I enter the healing wing and immediately find the room where my friends are by the voices. A bouquet of aromas of medicinal herbs, tinctures, and menthol fills the space. My friends' room is the same as the other three in this wing. It's a large room with a window only on the ceiling, from where you can see the dark night sky. There are two rows of beds in the room, four on one side and four on the other side. And all the beds can be separated from each other by a curtain, giving the illusion that you are alone.

As I look at my friends now, I feel a great relief that no one was hurt. They are all alive. They have also cleansed their skin, hair and clothes thanks to magic.

"Lua!" The first to notice me is Vox, and everyone else turns in my direction.

"Here comes our favorite patient. Luappo, aren't you enjoying your stay with us so much?" The healer, a cute dark-haired guy, approaches me with a good-natured smile, and I hum.

"To be honest, I just came to check on my friends and that's it. I won't..."

"Yes, you will," the healer grabs my arm and pushes me to a vacant bed. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll bring you some infusion."

When we're alone, I look around, checking to see if anyone's really hurt. But no, aside from the drooping and tired looks, everyone's fine, even Fima.

"Who's in there?" I ask in a whisper, pointing to the closed bed with a white curtain.

"Piros," Ailes answers me in the same way.

"Piros? What happened to him?" I wonder.

"According to the others' guesses Piros was coming to see you," Fima says quietly. "He was carrying strawberries on a plate. Apparently, he spotted the dissenters and attacked them, but they reflected his fire and it hit Piros."

"Oh Mother Almighty, is he okay?" Frightened, I cast a glance at the curtains.

"They say he'll sleep through the morning. Fire can't hurt him, Piros is made of fire. He's just in overdrive right now. He's kind of high, so they put him to sleep so he doesn't do anything," Vox chuckles.

"Are you dating Piros, Lua?" Stellare asks me with a squint.

"No, of course not. I didn't even know he was coming to see me. I saw him today, and that's it." I press my lips together unhappily. "And I invited him to come to town with us again."

"Lua!" Everyone lets out a doomed groan.

"What? Piros isn't really that bad. He tried to help us, even with you all mistreating him and saying mean things about him. But he wasn't scared and decided to attack. So at the very least, you should be grateful to him for that," I tell them sharply.

"If he hadn't attacked, Fima wouldn't have been scratched. He's the reason the illusion disappeared for a moment," Mor snorts. "So it's his fault that your dome destroyed and Fima got hurt, as well as Vox losing a lot of his powers."

"Stop it," I bark at him. "Piros wanted what was best for us. And he was trying to help. Any other person in his place would have done nothing at all but cowardly run away. Piros hurt himself. Stop treating him like that. Stop it, Mor. You're being very arrogant."

My friend looks away resentfully, twitching his leg, which gives away his nervousness.

"And are, you guys, okay?" I look around at everyone again.

A big smile spreads across Vox's face.

"That was awesome."

"Are you a complete asshole?" Stellare indignantly throws his pillow at him, and the others burst out laughing. Vox fights the pillow off and gives it back to Stellare, but gets hit in the head with Ailes' pillow from the other side.

"Hey!"

"What? I just helped bring you to your senses," Ailes shrugs.

"I'm fine."

"You said it was cool. It was scary," Fima whispers. "I was so scared. Damn, I feel like such a coward."

"We were all scared," I tsk, reassuring my friend. "Vox too."

"I'm not..."

"Yeah," I smile, interrupting him. "And the fact that you were as pale as a spirit, we'll all friendly forget. Or you were squealing with fear, along with everyone else."

"Screw you," Vox frowns. "I liked it anyway. Just think, we fought. And we almost won. This is just the beginning of our education. When we graduate, we'll make it out alive. It's cool that we know our strengths now. We know what we can count on."

"Well, I'll be the first to get killed then," Stellare sighs grimly. "I couldn't do anything at all. I have too little dark magic in me."

