The Hollow Tree of Wisps holds Fae diplomatic meetings where Royals and High Loyals testify and hear cases. Entering the tree leads you down a spiraling staircase taking you beneath the earth. Underneath the tree holds a large, circular courtroom. Today, their topic is about me, the Prince of all Fae creatures, and my future as King.

"Damenion, by god you have matured!" My grandmother represents the roots of our court. She was chosen by our ancestors to become a Seer of Branches, a Wiseman of decision, in other words, a judge. "You've grown over a foot since the last time we've crossed paths!" My grandmother walked over where she was sitting across the room and only stood up to just above my waist. "Why don't you give your old granny a hug?"

"Seer! Time is short. Please exclude from any more pleasantries and return to your highchair." My grandmother is the most compassionate out of the five Wisemen. "Prince Damenion, please take a seat on the riser."

"Is everyone ready to begin? Speak now." Silence fills the hall. "Excellent. Then let's begin. Marta, please state our case."

"Thank you, Arvie. Let us dive right in. Prince Damenion is promised the throne until our King is unable to tend to his responsibilities as King of the Fae. Unfortunately, that time may come more rapidly then all of us would have expected. The King has fallen deathly ill, and even our most intelligent doctors cannot figure out his diagnoses. All they have specified is to make sure the prince is ready to lead if things were to go drastically wrong. Court, do you believe that our Crowned Prince is ready to lead our nation?"

Chaos broke out in the court. Dozens of answers from the all over the courtroom were being shouted, hoping that their opinion made any difference in the decision.

I didn't realize my mother was even here until she regained peace over the court, "Silence!" Her voice shook the interior of the walls. Once silence finally met the court she spoke, "My son is so young and inexperienced. How can someone so young lead an entire nation? Yes, he has been schooled and read for this specific moment, but, personally, I don't believe he's ready just yet." I couldn't help but scowl at my mom, but she never peeled her eyes away from Marta to notice.

"Then what do you suggest we do to help prepare our young prince for the reality that is about to come?"

"Prepare a wedding."

My heart stopped at that moment.

"How is a wedding going to help prepare him to be king?

"It'll teach him to care for someone other than himself. That commitment may not be as big as running a kingdom, but it is a little taste of what is yet to come. A woman can help guide him into becoming a man or, in other words, a leader."

"Even if we did consider this, who do you suggest he marry?"

"Lydia Burchem, daughter of our King's Thane, Sylvester Burchem. She is well read and understands our ways and customs more than the common fae. Lydia is already involved in most of our politics. I believe she would be the perfect queen our kingdom needs."

Damenion couldn't believe his own ears. Mom, why Lydia over all the other females within our kingdom? A wedding? What the hell am I witnessing? Will my word even mean anything to them?

"I say I like the way you think. But before we make the final decision, we must hear what Damenion has to say. Damenion speak."

"So, let me get this straight." A heavy sigh escaped my lips. I was trying to regain his thoughts. "You want to marry me off to some highly respected woman of this court because you think she would be the perfect queen that this kingdom needs and you believe she will make me into this kind of man, a better leader? No, no matter who I wed, I will still be king; it is my birthright. Did you forget our whole life's purpose as fae?"

"Mind your tongue son. Your purpose is to lead the Fae Kingdom and marry someone who can help nurture it as well as provide you with pure heirs."

"You are a hypocrite."

"How dare you- "

"I remember stories you told me late at night as a child about mates and how our life's purpose is to find that one person. You wanted that for me. What happened to you?"

"I grew up. Now it is your turn to grow up as well." She scoffed. "I also want what is best for our kingdom."

"Didn't our descendants have mates? They even wrote about the importance of a mate within our Sacred Caves. I have personally read those stories. It states within those walls that fae males, especially kings, are forced to live shorter lives if left without a mate; you can read them yourself.  The kings of our past that married their mates lived long productive lives. Their mates led our kingdom just as well as the king himself."

"He does have a point Queen Quanne. I think I have a final jurisdiction. First, let me talk among the other Wisemen." They began to murmur amongst each other, barely audible. "We have made the final decision. Damenion, you must find your mate before you are crowned as the new King of the Fae. If you fail to mate her traditionally before that time, you will be forced to marry Lydia Burchem. The court stated." Marta collided her staff against the marble floor to bring an end to the case, basically, it's her signature to a new decree.

This marks the beginning of Damenion's journey as he searches the world for the one called his mate.