered a cruel, power-hungry woman"

When Aaron and his dad embraced, I instinctively leaned my head into Darian's shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around me. He spoke of showing me the castle while Aaron and their dad discussed Aaron's experiences over the years. I sighed, reflecting on how, despite a brighter future, the lingering shadow of terrible memories can still disrupt life and play tricks on your mind. Darian inquired how I could be so certain about such gloomy matters, and I chuckled, admitting that I too had my own darkness from the past, which I battled daily to lead a normal life—well, as normal as it could be in a magical realm.