I leaned steadily behind the trunk of a tree, ears prickling towards the sound of approaching feet; hooves against branches. Mortals had the knack for impatience. Unable to identify the sound of an animal arriving in plain sight, not until it was right there in front of them.
And they still ended up missing.
I closed my eyes, waiting until that small branch, that little misstep, closed the fate of the animal before me.
I crouched forward, gripping my bow tightly in hand, knocking the arrow securely in place. With my breathing even, I took aim, the gleam of innocence in the dull buck's eyes meeting mine...completely unaware of my weapon, the arrow perched lightly, craving its death.
I took one last inhale before letting go...
" Princess, what are you doing?"
My arm automatically swung towards the voice, my arrow letting loose into the trees, causing the fleeing of birds and the escape of the buck.
I glared furiously at the cat who stood directly above me, lying curled up on a branch.
"I was trying to hunt," I said sourly.
"Mmm..." Grimalkin-an irritable cait sith, one of Nevernever's annoying creatures-mused. "Are you forgetting what today is? Your mother and father will not be pleased if you fail to show; Many gentlemen will be disappointed."
I took an impatient breath. "Elysium is nothing special," I said bitterly. "Faery politics are not exactly my interest at the moment."
"Ah, yes. The buck certainly overrules any traditional meetings of Court, revolving around keeping the Nevernever intact without a war every other day."
I didn't realize how important I was."

The cat gave me a half-lidded look of boredom. "Importance has nothing to do with it. Suspicion will arouse if you are not there. The Courts appear uneasy this year and your vacancy will definitely draw more unwanted attention."

"As I recall, Cait Sith, I never said I wasn't going."

Grimalkin began cleaning his whiskers, his tone exasperated. "Then pray tell me, why you are flouncing about out here when Elysium awaits?"

"Trying to get my mind off it as I can see isn't working. Fine, Cat. You win."

He appeared unfazed. "As I usually do. Come now, Princess. Royal politics await."

A FEW HOURS LATER, I stood facing a body-length mirror, adorned in a blue, elegant dress, precious stones delicately placed across the neckline. Unlike mortal material however, this fairy-made dress felt almost weightless against me as I gazed back at myself from the mirror. Blue eyes met my own, looking more vibrant in the gown, making my black hair a stark contrast to it all.

"You look beautiful, Your Highness," an iron servant told me, straightening the straps and insuring that the dress was secure in all the right places, tugging gently around my waist.

"Thanks," I said as she began to pull my hair up, sharp metal fingers gliding dazzling combs into the back until only black ringlets fell around my face. I tried not to smirk at the elegance of it all.

"Done," the servant we called Nissa, said, obviously delighted with herself. "Your parents are waiting. Let's go, let's go." Nissa led me through the door and I followed obediently, the iron knights bowing their heads to me as we passed. I was always uncomfortable when they did that.

It took some time before we reached the courtyard, metal statues protruding up around me, gleaming silver in the falling light. Beyond it awaited a carriage, pulled by four iron horses, the leader huffing to me as I approached. "Your Majesty," he said, tilting his chin. I nodded.

My parents waited outside the carriage, my father gazing at my mother as if she were the only person in this world, dressed in a silver gown that billowed up behind her as she walked. Both of them looked up to me when I was close enough, bringing a smile to both of their lips. "You look gorgeous, Arianna," my mom said.

"Thank you, Mother," I replied, smiling back.

The Iron Queen let out a breath, "at least it's only for tonight. You never were one for the gowns."

"And we all know where she got that," my father added, stepping forward to kiss me on the forehead. He wore a stunning black suit, a silver tie around his throat. But below the coat, strapped around his waist, was his sword, sheathed safely at his side.

"Dresses were never my choice," my mom said, taking my father's hand and entering the carriage. I followed suit then until we were all in, my mother giving the signal to the leader of the horses. Then the carriage lurched forward and I watched out the open window as the Iron Kingdom slowly faded from view.

