Aelin was lounging in her chair by the fireplace, staring at the flames. While Aedion lectured her on her less than queenly actions, Chaol was helpfully interjecting with nods and scoffs. She wasn't paying any attention, it had been three weeks since Rowan and her had separated. Aelin sighed, she missed him so much.. too much.

Aedion upon hearing her sigh questioned, "Aelin what's wrong?"

She looked up at both of them, she hadn't told either of them about Rowan. It just seemed to personal. She shrugged and run her fingers through her hair. She felt off balance without him, yup, she cursed to herself, she definitely missed him too much. Aedion resumed his lecturing, and Aelin mindlessly nodded and stared out the open window.

"Look, I'm serious, Aelin. Aelin? Are you ev-"

The curtains violently thrashed as white tailed hawk swooped in through the window, Chaol yelped and tipped over in his chair. While Aedion jumped to his feet, he glanced at her. She was just staring at the hawk with her eyebrow raised and an amused expression on her face. There was a bright flash and Aedion spun on his heels to face the hawk- but there was no hawk, there a tall fae warrior stood. He was thin, but every part of his body was pure, hard muscle, Aedion couldn't make out any of the mans features because of the cloak that covered him. All he knew was that there was a fae warrior standing far to close to his queen.

It was Rowan, she would recognize him anywhere, even if he was shrouded in a loose black cloak. She would recognize the way he stood, the way he moved, his shape. Aelin was gaping, her legs frozen, she couldn't even react as Aedion lunged at Rowan.

Aedion launched himself at the male, before he could take another breath the male had pushed him to the ground, he was pinned underneath his knee. His own sword was now pressed against his throat, the worst thing is that he got the feeling that the fae was holding back.

Rowan was so immersed by Aelin, that he had almost gotten tackled by the demifae. As he pinned him down he could see that the man's eyes were turquoise, and rimmed with gold, they were his queen's eyes- He groaned, as a small yet powerful body rammed into his own, pushing him of the man.

Choal stood there with his sword drawn not sure what to do, the man was on top of Aedion, but Choal had to protect Aelin. Right then she tackled the man, pushing him off of Aedion, Choal took a step towards her put froze when he saw that Aelin was hugging the stranger. The.. fae's hood had slid off revealing his sepia skin that contrasted his pure white hair, he was grinning and hugging Aelin- his Aelin.

She was crying, she was crying and laughing, and she couldn't help it. Her tears were soaking his shirt, but he didn't care. He just pulled her closer to him, burying his head in her neck and breathing her in, gods he had missed her, missed his Aelin. She smelled like lavender, he had missed her sent. The weeks apart had been a brutal reminder of life before her, he never wanted to have to be apart from her again. She sat up, her long lean legs still straddling him, she was more beautiful than he remembered... even when she was glaring at him.

He propped himself up on his elbows, smirking up at her, while she shot daggers at him.

"Did your entrance have to be so dramatic?"

Yes.

She rolled her eyes and studied his face, he looked more handsome, than she had remembered. Or maybe that was just because she missed him so much. She was about to say so, but then she remembered the existence of Chaol and Aedion.

Choal stood there gaping, how dare this stranger hold her like that, and look at her like that. He knew that Aelin wasn't his anymore but maybe he could show her how much he loved her and she would take him back.

Aedion coughed, and Aelin glanced up at him as if realizing he even existed. She sighed, still grinning and rolled off of the male. She stood up tucking a rogue strand of golden hair behind her ear, and pulled the fae up. The male's grin melted into a scowl as he examined Aedion and Choal. Damn he was tall, taller than Aedion- if only by an inch- but still he was tall and Aedion had to be honest threatening.

Rowan pulled Aelin closer to him as he took in his surroundings, the apartment was small, only big enough for two people. The two men watched closely, Rowan made direct eye contact with the blonde man, and smirked. Pulling Aelin against is side.

Aedion was absolutely fuming. He scowled still keeping eye contact with the fae, this was a full on dominance battle.

Aelin scoffed. " territorial fae bullshit.", she said under her breath.

Rowan still staring at Aedion replied smirking, " I'm not doing anything."

Aelin turned to glare at him and crossed her arms, he still didn't look away. She sighed, "Well I might as well, introduce you, Aedion this is Prince Rowan Whitethorn." she said mockingly. "And Rowan, this is Aedion, my dear cousin." They nodded. She sighed, this was never going to work. She turned to face Choal, who had an expression of shock and hurt plastered on his face. "Rowan, this is Captain Chaol." Choal scowled at the use of captain, those days were long gone.

A growl rumbled through Rowan's chest, so this was the man who had broken his queen. He would return the favor someday.

"There's only two rooms here, so we'll have to get Prince Whitethorn a hotel room" Aedion said from behind them.

Rowan sighed, the cousin was right, he couldn't stay here. It wasn't like at the fort where no one would question Aelin and him sharing a bed. But still he did not like the thought of being separated from his queen again.

Aelin, casually, said ,"No, no. It's fine Rowan will be staying in my room-"

The room exploded with shouts.