“That was never the point!” Zarian screamed and I sat back, holding Alaric in my lap, watching as Zarian and Antoni fought, “you weren't supposed to see me!”

“I'm your fiance!” Antoni yelled back, the fury in his voice shocking, “my God I've seen you naked! I've bathed you! Why are you so damn dramatic about me seeing you in your undergarments?”

“Because if you had been caught, you'd be atoning and miss our wedding, Antoni!”

“Oh whatever,” Antoni sighed, “I don't want to fight with you anymore. You were embarrassed, just say that. Enough of you blowing things out of proportion. We're getting married tomorrow, Zarian. The four of us! You understand what happens the night of, right? Consummating our marriage. Are you going to yell at Alaric and Ezra too when you're naked?”

“I-I…” Zarian hung his head and Antoni crossed the room, cradling his face slowly, “no. I suppose not. But everything I've ever heard of royal weddings and the after is due to extending the royal line. I can't put a baby in your stomach and you can't do it for me. It makes me feel as though us being intimate has no point.”

“But it does,” I called softly, “because it helps you to bond the final way. I can't get Alaric pregnant but that doesn't mean I want to feel him any less. You were embarrassed, Zari and that's okay. Your body is wonderful. So please stop yelling. There's no point to it.”

“I swear to God,” Zarian huffed, “none of you can let me be dramatic for two seconds.”

“But you're not being dramatic. You're just being mean. None of us are reacting the way you are. So please calm down.”

“Yeah,” Antoni whispered and slowly kissed Zarian, smiling as he did, “calm down. Everything will be fantastic.”

“I'm scared,” Alaric whispered and I rubbed his thigh softly, “what if something goes wrong? What if I choke out my words and fail?”

“Oh you'll be fine baby,” I whispered in his ear and he groaned softly, his head falling against my shoulder, “we'll be right there with you.”

“Over a year of being close and we can't do more than kiss. It's killing me,” he whined, “Ezra? What does sex feel like?”

“The only positive experience I've had is with Antoni and that went really quick because I was pent up. But it's amazing. Unlike anything you've felt. The sounds, the taste, the warmth. Antoni moans so loudly, panting breaths always. He can't hold it in. It made my heart race. I barely knew what I was doing and he melted entirely for me.”

“Hey! Stop reminding me of it,” Antoni grumbled, “God it was good. He's big, by the way. Uh down there. A warning to you both. He's also rough.”

“That was due to the fact we were probably going to die and I was scared. I'm usually not. I'll take my time. But we really should discuss how we want our wedding night to be. There are four of us after all. Do we break off into pairs or stay together?”

“Hm,” Zarian tapped his chin, his bright red eyes filled with curiosity before he smiled, “pairs but in the same bed. They changed the main chamber for us to share finally. Based on how life would have been had things not been so dramatic, it should be me and Ezra and Alaric with Antoni. At least the first time. We can trade, or figure out how to do it all together. But it'll be easier on Antoni and me to be with the one we feel comfortable with. Not that I'm uncomfortable or don't want all of us to be together. I just think it'll work easier.”

“Agreed. I'm sure we'll be ready enough with breaks for everyone to experience everyone else. But same bed huh? That sounds good. I'd be too curious how things were if you were in another room,” I kissed Alaric's cheek and he sighed happily.

“So you'll help me then? Make sure I don't hurt Antoni? I'm not sure what I'm doing,” Alaric whispered, making me laugh softly.

“Absolutely. You'll just follow my lead.”

“Perfect.”

A soft knock came on the parlor door and I sighed, watching as Antoni opened it to reveal Celeste and Sidra.

“Daddies!” Celeste squealed, “guess what?”

“What is it?” Alaric smiled, letting Sidra climb into his lap as Celeste bounced happily in the middle of the room.

“Uncle Robin introduced me to a new friend!”

“Robin and Oleano have a new kid?” I looked around and everyone had the same confused look on their face.

“Mhm. His name is Jael.”

“What does he look like?” Zarian squatted down, concern clear in his movements.

“Um. His hair is purple and so are his eyes. We're the same age! Uncle Robin said he's from A… uh…”

“Alanin?”

“Yes but not before. Um… the same place as Daddy Alaric and Daddy Antoni.”

“From Appanolia?” Alaric stuttered, “matching hair and eyes… oh my God he's fae. A baby fae! How did he get to Alanin?”

“He woke up there,” Celeste shrugged, playing with her hair, “he doesn't know how.”

“That worries me,” Zarian sighed, “Myran has many children. I'm worried Jael is one and trying to win Celeste over to take her away. Celeste, my love, I need you to stay away from Jael for just a bit. Until we can find out the truth. Okay?”

“But he's my friend!” Celeste stomped angrily, “we share blue sparkles!”

My throat clenched and Antoni nodded slowly, joining Zarian in squatting on the floor.

“Okay. I understand that Princess. I truly do,” Antoni squeezed her arms and Celeste stopped pouting, “the same glitter that I share with Daddy Ezra. The same he has with Daddy Alaric. I get that baby. But if he came from Alanin into Nouvelle, then we have to ensure it's safe for you to be around him. That's all. Okay? Let us handle it.”

“Um… can I keep my present at least?”

“Present?”

Celeste nodded and pulled a small necklace from inside her dress pocket, a sparkling purple gem set into a golden base, “Jael gave it to me. Told me it means he can stay with me forever.”

I buried my face into Alaric's neck and he shushed me softly, rubbing my arm. Antoni picked up the necklace, placing it between his hands and chanted slowly, a golden glow filling the room before the returned it to her.

“Yes. It's safe. But I need to talk to Uncle Robin before you're allowed around Jael. Do you understand me?”