"You fought well," Mor praises him, causing a faint smile to appear on the elf's face. "And you didn't get scared, you didn't hide behind our backs, you fought on par with us. You're better than your brother, and besides, you came up with the idea of smothering them with your shirt and protecting yourself from bites that way."

"Thanks, Morrick, and your claws are cool. They're like knives."

"Yeah," Mor smiles, raising his hand, and instantly black claws glisten in place of fingernails. "I love them. They help cut pies so I don't choke on them."

"Uh-oh, Mother Almighty, don't tell me you're hungry again?" Fima lets out a moan and the others laugh. I smile too.

"Well, a little. I'm always actually a little hungry. I'm still growing, actually," Mor snorts. "And I need to run. My beast wants to run."

"No one leaves here," the healer reappears in the chamber and heads toward me.

"But I need to," Mor whimpers, kneeling down. "It's my beast, it's stressed, it needs to release its energy."

I take the mug from the healer's hands and take a sip.

"Okay, but then to come back, got it?"

"Cool!" Mor, jumping to his feet, storms out of the room.

"Why is he allowed to leave and we can't?" Vox is indignant.

"Because he's a werewolf and you're not. And if he's not released, his beast will get angry and then he'll be worse. Now get some rest. I'll come back a little later to check on you."

We all sit in silence for a while, thinking about what happened to us.

"Ailes?" Fima calls out to him and the fairy lifts his head.

"Yeah?"

"Your hairpin...is that an artifact?"

"Yeah," he nods with a smile. "My brother gave it to me when I was young, and my other brother taught me how to control it. During the war, the fairies didn't know how to defend themselves, so many of us died, many survived captivity and violence. We were protected by the elves, but the elves weren't enough to keep us and our settlement safe from attack. So after the war, we created our own kingdom, sharing the territory of the Elf Kingdom. And we were taught to fight from the time we were in kindergarten. So did I. By the way, our teacher is a demon and he's my cousin's husband. He's good at fighting, very good. I loved spending time with him."

"We've all been great. We should be proud of ourselves," I pronounce.

"Except me," Fima snorts, jerking her head. "I turned out to be a coward."

"That's not true, Fima, you're not a coward," Vox assures her. "It's just that there's also the bloodline memory, like vampires all have a hard time being in the land of the dead. It poisons them more than the rest of us, even more than the light ones. And you probably experienced the bloodline memory because I know how good you are at fighting. You're the best at our level of battle magic. But that's just the clan mechanism kicking in. You need to find out from your family who the dejeu killed. I think it's about that."

"Really? And I can protect myself later?" Quietly and hopefully, Fima looks at Vox.

"Sure, you just need to understand the reason for your fear. You're a vampire, you're cold-blooded. And something like this is strange to you, so I can only come up with this explanation. Besides..."

"Okay, that's it. Enough chatting, it's time for all of you to rest. You'll spend the time here until morning. We'll be monitoring you. Close the curtains and go to sleep," the healer orders.

"Can I sleep with more than one?" Ailes sticks out his lower lip. "I need to cuddle in my sleep, and I also want to restore my energy. And I'm a fairy and I..."

"Uh-oh, Mother Patience, you may, but no unacceptable and vulgar actions. Understood?" The healer points at Ailes and the latter smiles broadly.

"I'll be very quiet."

"I'll move you to another block, Ailes."

"Okay, so just cuddling, then."

Like the others, I guess I expected Ailes to move to Stellare, but he lays down next to Vox and the latter hugs him, pulling back the curtain.

"And no silly stuff, you two!" The healer warns them.

"Uh-huh."

Clearly, they both don't care. Rolling my eyes, I wink at Fima and close my curtain. The lights dimmed further, and there's silence, broken only by the rustle of the sheets on Vox's side of the bed.

