It was the day that every boy in the kingdom of Chamberg dreamed of: the Bargains.

The doors to the atelier were thrown open as heaps upon heaps of young men paraded through, each one ready for the day to end all with their pressed shirts and pants, near-perfect smiles, and proper form and fit.

Queen Mor, the Fae Queen, held a special day once every five years where a boy that had come of age would ask for something that would help him marry a man, and the Queen would take something in return.

Boys asked for straight teeth and gave up a finger, young men asked for better handwriting and exchanged the sense of smell with it.

The ride to the castle was quiet, but you could sense your mother’s overflowing happiness. Your bargain had been set, and yet you weren’t ready to share it with anyone, lest the bouncing woman sitting across from you.

Thousands upon thousands of carriages reached the palace, where footmen and coachmen opened pristine windows to give a knock of pleasure and guided boys with their mothers or fathers into the palace.

Every boy was ready to be guided to the throne room and to be waited upon in a line that would take them to their destiny of a bargain.

Except everyone was led to the ballroom, and they all lined up before Queen Mor herself sitting upon her throne, face geisha white, lips crimson and smirk wide. The ballroom was magnificent and humongous, with crystal chandeliers, polished marble, and plush red carpets.

“Don’t worry, boys. You’ll all get your bargains in due time,” The Queen said, grinning at this point. She always loved a good game.

With a snap of her fingers, three men stepped out of the darkness through an arched doorway and stood beside the Queen with effortless grace.

These were her sons.

First was Tamlin, who was her only-born and had matching Fae ears to his mother. He had long golden hair, a handsome face and a massive frame. He wore a twisted crown of thrones and branches upon his head and had on formal green clothes accented by gold.

Then was Derek, one that couldn’t stop grinning amongst his shaggy and bobbed brown hair. He had a quiver of bows and arrows strapped to his back and was the picture of a man with his tailored velvet doublet and long brown boots.

Finally was Bram, who was quiet in a manly sort of way. His dark brown hair was short and similar to most of the boys in attendance today, and he had on a blue overcoat and a white linen shirt underneath it.

“Which boys volunteer to compete for the hearts of my sons?” The Queen asked evenly.

A light push from your mother enlightened you to forty-nine other boys before the three men who bowed in turn.