ELYSIUM WAS to be held at the Winter Court this year and I could tell before we even exited the carriage how unwelcomed we were by the sneers and glares that I was heavily receiving. I ignored them, instead taking in the entire ice castle, goosebumps appearing on my skin, my breathn visible. Redcaps growled as we passed, goblins exchanged suspicious looks among one another, even knights shot me a cold glance. On instinct, my hand twitched, ready to go forthe dagger I had strapped across my thigh when Nissa wasn't looking. But the creatures kept their distance, almost reluctantly and I moved my hand away from my weapon. An archway made of solid ice loomed overhead as we entered the Winter Court and I have never failed to miss the way my father stiffened each time we came here.

A long, narrow table stood in front of an icy throne, gleaming wickedly. Chairs made of ice sat on the left whereas chairs of wood and flowers faced the other side. No iron chairs had been added so I assumed we would be sitting on the side of Oberon, him being my grandfather and all.

As if reading my mind, the doors we had come through to reach the court opened, revealing both Oberon and Titania among the throng of a few Summer knights and others I only assumed were second-opinioned strategists. Oberon stood, an aura of superiority radiating off of both him and Titania both. The Summer King, with a grace about him that stated he was both firm yet fair, and his wife, whose power was just as intimidating but in a more personally threatening way. Her and my mother never got along and I didn't miss the shot of hatred she directed at me. I held back a glare. It wasn't my fault she was a complete and utter-

"Welcome, Summer," a voice boomed from the throne, a figure appearing suddenly in the seat, a vicious gleam in the Winter Queen's gaze. Her eyes drifted to each of us, stopping to rest on my father before flickering to me, a smile appearing on her face. "...Iron," she merely greeted, approaching the table. Oberon and Titania followed suit, taking the Summer chairs as Mab took the Winter. My mother automatically stepped forward, directing me to a seat farthest away from the Summer Queen.

I sighed and took my seat.

FOR MOST OF THE TIME, I appeared to be completely invisible to everyone. No one looked at me, unless to give me sneers, and no one talked to me. I sat there, going slowly out of my mind as the royals bickered and discussed things in hushed voices, oblivious to the girl isolated in the far corner of the table.

I watched the other creatures of Tir Na Nog mingling with others, dancing to a dark tune or eating ravenously, biting at whoever came near them. Redcaps stood in their groups, voices garbled from this distance, winter knights aligned stoic and protective along entryways, protecting their queen.

It felt like hours had passed before I was allowed to stand, though my mother did not want me wandering far, I needed air. I walked quickly through the tall doors and down the ice corridors, keeping an eye out for groups of creatures that would want to bring me harm.

However, I stopped when I reached a branch-off, one corridor leading to the left, the other to the right. I tried to remember which way we had come, pausing momentarily in irritation. Stupid castle with all your twisty hallways and stalking creatures, I hissed, choosing the right hallway. This one went on for quite some time before opening into what appeared to be a garden...except frozen solid with flowers who's edges could have sliced flesh.

I stood for a second before approaching the odd place, marveling at the deadly beauty of it all. Huh. I hadn't been here before.

I walked into brambles of overhanging branched, entertwined together, as hard as glass. Statues appeared, scattered around the frozen foliage, some of redcaps and winter knights, Dryads and humans, all dusted in a fine layer of frost. I stepped closer to one of the human pieces, a man with his hands clasped as if begging. I looked in his eyes, so incredibly lifelike that I nearly jumped back. But then...

It moved.

I yelped and stepped backwards, nearly tripping on a tree root and falling over. I stared in horror at all the sculptures...people frozen but still alive. I'd known Mab to be a horrible and cruel person, but I no longer blamed my parents for keeping the horrors of her Castle kept from me.

"Who's there?" A voice suddenly called out and I froze, momentarily wondering if it came from one of the statues. But then I heard the sound of feet crunching snow and automatically became wary, my hand again going for my dagger. I stepped back, careful this time as to where I placed my feet, breathing through my nose instead of my mouth. I inched my way towards the same path I had taken to get here, backing into something that I figured was a wall.

"Lost?"

I jerked around, coming face to...well, chest with a boy. If you could even call him a boy. This guy was tall and well-built, as most faeries were, long silver hair cascading down his back. He wore a dark trench-coat with boots and a sword strapped around him that my eyes instantly locked on before looking up into eyes the color of turquoise.