Sinking down on my pillow, I stare up at the ceiling. I don't want to sleep. Maybe I'm scared of sleeping. Maybe I'm stressed and have a lot of energy inside me. And probably I'm embarrassed about saying a lot of extra things to Seraphus, like I'm blaming him. Yes, I feel a little ashamed, but I consider what I said right. It's still too confusing for me what happened between him and Ellior, and the truth is, hardly anyone will tell me. But I'm sure they're both being unreasonable. It's not right. Mother won't forgive such disregard for her gift. It must be treasured, and I would if my true one were Seraphus. But he, alas, isn't mine, and I also cease to wonder if there was a kiss. I have no right to these thoughts anymore. This demon is the love of the elf's life, and I'm... nobody.

The curtain next to my bed sways and Stellare climbs into bed with me, pushing me to the edge.

"And what are you doing?" Arching an eyebrow in surprise, I watch as he settles almost on top of me.

"Now it's my turn to be restored by your energy. You don't mind, do you?" He pops his head up and looks at me with the most innocent, light eyes. Grinning, I roll my eyes.

"Okay. I don't want to sleep anyway," I admit.

"Me too," he whispers, resting his head on my shoulder. I breathe in the scent of Stellare's hair, and it feels good. It smells like something sweet and airy, like peach meringue. Everyone used the purification spell, so there's no slime or stench of the dead on anyone. And I have to admit, Stellare's warmth is pleasant.

"What are you thinking about?" He inquires.

"Oh, nothing... about Seraphus and your brother, the way you smell, the consequences, the punishment for those who disagree. Everything and nothing in particular. There are too many thoughts in my head," I confess.

"And what do you think about my brother?"

"He's a coward, just like Seraphus," I snort. Stellare lifts himself off of me in surprise. "What? They both cowardly ran away from solving the problem. How can that be? Tell me. How can one be so indifferent to someone you love? And yes, Stellare, I don't believe your brother didn't love Seraphus. It's simply impossible not to love him, especially after choosing his side. It was brave and foolish, but lovers are apparently foolish."

"My brother doesn't know how to love, Lua. He's my brother, and I know him. In fact, I've heard a lot about him. You know what he said the first time he met me? I was four years old. I was just a kid running around the corridors, playing hide-and-seek. Then I accidentally bumped into Ellior. Do you know what he said to me?"

"No."

"He said, 'Why the hell are the servants' offspring running around the castle? There's no discipline, the brats need to be taught manners.' He gave me a look of disgust and pushed me aside. I fell and broke my wrist. He didn't even bother to find out why I was crying. He just walked away. Ellior's an arrogant asshole, Lua. He's got nothing good in him."

"Oh," I cover my eyes, not understanding why the elf has so much hatred and cruelty in him, even towards his brother.

"Yeah, and the second time, I was twenty-one and learning archery in the armory. He came in and he looked at me and he grimaced. He said, 'Ummm, I didn't expect anything from him, but even that disappointed me.'. You I was so offended, so hurt, because I was only on my third day of practicing. Of course, I was bad at this type of weapon back then, but Ellior didn't even give even me a chance. He doesn't give anyone a chance. He doesn't socialize with any of the brothers. He croaks contemptuously when he meets them at balls. He pretends we're inferior to him and doesn't hide it. Sometimes he even says it in front of everyone and humiliates us. Don't look for love in him, Lua, he lacks it."

"But why does he treat you like that? Why?" I'm horrified.

"He's always been like that. My brothers say that's the only way they remember him. Ellior has never been and never will be different. He betrayed Seraphus, Lua, and that's something you just have to accept. And he certainly doesn't care about Seraphus and the fact that he's constantly being attacked because of him. He's long since forgotten about him."

"They're the true ones, Stellare. It's impossible to forget your true one," I mutter.

"I told you that finding the true one is too little. You must love him. But not everyone can love. Though Ellior was raised in love, our fathers love us. They care for us. Yes, they are strict at times, but we aren't gifts either. They punish us because we're princes and we need to realize that we're responsible for our actions. We were all raised by the same parents, Lua."

"Um, Stellare, can I ask something personal?"

"Sure, ask."

"Your fathers are pureblooded elves with light power, right? Then how come you have dark magic in you?"

