"Come on!" Meghan's glider rose into the sky and shot forward, my wings barely able to keep up with the metal bird.
We soared along the chasm that divided the Iron Kingdom from the rest of the Nevernever, looking for any left overs from the party that had hoped to escape by running along its length. I looked over to Meghan, her jaw set with determination. As time in the mortal world passed, certain iron fey grew to believe that a new ruler should take Meghan's place. New parties of fey had formed in her kingdom, and small as they were, their leaders were strong and Glitch advised that they be broken up. Meghan and Ash have been doing all they can to dispel the parties without violence and, so far, it has been relatively easy. I meet up with them when I can, using the amulet that I... Traded for with Grim. It took a rather annoying trip through the briar and two angry kelpies but such a powerful amulet was worth the extra fun.
Ash stands on the ground, still talking to Glitch about some boring politics thing.
"Maybe they're-" Meghan's voice cuts off sharply as a loud bang rattles the air.
The glider releases Meghan and she falls, a circle of blood blooming from her chest. A shriek pierces the air and I realize it's coming from my own beak as I hurl myself after her, shifting out of my raven form and throwing my arms toward her, trying to send glamour her way. Nothing. I tear the amulet from my throat and try again, forcing my eyes to stay open through the sharp pain of being on the iron side of the chasm. A weak sputtering of wind curling from my fingers is all I can manage as I slip the amulet back over my head and brace myself as I feel my body hit the hard ground and roll. I nearly roll off the chasm but somehow stop myself before I do. I hit hard, my ankle and wrist are most likely broken.
Meghan hit harder. I look over and her leg is bent unaturaly, her face twisted in pure pain, and a red hole appearing in her chest. I drag myself over to her as I see Ash glide overhead, shooting lightning fast ice daggers at who I presume to be the sniper. Glitch is yelling something from his own glider, hair sparking, but I can't hear anything as I lean over Meghan, something of a strangled cry escaping my throat.
She grabs my wrist, "Puck. Don't you dare... Let this kingdom fall. Protect... Ash. Puck, please..." I nod, my jaw clenched.
"I promise. I'll keep him safe." I whisper.
"Thanks... Puck... You were a good friend... Robbie." She smiles faintly.
"I promise, princess." Her hand loosens its grip on my wrist. I feel numb. I feel numb as an iron encases her torso. I feel numb as she is lifted up by the iron tree quickly enveloping her body. I feel numb as Ash comes up behind me. I feel numb as he yells at me, screams at me. Blaming me once again. He's right. I couldn't save her.
I stand up as he grabs my shirt, an ice dagger at my throat.
Protect Ash.
My hand whirls up on its own, a grin spreading across my face to hide the numbness as I knock him backwards and run, my feet pounding against the hard ground that had taken Meghan's life. I run the feet left to the edge of the cliff and throw the amulet over. I jump off the edge, black feathers enveloping my skin as I swoop to retrieve the metal object. I feel myself soar out of the shadows from the chasm as six ravens, dark as the emptiness in my eyes. I dive into the shadows of the forest on the other side and watch as Ash cries, crumpled at the roots of Meghan's tree, spilling over the edge of the chasm.
You're never leaving my sight again, Ash. I will keep you safe.
