Celeana's POV

I can not believe it. I'm finally going to see him. I don't even dare to believe it. What if something goes wrong? What if we get ambushed or if he's a spy? What if...

I want to believe it but I can't. I've just been disappointed too many times in my life. Been betrayed so many times.

Rowan and I are on our way to a sun temple ruin in the middle of Wendelyn. We are going to meet Aideon, Chaol and Ren. We ride hard. Rowan can tell I'm anxious to get there. He doesn't really say much because we're both too busy digging up our powers. It's supposed to be a friendly meeting, but we've both been warriors too long to trust very easily. We arrive earlier than we're supposed to, but that was intentional. You have to know your surroundings like the back of your hand.

After exploring the grounds a bit, we set camp next to the temple ruins and start sharpening our blades. The sounds brings back unwanted memories.

I look at Rowan and we have another one of our silent conversations.

"It's going to be okay, princess"

"I need to blow off some steam." He doesn't question me, but immediately rises. "With weapons or magic?" I ask. "All in", He answered determinedly. I charge.

Aedion's POV

I haven't slept since we arrived at the docks. Honestly I didn't sleep that well on the ship either. I just stared at the ceiling all day long.

But when we arrived to Wendelyn all thought of sleep was gone. The only thing I could think of was Aelin. I wanted to run to her but I restrained myself. If you survived not seeing her in 10 years than you can survive for a couple more days. It was hard though. We spent all of our time riding in silence. Except for Ren off course. He kept nagging about how he had the right to know who Aelin was and how the captain knew her. "It's not our secret to tell" I told him after a while. He shut up for five seconds before he started nagging again. The Captain and I both ignored him and each other. I have to admit, I respect the man slightly for being so loyal to the pest Dorian, but that doesn't suddenly make us best friends.

I'm finally going to meet Aelin. I don't know how I'm going to look her in the eyes. She must truly think I'm Adarlans whore. It had never bothered me as it did now. I held on tightly to her sword. I can finally give it to her. I can keep my promise. After that she may do as she pleases. I have failed miserably at my life's mission. She may hang me, and why not? I do deserve it. But I want her to use me as the warrior I am. I will fight great battles in her name.

Under the entire ride to the ruins those same thoughts flow through my mind. Will she even deign to be in my presence? Will she use me as an asset? I can finally give her the sword. I will finally have my meeting.

But most importantly and more frequently as the days went on: Aelin. How does she look? How does she sound? What is her sent? How is she as a person? Is she as moody and childish as before? I just had so many questions about her. It felt like a century until we got of the horses. It wasn't far from here. Only a couple of miles off the road. Ren finally shut up.

We started walking into the forest. After about a mile I heard sounds of a fight. I gave my traveling companions a look and started running.

I ran faster than I'd ever run before. The Captain and Ren soon fell behind, but I didn't care. All I could think was "not again" "please, not again". This can not happen again. What I saw caught me in my tracks and stopped me dead.

I have no words to describe what I saw. Aelin was fighting a man with swords and daggers of fire. Aelin with her gold ringed eyes and glistening skin. Her golden hair and her remarkable figure. But that was not it. She fought like a fae warrior. She had amazing control over her magic. She was magnificent. She was better than a fae worrior. She was better than me. The male she was fighting was fae. I immediately realize that they are just practicing because even though Aelin is spectacular, he was on whole different level. If it was a real fight they would both be a whole lot bloodier. And not just from her blood.

Ren and the Captain arrive panting and swearing. They both shut up and stare. "You!" Ren exclaims. That definitely caught Aelin's attention. She stopped dead and turned around to face her accuser. "You do not talk to her highness in that tone" the fae male said with a deadly look on his face. Ren gulped and took a step back. To his defense the male was truly terrifying and I would also have taken a step back if I wasn't too busy trying to memorize Aelin's every hair. She had so many scars. What has she been through? I suppress the urge to growl. I was trying to read into her expression but I couldn't get anything. She has a blank face on. The only thing standing out was her eyes. They are staring equally intently into mine. "Stand back, Rowan" She gave him a warning glance and looked back at me. I dropped to my knees and looked down at the ground. Aelin was still staring at me. Ren looked like he was about to attack. Rowan was ready to kill. And Chaol kept staring at the fae's ears and teeth. I could care less about what they thought. All I cared about was Aelin.

Celeana's POV

"What the hell is going on?" Ren almost screamed. Rowan gave him a warning growl. "Rowan" I said with reprimand. "You didn't tell him?" I asked the Captain amusedly. He shakes his head with sad smile. He glanced at my hand and looked devastated. I looked him over. He looked tired and hungry but he was fine. Then I looked at Ren. He gave me a look of hatred. I smiled at him and asked "remember me?". His look got worse. "Oh, get over it. You were the one who worked with that shithead Archer." A look of shame crossed his features. "We didn't know what he was up to!" I gave him a look of understanding. "It's really you?" A question this time. "Yes, it is" I told him with smile. I looked down on Aedion. He was so different but yet so similar. He was longer and more muscular. He had more scars than even I did. Yet by kneeling he showed that he was as loyal as ever. Over his shoulder hung the sword of Terrasen. He had the same eyes and hair as I did. If only he would look at me.

"Cousin" I couldn't keep my voice from wavering. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes. That was all I needed. I ran at him and he stood up. I gave him a hug and held on tight. He held me even tighter and we both started crying. He breathed in my scent and I his.