Stellare's eyes immediately darken with pain, and he lies on top of me, hiding his face in the curve of my neck.

"My father was raped by the dark ones during the war," he replies, barely audibly. Oh, shit. I wrap my arms around him, stroking his back.

"He was held captive by the dark ones for about seventy years. They siphoned his strength out of him and raped him, forced him to give up his powers. And his aura was tainted. Some of his power didn't return, but was replaced by dark power. My father took my dad back even after that, because he loves him. And after the war, they had two more children. Me and my brother. My brother has a little more dark power in him than I do."

Shit. I close my eyes for a second in disbelief.

"I'm so sorry, Stellare. It turns out that Ailes' parents were raped, too?"

"No, his father's first husband was killed during the war. Ailes was born of a half-blood who was born from violence and the blending of two powers. Our kingdoms now welcome such mixing, believing that this way we will have a greater reserve of defense in case of another war. So such marriages are welcome. Some dark ones live in our land, as do half-bloods. Some light ones have gone to the dark ones."

"And what about Vox? He has light energy in him."

"Vox's father has two husbands. He's a demon incubus, and incubuses are lovelorn, and they'll just overwhelm one spouse with their affection. So Vox has three fathers and a whole harem of lovers to cope with Vox's father's hunger. He's a purebred, so he's different from Vox himself. Though Vox is also a lovelorn," Stellare hums as Ailes' muffled moan comes to us. "One of Vox's fathers is a Drow, a dark elf. He was born during the war to an elf and a dark mage. Therefore, Vox has the light power of an elf. And Vox's father's third consort is a healer of dark and light magic, very intelligent and very perverted. Also handsome. Madly handsome, actually. I've never seen such beautiful creatures, Vox looks like all of them, but more like a drow. Vox's older brother is like a healer and a player."

"You are close to each other, aren't you?"

"With Ailes we've known each other since we were kids. I've often lived on their manor. Especially since his father is a counselor and often stays with us, we're practically the same age. I'm older than Ailes, but I've been waiting for him to be ready to come here with me."

"And Vox? Did your parents really let you hang out with a dark one?"

"Vox and I met about twenty years ago at a royal party at our place, on the occasion of one of my brothers' wedding. It was the first time he set foot on our lands and saved me from his brother. Otherwise there would have been a sex scandal because of me," Stellare hums. "And from that reception, we started socializing, meeting in different territories, having fun together. I'll preempt your question, Lua, no, our fathers don't know that we're friends and more. Of course, they won't forbid us to do so, otherwise it would be a political scandal and a violation of the peace treaty. And yet none of our fathers would accept such a thing. So we've decided to enroll all of us here together, to at least be together like this."

"So you're...um, a threesome?" I catch the laughter in Stellare's eyes because of my confusion.

"Yes. A threesome, but where there's a threesome, there's a foursome. Believe me, it feels good to be fucked by more than one." Stellare's hot breath touches my neck and he kisses softly there.

"I'm going to throw you off the bed now," I warn, grinning.

Stellare sticks out his lip resentfully and lifts his head.

"You won't even let me try to seduce you. Why not? It's not like it means anything, Lua. I won't hurt you. Neither of us will hurt you."

"You bet on me," I squint. Stellare throws a leg over me and saddles me. He rests his hands on the sides of my head, leaning in a little, his blond hair cascading over us like a blanket.

"Come on, everyone's forgotten about that already. We can protect you, Lua. We have the power. Me, Ailes and Vox. No one can protect you like we can. Your father won't get to you, Lua."

"What makes you think the duke wants to hurt me?"

"Really? So your hatred for him is born out of nothing? Or do you think he won't hear that it was you who saved Seraphus? Uh-oh, he'll find out, and he'll take you to court to have you brought home. Yes, the headmaster can fight for you, prolong the proceedings, stall, but in the end you'll have to go back to him, Lua. And if you have us and you're with us, each of us will plead in court to leave you alone, since you've already chosen your fate. You know the law, Lua. The only way you'll be free from the custody of the family is if you marry. And marriage can be with two or three. So why not us? We can protect you, Lua."