“But daddy… he's my friend.”

“I know. But you're our daughter and that's more important to me. You can be angry but you will respect this choice. You're only seven. Do you understand me?”

“Yes,” Celeste hung her head and Antoni hugged her tightly.

“It's my job as your dad to keep you safe baby. I know I wasn't around for a lot of it, you only had Ezra, but we are your parents and we adore you. You'll understand when you're an adult the urge to keep your children safe. I'd put the same ban on Sidra.”

“I know. Can I go see Ms. Aneira?”

“Why don't I take you?” Alaric set Sidra down, taking Celeste’s hand and Sidra whined, chasing after them, “okay I'll take you both. Let's go my loves.”

The three of them left and I leaned forward, my face now resting in my hands. There was a sudden warmth around my shoulders and I realized Zarian had wrapped himself around my back, pressing his lips to the nape of my neck.

“So Celeste found her spirit mate. But I'm gathering Jael had no parental guide to tell him to wait until he was an adult to give them his mortality,” Antoni sighed, “shit.”

“What happens if they grow and Celeste isn't interested anymore?” I muttered.

“That's not how spirit mates work. When you find them, they become your world. Everything you've needed in a partner. It's why you and Alaric immediately bonded. Why we couldn't stay away from each other. The connection to our emotions have stabilized but leaving each other would be devastating. I need to meet Jael. I want to understand how he came to Nouvelle. Coming from Appanolia, he should have ended up directly in Wickersham Forest. We all do. So how he was shifted into Alanin I don't understand. Unless Myran is aware of the fae in Appanolia. He could have a mage disrupt the portals. Shit,” Antoni groaned, “I'm going to Robin's. I'll be back in time for the dinner tonight. Our last night engaged before we're married, I'm aware how important this dinner is but I need answers to ensure our daughter is safe.”

“Come back soon,” I nodded and Antoni came over to kiss me slowly, cupping my chin before leaning over me to do the same to Zarian and immediately leaving the parlor.

“Zari. Come here,” I patted my lap and he slowly straddled me, “I'm scared.”

“What's wrong with Celeste finding her spirit mate so young? We found each other as children. We've loved each other for over 20 years. Same with Robin and Oleano. Still weird to use his name. I can't promise I understand spirit mates. But I like to think that even without a thread to bond us together, we are as well. As long as Jael is a good kid, there's no reason to keep him away from Celeste.”

“Ugh. I hate when you're right.”

“I'm well aware,” Zarian laughed and kissed me softly.

An out of place pop filled the parlor and I looked past Zarian to find Antoni holding hands with an adorable young boy. His hair was lavender, coming to the middle of his back and he looked around the room curiously, the sunlight highlighting the deep plum tone of his eyes. He was fair skinned, freckles covering his entire body and Zarian jumped off of me, smiling as he did.

“Is Alaric back yet?” Antoni smiled nervously.

“Not yet, no. Why?”

“Oh he'll want to meet Jael. Jael? Introduce yourself.”

“Oh. Um hello,” he bowed politely, “my name is Jael Tarren. I'm 8.”

“Hello,” I squatted in front of him with a smile, “my name is Ezra Nouvelle. Heir apparent to the kingdom of Nouvelle. This is one of fiances Zarian Serce, former prince of Serce. Celeste is our daughter.”

“Mhm I know. She's so sweet! We're best friends,” he giggled, rocking on his heels.

“I can tell.”

Alaric returned a moment later, freezing as he did, “oh. He really is fae.”

“Jael? This is Alaric. You'd know him better as Duke Malrino. Alaric. This is Jael Tarren.”

“Tarren? No…”

“Yep,” Jael giggled.

“I'm confused,” Zarian sighed.

“Jael… is also a duke. Or was. His father Soraneo is the right hand to King Elis. But Jael,” Alaric kneeled down, “you shouldn't be here kiddo.”

“But I don't want to go back. Appanolia is dying, Alaric,” Jael whispered, “my daddy and mommy are dead. I'm supposed to be the Duke now. I don't want it. So I begged to leave and ended up in the desert. I was scared. Until a silly man found me when I was walking towards the forest.”

“Mads,” Antoni called and I nodded.

“They know I'm fae too but said I could stay with them. That they'd be my daddies now too! I like it here.”

“So he's not a threat?” I sighed and Antoni shook his head, “got it. Well. Oleano and Robin are Dukes now. I suppose it's only fitting that they take an actual child this time. Most of their orphans have been teenagers. They can raise him well. Jael, we will let you and Celeste play together but one of us or your dad's have to be there okay? No being alone. It's not allowed. Celeste is a princess and when I'm ready to leave the throne, she will take over as Queen. There are certain rules that must be followed.”

“I understand Prince Ezra,” Jael nodded politely and I ruffled his hair.

“Why don't you spend some time with Lord Alaric and Lord Antoni? They have plenty to teach you about being fae. What is your gift?”

“Darkness and immobilization. People are scared of me. I can make anywhere dark around me that I can see. I can also make someone freeze if I want. They won't be able to move until I release them or they die,” he shrugged, “but I'm not mean! I'd never do that for fun!”

“It's okay,” I laughed, “I believe you.”

Jael left with Alaric and Antoni and I turned to Zarian, a bright smile on my face.

“Oh no,” Zarian sighed, “you have an idea.”

“We found our ace to take down Myran. Jael can immobilize him then you drain his power. It's perfect.”

“He's a child!”

“Then we train him to protect himself.”

“Jesus your mind is the same as Chevaliers sometimes. Fine. I actually thought the same thing. Good idea.”

“I have those a lot you know?”