Selene stood at the doors, quietly listening with hope in her heart. She knew the ramifications if Calion didn't comply, and she didn't want it to happen to any of her sons.

It seemed so unrealistic of Barwin to place such heavy restrictions or that he had even bothered to show an interest in their lives, but he'd done so in the harshest way possible. If they didn't comply, then they had nothing. She didn't know why he did it. The fact that he didn't tell her until the conversation regarding Calion's future arose angered her as well. It was true to say that there was little love in their marriage, and it was nothing more than convenience. He wanted strong ties, a worthy bloodline to join with his noble one so that they could create a formidable presence in the world. They'd done that. Many sons who would do the name proud.

For a long time, Selene wished for a daughter. After so many sons, she thought that one would be gifted to her. It was not the case, and she hoped that one day, she would remarry and with her new partner, they would have a girl.

It would not happen for a while, though. Selene's priority was ensuring that all of her sons met the conditions of the decree and thus ensuring that they would be well cared for in the future. Then, when they were all settled and happy, she would approach Elwin about the subject. He would want for a worthy partner that would do the right thing by his mother foremost, then the family's name and reputation.

Selene's mood lowered as she thought about the past. If the decree was in its original form, then many of her sons would be already taken care of. Fifty was the age that Barwin had initially selected. It was Calion who begged for a few more years, which strangely had been given. Selene didn't know what had gotten into the old crank considering he'd been benevolent towards his sons and allowed them to be free until they were one hundred.

It had been a mistake, of course. Calion forgot about it over time. The days and nights passed, and it slipped from his thoughts.

As for the other mistake, that was aimed at the eldest. Selene's mood always lowered when she thought of Elwin. She knew that he desired to settle. Selene even thought that there was a woman hanging around. She was not certain, but there were hints of a female presence at his apartment. More than a fling but someone permanent.

It was a life that he could have at any point, but taking that next step was prohibited. He could not marry. Not until his brothers were taken care of.

But that would change. He only had to wait until Aleph reached one hundred. Once the youngest was married, Elwin would be free to do whatever he wanted. To marry as his heart desired. It was the payment for his duty to his family. He could pick as he pleased.

Calion had started to come around to the idea. She didn't know how Elwin had managed to convince Calion, but it had begun.

Tonight there would be a lavish ball to kick off the festivities. Selene wasn't certain if Calion was aware of it yet, thinking that Elwin wanted to soften the blow.

The candidates would arrive with their parents for a night of dancing and conversation. Adult siblings were allowed if requested. Not many of the families had requested it, but some had. If it relieved the tension, then Elwin and Selene thought that it was a good idea. Support came in many forms, and nervous young ladies needed all the help they could get.

At the night's end, the candidates would say a temporary goodbye to their families, and then the matron would show them to their lodgings. They were staying for the duration and the matron was the one who took care of them when they weren't participating in an event. She was also the one that would stop any amorous or adventurous woman from wandering off in an attempt to get herself ahead of the competition.

Hearing movement, Selene quietly shifted so that she wasn't near the door. Elwin appeared first. Upon seeing his mother, an eyebrow raised, inquisitive of her antics. Selene merely smiled and walked to her sons.

"Off for a walk. Care to join us?"

"As much as it would be a delight, I unfortunately have to refuse. After all, I've got a ball to get ready for."

Calion's eyes rose to the ceiling. His distaste was obvious, but he remained silent. After all, he expected this. If there was one thing that the aristocratic fae liked, it was a ball.

"Of course."

Selene smiled and turned away. Her sons watched as she ascended the sweeping staircase, soon followed by Aleph.

The journey to the ballroom was not short by any means. It was on the far side of the building, connected by a wide corridor. For guests, they would access the ballroom and the accommodation for the candidates from a secondary gate that sat on the side of the property. It was close to the main building but far enough away that it warranted a second entry point.

"Ten women, are you mad?"

"I hoped to give you a wide selection, Calion. If you'd prefer only a couple, then I could have the guards send the rest away."

"Don't be ridiculous. How is this going to work? I'm not pitting one against the other or handing out flowers."

Elwin smirked as he tilted his head to look at his crazy brother.

"Flowers?"

"Yes, like those shows. Don't you watch them?"

"I don't have time for television."

Elwin had one. It was in the informal living room, and he only ever used it when Kendall wanted to snuggle under a blanket and watch a movie. He'd have to turn the air conditioning down to a ridiculously cold temperature so that the snuggling would be extra fun.

"Well, they get a group of women together, and they're supposed to win the affection of one man. Then they hold these ceremonies where they hand out flowers and whoever doesn't get a flower, has to go home."

"And you watch this?"

"When I'm bored." he offered with a shrug.

Silently Elwin shook his head. He was amused that his brother would watch the show. It sounded interesting, but Elwin didn't think that it was the kind of thing that Calion would watch.

Elwin reminded himself that he didn't know his brother. Not really. They'd hardly spoken since the day that Calion fled this place and this world. In the eighty years apart, he could count the times they'd seen each other on his hands.

"Did you read much about the women?"

"Pieces of it. A broad overview would have been helpful."

"That's what the board is for."

"Yes, and it's hardly enough. You need to find that perfect balance."

"Or you could just read the files. Perhaps acknowledge all the hard work that our mother and I put into this."