"But not love." I smile bitterly at him and sit down on the bed, holding Stellare by the waist.

"We..."

"Don't," I shake my head, kissing Stellare softly on the cheek. "You don't have to lie to me. Lust is not true love. You can love each other, be spiritually close, but not me. If I felt that you would be my home, my family, I would say yes without hesitation, Stellare. But I listen to myself, and my heart tells me that if I give in to lust, I'll just destroy myself. So I'm sorry, I can't. I don't care about the Duke, Stellare, I'm not afraid of him. But my heart is already taken. That's the main reason I refuse. I'm already in love."

"In love?" He whispers, touching my face with his fingertips. "But when did you have time, Lua? And who is it? Piros?"

"Why Piros?" I laugh quietly." No, it's not Piros. It's someone else. I can't tell you because I might put him in danger. It's not that I don't trust you. I know you're kind, vulnerable, and sensitive at heart. But this secret isn't just about me, so I can't trust you with it."

"Oh, Mother," Stellare exhales, outlining my cheekbones, "you are so handsome, Lua, aren't you? So impossibly handsome inside. No one has ever said no to me so beautifully before, and I'm jealous. I envy the one you're in love with, Lua. I wish I could be loved with the same reverent tenderness and respect."

"You have two. So teach them. Be honest with them, Stellare. Tell them what you're missing. You can't do otherwise. Otherwise, you won't have a strong bond between you. Tell them it's not just sex you need, or not just laughter and fun. Tell them you need silence in their arms. Tell them that you sometimes feel very lonely, even when they're around. Tell them that you need care, that you want tenderness and affection from them. Tell them that, Stellare. Say it, don't be afraid. You've got two who are ready to love you, so show them how much you want to be loved. You said yourself that a true partner isn't everything, you have to love them. What if you've never seen love? If you have only seen hatred and anger, cruelty, heard orders and suffered punishment? Then how to love if you just don't know what it is. And for this, you need to talk to each other, to talk, not to be silent and suffer. Love doesn't forgive forced, unnecessary suffering. It sees what you do and hurts you, hence more suffering. So tell them. Tell them."

A tear runs down Stellare's cheek, and his lower lip twitches. I pull him to me, and he clutches me in his arms, sobbing.

"Tell them how you want to be loved, Stellare. Even if you don't know what love is, you've still formed an idea of what it should be for you. You've made your choice. You've chosen two guys. And if you don't like it when those two cheat on you, then tell them. Say everything you like and don't like. Then you'll know if this relationship is worth your suffering."

I continue to stroke the guy's back, rocking him a little.

I hadn't really thought much about the problems of guys like Stellare or Ailes or Piros before. But we all have our wounds, and they're deep. No matter what family we're from, or if we have one at all, each of us is already familiar with pain, disappointment, contempt, hatred, and indifference. Yes, the reasons are different, but the essence of it doesn't change. And for probably the first time since I've been here, I'm glad I've been patient with the guys. Their behavior is a result of their pain and fears. And I have to admit that I like Stellare as much as the others, even Piros. I like them for their differences, their peculiarities and just that vulnerable side.

My calm and steady flow of thoughts is abruptly cut short. My whole body becomes rigid and tense, as if ready to jump.

"Stellare?" I whisper. But the guy doesn't even answer me. I lean back, and Stellare rolls off me onto the pillow. Putting a finger to his neck, I cover my eyes in relief. It's okay, he just fell asleep.

But what I'm feeling isn't good. I feel a strange hovering atmosphere around me. Pulling back the curtain, I listen to the absolute silence. I don't like it. It scares me. After going around the room and checking on all the guys who are safely asleep, I peek into the small cubbyhole where the healer should be. But he's asleep, too, with his head resting on the table. That's too bad.

My shadow falls forward and a second shadow appears beside me.

Oh... oh... not again.