My throat closed. He was probably some Winter knight scouting the area, though I found it odd he lacked the same armor the others wore. Maybe he was one of Mab's "pets" she kept around for her own pleasure. I stared.

Until I realized that I still hadn't said anything and recovered quickly, trying to think of a reply. My mind went to my father's words, telling me that in the Winter Court, I must not appear weak or frightened; that that is what they feed on.

I stood my ground, edging away slightly. "You can't hurt me," I said, insuring that my voice did not shake.

The stranger's lip quirked up, obviously amused at my reaction. "Mm, well, I wouldn't be so sure about that."

I locked my jaw indignantly, ignoring the uneasiness that twisted my gut. "Do you realize the damage that would cause?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. "If you want to get on Mab's bad side, fine. Trust me, it is not a pleasant place to be."

He chuckled and I felt a tug on my stomach, irritated at the demeaning tone he took on. "I never said I would harm you, simply that I could if I wanted to."

I felt my cheeks flame. If I had been all Mortal, I don't doubt I would have been a tomato. "Is that so? You certainly are sure of yourself."

"I've been practicing combat a long time," he said, shrugging somewhat modestly.

The irritation was eating away at the fear and wariness and though I was still alert, I was also annoyed. "Is that supposed to impress me?" I inquired. "Well, whenever you are done discussing your academics, I'd like to know who you even are."

The man seemed to become suddenly uncomfortable, hesitating. But in a moment, it disappeared, the mask wiping it away. "Ladies first," he said."

"I believe it's, 'I asked you first.'"

"I know who you are anyway. An introduction is unnecessary."

I lifted an eyebrow. "Who am I?"

"Don't you know?"

I bit my tongue to keep from yelling at him. "You're quite annoying for a knight. Aren't you supposed to be with the Queen?"

He shrugged, giving me a hard look. "Who said I was a knight?"

I shivered against my will, the frost sending goosebumps up my arms. "Do you ever answer a question directly?" I wondered for a second if this was a tactic-distract the girl as something jumps her from behind. I automatically became full-alert once again, glancing over my back but not long enough so that he could make a strike without my seeing it.

"You're rather edgy, Princess. Expecting something to jump out and scare you?"

Yes, my mind confessed. "No," I answered. "I'm waiting for you to answer a question. Who are you?"

He sighed, his breath oddly not appearing in the air. "A bit pushy, you are. Impatience is not something one would find appealing in a princess. Especially if she's to take a throne someday. Rush, rush, rush, you'll never get anything done properly." The stranger swayed his hand as he talked and I caught the glimmer of a ring on his middle finger.

I wanted to snap at him, if not get away from him right then since he could use me as some type of leverage. For what, I didn't know. "Are you going to try and keep me here?"

The man rolled his turquoise eyes at me. "Do you think I am keeping you here against your will? It wasn't my fault you came flouncing here."

"Is this yours?" I asked and I couldn't keep the disgust from leaking into my tone.

For a second, his eyes flickered and his expression became dark, turning cold. "Of course it isn't," he hissed. "I was enjoying a book atop the fountain when a naive girl entered a place in which she is not welcome to."

I stared at him under my lashes. "Then I guess I'll be going," I said, scouting around him to get to the exit, before I stopped. If anything, my worst flaw was never being able to stop talking when one should; that my curiosity overruled everything. "I don't remember seeing you here before. Shouldn't you be out there?"

"Coming from a Princess who stated herself as important, asking someone else why they aren't out there while she isn't either? That's a rather pointless question, wouldn't you say?"

"Well, it's one you don't want to answer."

He turned around to face me as I stood to the side of him, meeting my gaze with that same dark one. "For royalty, I'd think you'd be bright enough to know not to push something you know isn't good for you."

I stared at him wordlessly for a moment. "I thought you said you weren't going to hurt me," I said, then cursed myself for not stopping.

I saw the boy's jaw harden. "I make no promises, so I will give you this chance to go. Otherwise, my attack would be fair as you challenged me yourself."

I didn't need a second invitation-since it was obvious I wouldn't get one. Instead, I stepped around, carefully keeping an eye trailed on him as I reached the exit. He continued to watch me until I was down the corridor, the strange boy fading from sight.