Calion rolled his eyes.

"Yes, yes. Thank you for going above and beyond."

The pair stopped as the servants bustled around them. Elwin and Calion had emerged from the grand hallway to the external covered area. It was a grand colonnade with ivy growing up the columns.

Ahead of them, the area was being prepared. The coaches would arrive with the guests, dropping them off before continuing further along the path. They would deliver the luggage and then be moved into the carriage courtyard.

Merah was a world similar to the past that Earth had once had. Where Earth had progressed, Merah opted to be more selective of its advancements. They liked the internet and technology but chose to utilize horses and carriages for their transportation.

Elwin liked to think of it as a happy medium, but for him, it wasn't really enough. It's why he opted to live on Earth for many months of the year. He believed that his time there would soon end. Heather was likely to be the catalyst for his return. His reason to stay was fading. Elwin adored Kendall and wanted her to have the best life possible. Being attached to someone that could not give her an eternity of love and devotion was not that life. Always doomed. It was something that neither should have started, but they could not resist.

"You didn't invite her."

Elwin snapped out of his thoughts about Kendall.

"And you don't intend to, do you?"

"Heather is Earthborn. I thought that you knew that. Are you mad?"

Calion shrugged, leaning against the stone pillar.

"Regardless of what either of you want, she is bound to Earth, and you are bound to Merah. Nothing can change that, and if something happens to the gate, then it's going to drag every single native back to this world. She will still be on Earth and you'll be back here, wondering what happened."

"Is the gate unstable?"

"It has had moments where it has looked a little dodgy. Look, at the end of the day, the gate guards will always try to stabilize it, but you need to be aware that the connection could break at any moment. If that happens, you won't be able to see each other."

"What about you, though? Your business, apartment, bank accounts."

Elwin shrugged.

"When the first crack appeared, I set up a contingency plan. It's not perfect, but I'm dealing with it. The estate money is in this world, so it's safe."

Cal nodded, looking grimly at the tile floor.

"Cal, I'm going to be blunt with you. She was planning something dire. I don't know what, but it has something to do with our family."

His eyes lifted, connecting with Elwin.

"But you know something, don't you?"

"She had information about all of us and things that worry me greatly. I'm going to have to visit the lawyers again."

A heavy sigh escaped as Elwin rubbed the back of his neck.

"No matter what you think, she was always going to find a way. If you decide to return to Earth when this is over, stay away from her. Live in another city if you have to but keep Heather at a distance."

"Great," Cal grumbled.

Then a thought entered his mind. A mind-blowing revelation.

"Wait. You'd be okay with me going back?"

"Your life is for you and your wife to decide, not me. All I would suggest is that you remember that the cracks could return, and if you've spent decades having children on Earth, you will have to leave them behind. That could be a newborn child as well, Calion. Think about that long and hard before you plan your life on Earth. As for this place, if you hate it is not where you should be."

"I don't hate it."

"Yet you are never here."

Calion shrugged as he lifted from the pillar. Now that Elwin had confirmed that everything was moving to his liking, they could return. They just had to return to have their children.

"I suppose that it will be better now that our father is gone."

Looking out across the lawn, Elwin saw the cherry blossoms were covered in butterflies. He stopped with a smile, then looked at his brother.

"It is a sign. The butterflies have swarmed to the estate for you."

Calion was stunned at the sight. The sweet pink trees were dripping in bright blue butterflies.

"I didn't think that they liked the blossom trees."

"Which means that you did not study insects. That is the northern azure. Many just call them blueys. They are only seen at this time of the year and will search for any flower. They do not discriminate. To see that many though is quite rare."

Shifting on his feet, the elder brother faced the younger, hoping that he was seen as genuine and not mocking him or anything negative. All he wanted was for things to be normal around here. Elwin knew that it was impossible but he always kept hold of the hope that he had.

"Perhaps you will be blessed with your perfect partner."

"I can only hope so."

Their return to the study was short. Calion craved knowledge now that he'd accepted his future. It had been a short and angry road to this moment, but he'd gotten here which he knew was all that Elwin really wanted.

Taking a pile of folders, Calion put them on one of the wingback chairs in the corner of the room and settled into the other. A servant appeared with afternoon tea as if he'd read Calion's mind. Setting it on the nearby hall stand, the servant prepared and delivered something light to fill their bellies ahead of a long night. Canapes would be served, but so would alcohol. Selene warned Elwin that she would not tolerate drunken behavior, so he had to ensure that the staff knew to keep the food flowing freely and to monitor the champagne and wine.

"This one has two," Calion's brow furrowed as he looked at the two images. "What gives?"

"Ah, you mean the Lovaris sisters, Sarras and Maylin.When their parents applied for Sarras, they asked how flexible I would be inthe age range. Maylin is about to enter her seventieth year, and I'd statedthat the range was eighty to one-twenty. I told them that events like thiswould happen every couple of years and that there would be others they couldparticipate in if they didn't want to create an unhealthy competition betweentheir daughters. The father stated that his daughters were understanding andwell-behaved. There would be no competition, just admiration for the one thatwon your heart. If one or both failed, they would certainly look at reapplyingin future years but still wanted to proceed with both daughters if I allowedit. Which as you can see, I did. The reality of it was that I knew that I wouldbe limited in choices, and I dread my future searches. It is not going to beeasy."